The Chronicle of the Horse
Vol. 2, No. 1
spring 2014
Rooted In Riding
Navigating
Romance Outside The Ring
Eventers Jimmie and Dominic Schramm
7Easy
Solutions
For Preserving Your Ribbons
a sporting life legacy
Inside
Huntland’s
Historic Walls A supplement to The Chronicle of the Horse
Spring Fashion Preview
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Legacy Heritage Pro
Legendary horsemen Nelson and Rodrigo Pessoa have developed a saddle fitting system like no other - the MasterFit™ system. Designed to unify the horse and the rider in perfect harmony with 420 different options, we can affordably tailor-fit one for you and your horse. You’ll neither struggle with your two-point, nor suffer in your flatwork. With more than 50 years of savvy and horse sense packed into the design, every model has the heart and soul of a competitor. Ride better in a Pessoa. Starting at $2,495.
We are the proud sponsor of the Pessoa/USEF Hunter Seat Medal.
www.PessoaUSA.com
®
LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO
LIVE IN A FREEZER!
matt varney, broker
561.779.9992 13501 Southshore Blvd — Next to Tackeria
W W W. W E L L I N G T O N E Q U E S T R I A N R E A LT Y . C O M
AN OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF THE FTI CONSULTING WINTER EQUESTRIAN FESTIVAL FIRST FOUNDING SPONSOR OF THE ADEQUAN GLOBAL DRESSAGE FESTIVAL
Don’t Delay Your Search As Your Dream Farm May Be Gone This Season! visit wellingtonequestrianrealty . com to view these and more !
foxtail farm south | Fantastic location! Beautiful show facility on 10 manicured acres in the heart of equestrian show-world. Fully equipped 17-stall barn with groom’s quarters, office, tack and laundry rooms. Private but additional acreage may be available. Offered at $9,995,000.
steeplechase
farm | Exceptionally maintained 10 acre farm. Beautiful 4 bedroom home that has been fully updated. 24-stall barn, tack & feed rooms, grooms quarters and riding arena. One of the most beautiful properties in Wellington. Offered at $7,900,000.
eladon farm | Simply incredible custom 4-bedroom, 4.5-bath estate on 5.2 acres. Architecturally magnificent courtyard equestrian property ideally located on the equestrian trail and nestled between larger properties for fantastic views from every window. Offered at $5,399,350.
laurel trail farm | 5-bedroom home with center aisle 6-stall barn (with room for more stalls) on the bridle trail. Fully equipped with groom’s quarters, tack, feed and laundry rooms and a large riding arena ready for any discipline. Open floor plan with beautiful views. Offered at $3,275,000.
topline farm | 2-story, 4-bed, 4-bath upgraded
equestrian club | Walk to the show! Gorgeous 4-bedroom home close enough to everything the Winter Equestrian Festival has to offer. Custom bathrooms, double tiered crown moldings and a beautiful open floor plan are just a few of the highlights. Offered at $2,295,000.
matt varney broker
craig martin sales associate
chris desino broker / owner
farm offers a large open floor plan, 8-stall barn (with room for more) complete with full groom’s quarters, multiple paddocks and massive arena! All this and you can hack to the horse show. Offered at $2,995,000.
rob desino owner
OW N I T !
STYL E
BY
M A LV E R N S A D D L E R Y. C O M
s t n e t n Co
Untacked The C hronicle of the Horse
Vol. 2, no. 1
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86
Features
56
46 Fashion Fads By The Decades 56 Horses, Happiness & How They Make It Work 70 Behind The Whispering Walls Of Huntland 86 Mustang Maddy 100 Vive La France In 2014 On the cover: Dominic and Jimmie Schramm; Right Start Photography Photo
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BY APPOINTMENT TO HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN PROTECTIVE HEADWEAR MANUFACTURERS WREXHAM
MADE IN
BRITAIN
THE LEADER IN EQUESTRIAN SAFETY Kitemarked to PAS015 and BSEN1384
Certified by SEI to ASTM F1163
www.charlesowen.com
s t n e t n Co 116
30
Departments 14
Editor’s Letter
16
Contributors
20
Around The Arena
22
Editor’s Picks
24
Pro’s Picks
26
Test Lab
29
Tech Review
30
The Clothes Horse
112 Do It Yourself
126
116 City Guide 122 Feed Room 126 Charity Spotlight 128 Best Of Web & Print 132 Parting Ways
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A kick-ass equestrian who rides over massive obstacles with thousands of spectators cheering them on. Usually seen as "the real deal" of equestrian athletes.
www.2kGrey.com
Where Fashion meets Performance.
Show Jumper:
Show Jumper is wearing the Pas Op! Knee Patch Riding Pant
Editor’s Letter
Peyton Manning, The Fluff Trap And Humanity As I sit down to write this note, I’ve just finished watching one of the most abysmal Super Bowl championships in history: an excruciating (or exhilarating, depending on whose side you’re on) 43-8 routing of the Denver Broncos by the Seattle Seahawks that will no doubt be the talk of the nation for weeks to come. I honestly don’t care about NFL football, but about a month ago, Chronicle staffer Lisa Slade sent me a link to sportswriter Lee Jenkins’ long-form cover story for Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year issue. “You have to read this,” she said. “It’s soooo good.” I clicked on the link. There was the decidedly unglamorous cover shot: Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning—his face showing age, his hairline receded, his brow looking permanently furrowed. I did not have the time or desire to read a massive tome on the twilight years of some aw-shucks football star’s career. But I did it anyway. I settled down on the couch one night with the Polar Vortex raging outside my window and got lost in the text almost immediately. I won’t spoil it for you (you should read it for yourself at tinyurl.com/SIManning2013), but when I came out the other side, I was a Peyton Manning convert. I still don’t care a lick about NFL football, but Jenkins’ incredible piece of writing peeled back the layers on a fascinating and inspiring human being. The game that’s been deemed his identity since childhood was nothing more than a backdrop against which the real story was told—it was about humanity, not just sport. It’s this approach to storytelling that we always hope to pursue at the Chronicle, as well. We heard overwhelmingly positive feedback after the launch of Untacked’s premiere issue in December, and it’s no surprise that the stories you loved most—an insider’s recollections of President Reagan’s abiding passion for horses, Georgina Bloomberg’s candid discussion on motherhood and riding in the public eye, and the surprising history behind the Petersens, a well-known Florida show jumping family— weren’t competition analyses or training how-tos. They were about people, and they sparked a connection.
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The lifestyle magazine genre has gotten a bad rap in the 21st century, I think. And that’s not undeserved, since there are plenty of titles out there these days falling into the fluff trap. But “lifestyle” shouldn’t be synonymous with “shallow.” Yes, you’ll find some fashion in our pages; we all need to buy new breeches now and then. And, yes, we’ll bring you product reviews, recipes and entertainment. But first and foremost, a lifestyle magazine should be about humanity. It should give you a glimpse into other people’s worlds and inspire a connection to people you never dreamed you could care about. I certainly never thought I’d be cheering my lungs out for an aging quarterback on Super Bowl Sunday, but behold, the power of journalism. I hope our Spring issue of Untacked can offer you such a glimpse into someone else’s world, whether you’re reading about Peter Foley and Stephen Bradley’s experiences as a same-sex couple in the equine industry (p. 56), wild horse preservationist Madeleine Pickens (p. 86) or 1910s foxhunting legend Joseph B. Thomas (p. 70). Horses may be the common mise-en-scene for all these stories, but it’s the human element that matters most. We’re already thrilled with what’s on deck for our next issue, and we can’t wait to share it with you.
—Kat Netzler, Editor
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contributors
LIZ CALLAR PHOTO
PATRICKMCMULLAN.COM PHOTO
In This Issue
Jamie Krauss Hess Jamie has been immersed in the equestrian world since childhood. She was a competitive jumper and equitation rider as a junior, winning the Washington International Horse Show Equitation Finals in 1996. She now resides with her husband, George, in Manhattan and is a director at The Narrative Group, a boutique PR firm with offices in New York and Los Angeles. She still enjoys her time in the saddle and rides every chance she gets.
Kelly Sanchez
A frequent contributor to The Chronicle of the Horse, Dressage Today, USDF Connection and Dressage Daily. Kelly Sanchez has also written about architecture and design for Dwell, Architectural Digest and New Mexico Magazine. She lives outside Los Angeles with her husband and two sons and rides whenever she can, which never seems to be enough.
Meghan Blackburn Meghan, a native of Lexington, Ky., is a former member of the Chronicle’s editorial staff. There’s no riding discipline she hasn’t tried—and doesn’t love in some capacity—but lately she logs most of her time in the saddle foxhunting in Northern Virginia. When she’s not with horses, she likes to travel and shop for vintage clothing (preferably at the same time).
Grace Darnell and Matt Rauppius Right Start Photography is the combined effort of videographer Matt and still photographer Grace, based in Chester County, Pa. When they aren’t photographing weddings or filming the online how-to series Evention, the couple spends their days hiking, traveling and hanging out with their Yorkie puppy.
contact us: subscriptions & renewals:
Mail The Chronicle of the Horse, P.O. Box 46, Middleburg, Virginia 20118 Phone 800.877.5467 Email subscriptions@chronofhorse.com Manuscripts and photographs, accompanied by return postage, will be handled with care. Publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. Copyright© 2014 by The Chronicle of the Horse, LLC. Reproduction of any material (including photographs and drawings) without written permission is prohibited. All rights reserved. The Chronicle of the Horse® and the distinctive masthead that appear on the cover of the magazine are all registered trademarks of The Chronicle of the Horse, LLC and may not be used in any manner without prior written permission.
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THE CHRONICLE OF THE HORSE (ISSN 0009-5990) is published weekly except for January 6, February 3, March 3, March 24, April 28, June 2, June 30, July 21, September 8, October 6, December 8 and December 29 by The Chronicle of the Horse, Inc., 108 The Plains Road, Middleburg, Virginia. Periodicals postage paid at Middleburg, VA and additional mailing offices. THE CHRONICLE OF THE HORSE Untacked is published quarterly on February 17, May 26, August 25 and November 10. It is part of your subscription to The Chronicle of the Horse. To order single copies, call 800-877-5467 or e-mail subscriptions@chronofhorse.com.
subscription rates United States and possessions $59.95/yr. Canada $79.95/yr. Foreign (other than Canada) $159.95/yr. Digital-only $35/yr. For all subscription options see www.chronofhorse.com. Postmaster submit address changes to P.O. Box 134, Middleburg, Virginia 20118 canada post Publications Mail Agreement #40612608 Canada Returns to be sent to Bleuchip International, P.O. Box 25542, London, ON, N6C6B2
IN THE WORLD OF HORSES, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.
The C hronicle of the Horse
Untacked Volume 2 • Number 1 • Spring 2014
produced and published by The Chronicle of the Horse publisher
Katherine Bellissimo president/executive editor
Beth Rasin, beth@chronofhorse.com
Editorial editor
Kat Netzler, kat@chronofhorse.com managing editor
SARA LIESER, slieser@chronofhorse.com associate editor
Molly Sorge, molly@chronofhorse.com editorial staff
Mollie Bailey, mbailey@chronofhorse.com Lisa Slade, lisa@chronofhorse.com Lindsay Berreth, lindsay@chronofhorse.com Jennifer Calder, jcalder@chronofhorse.com Bill Walsh, bill@chronofhorse.com editorial production manager
Lauren Maruskin, lauren@chronofhorse.com
Design & Production art director
Sylvia Gashi-Silver, sylvia@chronofhorse.com senior designer
sonya mendeke, sonya@chronofhorse.com
Advertising
advertising director
Dawn Kirlin, dawn@chronofhorse.com advertising account manager
Nick Holmberg, nick@chronofhorse.com
Win this classy combination from The Marilyn Collection
ad production manager
Beth Honcharski, bethh@chronofhorse.com
Customer Care
circulation director
By going to The Chronicle of the Horse Facebook page, and telling us what comes to mind when you hear "anything is possible" when it comes to horses.
CONTEST RUNS FROM FEBRUARY 1- FEBRUARY 24TH, WINNER TO BE ANNOUNCED MARCH 24TH!
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Karen Ficklin, karenf@chronofhorse.com customer relations
Laura Honohan, laura@chronofhorse.com administrative assistant
Kristin Scruggs, kristin@chronofhorse.com
Main Office
108 The Plains Road, Middleburg, Virginia 20117 Telephone: 540.687.6341 follow us on :
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tidbits from across the industry
Aroundthe Arena My Faves: Ayden Uhlir
training with coach Jeremy Steinberg, Uhlir will turn 19 in March and is intent on using her 2013 season as a springboard to even better results—with the occasional break for Disney movies and Italian food along the way. Herewith, a few of her favorite things. ➜ Breeches: Ariat ➜ Footwear: Konig boots and my Nike trainers
➜ Comfort food: Pirouette cookies and Nutella straight
from the jar
➜ Guilty pleasure: Sitting on the couch, watching old
Disney movies
➜ Social media personality: Model Karlie Kloss (@ karliekloss) on Instagram
➜ Movie: “A Knight’s Tale” with Heath Ledger
➜ TV Show: It’s a tie between “Vampire Diaries” and
“Reign”
➜ Book: The Selection by Kiera Cass
LINDSAY BERRETH PHOTO
➜ Magazine: Seventeen
➜ Vacation destination: Crooked Island, Bahamas
After getting her start as a kid on the Arabian show circuit, now-18-year-old Ayden Uhlir’s name was everywhere in the U.S. dressage world in 2013. Riding her Dutch Warmblood gelding Sjapoer, Uhlir collected young rider individual and freestyle gold and team silver at the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (Ky.) and the national young rider title at the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions (Ky.). Recently relocated to Carlsbad, Calif., to continue 20
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[Uhlir and fellow dressage rider Brandi Roenick are good friends, and their mothers promised them a trip to the Bahamas in 2012 if they both won their respective championships at the USEF Dressage Festival of Champions— which they did.]
➜ City: Kirkland, Wash.
➜ Place to ride: The USEF headquarters in Gladstone, N.J.
➜ Place to shop: Besides a tack shop, American Eagle ➜ Type of restaurant: Seafood or Italian
➜ Non-horsey hobby: Writing and making jewelry.
On Deck
➜ Thing to do with your family: Watching movies and eating junk food
➜ Thing to do with your friends: Going to the beach;
playing card games
➜ Memory in the saddle: Sitting on my horse Sjapoer for
the first time in the Netherlands in December of 2010.
➜ Dressage movement: Canter extension
➜ Type of horse: Dutch Warmblood! I’m not partial or
anything…
’Gramming With Graham Already following the @chronofhorse on Instagram? Great! But if you’re looking for even more equestrian inspiration, check out our featured favorite of the month, Graham Motion (@grahammotion). Graham, 49, is a world-renowned Thoroughbred trainer (remember Animal Kingdom’s victories in the 2011 Kentucky Derby and 2013 Dubai World Cup?), but he also ranks far above average amongst iPhone photographers. Graham’s beautifully lit and expertly timed snapshots document everything from snowy winter workouts in quiet Fair Hill, Md., to glorious sunrises over Santa Anita Park in California to surreal victory celebrations in the United Arab Emirates. They give followers a glimpse into the jet-setting life of a top trainer, but they also showcase the beautiful simplicity of everyday equestrian life.
Mark your calendar with these upcoming important dates.
anne, Switzerland. Visit fei. org to register for the conference, starting Feb. 28, or to live stream the event.
u Feb. 2014 – Feb. 2015 Even if you missed your local Lunar New Year celebration on Feb. 1, the Chinese Year of the Horse
is just beginning. Whether you’re an astrology lover or not, 2014 will be brimming with horse-themed cultural festivals, equestrian fashion and décor, so enjoy your favorite animal taking its turn in the limelight. u March 4 If you’re planning to attend the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games this fall in Normandy, France, but haven’t made your purchase yet, you’ll want to log on to normandy2014.com on March 4 to snag some of the 220,000 individual tickets that go on sale that day. Many of the multipleevent passes are already sold out, so don’t delay! u April 27-29 Will embattled president Princess Haya be convinced to stay on board at the Fédération Equestre Internationale? Will member nations in her favor be able to push through an amendment to allow her a third term? The equestrian world will find out at the
PHOTO COURTESY BOOTH MALONE
I usually make necklaces using precious stones, but I just learned how to make earrings. I originally got into jewelry when trying to find a way to fundraise for my NAJYRC team in 2011, and it worked pretty well, so I just stuck with it.
end of April, when an extraordinary general assembly will be called during the annual FEI Sports Forum in Laus-
Renowned equestrian artist Booth Malone (this piece, titled Lexington Bank, was featured on the Chronicle’s cover in April 2009) will host a painting workshop in partnership with the American Academy of Equine Art in Aiken, S.C., Feb. 24-28.
u Feb. – April The American Acad-
emy of Equine Art is hosting workshops
with renowned names like Booth Malone, Shelley Hunter and Cindi Nave for aspiring artists this spring. Visit aaea.net/workshops to learn more about the painting session with Malone in Aiken, S.C., Feb. 24-28; the sculpture workshop with Hunter in Georgetown, Ky., March 10-14; and the painting clinic with Nave at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky., April 21-14.
c h ro n o f h o r s e .co m
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Editor’s PICKS
Mountain Horse Carbon Boa Paddock Boots I’ve been loyal to one particular brand of paddock boot since I was about 15. They’re comfortable, attractive and good quality. I replace them regularly, because I’m pretty hard on them, but in general I’m an “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” kind of gal, and for years my paddock boot situation was just fine. Of course, I have experimented with zippers versus laces. (I generally bypass all pull-ons because my arches are too high.) Zippers are faster, but they’re the weak point on an otherwise solid boot. And so I’d sacrificed convenience in favor of affordability—replacing broken laces costs about $3, whereas a broken zipper is the end of the boot. Laces also provide a tighter fit and more support. So when I saw Mountain Horse’s Carbon Boa Paddock Boots, featuring the innovative BOA® dial, I was curious. Turn the dial, tighten the boot. Lift the dial, and the wire “laces” loosen. So simple. So cool. Faster than a zipper. Easier than laces. Lifetime guarantee! I branched out from my trusted paddock boot brand and waited for the other shoe to drop. Would the Mountain Horse boots be as comfortable? As durable? Would the dial break? Would the wires be as supportive as laces? Would they tangle? Upon removing my shiny new boots from the package, I immediately assessed how they felt on my feet. Did they fit? Could I put my heels down? Would I be happy wearing them regardless of whether I was cleaning stalls, walking a cross-country course or riding? No problem. The SHOCKX™ ergonomically designed cushioning footbed on these boots is high tech. It begins with a wicking layer against the bottom of your foot. Next is the urethane core on top of a removable arch support cushion. High-density proflex layers include Gel Tech Optimum™ shock22
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absorbing technology to help reduce fatigue in your feet, knees and back. The Z-shaped steel shank also provides more shock absorption than traditional steel shanks. And the bottom of the boot has a carbon-reinforced outsole and Swyrl-Grip™ tread. That’s a lot of technical, trademarked terms that, translated together, have one simple meaning: true comfort. But did they look OK? Admittedly, the dial takes a little getting used to, but you don’t see it under half chaps. These boots are full grain leather and feature a classic but modern outline. They’ve also reduced the weight by contouring the sides of the heels, which looks cool and feels great. The boots worked perfectly for a few days—easy on, easy tighten, easy off. But then one of the dials seemed to slip its tracks, and I could no longer tighten my boot. I played around with the dial, had my husband take it apart, thought I had it fixed, discovered it was not, and finally contacted Mountain Horse. Their customer service was perfect. They immediately offered to replace the boots or send me replacement parts, as the BOA system has a lifetime guarantee. With a little more perseverance, my husband was able to fix the pair I had. He just needed to untwist the wires (it’s possible I got a little carried away experimenting with how quickly I could tighten and untighten them) and I haven’t had an issue in the six months since. I’ve never had boots that were easier to get on and off. They still look good, despite my haphazard care. They feel great. I won’t be returning to my old brand anytime soon. The boots retail for $249. Visit mountainhorseusa.com to find a retailer near you. —Managing Editor Sara Lieser
Tryon, North Carolina Horse Country
BONNIE LINGERFELT
think choices
Fine Equestrian Properties & Country Homes
Advantage Realty 177 N. Trade Street Tryon, NC 28782
866-691-2291 828-817-0166
think equestrian lifestyle
Exquisite Home Blending Post & Beam. 2 Barns/ 19 Stalls plus Apartment on 8+ acres, 15 paddocks. Arena, FETA trails, Hack to FENCE. Mtn Views. PriCEd BElow rECENT APPrAiSAl. $1,250M
think tryon yesteryear
Charming Tryon Style Home Plus Guest Cottage, 3 Stall Barn, 4 lush Pastures and outbuildings. Mountain Views. FETA Trail Access. on 13+ acres. rEdUCEd $80K! $695K
think tranquil setting
Home on 20+ Quiet Acres, Hardwood & Tile Floors, Stone Fireplace. outbuildings: 3-Stall Barn, 3-Stall run-in Barn, Storage Barn. Pool, Pond and Mountain Views. $599K
think victorian horse farm
Exquisite Craftsmanship & luxury details. 4 Bd, 4 Ba Home. 6-Stall Barn w/All Amenities, Studio Apt, workshop, Storage. Salt-water Pool. 14+ Acres. rEdUCEd $75.1K. $899.9K
think stirrup downs
Equestrian Community on the CETA Trails. 16+ Acres with 4+ in Pasture. immaculate and Energy Efficient, 4 Bd, 4 Ba Brick Home. Small Pond. rEdUCEd $39.1K. $659.9K
think tyebella farm
The Perfect 2 Bd, 2 Ba Country Getaway with luxury Appointments. on 7+ Acres, Mountain Views and Stream. 2 Horse run-in. Minutes to FENCE & FETA Trails. $499K
TryonProperties.com for all the details & land choices
PRO’s PICKS
Clark Shipley Can’t Live Without… By Lisa Slade
MOLLIE BAILEY PHOTO
With two decades as a head groom at John and Beezie Madden’s John Madden Sales under his belt, Clark Shipley has traveled the globe with top show jumping horses and learned about all types of stable management routines in the process. But Shipley keeps the care of his athletes simple, relying on a few staples and traditional horsemanship principles. Whether stabled at the Maddens’ bases in Wellington, Fla., and Cazenovia, N.Y., or at a competition anywhere in the world, his horses are often iced as a preventative, and he doesn’t require too many products on a daily basis. But draw back the curtain, and you’re sure to find—or at least smell—some of his classic must-have items:
Beezie Madden’s longtime groom Clark Shipley shared the spotlight with his charge Simon, the 2013 Rolex FEI World Cup champion, in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Back On Track Anything
Respond Sentry Blanket
Vetrolin Shine & Vetrolin Body Wash
Reducine
Some may be skeptical, but Shipley’s a big believer in this entire line of ceramic-fabric products, most notably the leg wraps and the therapeutic blankets. “I do think it helps keep them loose,” he says.
Before and following competition, Beezie’s jumpers often spend time wearing a Respond Sentry PEMF sheet. It’s a brand the Madden team has sworn by for the duration of Shipley’s 20-year career.
Shipley says he’s a recent convert to Vetrolin’s line of cleaning and finishing products, but he now thinks Vetrolin Shine works twice as well as any other similar spray.
The pungent smell of pine tar is a standby in Shipley’s shedrow. After getting his start in the horse world driving and training Standardbred race horses, he still likes using the old-fashioned Reducine on hooves.
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some of the most beautiful dreams are dark “ D E R - D AU D R E A M B O OT ” 8 0 0 . DE R. DAU6 . w w w. de rdau. com
test lab
Find Your Fantasy Breech The Chronicle staff takes five different brands for a spin to find their perfect rider match.
>> 2KGrey Ava Full Seat
Yeah, I’m that person in your warm-up—the one blinding everyone with the amount of sparkly equipment on her horse. I’ve long been a fan of blingy browbands, blingy show coats and even spurs and boots with bling. But I’ve had to make do with regular, boring, non-blingy breeches. Until now! When Kris Pinto started 2KGrey with Karen Lipp and Meryl Ranzer, she just wanted riders to have cute, flattering pants to wear. The breeches that resulted are über comfortable, functional and, yes, sparkly, with hand-sewn embellishments and little crystals. When I first started wearing mine around the barn, people mistook them for a regular pair of jeans. They look stylish when paired with tall boots while riding, but they’re chic enough that they look good with flats while picking up your dressage tests at the end of the day—or even at the grocery store. And though I adore the Ava breeches because they have pink stitching—in a classy, understated way, of course—fans of other colors could find a friend in the blue-themed Calecto V full seat or the patriotic Olympic full seat. There are even white breeches for the show ring that tone down the bling factor slightly, but still allow you to express your love for everything that sparkles. And if you’re not a fan of full seats, 2KGrey offers knee patch options, too. $250, store.2kgrey.com —Lisa Slade, Editorial Staffer
For The Lover Of Bling
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For The Comfort Queen
>> FITS Duet All Season Zip Front Full Seat Breech
FITS’ Duet All Season Zip Front Full Seat Breeches might look untraditional from the back, but they’ve been designed for maximum comfort. This brand’s hallmark is their perforated deerskin full seat that’s segmented for ease of movement in the saddle. The black fabric Euroseat on the Duet breeches gives them a more traditional look, making them perfect for dressage shows or horse trials. The mid-rise keeps the breeches in the right place, even without a belt. The fabric is thin but not flimsy, and it features a high Lycra content, which makes them breathable and stretchy, but not easily torn or stained. Plus, the inside layer is made from twill weave microfiber polyester, designed to wick moisture in warm weather and trap warmth in colder weather. (Though it should be noted these aren’t exactly winter breeches; I rode in them on some cold Virginia nights in January and was comfortable, but I would definitely prefer my fleece-lined breeches when it dips near freezing.) My tall boots fit me like a glove, so I don’t like a lot of bulk around my calves and ankles. These breeches feature a thin fabric called Powernet on the inside of the calf and no Velcro at the bottom, so they give as close a fit as possible. I only ride two horses maximum per day, but I wear these breeches all day at the barn and in the house, and they feel as comfortable as a pair of sweat pants. Luckily they look a lot better. $269, fitsriding.com. —Lindsay Berreth, Editorial Staffer
For The EconomyMinded With A Sense Of Fun
>> Pikeur Shiva
>> SmartPak Piper Full Seat Breeches
I have to admit the first thing that drew me to these breeches was the price. Full seat breeches for under $90? I had to try them out. And I was thrilled to discover they were a steal. These breeches are a trifecta of fun, affordable and functional. They look and feel like many of their higherpriced brethren. The fabric is a polyester/viscos/ spandex blend, giving them a good amount of sturdy feel with plenty of stretch. The synthetic full seat comes in contrasting colors and doesn’t stiffen up after dozens of trips through the washing machine. The Piper breeches come in a variety of fun colors. While I got my first pair in traditional beige, even those feature some cool turquoise accents subtle enough for the show ring, but a nice little added flair. And if beige bores you, go for merlot, blue or charcoal instead. They also have my new favorite breeches feature: an ergonomic shaped panel at the calf that means no annoying Velcro or seams. Pockets in the front and back are big enough for your iPhone, although I probably wouldn’t ride with it there. The low-rise waist sits nicely just above your hips. My one complaint about these breeches is that they definitely require a belt (our intern Kimberly, who also took these for a spin, noted the same). Otherwise you risk them sliding down into hip-hop territory. But for $89.95 (less if you’re a U.S. Equestrian Federation member!) you can’t go wrong. And if knee patch is more your style, those are even more affordable, at $79.95. They also come in plus sizes. Smartpakequine.com. —Sara Lieser, Managing Editor
>> Ariat Prix The thing that hit me right away when I pulled on the Ariat Prix breeches? The fabric! The premium four-way stretch fabric molds to your body with just the right amount of give, and the articulated knees with stretch insets provide comfort in motion. These breeches feel like they’d be appropriate for a variety of athletic activities, whether it’s a trip to the gym, a run down the bridle trail or, of course, riding. And if jogging isn’t your thing, don’t worry, because you’ll instantly feel more athletic just wearing them
thanks to the curved-out seam that delivers a figure-flattering sporty look. These breeches incorporate modern technology at every stitch with features such as Core Control Technology™ for non-constrictive tummy support and patented V°3 Technology at the low rise waistband that keeps breeches close-fitting and comfortable thanks to an elastic “V” panel built into the back. I’ll admit that while these fit well, that “V” panel possibly had a bit too much give—I had to belt them to keep them in place. But I loved the stretchy calf fit system—no more bulky uncomfortable
For The Rider With A Little Bit To Hide
I got these breeches right after the holiday season, when the last thing you want to wear after a month of overindulgence and little exercise is tight pants. So I regarded them glumly for a few days before I even put them on. But once I was wearing them, I felt like a magic trick had occurred. Gone was the evidence of all the cookies, the cakes, the cheese balls and the milk-based cocktails I’d consumed. In its place was a sleek silhouette, imperfections cleverly and comfortably concealed by Prestige-Micro Plus 2000 fabric. The Shivas are based on jean styling, so they have little front pockets and real back pockets, but they’re still traditional enough that your big-name trainer won’t be offended by their look. The contrast stitching and patches give them a little extra panache, and the McCrown full seat offers stickability without restricting movement in the tack. These breeches keep their shape throughout the day, and washing doesn’t dull the color or make them look worn in any way. The darker schooling colors don’t show dirt either, ensuring you look as good on your seventh horse of the day as you did on the first. Pikeur makes notoriously quality and long-lasting products—I still wear my first pair of Pikeurs, and they’re more than 10 years old—so I have no doubt these will go the distance and continue looking good the whole time. $345, visit frantisi.com for retailers. —Lisa Slade, Editorial Staffer
For The SuperSporty Set
Velcro tabs! I did find that these ran a bit short on my 5’9” frame, but they come in long as well, so no worries. The color range inclues tan, espresso and black, and the espresso and black breeches feature contrasting stitching, zippers and buttons in teal and red, respectively. They have a European style with a synthetic suede knee and are machine washable. $119.95, Ariat.com. —Sara Lieser, Managing Editor
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TECH REVIEW
The EquiSketch Records App My trusty binder full of my horse’s veterinary records has served me well over the years, but as I recently thumbed through it, covered in dust and stained by various liquids found around my tack room, I decided it was time to finally start living in the 21st century. I’ve gone paperless with a lot of other things in my life, so why shouldn’t my horse records be the same? Enter the EquiSketch Records app, available for iPhones and iPads in the iTunes App Store for $9.99. The app’s design is simple, intuitive and easy to customize. Under the “Horses” tab, you can add as many equines as you’d like, including a photo. Once you select a horse, you’re able to enter basic information such as color, size, weight, breeding information and normal vitals. From there you can keep track of each horse’s daily nutrition, vaccinations, and appointments with your veterinarian, farrier, dentist, massage therapist, you name it. I’ve found adding medical notes and vet visits quite useful so I can look back and recall when exactly that horse lost a shoe or showed mild colic symptoms. You can add photos, too, so it’s easy to record how your farrier trimmed your horse or where the cut on his leg was. EquiSketch also has a “Cost” input so you can record how much you’re spending on each horse for your personal finance records, although I haven’t been using that feature because I think it would just make me sad! I’ve started to rely heavily, however,
on the monthly “Reminders” feature, which triggers a notification on the app’s icon. Whenever I give my horse his Adequan shot each month or the farrier comes to visit, I make sure to input that into the app, and based on the frequency I’ve chosen for that particular activity, it alerts me when my horses are due again. Because those notes can add up quickly, you can filter them by category (i.e., dental exam, farrier work, vet visit, bill paid or unpaid, etc.). And since phones and tablets are frequently damaged, lost or stolen, the app has a handy back-up system that allows you to print or export your information to your email. If you’re a trainer, you’ll also like the “Riders” section, which allows you to keep track of each of your students. You can add organization membership information (and when they need to renew), lessons and notes. If you’re a rider, there’s a section for you to jot down notes on your lessons and add information about the shows you’ve attended, including photos and your results. I’ve yet to find any drawbacks to Equisketch. Nothing stands out as being frustrating or lacking, and it functions quite intuitively. My only complaint might be the slightly steep price; I’m not likely to spend more than $1.99 on any app, but this one has proven worth the extra pennies. —Lindsay Berreth, Editorial Staff c h ro n o f h o r s e .co m
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THE clothes horse
Our Sartorial Guide To Spring Bid your polar vortex blues goodbye with these standouts from the spring fashion lines. By k at N e t z ler
<< Equiline
The women’s spring line from Equiline showcases all the most appealing aspects of equestrienne apparel in the 21st century: femininity, athleticism and practicality. The performancefabric Agata is sure to turn heads with its elegant front placket, highlighted by rhinestones, crystals and metallic beads. Available in white or beige. Italian sizes 38-48; $235. The sportier Ester model is enhanced by a laser-cut panel in front and scripted Equiline logo across the back, exposing breathable, semi-sheer mesh. Available in white, navy, red coral (shown) and ivory. Sizes 38-48; $235. EquilineAmerica.com. >>
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Agata and Ester Show Shirts
Barbour Birch Trench
In the same way that a classic wrap dress flatters any woman’s shape, the belted trench is a universally beloved sartorial staple. If you’re looking for a statement jacket that will remain a classic for years to come, Barbour is your brand. The new Birch Trench, which comes in the brand’s signature “summer dress tartan” pattern, is the perfect weight for warmer weather, with a linen shell and polyester lining. UK sizes 8-18; $399. Barbour.com.
FIERRO PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTO/COURTESY ARISTA
Arista Printed Sunblocker >>
These technical shirts have it all: moisturewicking fabric, 50 SPF skin protection, and antibacterial and odor-resistant properties. Their beautiful limited edition design, done by a Vancouver artist for this Canadianbased company, is just the cherry on top. And they come in sleeveless ¼-zip, long sleeve ¼-zip with mesh venting underarms (shown) or short sleeve polo. Available in black stirrup print, white stirrup print (shown) or plaid and leathers print. Sizes XS-XXL; $120-$130. AristaEquestrian.com.
<< Horseware Elise Breeches
You’ll be forgiven for staring at a derriere if it’s clad in these pretty pants. Horseware’s new Elise line brings beautiful detailing to classic colors. Self-seat with Daewoo knee patches. Available in white with yellow, khaki with orange, and navy with yellow (shown). Sizes 24-34R; $104. Available in March. Horseware.com.
USG Jess Breeches >>
Add a little European flair to your riding wardrobe with these full-seats by United SportProducts Germany, which boast decorative embroidery, contrast stitching, double belt loops and Lycra bottoms for optimal fit inside your boots. Available in black with black seat, red with black seat, and royal blue with navy seat. Sizes 22R-34R and 24L30L; $198. KLSelect.com.
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THE clothes horse Irideon Arena Show Shirt >>
With its wicking, four-way stretch tech fabric, magnetic collar, gapproof front buttons and extra-long tails to ensure your tuck job stays put, this show shirt is ahead of its class. And since it comes in a rainbow of colors and patterns, you can easily collect multiples. Available for women in berry, bluebell and champagne, as well as white with contrasting cuff and collar stand in zebra, floral fling*, pink stripe*, blue stripe, yellow stripe*, red fox*, silver fox (shown) and blue dots. (*Denotes not available in children’s.) Women’s sizes 30-40, $119.95; children’s sizes 8-16, $89.95. Toklat.com/Irideon.
<<
FITS Zephyr Show Coat
This season’s “Why Didn’t We Think Of That?” award goes to FITS for their innovative but common-sense full-mesh hunt coat. Cleverly designed with one layer of breathable PowerMesh in the underarms, two layers for a breathable but fully opaque body (even with a white shirt underneath; only when lit from within, as shown in inset, is the mesh visible) and three layers for details like lapels, the Zephyr is a modern marvel in competition wear. Plus it has trendy silver accents on the collar and zippered pockets, to boot. Available only in black. Sizes XS-XL; $328. FITSriding.com.
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Der Dau Custom Boots >>
When it comes to the boot business, Joseph Der has seen it all since he started sweeping up in his father’s Brooklyn workshop at age 10. Today, his family’s brand is as synonymous with classic craftsmanship as it ever was, but it’s right on the cusp of the hottest fashion trends, as well. Der points to customizable swagger tabs with lasered or overlaid initials and exotic leather trims as some of his most popular requests for the upcoming season. (Pictured: brown leather with tan iguana accents; black with two-tone iguana.) Custom designs start at $1,600. DerDau.com.
<< Equine
<< Le Fash
Show Shirts
Marrying streetwear and riding apparel isn’t a novel concept anymore, but Le Fash was one of the pioneers in the field, and their signature color-blocking style is just as hot this spring as it was years ago. Made entirely in the USA with Egyptian cotton and comfy bamboo knit, hidden magnetic collar closures and fancy detail buttons, Le Fash shirts are available in so many color and pattern combinations (shown in yellow/periwinkle plaid with periwinkle) that you’ll want to collect them all. Sizes XS-XL; $195-$215. LeFashNY.com.
Couture Tynsley Breeches
If you’re a rider who struggles with waistband fit, you’ll love Tynsleys. Equine Couture has replaced large portions of that pesky old pant standby with seamless side panels that adjust and smooth for optimal fit. This new model also has snazzy silicone knee patches and slim elastic calf panels. Available in safari (shown) or black. Sizes 24-34; $89.95. Available April 1. Breeches.com.
E
xclusive Linda Luster scarf depicting eight sport horse disciplines: Dressage, Reining, Endurance, Vaulting, Para Dressage, Show Jumping, Driving, and Eventing. Pure silk, hand-rolled edges.
$60.00 plus s&h
Call 800.877.5467 to order OR online at chronofhorse.com
Untack_Scarf 1-2H.indd 1
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Ariat Challenge >> Field Boots
Classicism and modernity meet in this gorgeous new brown iteration of Ariat’s popular Challenge field boot model. They’re guaranteed comfortable, with zippers and full-length elasticized panels on the back, elastic gussets on the inside knees and elasticized laces, but the Spanish-cut tops, square toes and chocolatey calfskin are head-turningly elegant. Women’s sizes 5.5-11, calf widths slim-wide, heights short-tall; $399.95. Available in March. Ariat.com.
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Equine Couture Stars & Stripes Show Coat
You may not be riding for the U.S. team (yet!), but you can still show your pride with the patriotic Stars & Stripes collection. White piping and a ribbon accent on the lapel make this jacket fashion-forward, and its lightweight, stretchy fabric and snap-front closure over a hidden zipper make it super comfortable and convenient. Available only in navy. Sizes XS-XXL; $129.95. Breeches.com.
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<< Mountain Horse
Sapphire Jacket
The new lightweight tech jacket coming out from Mountain Horse this spring is sleek and rugged all at the same time. Its waterproof, windproof, breathable stretch-membrane fabric offers a less bulky fit than other outerwear of its ilk, but it’s tough enough to hold up against an active horsewoman’s challenges: brush, briars and hay bales. Also includes reflective strips on front and back, a detachable and packable hood, and comfy Lycra cuffs. Women’s sizes XS-XXL; $229. Available April 15. MountainHorseUSA.com.
Cheval Color-Block Show Shirt >>
Chevalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fun styles are handmade in Canada from high-quality stretch cotton. Their new model appears totally white when buttoned up for the show ring, but roll up your sleeves and open your collar, and voila! Instant color-block style. Available in fuchsia and orange (shown), navy and lime, and cerulean blue and midnight. Sizes 4-18, $179. Cheval Fashions.com.
<< Horseware
Denim Breeches
These beauties are the type of breeches you never want to take off, and luckily you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to, because they look as fantastic in the barn as they do at brunch. Stretchy and slimming, they boast stickable full-seat panels in contrasting colors and are available in blue denim with chocolate and gray denim with black. Sizes 24-34R; $109. Available in March. Horseware.com.
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THE clothes horse << Noble Outfitters Amy Shirt
The silk-weight performance jersey material on the Amy shirt is sure to keep you cool and comfy all summer long. The Amy features a dropped back hem to keep your tucking in place, and the white version easily doubles as a show shirt, with a discreet stock tie loop. Available in blue ribbon, white and blackberry snakeskin (shown). Sizes XS-XL; $39.99. NobleOutfitters.com.
Kerrits Ice Fil >> Collection
Apparel that not only wicks away your sweat but also uses refrigerant technology to lower your skin temperature by as much as 5 degrees? Sign us up! Kerritsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; new Ice Fil line is destined to be a big hit with riders in hot and sunny climates with its innovative new cooling properties and 50+ SPF protection. Tech tights available in black (shown), nickel, and black with periwinkle. Sizes XS-XL; $79. Mesh tank available in coral, sea glass (shown), periwinkle and nickel. Sizes XS-XL; $39. Ice Fil technology is also available in long- and short-sleeved tops, a zip-up jacket, bolero and independent sleeves. Kerrits. com.
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PERFORMANCE QUALITY STYLE ARISTA® Modern Dressage Jacket
ARISTA® Modern Dressage Vest
ARISTA® Modern Hunter Jacket
Go to www.aristaequestrian.com to find a retailer near you.
Fuller Fillies Ali Half-Chaps >>
<<
Horseware Flamboro Polo
Dressage divas unite! The stretchy Flamboro polo is one of this brand’s best sellers, and this season it’s up for grabs in five fun colors with contrast details and shoulder insignias. Available in deep purple, powder pink, cream, citrus (shown) and heather. Sizes XXS-XXL; $42. Available in March. Horseware.com.
Let’s face it: Few of us have the enviable, easy-to-fit calf structure of supermodels. And if you’re outside the standard sizes, finding comfortable boots can be a challenge far greater than any dressage movement or gymnastic exercise. That’s why Suzanne Wild made half-chaps for plus sizes a priority when she founded Fuller Fillies 10 years ago. This spring, they’re expanding their size selection for their popular Ali half-chaps for women, though, “It hasn’t gone unnoticed that these are also being worn by men!” Wild says. Available in black and chocolate brown. Sizes wide - XX wide (up to 23" when stretched); lengths short, standard or long; $115. Fuller-Fillies.co.uk.
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<< Fuller
Fillies Two-Tone Breeches
They flatter, they’re fun, and they’re friendly to your pocketbook. With a soft elastic waistband with at least 6" of stretch, Euro Lycra cuffs and black contrasting full-seat, these breeches are perfectly designed with full-figured riders in mind. Available in turquoise with black. $59. Visit Fuller-Fillies.co.uk for sizes.
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Ariat V >> Sport Boots
Designed to work as well in the show ring as they do around the barn, these boots are perfect for the busy amateur who does it all or the professional who takes athletic wear seriously. The contoured ankle allows for optimal flexibility, and while these boots are fully leather-lined, there’s also a moisture-wicking sock liner. Plus they give you all the benefits of Ariat’s signature elasticized panel on the lateral side of the back zipper. Women’s sizes 5.5-11, calf widths slim-wide, heights short-tall; $299.95. Available in August. Ariat.com. 38
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Ariat Arcadia Show Top
Now’s the time to start stocking up on your summer gear, and this shirt is destined to be your go-to on the hottest days of the year. With mesh side and back panels, it’s designed for ultimate breathability, and you’ll find nothing more comfortable than no-sew welded seams. Simple, sporty stripes down the front and back flatter one’s figure, and SPF protection keeps your skin safe as well. Women’s sizes XS-XXL; $119.95. Available in March. Ariat.com.
Cräzy wonderful. #swedishstyle
Skittish weather requires the perfect piece for chilly mornings. That’s why we created the fleece-lined, wind and water repellant Tiffany Softshell Jacket. Packed with intelligent technical features and impeccable style, it’s designed to keep you dry and cozy so you can do more of what you love. It’s so wonderful, it’s crazy.
MountainHorseUSA.com
THE clothes horse
<< Horseware Neon Corrib Jacket
Fluorescent colors may be hot on the fashion runways of late, but some of us still wear neon un-ironically. For evening hacks or early-morning jogs, Horseware’s high-visibility, reflective jacket is the perfect outer layer. Fleece-lined, with a polyester shell. Sizes XXSXXL; $129. Available in March. Horseware.com.
If your waterproof footwear from last season is on its last legs and you’re looking for a better option, Noble Outfitters (formerly Noble Equine) has got you covered. After discovering a universal unhappiness with plain rubber rain boots during a product development meeting with customers, Noble designers went about designing a boot that you’ll actually want to keep wearing all day, even in heat and humidity. Breathright 3D mesh lining improves airflow and wicks away moisture, and a removable anti-microbial insole helps fight odor. Designers tailored men’s and women’s models specifically, but they all have a reinforced toe and heel and contoured foam at the top of the Achilles for added comfort. And they come with a free pair of boot socks! Available only in black. $109.99. Visit NobleOutfitters.com for men’s and women’s sizing.
Charles Owen V8 Helmet >>
Summer will be here before we know it, which means helmets everywhere will soon be soaking up more sweat than any of us would care to admit. But Charles Owen has introduced a new model to combat this seasonal annoyance, complete with detachable and machine-washable liners and the brand’s “Free Fit” system to increase airflow across the forehead and help evaporate sweat. The V8 is available in all black or black with heat-reflecting silver under its black mesh center panel. Sizes 67/8 - 7¼; $444. CharlesOwen.com.
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Noble Outfitters MUDS Stay Cool Boots >>
Tredstep Verde Breeches
The newest addition to Tredstep’s Symphony breech collection is for male riders who need a technical but still affordable model. Their scalloped knee cut and integrated ankle cuff offer prime fit and comfort, and who doesn’t love stain-resistant Schoeller Nanosphere fabric? Available in white, tan and charcoal. $149.99. Visit Tredstep.com for sizing availability.
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<<
Equiline Gus Bomber Jacket, Oliver Breeches and René Sweater
Company founder and avid horseman Paolo Marchetto realized 30 years ago that he could parlay his ownership of a textile house and connections with some of the top fashion brands in Italy into an equestrian apparel trailblazer. Today Equiline is giving riders all over the world a delicious taste of Italian style. The Gus Bomber Jacket is water resistant, windproof, lightweight and breathable. Available in navy and citrus. Sizes XS-XXL; $350. A waterproof model of the Gus retails for $395. Oliver breeches boast Schoeller fabric, knee patches, sock bottom closures and detailed back pockets. Available in white, navy, green vetiver and milk chocolate. Italian sizes 40-58 (40-42 are considered youth); $365.René Sweater is made of four-way stretch cotton and available in navy and beige. Sizes XS-XXL; $315. EquilineAmerica.com.
<< Horseware Girls’ Bridle Tee
For the little girl who loves to sport her horsey habit at school, this puff-printed, crystal-embellished tee is sure to please. With pink contrast stitching and applique flower detail. Available in grey mélange. Sizes 3/4 years-11/12 years; $32. Available in March. Horseware.com.
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<< Annie’s Sticky Buns Breeches and Heels Down Tee
Annie’s Equestrienne Apparel is new to the market this spring, but with its candy-store colors, durable fabrics and reasonable prices, it’s sure to be a hit with pony girls and moms everywhere. Shannon Klepper and her 8-yearold daughter, Annie, designed the line themselves (the latter with her trusty crayons), and their debut collection includes these hot pink full-seat schooling breeches and graphic long-sleeved tee for girls and tweens. Breech sizes S-XL; $55. Tee sizes S-XL; $25. AnniesUSA.com.
PALM BEACH INTERNATIONAL EQUESTRIAN CENTER
January 10 - March 28, 2014 at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival
World-Class Musical Freestyle Dressage & Entertainment for the whole family. FREE GENERAL ADMISSION For more information, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com or call 561-793-5867 The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center 13500 South Shore Blvd., Wellington, FL 33414
THE clothes horse
Fashion fads by the Decades Taking a look back at nearly 70 years of equestrian trends, from show ring to hunt field to jog lane, and everywhere in between.
W
By Eliza McGraw and k at N e t z ler
e riders like to think of equestrian style—for both horse and rider—as timeless. What could be more conservative than breeches and tall boots? More traditional than clean bridles and well-fitted saddles? Equestrian fashion continually inspires runway styles, attesting to the consistent style horse people can claim. But looking through the Chronicle’s considerable photo archives reminds us just how much variation our sports have seen over the years, even if much of the fundamentals remain. So if you find you’re a person who’s constantly lamenting the loss of sartorial tradition in the sport horse world, don’t worry—you’ve been in good company for more than eight decades of fashion fads.
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MARSHALL HAWKINS PHOTO
19 4 0 s
No, this isn’t a Coca-Cola advertisement featuring the legendary Cappy Smith and Mrs. Bruce Cameron Jr.—it’s just a well-timed snap of them relaxing with some cold drinks while leaning against a DeSoto automobile. Note the buttons on their breeches and the contrast patches on hers. His plaid hacking jacket and patterned tie made him the picture of a country squire and a fashion plate of the 1940s.
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>>
FREUDY PHOTO
19 4 0 s
This rider’s bowler hat did a good job of staying on as she sailed over this coop at the Allegheny Country Club Horse Show in Sewickley, Pa. She wore a white tie, and her horse had a broad leather breastplate with a metal ring at the center as well as a pelham bit.
CARL KLEIN PHOTO
<< Deborah G. Rood and Silver Play posed for
this win photo after topping the ladies hunter class at Devon (Pa.) in 1941. She’s pictured wearing a modish sidesaddle habit that included breeches beneath and shining dress boots, while the presenter has on field boots with his breeches. Her top hat and Silver Play’s braided tail show the formality of the occasion.
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>>
CARDELL PORTRAITS PHOTO
was neatly turned out in dark jodhpurs and a velvet hunt cap. Her shining pony Napoleon, with whom she won the Maryland Horse Shows Association small pony championship in 1947, was braided, and his bridle had the wide, flat noseband of the period. In the vivid imaginations of moms everywhere, this was how all little girls looked the very first day they started riding lessons.
CARL KLEIN PHOTO
<< Barbara Kade
“The riders did not have to get ‘dressed up,’ ” said the original caption for this photograph, which shows Pauline Meeds and her mount Bonfire, winners of the children’s Corinthian (or appointment) class at the Buttonwood Farm Horse Show in Berwyn, Pa. While Bonfire was formally braided, the rider’s jaunty tie and jodhpurs made her look ready for anything.
>>
CARL KLEIN PHOTO
DARLING STUDIO PHOTO
>>
Pausing for a cigar, the famous sportsman F. Ambrose Clark seemed relaxed as he sat astride his small but sturdy mount wearing his signature tweed cap. His horse’s quarter sheet kept the hindquarters warm on what looked like a chilly day of hunting, and his long-shanked bit was well polished and fastened to classic flat reins.
Mrs. Gregory S. McIntosh’s smile matched perfectly with her striped tie and field boots; she illustrated the equestrienne ideal of the era by appearing sporty and pretty all at the same time. Her long jacket was neatly creased, and with the breeze blowing, we can see the lining and the pockets in front of her puffed-thigh jodhpurs. The bridle on Hunting Hill’s Patron had a wide noseband, but the headstall and browband were narrow.
>>
FRED W. HARRIS PHOTO
>>
In this photo from 1953, the fashionable Mrs. Horace Jenkins showed off a pair of sunglasses atop her seasoned campaigner, Old George. This photograph was taken when adults still wore jodhpurs, complete with ankle cuffs and reverse-contrast patches. Old George needed no tack except a broad-strapped bridle and close-contact saddle with, of course, no pad.
DOUGHTERY STUDIO PHOTO
195 0 s
In 1955, Judy Pfiefer was the champion junior rider and winner of the AHSA Medal class at the Valley Hunt Club Horse Show in Fayetteville, N.Y., and she did it all in a cheerful plaid jacket. The presenter was more conservatively attired in a dark coat, and the rider pictured behind her had a more traditional hunt cap, but he also had a very dapper bow tie. This is the equestrian look Elizabeth Taylor sported when she played a Maryland rider transplanted to Texas in the 1956 movie Giant. c h ro n o f h o r s e .co m
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>>
It’s not in the least surprising that this group—Mr. and Mrs. Harry Huberth and their daughters, Laurie and Anne—won the family class at the eighth annual “A Day In The Country” show in Greenwich, Conn. Everyone was tweedily attired for the event: the children in their fitted jackets, the parents in their fedora hats and matching ties. Each mount wore a traditional snaffle, whether a classic D-ring, eggbutt or the narrowly designed full-cheek. The littlest rider also carried a bat.
>>
CARL KLEIN PHOTO
GLORIA AXT PHOTO
THE clothes horse
By 1968, street fashion was definitely creeping into the horse show world, as seen in this photo taken during the Southern California Exposition National. East Point, the conformation hunter champion, is shown next to a rider wearing a dark choker and very light breeches with a long jacket. The presenters were also perfectly attired—the man in a suit with some sheen and a narrow tie, and the woman with her a casually thrown-on cardigan.
>>
FRANK EMPSON/THE NASHVILLE TENNESSEAN PHOTO
196 0 s
<< Aviation Love, with
CARL KLEIN PHOTO
owner Margaret Brown aboard, won the intermediate division of the Nashville Tennessean’s One Day Horse Trials in 1967. The horse wore galloping boots and bell boots, as well as a thick white saddle pad. With his full-cheek snaffle, drop noseband and conservatively dressed rider, Aviation Love was right up to the standard of eventing of his era.
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This image shows Jimmy Williams up on Noel Kelly’s Blue Print, a green jumper champion in 1961. The rider’s plaid jacket shows some individual flair, while his horse’s wide noseband leans toward what was becoming a more oldfashioned style. Williams’ hunt cap is not a helmet, of course, but an item of apparel.
The late ’70s was prime time for rust-colored breeches. Brooks Corzine riding J.T. Ripper emblematized the riding style in this shot from 1979, from the longish hair under his hunt cap to the size of his collar. The portrait-style oval of the photograph itself— long before the days of Photoshop—reflects a time when even the most straightforward photography began to push some limits.
This shot from a 1971 MHSA Judge’s Clinic shows the judges looking at Mrs. Robin Irwin’s model hunter class entry. The attendees’ miniskirts—with bright flowers in the foreground and patterned with a metal ring belt in the background—show the lively spirit of 1970s fashion, as does the long colorful sash on the handler’s sunhat and her dark breeches.
won the Dutchess/Columbia Hunter Seat Medal Finals at the Dutchess County Fair Show (N.Y.). Her white breeches and dark, diamondpatterned, monogrammed choker show the times, as does her handler’s newsboy cap and sideburns. Her neatly braided horse looked on patiently wearing a fullcheek snaffle on his trendy bridle with plaited reins. The flat close contact saddle completes this picture, with a white saddle pad that was common by then.
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JULIA RADIGAN PHOTO
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LOCK MCSHANE PHOTO
PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANDERSON PHOTO
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PENNINGTON PHOTO
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This photo is from the I.E.O. 20th Annual Dressage Competition in York, Pa., in 1978. A pantsuit, a white belt, a peasant dress and a macramé handbag show that this was a stylish as well as competitive event. But the horse—Donja, ridden by Pat Smeltzer—was a close second with his very decorative browband, an almost digital pattern that manages to add just a little contemporary style to a traditional dressage turnout.
The 1970s are best portrayed by the one woman not in riding attire in this photograph: Mrs. Arle Perry Adams wore a plaid pantsuit, a turtleneck sweater and glamorous dark glasses to the Green Spring Valley (Md.) Hounds old-fashioned point-to-point. Behind her, you can just see a spectator in a down jacket; this is when they were popular for the first time. The riders look appropriately pleased with their victory, including Perry Ann Sheridan, holding the trophy. They show the historical era mainly in their neckwear, such as B.H. Griswold IV, the first gentleman to finish. The junior rider, Katherine Wight, sported braids that also look very ’70s; back then, the Swiss Miss style was favored by people of all ages, not just small children.
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Big hair and high waists were the norm in the 1980s (as were ladies undergarments that, ahem, might not pass supportive muster today). In this photo from 1986 at Chukka Cove Farm, the Jamaican Blue team (from left, Susan Williams, Betty Wates, Molly Bliss and Karen Phang) showed that breech colors were wide-ranging. And if you look behind the riders to the spectator on the right, you’ll note that trucker caps were not yet ironic.
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THE clothes horse
The ’80s may be best remembered for one thing: the chin protector helmet. There’s a larger profile here, and the more serious harness of the helmet (no longer cut off before the first wearing, as some people did in earlier decades) also suggests the transition taking place from headgear as an item of clothing to a piece of safety equipment. This photo shows Stacey Keast and Steppin Gay at the Brusally Ranch Horse Trials. Note the dark piping on the horse’s saddle pad and the white crop, both of which were in vogue at the time.
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In this 1987 picture of Amy Brumder, we see a monogrammed choker, a hefty leather helmet harness and a helmet design which dips in the back. This style again pointed toward the technology of helmet safety. The raised portions of her horse’s browband and noseband also show quiet style.
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MARCY HOLMQUIST PHOTO
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This 1982 portrait of Kevin Lenehan shows the height of ’80s street fashion— which, of course, had some equestrian roots to begin with—returning to the horse world. Whether a Ralph Lauren polo player, a Lacoste alligator or this tiger by Le Tigre, no preppy polo shirt was complete without some kind of logo. Kevin’s watch was big, his belt striped, and his reins braided. He looked perfect.
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The 1990 Intercollegiate Horse Show Association champions, a team from Skidmore College (N.Y.), showed perfect style as they posed for their win picture. The “I’m-offthe-horse-so-I’ve-unfastenedmy-harness” look was riders’ way of showing compliance with new helmet regulations, while some still kept their hunt caps for under saddle classes. Light breeches with dark jackets completed their conservative ensemble style.
Anne Kursinski and Eros made a perfect professional picture together at Spruce Meadows (Alberta) before going on to win a team silver medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. The horse looked neat and tidy with classic open-front boots, a fluffy fleece girth cover and a popular hackamore, and Kursinski added some fashionable accents to her classic team jacket with a brown velvet helmet and tan leather gloves. Again, note the close-contact saddle.
ERIN HARTY PHOTO
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Patty Heuckeroth’s mount Fleetford showed off another popular girth cover, as well as a classy rolled browband, in this photo from the 1997 Devon Horse Show (Pa.), where they earned the regular conformation hunter championship. His rider wore the traditional top hat, but you can see a hint of the modern era in her digital watch.
There were some deviations within the general jumper framework of fashion, as shown in this photograph of Rob Gage on Sage after winning the 1991 Mercedes San Francisco Grand Prix (Calif.). Sage had a monogrammed and piped square pad beneath the shaped fleece saddle pad, a detailed browband, white polos, bell boots, a martingale that matched the bridle and light-colored reins. The flash noseband also began to enjoy widespread popularity in the 1990s.
JAMES LESLIE PARKER PHOTO
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In this photo, taken in the summer of 1992, Beezie Patton (later to become Madden) is seen jumping Northern Magic in the Olympic Selection Trials for the Olympic Games in Barcelona wearing only a brown velvet hunt cap, as hardhats were still not mandatory for adult riders. Her turnout is simple and classic, and Northern Magic wears actual leg wraps, which would soon be abandoned in favor of boots. c h ro n o f h o r s e .co m
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THE clothes horse 2000s << Is nothing new? Eventer Will
Coleman proved classic always wins, looking like he strode straight out of a late-2000s era Brooks Brothers advertisement (which would probably closely resemble a Brooks Brothers ad from any other era) and into the main arena at the Dansko Fair Hill CCI*** (Md.).
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Neil Morris and Lisa Ben-Dov looked perfectly horsey at the 2004 Virginia Gold Cup and even hearkened back a bit to earlier days in their patterned jackets—her cheery plaid and his houndstooth paired with a fresh gingham shirt. This is one of those photos that seems as if it could have come from the files of the 1930s, except that Lisa would have much longer hair.
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DOUGLAS LEES PHOTO
JOHN STRASS BURGER PHOTO ERIN COWGILL PHOTO
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“Cool” was a key part of the late ’90s and early aughts, as Abigail Lufkin showed with Cameo in 2000. Her sunglasses, button earrings, somewhat masculine business suit and determined stride all show her relaxed but confident attitude. Her horse shared the look with a beautiful clincher browband—very popular at the time—and padded, raised noseband.
The world became a lot smaller in the 2000s thanks to the Internet gaining steam and travel becoming easier than ever. This made for a much more “global” style, particularly in the jumpers, exemplified by this photo of Nicole Shahinian-Simpson and SRF Drangonfly at Hickstead (England) in 2008. They showed off the look of the decade: “skunk” helmet, flash noseband, well-detailed ear net and open front boots.
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Eventer Karen O’Connor won the best dressed award at the 2012 Rolex Kentucky CCI**** for this well-tailored, belted ensemble with gold accents. In contrast to the ’80s, ’90s and early aughts, more feminine silhouettes are in vogue again, as well as heels, metallics and bright colors (and white before Memorial Day!). Horses, however, like Karen’s mount Mr. Medicott, are back to the beautiful basics.
LISA SLADE PHOTO
The overarching sartorial theme of our current decade remains to be seen, but so far it’s been punctuated by one thing: bling. Seen first in the show ring and dressage world, the trend started creeping into eventing as well after jumper rider Marilyn Little changed sports in late 2010. This photo from the 2012 Bromont CCI (Quebec) shows the array of sparkly items available—custom boot tops, buttons and gloves.
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KAT NETZLER PHOTO
KAT NETZLER PHOTO
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Show ring attire isn’t just about tradition anymore—in the 2010s riders in all sports have started to embrace clothing that’s high performance, high tech and practical. In this 2013 photo from Dressage at Devon (Pa.), Columbian dressage rider Mauricio Sanchez shows off a modern, fashionable look: gray tails in a performance fabric and a vented, almost futuristic-looking helmet emblazoned with his country’s flag. His horse also sports a rhinestone browband, and Mauricio wears eye-catching patent leather boots, all of which gives a nod to the sport’s roots but seems to embrace the future with open arms. Where will we go from here?
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COVER STORY
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Take a glimpse into the personal lives of four equestrian couples.
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horses,
happiness
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How They Make It Work By K at Netzler and Meghan Blackburn
RIGHT START PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTO
“I Dominic and Jimmie Schramm, creators of the online how-to series Evention, with her horse, Bellamy, and his dog, Vegemite.
could never date another rider!” It’s a phrase that’s been uttered by many an equestrian, both male and female. Some horse people have learned the hard way that they need a counterbalance from “the real world”— a partner against whom they don’t compete for ribbons, owners or a spot on a team. But the four equestrian supercouples we talked to for this story prove that there are many ways to make it work. Despite different disciplines, generations and sexual orientations, they share one important thing: They never could have made it to where they are today without a spouse every bit as horse crazy as they. c h ro n o f h o r s e .co m
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COVER STORY Eventers Dom and Jimmie Schramm dated long-distance for 1½ years—he in Australia and she in the States—but they took the marriage plunge just three months after he moved to America in 2010.
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Everything Outside The Box
’m going to see a man about a horse.” It was, ostensibly, that simple. But when Jimmie Schramm (née Holotik) boarded a plane to Australia in August of 2009, she, like anyone who’s ever used that classic phrase, knew deep down that her true purpose was something entirely different. After six months of emails, phone calls and Skype sessions with an Aussie affectionately referred to as “Schrammo” by their mutual friends, they’d long since abandoned the discussion of her importing a horse. “She told me later that she’d made
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this promise to herself that she wasn’t going to succumb or fall in love with me straight away—that she was going to keep her guard up,” says her now-husband, Dominic Schramm. “And I’d sort of said something similar to myself. But the moment she got off the plane, and we started hanging out that first day, I knew. I mean I don’t know if I consciously knew, but we just got along like a house on fire. That was it.” What followed—a first date in Fiji, a green card wedding, a sobering first year of marriage isolated together in rural
South Carolina—wouldn’t be considered a traditional courtship by any means. But Dom and Jimmie Schramm, who’ve now become famous in the U.S. eventing community for their award-winning online how-to series, Evention, have never been content to think inside the box. Dom, a native Australian, had worked for eventer Christopher Burton for a few years and was also galloping race horses when the 2007 equine influenza outbreak brought Australian equestrian sport to a screeching halt. That sent him on a year-long world tour, with stops along
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Dom and Jimmie Schramm:
the way to work for Paul Tapner in England, ride dressage horses in Germany, and make some connections in the United States. But at the end of it all, unable to get a sport visa lined up, he’d landed back home, working the graveyard stocking shift at Woolworths to save up money. Jimmie, meanwhile, was in her final year at Auburn University (Ala.) and hunting for a new horse to compete once she graduated with a degree in English. That February she headed to Aiken, S.C., to try some horses and visit her friend Jennie Brannigan. “That’s when I met Ryan Wood [with whom Brannigan was then working for Phillip Dutton], who is Dom’s best friend,” Jimmie recalls. “So I’m hanging out with them and looking for a horse to buy, and Ryan says, ‘Ah, you should call my mate Schrammo in Australia—he’ll hook you up.’ And Jennie, who’d talked to him before on Skype, was like, ‘Oh yeah, Jimmie, you know, he’s actually kind of your type, too…’ ” The goading and teasing continued to escalate throughout her visit, but Jimmie held firm, insisting the only thing she wanted less than the hassle and expense of importing a horse from Australia was a boyfriend from the same location. But no one was fooled. “I went home, and I did what any respectable college student would do. I Facebook stalked him for about three days,” she says with a laugh. “And then I sent him a message—I must have been drunk or something when I did it—that was something like, ‘Hi, Ryan told me that you’d find me my next horse and that you were going to be my next boyfriend.’ ” “It came at a very interesting time in my life,” says Dom. “I knew I wanted to move to America, and I had all of these goals, but I kind of wasn’t quite sure what
the next step was. I had no money; I’d just been living out of a suitcase for a year. At the time I thought of her as someone who maybe wanted to buy this horse [and thereby fund a move to America], as opposed to my future wife. But we just kept talking.” Online discussion of that particular mount, Oxlea Aargo, (who, Jimmie dryly notes, Dom ended up buying instead and bringing to the States 1½ years later), then horse talk in general gradually gave way to hours-long phone calls about everything but horses. Eventually Jimmie decided to skip her second week of classes in her final semester at Auburn to fly down to Australia (“I made my older sister go with me, in case this guy turned out to be a total freak, and I was out there all by myself,” she says), and Dom secretly planned—after contacting all her sisters and parents—an elaborate surprise trip to Fiji. “He was quite the romancer… back then,” jokes Jimmie, 27. The couple continued dating long distance until Dom, 26, made his move to the States in July of 2010. Because he was still unable to obtain a sport visa, they married three months later. “It was a little frightening; we would of course have loved to have dated in the same country for a period of time!” Jimmie admits with a laugh. “But we made that decision together. We both knew [marriage] was where it was going; that was just how it needed to work for us to be able to be together.” A seamless transition into married life was impossible, but the trainer jobs they took at Southern 8ths Farm in Chesterfield, S.C., finally allowed them to live out their shared passion for eventing together. “Poor Jimmie, it hit her like a bus,” Dom jokes. “She was away from her fam-
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Four-Legged Family Members: The Schramms have two very important canine children: Willow, whom Jimmie’s had since high school, and Dom’s Vegemite, “a longhaired whippet—show quality. He’d want to make sure that I mentioned that,” jokes Jimmie. The Important Things In Life: “Anytime we do anything ‘just for us,’ it always has to revolve around really good food,” says Dom. “In particular Italian, Thai or Indian. Spending time with our dogs and going out to eat, we’re pretty happy!” In Their Rare Spare Time: The Schramms have taken up sporting clay shooting. “It’s something neither of us had ever done before up until a couple years ago, so we were both equals at it when we picked up the shotgun,” says Dom. “Though Jimmie’s actually very, very good at it—she was good at it from the moment she started.”
ily, who she’s very, very close with, in a new place, no friends, living with a guy. Just the adjustment to being married is a big one, no matter what anyone says. We’d been married a few months, and Jimmie would come in from work and go to bed at like 6, and I’d wake her up, and we’d eat dinner and then go back to bed. I remember one night I thought, ‘I wonder if this is what it’s going to be like forever?’ “But after about six months she started to realize that it wasn’t all so bad,” he adds, laughing. “We figured it out. Marriage definitely takes things to another level, and it’s the most rewarding but c h ro n o f h o r s e .co m
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COVER STORY most challenging thing I’ve ever done.” The Schramms also found that despite no prior experience together, they were almost perfectly compatible when it came to sharing the workplace. “The work stuff is actually the easiest thing in our relationship, which is great,” Jimmie says. “That’s why we can do what we do. I’ve seen a lot of couples try to do it, and some of them have separate barns or whatever. We’ll bicker every now and then, but it’s pretty rare. “Both of us have worked in really high-stress barns before, and we both don’t want that,” she continues. “We know how to focus and work hard, but we like to have fun as well. We’re really interested in having a good time as opposed to feeling like the barn is a negative place.” Sharing that outlook might be kismet, but it wasn’t just a lucky surprise they stumbled upon. They’d grown confident in their compatibility long before. “When you talk to someone on the phone and online for that long, there’s not the usual euphoria of dating and seeing each other,” Dom explains. “You’ve actually got to talk about stuff—your ideals and all that sort of thing.” “We were lucky to have that communication, because we knew each other very well from all the talking,” Jimmie agrees. “We have a pretty good time together.” That fact shines through in the Schramms’ Evention videos, which educate viewers on subjects from how to see the perfect distance to backing your trailer with a laidback, often humorous style. They also pepper their informative selection with a few entertainment-only videos, like “How Horses Eat Their Food” and their viral rap spoof, “Dressage Skillz.” “Neither one of us have a big bank roll or a ton of horses, and we needed a way to 60
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kind of put our name out there,” Jimmie explains. “Dom’s done a ton of teaching and was originally thinking about writing a book, but it didn’t totally make sense when everything is now on the Internet. So I said, ‘What if we did some kind of how-to series?’ ” Their first video debuted in September of 2012, and they’ve since gained more than 15,000 subscribers and half a million
“We know how to focus and work hard, but we like to have fun as well,” says Jimmie Schramm. “We have a pretty good time together.”
page views from around the world. Evention also won the 2013 Best Newcomer title from the Equestrian Social Media Awards. “We want to show people what we can do and also create a support group that will get behind us,” Jimmie says. “We want to ride at the upper levels and do four-stars, so we’re trying to think outside of the box and find a different way to get there.” “All of those competitive aspirations are at the core of what we’re doing right now,” Dom adds. “We all have the same goals, whether it’s Boyd [Martin] or Phillip [Dutton] or [Will] Coleman or me; we
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all the horse shows and pawning them off on owners while I compete.” The couple has plenty of entrepreneurial ideas for the future as well, from nonprofits to clothing lines. “I have a very specific idea for a charity I’d like to start, and if I had a couple gold medals up my sleeve, that might give me a little more influence to get that going!” says Dom, who currently incorporates “Schrammo’s Shout-Out,” which highlights worthy charities, in most Evention episodes. While Dom and Jimmie might have had a vague inkling of such goals before
the money along the way. But at the same time I find it hard to understand how, if you’ve always had everything you’ve ever needed and never had any fear of failing, you would really appreciate it.” Dom references their recent purchase of a new (used) truck, after three years driving a frighteningly unreliable one, as a milestone in both their business and marriage. “I’ve read that statistic that financial problems are the stem of most arguments in a marriage,” he says. “But I’m kind of grateful for [that challenge], to be honest. You can’t even imagine how excited we
CALLYNTH PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTO
What followed—a first date in Fiji, a green card wedding, a sobering first year of marriage isolated together in rural South Carolina— wouldn’t be considered a traditional courtship by any means.
all want to get there and have good results with a top string of horses. I just refuse to believe there’s only one way to do it. I think there’s a whole world of opportunities to try new things in our game, and I’d like to try as many of them out as I can.” But while they share a passion for earning success at the top level, the Schramms already know that isn’t their sole goal. “I don’t see me and Dom becoming Karen and David [O’Connor] or competing into our 50s,” Jimmie says. “I think we’ll always be involved in horses, but I don’t think [training and competing] will be our main source of income forever.” The Schramms want to start a family eventually, and Jimmie would rather shift her focus away from competing when that happens. “I want to keep riding, and I want to get as far as I can,” she says, “but I also don’t want to be driving my kids to
they met, their partnership has brought out the best in both individuals and put priorities into clearer focus. “When I was little bit younger, a couple of years ago, I put a lot of importance on trying to ‘make that money,’ even though I didn’t really have any,” Dom admits. “So last year when we finally took the plunge and started our own business and were kind of out on our own with the safety net taken away, it was very tough. We pretty much ate ramen noodles, and we slept on an air mattress for 11 months. “But I’ve had a real change of attitude as far as money’s concerned,” he continues. “I realize it just helps you get where you want to go—it’s not the be-all and the end-all. Of course if we want to ride nice horses and drive a truck and have a big trailer, we’re going to have to find
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were, driving that new truck home. But we wouldn’t have had that excitement if we hadn’t had to struggle a little bit.” That sense of realism and willingness to embrace a challenge may be the Schramms’ secret to success, both personally and professionally. By refusing to harbor any illusions that marriage or equine business will be easy, they’re able to find real joy in the day-to-day. “Being married and working together with horses is different to a lot of things, because it’s a lifestyle,” says Dom. “So when you mesh two people’s goals into the same lifestyle—as long as you communicate well and work hard—it has the prospect of working very, very well. We get to wake up in the morning and do what we both love doing. I feel really lucky that I get to do that with my best mate every day.” c h ro n o f h o r s e .co m
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COVER STORY
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MEGHAN BLACKBURN PHOTO
“Not to sound like an old man, but when I was a kid, [a same-sex relationship] wasn’t even talked about,” says Peter Foley (left), with partner Stephen Bradley. “This was not something that people would ever have asked us, about our relationship, and to have it be broadcast. It’s not like it’s ever been a secret that we’re together, but I’m pleasantly surprised that’s happening in my lifetime!”
Stephen Bradley and Peter Foley:
Take Advantage Of The Differences
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s modern equestrian disciplines go, few combinations seem more akin to oil and water than hunters and eventers. There’s little crossover in form or function, and rare is the horseman who feels equally at home in both worlds. But after 14 years together, hunter trainer Peter Foley and Olympic eventer Stephen Bradley are the epitome of the “opposites attract” archetype. And while it might be tempting to compare them to a classic contradictory couple like Mary Matalin and James Carville, Foley and Bradley probably wouldn’t see many parallels. They see their respective careers fitting hand-in-hand, not pulling in opposite directions. “I personally take great pride in Ste-
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phen’s career,” says Foley, 50. “Anyone in the horse business knows that we lose more than we win, and we have more heartache than we care to admit to. At the beginning of my career, work was almost all I did. Competing was like that for Stephen too, I think. So now it’s nice to be able to go home and to take a breath. [Whether you] have a big win to celebrate or a disappointment to commiserate, it’s nice to have someone there who understands.” Bradley, 51, and Foley had their first date in 1999 (though it’s still up in the air as to who asked whom on that date), and they now live together in Leesburg, Va. Foley owns Woodhall Farm in nearby Aldie with his business partner, Dale Crittenberger, while Bradley’s horses are based
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a bit further down the road in Millwood. So while they share a passion for horses, their workdays often resemble any other couple’s—getting up and heading off to each one’s respective office. And when it comes time to head south for the winter, Foley sets up base in Ocala, Fla., while Bradley goes to Aiken, S.C. “When we first got together, I went to Ocala with him, and we stayed at the same barn, and I show jumped at HITS. That was fun!” says Bradley, a former Land Rover Burghley CCI**** (England) and Rolex Kentucky CCI*** winner. “But I have predominantly young horses right now and am trying to get a few horses to the upper levels. So now with the young horses, it makes more sense for me to go to Aiken.”
While this arrangement might not work for some couples, Foley and Bradley have found it manageable. “For us, it’s not a dealbreaker, it’s what has to happen,” says Foley. “Part of the reason our relationship works is that we understand each other’s schedules, and the travel is a necessary part of what we do. In the winter it’s a couple of months apart, but we don’t begrudge one another because of it.” “You have to have a certain amount of acceptance—that the person has to be on the road, that they have to travel, one night they might have to teach late or be gone for a week,” Bradley chimes in. “That’s just part of business that we have to accept.” But training out of separate locations doesn’t mean you won’t see Bradley ringside at the Devon Horse Show (Pa.) or
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that was a good test.’ But it’s not my expertise.” Since Foley doesn’t compete anymore, Bradley shows up to watch his students when they’ve qualified for the likes of the Pennsylvania National Horse Show or the Washington International Horse Show (D.C.). “I do like going to hunter shows because you can always learn something by watching people ride,” says Bradley. “We collaborate quite often. That’s the beauty of having two people in two different disciplines; we can pretty much find a job for every single horse! We don’t try to make them do something they don’t want to do. Some of the horses that I competed to advanced are now doing some jumpers or hunters.” Foley feels at home at three-days as
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The Chatterbox Of The Family: “I definitely talk a lot more than he does,” says Foley. “But he rides for a living and teaches [in addition], but I mostly teach full time, so I’m used to talking. That’s my rationale!” Lovers, Not Fighters: “We’ve never had any knockdown dragouts,” says Bradley, though the couple did fess up to an occasional disagreement about their dogs.
At home in Leesburg, the couple often entertains and treats their guests (horsey and non-horsey friends) to home-cooked fare prepared by Bradley. With all the travel involved in their work, they choose to indulge mostly in “staycations,” enjoy-
He’s genuine and nice and honest. I love him because he’s my partner, but I also like him. —Peter Foley well, and some of his favorite experiences with his partner came at competitions like the 2003 (Md.) and 2007 (Brazil) Pan American Games, at which Bradley won team gold with Brandenburg’s Joshua and From, respectively. “It was a blast knowing all the heartache we put in to get to these places,” Foley says. “For me it’s fun to see the hard work pay off; we’ve been together when the horses are unsound or get injured in the field. But winning isn’t the only thing I look forward to. Because I think that would be disappointing—always looking for the blue ribbon or a gold medal. But it is icing on the cake when you can go watch them compete and do well.”
STEPHANIE BRADLEY GREEN PHOTO
Foley carrying buckets at the Pan American Games. “I really appreciate going to events because it’s fun to get out of your discipline and see what other people are up to,” says Foley, who’s also owned event horses for Bradley. “And Stephen has spent enough time at the hunter shows that he knows what we’re looking for.” At the 2012 edition of Devon, for instance, “One of my clients had a horse [Townsend] in a first year [green working hunter] class,” says Foley. “Stephen was there, we watched, and after the round he was like, ‘That was pretty good, wasn’t it?’ And he did end up winning the class! It’s like me watching the dressage—‘I think
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“We collaborate quite often,” says eventer Stephen Bradley, shown here riding under the watchful eye of his partner, hunter trainer Peter Foley. “That’s the beauty of having two people in two different disciplines: We can pretty much find a job for every single horse!” c h ro n o f h o r s e .co m
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ing one another’s company and the comforts of home. After more than a decade together, the couple has discussed marriage, but, “I would want to wait until [same-sex marriage in the state of Virginia] is actually legal,” says Foley. “We’re lifetime Virginians; if we’re going to get married, we’d like to get married in Virginia. “I think it’s coming around,” he continues. “Not to sound like an old man, but when I was a kid, [a same-sex relationship] wasn’t even talked about; this was not something that people would ever have asked us, about our relationship, and to have it be broadcast. It’s not like it’s ever been a secret that we’re together, but I’m pleasantly surprised that’s happening in my lifetime!” At the end of the day, Foley and Bradley’s partnership works for the same simple reason any other relationship does: These two guys just enjoy being around each other and are better together than they are apart. “Everybody that meets Peter adores him,” Bradley says. “Peter is very even keel, and his emotions don’t go up and down, and he doesn’t get mad, and he talks things through. That has been a very strong and positive influence on me. I’m the first to admit that I can have a temper, and I can fluctuate if I don’t think about it and work on it. Peter has brought that into my life, and it’s been a huge change for me in a very, very good way.” The feeling is clearly mutual. “I find there are not many people who have met Stephen who don’t like him—myself included,” says Foley. “He’s a fun person to be around; he’s genuine and nice and honest. I love him because he’s my partner, but I also like him. It sounds simple, but I really do like him.” 64
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COVER STORY
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Lee and Erica McKeever:
A
Focus On Family
ny married couple will tell you that marriage takes work. But what if you were to factor in two children and a husband who travels? Then, just for good measure, try managing Olympic gold medalist McLain Ward’s training operation. Meet Erica and Lee McKeever, who are doing all of that and more. In 1988, a teenaged Erica and Lee arrived at Ward’s Castle Hill Farm in
Brewster, N.Y., within a month of one another, coming from England and Ireland, respectively, to join Barney Ward’s team. “We traveled together a lot. We were really, really great friends for a long time, and we just made a connection,” says Erica, now 47. “We’ve always been, like, best friends. It just progressed a little more.” After seven years of dating, the couple finally married in Florida before the birth
of their first child, Bradlee, in 2002. “We got married on a Monday in Palm Beach, because that’s our day off. We had a baby on Monday. We do everything on Monday—it just works with our schedules,” jokes Erica. Now Erica and Lee are parents to two children—Bradlee, now 11, and sister Baylee, 9. Lee travels with McLain to shows around the world, while Erica mostly stays in Brewster and Florida to manage the day-to-day schedule. “We’re very lucky with our kids to be able to adjust to it,” says Lee. “They didn’t know any different, so it seems natural for them. When I’m home, I try to do as many school and sporting things as I can to make up for when I’m not there. This has always been the way, and they’ve grown up with it. And I admire how Erica manages to pull the whole thing off: the work, the kids. She’s a strong person.” That said, the McKeevers consider themselves more than just a family of four. “McLain and his wife [Lauren] are our family. They’re the closest people to us,” says Erica. “I appreciate what we have there. It’s a beautiful system. Everybody lives there; everybody works there. You’re never alone. “They’re amazing,” she continues. “I’d say we’re closer than a family. We’ve been through an awful lot together. In fact, there’s not much we haven’t been through.” McLain spent his teenage years living on the farm with Erica and Lee, and then when they traveled to Florida, he’d live with Lee there, as well. After all that time spent together through the years, Erica says she considers McLain like a son. But “McLain and my husband, they’re more “Sapphire was huge for our relationship,” says Erica McKeever of the opportunity she and her husband Lee had to care for McLain Ward’s superstar mare together.
like brothers,” she says. “They fight like brothers!” “McLain was 14 or 15 when I first came, so he’s like a younger brother—very annoying,” Lee agrees wryly. At 45, Lee has seven years up on his boss. “It’s a family-operated business,” he continues more seriously. “[The relationship we have with McLain and Lauren is] what makes the whole thing work. We’re very close, and it’s like one big family, everybody.” Raising children with lives of their own while running the business of one of the world’s top show jumpers can sometimes be a feat, but everyone on the farm pitches in—including McLain. “Most nights we all have dinner together, and then McLain helps them with their homework,” says Erica. “He’ll sit with Bradlee for two hours. You know, he’s so precise. He has to go on the Internet and see how it’s done correctly. He makes Bradlee erase it—‘It has to be neater than that!’ he’ll say. I’ve never seen that side of him, but lately, since his dad [Barney] passed away, he’s appreciating more of the things around him.” From autumn until Christmas break, Bradlee and Baylee go to school in Brewster, then from January until spring break, they attend school in Wellington, and then they return. Erica’s job requires her to keep up with paperwork, but she also gets to ride, and luckily she’s able to do this whether the kids are in school or not. “We’re fortunate that our kids have always been welcomed into the barn,” she says. “Their whole summer vacation, they’re with us. They’ve always been encouraged to be around the barn and the animals. If they have a football or basketball game, you’re encouraged to go partake in that. We’ve always had the freedom to put the children first. Barney instilled, and
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Beyond
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Family Vacation: “McLain took everyone to the Bahamas this year; he arranged the whole thing start to finish,” says Erica. “It was phenomenal. Lee is very into lying by the pool, and McLain wants to be busy all day and does things with the kids. The kids said they think that should be our annual vacation.” Just Like In The Commercials: Lee’s favorite method of communication with his family on the road is iPhone FaceTime. An Equine Affair: “Goldika was the mistress, the other woman in my marriage,” Erica jokes of one of Lee’s all-time favorite charges, ridden by McLain to huge grand prix fame in the early 2000s.
Erica and Lee McKeever grew up together working for the Ward family at Castle Hill Farm, and today they balance parenting their two children, Bradlee and Baylee, with managing the barn for one of the world’s top show jumpers, McLain Ward. c h ro n o f h o r s e .co m
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ERICA MCKEEVER PHOTO
We got married on a Monday in Palm Beach, because that’s our day off. We had a baby on Monday. We do everything on Monday—it just works with our schedules. —Erica McKeever
“McLain is unbelievable with the kids,” says Erica McKeever of her boss, Olympic gold medalist McLain Ward (center). McKeever’s children, Baylee (top) and Bradlee (in blue) smushed in for this photo with McLain’s wife, Lauren, and his little brother, Dylan.
McLain followed through. If Lee can get home, he’s always there, watching a game or at a parent/teacher meeting.” But now that the kids are getting older and have social lives of their own, new challenges are cropping up. This was the first year that Bradlee expressed his desire to stay in New York for the winter. “He’s in middle school now and doesn’t want to leave his friends, so we’re finding that a bit of a challenge,” Erica admits. “I’m trying to do what’s best for the kids. We try and have a normal life here in New York as much as we can, but when we’re in Florida it’s the only time we’re really all together, which is very im66
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portant to me, especially for Lee’s sake. It’s the one time he’s not traveling all over the place. “So it’s hard to balance both,” she continues. “We’re learning this as parents. I’m speaking to a lot of people who told me this would be a problem at this age.” And as any parent knows, tough decisions get even tougher when spouses don’t agree. “Lee thinks that he should have to go to Florida because this is when we’re all together as a family,” Erica explains. “And he doesn’t think Bradlee should be dictating what he wants to do to us at such a young age. Whereas I think you’ve got to be a bit more sensitive to what he needs. We both have our own opinions. We’re not afraid to tell each other what we think.” They’re also not afraid to admit that as two independent, strong-willed individuals, they frequently find barn life rife with contentious issues. “We clash a little bit in the barn. I tend to step back when they’re all home because we disagree a lot,” Erica says. “But most of the time, I wouldn’t change it for anything.” In the end, Bradlee agreed to travel down to Florida at the end of January. While his sister rides and shows her pony, he doesn’t ride much anymore, preferring to play sports. That’s something new for his Irish dad.
”
“I never played sports; I was always into horses,” Lee says. “But he’s into baseball, football, basketball, golf. It’s great!” While being apart frequently is hard, Erica and Lee have a firm foundation to their relationship built over the years, many of which were spent on the road together. Although Lee now manages the show horses when they’re traveling, Erica looked after McLain’s superstar, Sapphire, for much of her career, and the talented mare allowed the couple many special memories. “The [2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games] in Kentucky and the 2009 World Cup in Las Vegas were great, because normally, when those are in different countries, Erica and the kids stayed home,” Lee says. “We kind of did WEG as a family since it was in America. That was very special—when we were both doing Sapphire together.” “I called it our honeymoon,” adds Erica. “As intense as the week was, we just had a great time. We worked so well together. If ever she won and was on the road, just to hear the excitement in Lee’s voice when he called to tell me was so special. She was a great part of our marriage.” In fact, horses have acted as the glue that binds the couple together, from the shared love of individual mounts to a passion for the sport on the whole. “We always have something to talk about,” says Erica. “We’re both really ex-
David Wightman
JANE HAYES PHOTO
and Kathleen Raine cited about our days. embarked on the adWe both have so much venture of marriage in 1990 and have built in common with the their dressage training horses, and we both facility, Adventure Farms, along the way. really, really love what we do.” “I think horses are a different lifestyle and way of life,” Lee adds. “I don’t think other people would understand the traveling, the hours. Having someone who understands a lot of the problems—it helps.” That also means you have an empathetic friend in your corner when disappointments come along, as happened recently for Lee. While he may be reserved around people, he forms deep attachments to many of the horses in his care, and he’s had a tough time letting go of McLain’s longtime mount Antares F, who went back to owner Katie Dinan’s Staysail Farm last year after she amicably left Ward’s tutelage. “That was a huge loss for Lee because athleen Raine and David Wighthe adored that horse,” says Erica. “It’s a man have Hilda Gurney to thank rough week when they leave, but it’s for more than just their successful dressomething we’ve had to deal with. We sage careers because it was at her barn know he’s going to be fine and taken care that the couple met. Raine and Wightof, but you do get attached.” man were working students for Gurney Five years ago, Lee and Erica built in 1985. a home on Castle Hill Farm, pledging “We were working together durtheir loyalty to McLain and the United ing the day, and we’d hang out in the States. evenings, and a relationship developed “We left home young—we were 17 from there,” says Wightman, 46. and 18—so Castle Hill became our famAt the end of his working student ily,” says Erica. “That became our home. stint with Gurney, Wightman moved to Most people say home is where their Malibu, Calif., to start his own training parents are, but we committed to living business, while Raine relocated to her here. This is where we wanted to raise mother’s home in Palos Verdes, Calif., a our children.” little over an hour away. “I never really had a plan as far as “When we decided that we were what life would look like. I didn’t look going to get married, I moved into at the future,” admits Lee. “I just think Kathleen’s mother’s house—we lived in things evolve, and you live in the day, separate rooms, of course!” jokes Wightand it’s worked out for the best.”
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Kathleen Raine & David Wightman:
Put The Other Person First
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man. “We got married at Kathleen’s mom’s house overlooking the ocean.” They were married in 1990, and they immediately went into business together. Their time working together at Gurney’s had set a solid foundation for the way they would run a barn and interact with horses and people; there was never any question as to whether they’d mimic that program. “Because we both worked at Hilda’s and saw how she did it, that was what we knew, and we never even talked about it,” says Raine, 48. “It just developed into what we were the most comfortable doing.” Raine and Wightman now operate Adventure Farms in Murrieta, Calif., and they’re able to share the space without stepping on the other’s toes. “He does his horses and people, and c h ro n o f h o r s e .co m
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LISA SLADE PHOTO
“At the moment, things are really exciting for us, with Breanna doing well,” David Wightman says of the mare he picked out and his wife, Kathleen Raine, is aiming at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games this fall. “We’re a real team.”
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Besides being a great team, it’s very convenient! —Kathleen Raine
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I do mine, unless it’s one of our more important horses, and we’ll interact more with each other,” says Raine. “Otherwise we do our own thing, and it’s kind of like a regular job where you each do your own work, and then you’re together in the evenings. “And it’s great because we’re very supportive of one another,” she adds. “If one of us is out of town, the other can take care of things at home. Besides being a great team, it’s very convenient!” Raine and Wightman have come to rely on one another’s support more and more as their respective careers have 68
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pr o g r e s s e d — w h ic h sometimes means sacrifice. Raine is currently campaigning the 14-year-old mare Breanna (Brentano II— World Queen) at the Grand Prix level, while Wightman recently sold his Grand Prix mount, Partous, to one of his young students. He’s also a sought-after young rider and young horse coach. “We’re trying to campaign Breanna for a spot in the [2014 World Equestrian Games],” he says. “In order to reach that goal, when you own your own horses like us, it made economic sense to let Mackinzie Pooley purchase Partous to help support Kathleen and her goals.” But sacrifice only works if it goes both ways. “When I did the [FEI World Dressage Championships for Young Horses in Verden, Germany] in 2003 on Partous and Brigadier in 2006, Kathleen stayed home and did all the work,” adds Wightman, who won the 2006 Markel/USEF Dressage National 6-Year-Old Championship with the latter horse. “Through the years, the support we’ve had for one another has always been steady,” says Raine, a member of the 1994 bronze medal-winning team at the FEI World Equestrian Games in The Hague,
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Vacation Style: “We go to Mexico every year to try to do something non-horsey,” says Raine. “We have fun; we try to keep it not so serious, because what we do is so serious. We try to make it a lighthearted trip.” Running The House: Raine cooks and does laundry, while Wightman pays the bills. On Children: “We have a number of younger riders. I kind of think of those as our kids!” says Wightman.
the Netherlands. “I had a couple of Grand Prix horses when he didn’t, and then he had one when I didn’t. We respect each other a huge amount [for] how hard we each work. And we’re dedicated to what we do. Every time he goes into the ring, I’m hoping he does well and is successful. There’s not at all any competition between us; it’s always been supportive.” This year, Raine plans to show Breanna in some CDIs in California before heading to Gladstone, N.J., and on to Europe in hopeful preparation for the WEG. Wightman will stay to keep things going at their training facility, which the couple built 12 years ago on five acres. He’ll fly to Europe for her shows. “At the moment, things are really exciting for us, with Breanna doing well,” says Wightman, who picked out the mare that the couple owns with Jennifer Mason. “We’re a real team. We see things pretty much the same way—work ethic and all of that. And we support each other in what we want to do. That really keeps us together. I’d say we’re best friends.”
HORSE & HOME
behind the
Whispering Walls of Huntland By Kat netzler
This bucolic estate in Northern Virginia has played quiet witness to 180 years of American history.
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KAREN L. MYERS COLLECTION PHOTO
Below: As the heir to a sugar-refining fortune and a keen student of foxhunting stateside and abroad, Joseph B. Thomas had both the means and the expertise to transform New Lisbon into Huntland—a paradise for horses, hounds and equestrians—in the 1910s.
JANET HITCHEN PHOTO
Left: The Huntland estate in the heart of Virginia’s horse country witnessed the rise and fall of slavery in the 1800s, became the crown jewel of American foxhunting in the 1910s, and played host to secret negotiations between powerful politicians and foreign diplomats in the Cold War era. Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it’s being restored to its bygone glory, protected by a private foundation and conservation easements, and is home to some of the top show horses in the country.
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HORSE & HOME In a well-kept park near
Mr. Thomas’s house stand extensive English-looking buildings of brick and stucco, which, viewed from a distance, suggest a beautiful country house, and which,
visited, teach one that certain favored hounds and horses in this
world live much better than certain human beings. One building is given over to the kennels, the other the stables; each has a large sunlit court, and each is as beautiful and as clean as a fine house—a house full of trophies, hunting equipment, and the pleasant smell of well-cared-
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for saddlery. In a rolling meadow, not far distant, is the race course,
all green turf, and here, soon after luncheon, gathered an extraordinary
diversified crowd.
—Author Julian Street, American Adventures, 1917
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Drive 4 miles northwest out of Middleburg, Va., past the verdant Glenwood Park Racecourse, over winding Goose Creek and beyond the Foxcroft School, and you’ll see them: the towering, patinaed estate walls that are as magnetic as they are forbidding. Undulating cleverly to just barely conceal the grandeur within and bearing poetry inscriptions in old English and Latin, the cream-colored masonry still exudes the same tantalizing Secret-Garden quality that owner and celebrated foxhunter Joseph B. Thomas enjoyed a full century ago. This is Huntland. Today the estate includes 700 acres of rolling pastureland
ing base in America in 1913, and even before a Civil War skirmish took place on its lawn on June 19, 1863, Huntland was already a place full of history and mystery. It was 1831 when British expat William Benton Sr., a master builder and brick mason, paid what was then the hefty sum of $3,267 for the original 172 acres. Benton, who’d just completed the construction of Oak Hill, President James Monroe’s new home 10 miles to the east, set to work on a relatively modest but quality Federal-style home for his own family that he would name New Lisbon, after his ancestral home in Wales. The estate, which continued to increase in acreage, was farmed throughout the ensuing decades with the help of the Benton family’s slaves. Census papers show that by 1860, just before the Civil War would break out, Benton owned 29 slaves, making him one of the leading slaveholders in Loudoun County. But anecdotal evidence passed down through generations of the same families who served as Benton slaves, namely the McQuay family, who still reside in the nearby village of St. Louis, Va., suggests the New Lisbon owners gave their slaves more opportunities than most would have in that era. During the 1850s and ’60s, in defiance of Virginia law, the Bentons reportedly taught their slaves to read and write, and following the Emancipation they were also educated in trade skills. Many continued to work at the farm in the decades after. Today two dilapidated cabin dwellings that may have once housed these freed farm workers still stand on the property, but it’s likely that the original slave quarters were razed in the early 20th century and their timbers incorporated into the porch ceiling of the mansion’s north wing. Local oral histories have also suggested that New Lisbon contributed to the Underground Railroad, serving as a key stop just before the Potomac River. This possibility is further supported by the existence of a hidden tunnel running from the road outside the estate walls to what was then a concealed exit
PHOTO COURTESY BETSEE PARKER
Local master brick mason William Benton Sr., builder of President James Madison’s nearby home, constructed the original Federalstyle house called New Lisbon, later known as Huntland, in 1834. This undated photo shows a partial expansion added later in the 19th century; it housed a boys’ school from at least 1850-1853.
worth millions, but long before current owner and well-known horsewoman Betsee Parker purchased the farm in 2007, before a key international treaty was hammered out there in secret in 1962, before Lyndon B. Johnson nearly died of a heart attack there in 1955, before Thomas made it the preeminent foxhunt-
It was 1831 when British expat William Benton Sr., a master builder and brick mason, paid what was then the hefty sum of $3,267 for the original 172 acres. c h ro n o f h o r s e .co m
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The Middleburg Hunt casting through the estate’s iconic gates, flanked on either side by insets of hunting poetry.
near the main house. (When additions were added in 1915, the interior exit of the tunnel became an underground room beneath the house.) While it’s certainly possible that the Bentons and their slaves helped others to freedom in this way, no evidence can be found to prove it, and it’s equally likely that the tunnel was simply established as a way to transport delivered goods from the road up to the house.
JANET HITCHEN PHOTO
Unrivaled Excess
New Lisbon remained in the Benton family until the turn of the century, when it was sold, along with its guest house, slave quarters, springhouse and smokehouse, to a Mrs. Annie Leith for more than $8,000—a significant sum at the time. She in turn sold the property on, 12 years later, for a whopping $20,000 to New York sugar-refining heir Thomas. That significant uptick in price confirms a societal trend of the time: wealthy northerners moving down the eastern seaboard to historic countryside estates where they could better pursue the sporting lifestyle. One of Thomas’ closest neighbors, in fact, was fellow New Yorker Daniel C. Sands Jr., who purchased the Spring Hill estate and preceded him as MFH of Piedmont Fox Hounds. But the two men’s friendship would eventually dissolve into a rivalry that would push Thomas out of Virginia for good. Huntland, as he renamed New Lisbon upon purchase, would be his lasting legacy. Thomas had grown up amongst New York’s wealthy set, playing polo, breeding champion Russian wolfhounds and traveling the world to learn the best practices for his chosen pursuits. So when he purchased Huntland at the age of 32, it was with an eye to create his own equestrian and hound utopia in the United States, in the image of all the finest facilities he’d seen abroad. He bought even more property, bringing the estate up to 411 acres, and immediately started building a showplace kennel. According to Thomas’ own writings, he completed the kennels in 1911, meaning he may have been so eager to create his magnum opus that he broke ground before c h ro n o f h o r s e .co m
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even finalizing the property purchase in early 1912. Designed and overseen by Thomas himself, they were kennels the likes of which foxhunters had never seen in America, and they would come to hold, by some accounts, upwards of 1,000 hounds he bred, trained and hunted. In addition to indoor stalls and pens in the walled courtyard, the kennels included a large kitchen, veterinary rooms, an office, trophy room, “motor shed,” bedrooms for hunt staff, and a six-room duplex apartment for the huntsman and kennel keeper. The interior rooms, pea-gravel square and exterior masonry walls were also lined with plaster friezes of poetry—excerpts from 76
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William Somerville’s lengthy ode to foxhunting, The Chace. Parker also points out that the interiors of the kennels and stables were painted a somewhat strange shade of cranberry red, based on the old-time British belief that the color obviates sun glare for horses and hounds. “The roofs of cypress shingles, stained black, the creamcolored stucco walls with handmade brick pilasters supporting arches, with white shutter and black details, produced a very satisfactory ensemble,” Thomas wrote in 1920. “The general effect is that of a building in the eighteenth-century manner.” After the kennels’ quick completion, Thomas immediately
JOSH WALKER PHOTO
Now fully restored, Huntland’s breathtaking English-style stable houses many retired champion hunter horses and ponies. Current owner Betsee Parker installed the bronze sculpture, of her legendary pony Vanity Fair, in the center of the courtyard.
And for all Thomas’ obsession with British history, he was also decidedly forward-thinking. He built plenty of modern— even cutting-edge, by some standards—conveniences into his stable, such as a lift to hoist carriages to the second floor for storage and a mechanized oat cleaning system that still exists today. This tendency to embrace all things state-of-the-art may also explain the mysterious underground tunnel and hidden rooms that lie beneath the Huntland mansion lawn. Thomas installed a centralized water distribution center to serve the entire farm, and it’s possible that his next project might have been a centralized heating plant, located in these underground rooms. The concrete lining in them suggests they were at least updated, if not created, in the early 1900s. If that was the case, Thomas left the project unfinished. He did, however, completely renovate the house after completing the stables, adding on symmetrical wings to the original 1834 structure and updating the façade with a Colonial Revival style designed by architectural firm Peabody, Wilson & Brown of New York. The work was completed in 1915, a date observed on one of the building’s copper gutter scuppers. Another bears the year 1837, which suggests Thomas was misinformed about his home’s original building date, and still others are marked with his initials, JBT, and the initials of his new wife, Clara Fargo Thomas (a Wells Fargo heiress and painter).
Completed in 1913, the 16-stall barn mirrored the kennels’ English courtyard style and contained wash stalls, offices, harness and tack rooms, a trophy room, bathrooms and living quarters for grooms. moved on to his next priority: a magnificent stable to match. Completed in 1913, the 16-stall barn mirrored the kennels’ English courtyard style and contained wash stalls, offices, harness and tack rooms, a trophy room, bathrooms and living quarters for grooms.
Inside, Thomas added a grand elliptical staircase and formal rooms for entertaining, each boasting beautiful wainscoting and agricultural and hunting-themed architrave mouldings, as well as stylishly carved Italian marble mantels. “Most minute study was given to the contemporary c h ro n o f h o r s e .co m
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Clockwise from top left: The kennels as they looked in Huntland’s heyday, 1914. This shot of the kennels, taken in 2008, shows the facility prior to new owner Betsee Parker’s ongoing restoration. Most of these unique friezes quote from 18th-century British poet William Somerville’s The Chace. Renovations to the kennels will include restoration of the many huntinginspired poetry panels on the walls. In this 1914 portrait of a Piedmont hound taken inside the kennel courtyard, one of Huntland’s many wall insets bearing stanzas of poetry can be seen faintly in the background.
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KAREN L. MYERS COLLECTION PHOTO
PERKY BEISEL PHOTO
KAREN L. MYERS COLLECTION PHOTO
HORSE & HOME
architecture of the day all up and down the Atlantic coast, and various interesting details were taken from contemporary houses from Salem to Savannah, so the ‘Huntland’ today is architecturally considered a ‘Gem of Americana,’ ” Thomas boasted in his 1920 sales catalog for the property. But Huntland’s influences extended far beyond just the American. A photo of Thomas’ Oriental-themed bedroom was featured in the 1920 edition of House & Garden’s Second Book of Interiors, showcasing rich wallpaper with birds and flowers in greens, yellows and oranges, black lacquer furniture and a giant rug in the shape of a tiger. While none of these
Above: Rosie Uran, daughter of Huntland’s current owner, Betsee Parker, enjoying the garden with Rainbow Connection, who at 32 is one of the many famous hunter ponies enjoying retirement at the farm.
JANET HITCHEN PHOTO
elements survive today, the room does retain bamboo details on its window and door trim. Another high-style wallpaper was installed on the upstairs landing, where a scene of exotic birds beautifully hand-painted in shades of blue still remains. To all this, Thomas also added a massive terraced garden, workers’ cottages, a dairy, multiple outbuildings and his extensive masonry walls until the farm finally became his perfect vision of an English hamlet at a remote countryside crossroads, far from the madding cries of The Great War brewing in Europe.
Trouble In Paradise
By all accounts, that war was of little consequence to Thomas and his ilk; it was the battle being waged over Northern Virginia’s hunt country that dominated the talk of local elite society.
And it was a battle Thomas would eventually lose. After founding the American Foxhound Club soon after his arrival in Virginia, Thomas had taken the reins from his friend Daniel C. Sands as Master of Piedmont Fox Hounds in 1915. But over the next four years, Sands would take charge of the rivaling Middleburg Hunt pack and announce that the magnificent hunt territory both men held so dear wouldn’t be big enough for the both of them. He posted signs on his land specifically forbidding Thomas and any of his staff from venturing onto his property, under threat of prosecution. This rivalry was likely the main reason Thomas was eventually run out on a rail, but he may have taken some social missteps with the locals as well. In her 1967 book The Hunt Country of America, Kitty Slater wrote that Thomas had dated Charlotte c h ro n o f h o r s e .co m
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Clockwise from top left: Current owner Betsee Parker’s vision for Huntland is as a “living museum” of rural Virginia life. The barn lounge at Huntland is stuffed to the gills with Parker’s horse show spoils. Huntland’s expansive schooling ring is situated behind the barn and kennels.
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JOSH WALKER PHOTO
JOSH WALKER PHOTO
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Haxall Noland, founder of the neighboring Foxcroft School, before marrying his New York heiress wife, Clara, and that “several of the local belles supposedly had a hand in helping to create a chilly atmosphere for the newlyweds.” Whatever the circumstances, they must have seemed hopeless enough for Thomas to put his beloved Huntland up for sale in 1920, just eight years after he’d purchased it. He would remain its absent owner for another eight, unable to find a buyer with tastes as specific and pockets as deep as his own; he moved
on to North Carolina to consult on the building of kennels at Percy Rockefeller’s estate, Overhills.
From Presidents To Ponies
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After its eventual sale in 1928, the same year Thomas published his famous book, Hounds and Hunting Through the Ages, Huntland entered a period of absentee owners, lessees and the occasional holding by a bank. It wasn’t until 1955, when two brothers from Houston decided to take the
Above: A Piedmont Fox Hounds logo, a fox head with two crossed tails, gazes down at visitors to the house.
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Left: It took current owner Betsee Parker more than three years to bring the Huntland mansion back to liveable standards after prolonged vacancy and neglect, but today she not only lives in the home but hosts formal entertainments as well. Here she poses on the home’s grand staircase, with its crystal pineapple finial (a symbol of hospitality, complete with the Piedmont Fox Hounds insignia on top) visible at the end of the banister.
plunge and follow their political star on the rise—Lyndon B. Johnson—to the nation’s capital, that the estate became a grand showplace once again. George and Herman Brown were government contractors and political bigwigs, even by Texas standards, and they made Huntland a welcoming home away from home for their fellow Lone Star State Democrats like Johnson, then the Senate Majority Leader, and Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn. The former suffered a massive heart attack there in 1955, and a country doctor from Middleburg famously kept him alive until he could be transferred to Bethesda Naval Hospital. The Brown brothers filled in the secret tunnel under Huntland’s lawn (a glaring security risk for frequent visitors like Johnson and President John F. Kennedy), built a pond specifically for Rayburn, an avid fisherman, and installed a flagpole in the front yard and a patriotic eagle insignia on the front porch. Huntland continued to be an epicenter for foxhunting during this era (Jacqueline Kennedy frequently rode and hunted on her weekends in Middleburg), but it also played host to important meetings between foreign dignitaries and powerful politicians. In the summer of 1962, Huntland’s walls concealed a secret negotiation between members of the Indonesian and Dutch governments, who’d been exchanging war threats for nearly a year over the fate of West New Guinea. The Washington Post called the ensuing treaty, coined The New York Agreement and signed at the United Nations Headquarters, “a happy surprise coming unexpectedly on the heels of near collapse of negotiations… hammered out in sessions this morning at the lush Virginia country estate known as the Huntlands [sic] located near Middleburg.” c h ro n o f h o r s e .co m
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Right: Joseph B. Thomas personalized his manor house down to the tiniest details, from shutters bearing fox designs to copper gutter scuppers inscribed with his initials and those of his wife, Clara Fargo Thomas.
Huntland remained in the Brown family until 1990, gradually falling into disrepair through a series of owners until 2007, when current owner Betsee Parker purchased the estate with the aim of restoring it and establishing a foundation to preserve it. She has since added a neighboring estate, Farmer’s Delight, including its circa 1791 manor house. “I know a lot of people think something like this is a big white elephant, and they would just gut the inside and start over,” Parker said. “That’s what the owner before me was planning. But I wanted to make this into a foundation that would last beyond my lifetime—a living museum. There are an awful lot of beautiful, historic homes that really deserve preservation. It’s a gift I want to give the community.” Like Thomas, Parker’s immediate priority was returning the farm—and only then the house, which was completely unlivable, with no functioning utilities—to its former glory. Today the stable is completely restored and full of top-quality 82
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Left: Huntland’s cream-colored, brick-topped masonry walls undulate and taper to low ends as they stretch away from the main house. Joseph B. Thomas, who commissioned them in the 1910s, wanted to maintain privacy and a sense of elitism but strategically placed arched gates to allow outsiders a glimpse of the property from what he considered the best vantage points.
horses and ponies, just as Thomas would have liked it. Parker, who’s become one of the preeminent show hunter owners in the country, has retired many of her top mounts there, such as For The Laughter, Vanity Fair, Rainbow Connection, Enchanted Forest and Rosalynn. They’re groomed and cared for to the same exacting standard they grew accustomed to in their trophy-winning days; their accolades, naturally, are stored in the stable’s beautiful lounge, as well as in the house, which Parker is also renovating. The kennels are being lovingly restored as well. Since Parker’s purchase, Huntland has been added to the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register, and she now frequently hosts black-tie hunt galas, historical society functions and other social gatherings in the mansion. The estate also hosts puppy shows, carriage driving events and beagle and basset hunts, and Thomas’ beloved Pied-
Right: Brothers George and Herman Brown, who purchased Huntland in 1955, moved from Houston in support of the Democratic candidate they heavily backed, then-Senate Majority Leader Lyndon B. Johnson, who was a frequent guest at the estate. The Browns added patriotic touches to Huntland like the fresco of an eagle clutching arrows and olive branches on the front porch tympanum.
ABOVE:JOSH WALKER PHOTO PERKY BEISEL PHOTO
Above: While itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s possible that these two aged outbuildings once housed slaves, evidence points more strongly to them being constructed slightly later in the 1800s as lodging for freedmen and other farm workers. In addition, a Works Progress Administration document from 1937 suggests that the farmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s slave quarters had been dismantled and that hand-hewn timbers from them were incorporated into the north wing of the house when Joseph Thomas expanded it in 1915.
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Clockwise from top left: Huntland’s elliptical grand staircase, with cantilevered steps and a winding mahogany handrail. Betsee Parker frequently hosts social functions at Huntland today, utilizing formal rooms like the ballroom, with its original fireplace, curved walls and crystal chandelier. Lady of the house Clara Fargo Thomas, a Wells Fargo heiress and a talented artist in her own right, painted this Frenchinspired floral scene over one of Huntland’s mantels in the 1910s.
mont—as well as the Middleburg Hunt (Parker sits on both hunts’ boards)—still casts from Huntland’s grounds. They pass, as they did 100 years ago, through the aging wall’s main gate, flanked by the same inscriptions of hunt-inspired poetry: SALVE En age segnes Rumpe moras-vocate ingenti Clamore Cithaeron Taygetique canes-domitrixque Epidaurus equorum Et vox assensu-nemorum Ingeminata remugit
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“Greetings,” reads the excerpt from Vergil’s Georgics, first published in 29 B.C. “Come on, then, break out of sluggish delays. With mighty shout Mt. Cithaeron and the hounds of Taygetus and Epidaurus, mistress of horses, call. And their cry, echoed by the applause of the woods, roars back.” One can only hope that Huntland will continue to live on as timelessly as that refrain. 84
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World-Class Accommodations for you and your horse
For over a century, the rolling terrain and meadows of the Middleburg area have provided an exquisite canvas for what is one of the most renowned equestrian regions in the world. Sheila C. Johnson has created the new luxurious salamanderÂŽ resort & spa featuring one of the most complete equestrian facilities and programs in the country including 25 on-site acres dedicated to the equestrian program. Stunning, 14,000-square-foot stable featuring 22 stalls for overnight boarding and a classroom. Nine beautiful paddocks, ranging in size from 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2.6 acres. A spectacular 28,800 square-foot riding arena with ThorTurf footing. Extensive scheduling of clinics, classes and schools.
540.687.3600 | salamanderresort.com
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Mustang Maddy Madeleine Pickens has made it her quest to preserve natural habitat for Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wild horses, and now she wants to share It with the world.
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By Kelly Sanchez
Left: Madeleine Pickens is on a crusade to give America’s wild horses a sanctuary, and she’s now opening her preserve, Mustang Monument, to the public.
MICHAEL PARTENIO PHOTO/COURTESY MUSTANG MONUMENT
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Starting in June, eco-tourists can enjoy first-hand scenes like this one, of the sun setting over Madeleine Pickens’ Mustang Monument ranch in northeastern Nevada.
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For one thing, she’s an outsider. For another, she’s upsetting the way things have been done in the West for generations. But to Madeleine, those facts are simply points of pride.
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Preserving An Icon
D
riving along a dirt road gouged by deep ruts, Madeleine Pickens keeps her eyes moving, scanning hills silvery green with sagebrush. And then we see them. A cloud of dust rises up near a small ravine, and a band of horses zig-zags into view. There are maybe 20 of them—bays, duns and roans, sturdy-legged and nimbly traversing the uneven terrain. We’re in Nevada’s Goshute Valley, on the eastern border of Pickens’ land. Gesturing to them, she says, “Those aren’t mine. Those are cockroaches, remember?” It’s an odd way to describe the animals she’s spent the better part of five years trying to save, until you realize she’s quoting a term often used by individuals a little less enamored of the notion of wild horses on public rangelands. Depending on to whom you talk, Pickens, the ex-wife of billionaire oilman T. Boone Pickens (they divorced in 2012), is either an altruistic savior or an ignorant meddler. For the most part, Nevada’s cattle ranchers view her and her plan—to take wild horses out of government-funded holding pens and give them a permanent home—with suspicion. And now that she’s on the brink of opening a luxury eco-resort, Mustang Monument, this June, eyebrows are raising even higher.
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Born in Iraq to a British father and a Lebanese mother, Madeleine attended English boarding schools before moving to the United States in 1969. “John Wayne, cowboys and Indians—that was all part of my dream about coming to America,” she says. With her late first husband, Gulfstream Aerospace founder Allen Paulson, she became a successful owner of jumpers and a race horse owner and breeder. Widowed in 2000, Madeleine married Pickens five years later, and soon afterward she was approached by a woman who first told her of the plight facing America’s wild horses. “She asked, ‘Would you help me with a rescue to stop horse slaughter?’ And I said, ‘What are you talking about?’ I didn’t know there was anything such as horse slaughter in this country,” Madeleine recalls. The Pickenses had already thrown themselves into animal rescue, ferrying some 800 orphaned dogs and cats to safety after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast. They then embraced the horse slaughter issue with a passion, testifying before Congress and helping to close the last three U.S. slaughterhouses in 2007. But the thought of more than 45,000 wild horses and burros kept in long- and short-term holding facilities (“shortterm” is debatable: some have lived there for two to three years) haunted Madeleine. “What’s going on with the mustangs is a travesty,” she tells me. “They’re gradually being erased.” She launched a nonprofit organization called Saving America’s Mustangs in 2008, and two years later she bought two parcels of land in northeast Nevada: the 14,000-acre Spruce Ranch, some 70 miles east of Elko, which comes with livestock grazing rights on an additional 500,000 acres, and the adjacent Warm Creek Ranch, which has some 4,000 deeded acres and grazing rights on more than 19,000 acres
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of federal public land, along with ample water sources. Her vision was a wild horse eco-sanctuary, where people could see the horses and learn about their history. That vision will be coming alive in 2014, when Mustang Monument opens to the public its luxury tipis and spa and, most importantly, its 900 square miles full of wild horses. “They’re an icon, like the eagle. Why do we not recognize
that we have a resource here?” Madeleine asks. “People go to Africa to see wildlife, yet we have it right here. This tops Disneyland; this tops Yellowstone. We have an American dream, where people can come and see these animals. There’ll be trips out onto the ranges and bonfires at night with storytelling. I woke up one day and knew this was what I had to do—it made sense.” c h ro n o f h o r s e .co m
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Dachshunds Ruby (left) and Tommy number among the hundreds of animals Madeleine Pickens has rescued.
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But the wild horses found on ranges throughout the western United States aren’t universally embraced as American icons. To many, they’re feral—unwanted trespassers that inflict serious damage to the delicate ecosystem. Advocates counter with scientific evidence that equines roamed the North American continent millions of years ago and that today’s wild horses—descendants of those brought via ship by the Spanish in the 16th century—are, in fact, a re-introduced species. Wild horse groups contend that by the end of the 19th century there were some two million such horses in the West. It’s a claim the U.S. Bureau of Land Management challenges, suggesting that a more “relevant” figure is 17,300. That was the number of wild horses found in 1971 when the agency was first charged with their protection and management. According to current BLM estimates, there are now 33,780 wild horses on the range in 10 western states (along with nearly 7,000 burros)—half of those in Nevada alone. But even that number is open to interpretation and charges of miscounting. Left undisturbed, wild horses live in family groups, or bands, led by a dominant mare and accompanied by a single stallion, whose role is to protect the mares and sire their offspring. Other groups are made up of young bachelors, who then split off to take over their own “harem” bands. Today, America’s wild horses compete with cattle and 90
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Range Wars
sheep—and the powerful interests behind them—for grazing rights on federal lands. To prevent overpopulation and keep the number of wild horses and burros at what it deems “appropriate management levels” (approximately 26,500), the BLM routinely rounds up and removes “excess” equines, using low-flying helicopters that chase the animals for miles. Critics say these “gathers,” which take place out of the public eye and destroy the social structures of unique herds, violate the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971, intended to protect and manage these “living symbols of the historic and
Above: A group of 15 horses, which Madeleine Pickens adopted from the Extreme Mustang Makeover competition, are pastured separately from her wild Paiute herd.
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Right: Clay Nannini (left) was the realtor who initially sold Madeleine Pickens the property, but now he works as Mustang Monumentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ranch manager, training many of the horses his boss has adopted. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s assisted by fellow cowboy Tyler Stradley.
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Inset: Mustang Monument is a place to enjoy the quiet, save for the occasional whinny or the tinkle of this homemade wind chime.
pioneer spirit of the West.” Wild horse groups have responded with protests and lawsuits, arguing that the BLM practices are both costly and inhumane, and that they place more emphasis on the systematic capture and removal of the animals rather than on their ethical management. Madeleine says short-term holding facilities, where some 16,000 wild horses currently live, cost the government $2,500 per horse each year; according to the BLM, the government spent $46.2 million on holding costs in 2013. “There are another 33,000 in long-term holding at a cost of about $500 a horse each year,” she says. “They get shipped at taxpayers’ expense to places like Kansas and Oklahoma. The problem is, there’s no transparency. They’re on private lands where no one can visit them.” From the start, Pickens has faced an uphill battle. “Old attitudes about horses die hard,” she says. “It was the cattlemen who set up the BLM and the cattlemen who set up the Taylor
Grazing Act [which regulates grazing on federal public lands]. But no one stood up for the horses.” When she decided to buy a ranch and the public grazing to go with it, she met with BLM officials to discuss her plan, asking if they would convert the public livestock allotments to horse grazing. “First they said yes, and then they said no, and then they said yes, and then they said no,” she says. Her latest offer—to take horses out of short-term holding in return for $400 a horse each year, would, she reasons, save the government $2,000 per horse. “How could they turn that down?” she asks me. “People say, ‘Oh, she’s just making money.’ But I know my plan is a good one.” For now, the only wild horses on Madeleine’s ranch are a herd of nearly 600 that she bought from members of the Paiute tribe, who, she says, were planning on sending them to slaughter. c h ro n o f h o r s e .co m
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Mustang Monument’s unique accommodations, designed by Nomadics Tipi Makers in Bend, Ore., are equally beautiful day and night.
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The interiors of Mustang Monument’s guest tipis represent the 21st century “glamping” ideal.
MICHAEL PARTENIO PHOTO/COURTESY MUSTANG MONUMENT
Right: Madeleine Pickens consulted with designers from Pottery Barn to give her tipis their unique blend of rustic luxury.
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“One hundred fifty of the mares were pregnant,” she says. “We castrated the colts, because that’s what you do in rescue work.” She also has 15 mustangs that she adopted from the Extreme Mustang Makeover. All are fed the hay she grows and harvests on her property. Madeleine remains cautiously optimistic that she and the BLM will be able to work out their differences, but she’s not waiting for the phone to ring. “Eventually the government is going to get over its problems. There’s plenty of land for everybody.” In the meantime, she plans on sharing it with as many people as she can.
An Eco-Resort Is Born
With their brightly embellished canvas shells and interiors packed with overlapping kilim rugs and sturdy four-poster beds piled high with pillows, the guest tipis at Mustang Monument won’t be mistaken for authentic Plains Indian dwellings. But authentic re-creation was not Madeleine’s goal. She worked
with Nomadics Tipi Makers in Bend, Ore., to come up with the hand-painted decorations and designers from Pottery Barn to give the interiors their unique blend of rustic luxury. It’s certainly not your average camping trip, but with only a layer of canvas separating you from the outdoors, the tipis do thrust you into nature. I awake to a circle of blue sky above me and the sound of chirping birds and ground squirrels skittering outside. And then there’s the ever-present scent of sagebrush. Even in mid-summer, it stays surprisingly green, collecting in low tufts across the baked earth as far as the eye can see. There are elaborate meals prepared by a gourmet chef and served outdoors or by candlelight in the larger dining tipis. After dinner, Madeleine urges guests to gather around a campfire for Native American dancing, drumming and storytelling. At a cost of $800 to $1,000 a night (meals and beverages included), the resort isn’t for everyone. But Madeleine does have a point when she likens her eco-resort to an African safari: This is a truly rare opportunity. In addition, she and her team will offer day visit passes to the ranch, where for $125, guests can take wagon rides out to c h ro n o f h o r s e .co m
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Witnessing horses in the wild isn’t the only rare experience this ecoresort boasts: You can also enjoy a wide array of spa services inside a tipi. Left: With gourmet meals presented in a breathtaking setting, the Mustang Monument experience is far from “roughing it.”
MICHAEL PARTENIO PHOTO/COURTESY MUSTANG MONUMENT
see the horses in their natural habitat and enjoy a gourmet lunch experience in nature. Before ducking into my tipi for the night, I sit in one of the chairs just outside and gaze up at the sky, dense with stars. The headlights of a car slice the darkness on the highway nearby. And then all is quiet, broken only by an occasional whinny in the distance. Over breakfast the following morning, Madeleine raves about her artesian wells and ticks off plans for the resort, including solar-powered everything and a garden where she can grow her own produce. “I always dream big,” she says. She pauses and looks out at her Paiute herd grazing. “Wild horses are part of our heritage,” she says. “This land is here waiting for them.”
Find Out More Mustang Monument, located in Wells, Nev., is currently taking reservations for its inaugural season, which will run from June through September, at which point chilly nights begin to make tipi accommodations impractical. For more information about activities and rates, visit MustangMonument.com or call 888-979-1422.
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Vive La France In 2014
If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re still on the fence about whether to attend the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, Aug. 23-Sept. 7, let us tempt you with this insiderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guide to the region. By Beth Rasin and Kat Netzler 100
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The dressage and cross-country phases of the world eventing championships will play out against the backdrop of Le Pin National Stud this fall.
Competition And Exhibition Venues Unlike the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, which were held at one massive base—the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington—France’s iteration of the event will be spread out all over the beautiful Normandy region. With easy train access and plenty of additional sites to tempt visitors into the countryside, you’ll want to plan each day’s adventures strategically. Visit normandy2014.com/competition-venues for additional information on each location, including directions via car or public transport and accommodations. >> D’Ornano Stadium, Caen: Show jumping, dressage, eventing’s show jumping phase, opening and closing ceremonies >> Hippodrome La Prairie, Caen: Combined driving, para-dressage >> Zénith, Caen: Vaulting >> Exhibition Center, Caen: Reining, equestrian village
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>> Le Pin National Stud, Orne: Eventing’s dressage and cross-country phases >> Bay of Mont Saint-Michel, Sartilly: Endurance >> Hippodrome Deauville-La Touques, Deuville: Polo exhibition >> Saint-Lô, Manche: Horse-ball exhibition
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cash, every bank has an ATM machine, and most will give you an exchange rate very close to the actual rate—much better than you’ll get exchanging cash at the airport.”
Bob Wyatt points to Bayeux as the most charming village in Normandy.
Wyatt’s Tips For WEG Travel
Bob Wyatt of Equestrian Tours LLC, the official U.S. ticketing agent for this year’s games, has been organizing travel programs to major international events for the past 30 years, including every WEG since 1990 in Stockholm. In his tenure he’s guided groups to the Aachen CHIO and Luhmuhlen CCI**** in Germany, the Badminton and Burghley CCI****s in England, the Blair Castle Horse Trials in Scotland, the Saumur Horse Trials in France’s Loire Valley, and much more. In the months leading up to any event, it’s his job to familiarize himself with every corner of the region and every aspect of the upcoming competition, so he knows the best, the worst and everything in between long before the games begin. Whether you choose group travel (Equestrian Tours LLC offers several different packages, plus a pre-WEG tour 102
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of Paris and the Seine) or decide to make your own way through Normandy, be sure to take note of Wyatt’s expert tips for 2014 WEG-goers:
Pack light, because you may need to lug. “Most people will pretty much
fly into Charles de Gaulle airport outside of Paris, and from there you can take the RER metro line into Paris, to Gare Saint Lazare train station,” says Wyatt. “They have direct trains to the Caen area every two hours or so. But you will have one change on the RER to get to Saint Lazare, so luggage can be a pain. But taxis in Paris are very expensive.” Don’t bring lots of cash to exchange.
“ATM cards are accepted all over,” Wyatt says. “Some European shops don’t accept cards with a magnetic strip, only the kind with chips, but I haven’t had that problem anywhere in Normandy. And if you need
A little civility goes a long way. “I ran across this in Paris a couple years ago, and I’ve never forgotten it,” says Wyatt. “I was staying in a hotel I’d been to four or five times already that year, and I was talking to the concierge when an American woman came up and said, ‘I need a taxi, please.’ The concierge smiled at her and just said, ‘Bonjour, madam.’ “She asked, ‘Could you call me a taxi, please?’ and he smiled and repeated, ‘Bonjour, madam.’ Americans often tend to be in a hurry and can come across as abrupt, and the French are accustomed to a little more politeness and courtesy. Any hotel I go into, I know the clerks speak English, but if you just start out with, ‘Bonjour, monsieur. Pardon, non parlez Français. Parlez vous Anglais?’ you’ll be far better off.” Don’t expect to find accommodations in Caen. “For people traveling on
their own, Lisieux is a very good place to look for hotels,” says Wyatt. “It’s within an hour [due east] of Caen and right on the train line. “There are also some bed and breakfasts available in Bayeux, which is the most charming town in Normandy [just 17 minutes by train west of Caen],” he adds, noting that his company has reserved four entire hotels in the village. “It has the benefit of being liberated on DDay, so it was never damaged in the war, and it has a very interesting museum on the Normandy invasion, an art museum and its famous tapestry museum.”
The beaches are worth the trip. “I
don’t think you can go to Normandy
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Clockwise from top: If you haven’t spent all of your cash on a Thoroughbred, the streets of Deauville offer a fine selection of dining and upscale shops. In addition to its two racetracks, Thoroughbred auctions and international film festival, Deauville is also known for its beaches along the English Channel. Colorful equestrian-themed finials can be seen all around Deauville, which will host the WEG’s polo exhibition.
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Left: Mont Saint-Michel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, towers in the background of the 100-mile endurance track. Above: Le Pin National Stud is one of Normandyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s many equestrian jewels, and it will be polished to perfection for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. This chateau, the architectural symbol of Le Pin, showcases trophies and horseshoes from the first Thoroughbreds housed there, as well as 17th Century tapestries, and can be seen as part of the guided tour. During the summer, performances showcasing the French breeds take place in front of the chateau on Thursday evenings. PHILIPPE MILLEREAU PHOTO/COURTESY
Right: Horses are a celebrated part of the culture everywhere in Normandy, including near Mont Saint-Michel, where they pull popular tourist trolleys.
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without seeing the beaches,” Wyatt says. “Mont Saint-Michel [around which the endurance race will be held] is about an hour and 20 minutes from the Caen area, but every hotel everywhere is connected to some tour company, so you don’t need your own car. It’s a beautiful site—just outrageous.” Prioritize Paris too. “If you can
possibly do it, spend some time there,” Wyatt urges. “There are very nice threeand four-star hotels; I prefer the smaller ones, around the Opera. From there you have just a short walk to the Louvre, the Seine and the gardens. “One of my favorite things to do in Paris is the Fat Tire Bike Tour to Versailles,” he adds. “You ride from their base near the Eiffel Tower to the train station, then put your bikes on the train
out to the Palace. Then you ride through the outdoor market there, which is worth as much time as you can devote to it, feasting your way through it. On the tour you’re given time to buy your cheese and baguette and whatever you like,
then you bike to the park to enjoy your lunch before touring the Palace. It’s all done at a slow pace, on big fat-tire bikes, so you don’t have to be young and spry!” Visit paris.fattirebiketours.com for more information. c h ro n o f h o r s e .co m
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The Take-Away On Tickets: Don’t Dally!
Above left: If you own a French saddle, its maker might well have learned his craft in this room at Haras du Pin. Above: Any horse lover visiting Normandy should spend at least one day enjoying the 2,500 acres of Haras du Pin. Construction on this monument to the French horse began in the 18th Century and was ordered by King Louis XIV. Bottom left : The French national studs are training centers for a variety of equine professionals, including farriers, who learn their trade at this forge in Haras du Pin.
“The ticket pricing for Normandy is more in line with what we’ve experienced since 1990; Kentucky was an aberration,” says Bob Wyatt, owner of Equestrian Tours LLC, the WEG’s official U.S. ticketing agent. “Normandy will be much more reasonable.” But seating capacities at some of the stadiums, such as the venues for reining, eventing dressage and driving dressage and cones, are also quite limited. “For that reason, passes in eventing, driving and reining are all sold out right now,” Wyatt says. “We’re trying to shake loose a few more.” As in years past, the 2014 WEG organizers have doled out tickets in various stages. We’re currently at the tail end of the passes-only sales window, which offers “Discovery Passes” for access to sessions in two or three different disciplines and “Sensation Passes” for tickets to multiple events, including at least one final. Beginning March 4, single tickets to individual events will go on sale. The ticketing website notes that more than 200,000 will become available on that date, so if you haven’t purchased passes yet, you still have a chance to attend! Visit normandy2014.com to access the online ticketing platform, which also includes an accommodations search center as well.
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Above: One of the most popular breeds in France is the French Trotter, and harness races are common. Here, trotters approach the wire at Graignes Racecourse, where locals gather to pass a summer evening.
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Below: Horse-ball will be one of two exhibition sports at this year’s WEG, showcasing daring feats of agility and accuracy.
Make The Most Of It
Watching the crème de la crème compete in Normandy will likely leave you hungry to get in the saddle yourself, so why not plan a riding tour in France as well? Or if you’d rather take some time away from the horses, there are plenty of historic adventures to be had. Check out these highly rated opportunities to Vive la France! Equestrian Tours LLC, equestours.com High Pointe Tours, highpointetours.com Battle of Normandy Tours, battleofnormandytours.com VBT Normandy Bicycle Tours, vbt.com/tours/normandy Mont Aigu Horse Riding Holidays, horseridingholidaysfrance.com Ride In France, rideinfrance.com Equitours, equitours.com Cheval & Châteaux, cheval-et-chateaux.com Chateau de Laumiere Horse Riding Holidays, chateau-de-laumiere.com
COURTESY PHOTO
Above: D’Ornano Stadium in Caen will be the heart of the 2014 Games, hosting show jumping, dressage, the eventing finale and the championships’ opening and closing ceremonies.
BETH RASIN PHOTO
Right: The French are known for their show jumping horses, including 2007 Rolex FEI World Cup Show Jumping Final winner Ideo du Thot (ridden by Beat Mändli of Switzerland), who also finished third in the 2006 Final. His dam, Battante du Thot, had twin foals in 2010. Le Thot Stud Farm is located in the Manche region of Normandy, near the sea, and was founded in the 1970s by Jean Francois Noël.
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Travel
In World War II, a battle was fought in the courtyard right in front of this barn. German troops held their ground in front of the house (to the right of the stable), with American soldiers behind the house. As gunfire ripped through her home for hours, the female tenant crouched with her newborn baby in an interior hallway to avoid danger. More than 50 years later, that child returned to introduce himself to the Levallois family, who now own this leading stud farm for show jumpers, Haras de Couvains.
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Left: Paratroopers invaded the town of Sainte-Mere-Eglise on June 5, 1944, and the effigy of North Carolina native John Steele still hangs from the church steeple. Steele was wounded by a shell fragment as he parachuted, rendering him unable to steer. He dangled from the church steeple as the fighting took place beneath him and played dead, hanging for two hours before a German soldier lowered him to the ground. A few days later, he escaped to a nearby Allied line. He recovered to parachute into the Netherlands in 1944 and took part in the Battle of the Bulge later that year, as well as participating in the Elbe River Crossing in 1945. Below: Visitors to the WEG in Normandy might also take advantage of seeing the historical sites like Omaha Beach associated with D-Day. The 70th anniversary of the invasion will be observed in 2014.
BETH RASIN PHOTO
BETH RASIN PHOTO
Normandy offers up charming details at every turn.
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DO IT YOURSELF
Wrangle The
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Rainbow
Try these easy, clever solutions to organize, preserve and display the most memorable ribbons of your riding career. By Kat Netzler
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W
e’ve all seen them—the elaborate quilts-of-many-colors, the delicate pillows that scream “display only!” and the patchwork stuffed animals made with skins of nothing but horse show ribbons. They’re shiny, they’re expensive, and they’re somewhat impractical. But there are plenty of easy and classy DIY methods for preserving your most cherished horse show awards. With a quick trip to your local craft store and a free hour on a rainy afternoon, any horseman can knock out a project that would make Martha Stewart proud.
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DO IT YOURSELF Apothecary Jar Display
This project is truly as easy as it gets, and it still results in a gorgeous presentation. It’s perfect for the horseman with little free time, since it literally requires nothing more than inserting ribbons into a glass jar; plus it has the added bonus of keeping your rosettes clean! You can now abandon the losing battle of trying to keep hundreds of ribbons dust- and fly-speck-free.
How To: Simply toss your favorite ribbons in a jar, arrange to your preference, and plop them on your desk, bookshelf or coffee table. Voila!
All-Season Ribbon Wreath
Horsey guests are sure to feel welcomed into your home when greeted by a ribbon wreath. Classy, understated and easy, this project also makes a great gift for your equestrian friends. But beware: ribbons fade and deteriorate quickly, so if you’re more concerned with preserving your ribbons than simply creating a pretty display, you may want to keep this beauty indoors. What You’ll Need:
NANCY GEANEY PHOTO
Ribbons (ones you don’t mind cutting the bottoms off) Wire wreath frame or plain grapevine wreath Floral design wire Scissors Hot glue gun or superglue (optional)
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Ribbons Large lidded jars of various shapes (available at craft stores like Michaels or Hobby Lobby or online at Save-On-Crafts.com) Desiccant packets (optional, but a great idea if your ribbons were won on a rainy day and might have soaked up moisture)
KAT NETZLER PHOTO
What You’ll Need:
them out as you’d like them to appear. You don’t want to chop up more ribbons than you’ll use! Once you’ve got your collection, snip the dangling pieces off each rosette right at the base. You can save these and use them to cover the wreath frame if you don’t want wires or grapevine showing through. If you choose this route, simply wrap the flat pieces around the wreath and secure with a dab of hot glue, proceeding all the way around the circle until you have the entire wreath covered. Next, take your first rosette and thread a piece of floral wire through the metal clip on the back, winding it tightly in place with
Try These Ideas Too >> Cut the tails off your ribbons and string the rosettes into a garland, perfect for adorning a Christmas tree or fireplace mantle around the holidays or brightening up your next barn or birthday party. You can even re-use an old, burnt-out string of Christmas lights as your strand base.
>> If you have limited space, try using ribbons as filler inside a clear glass lampstand, so your display can double as a functional houseware.
equal lengths of wire free on both ends. Then flatten the metal clip down flush with the back of the rosette (above left). Repeat until all your ribbon heads are ready to be affixed to the frame. Now you’re ready to wind your wires into the wreath. Twist each one as tightly as you can and feel free to secure them with a dab of glue if you like. Continue all the way around until your wreath is fully covered. For added flair, consider putting an especially big and beautiful ribbon (still intact, with its tails) at the top or bottom of the wreath. Or work in an old snaffle bit or set of spurs with some discreetly placed floral wire.
KAT NETZLER PHOTO
>> Have a bare wall in your office or bathroom in need of accenting? Make your rosettes function as super-luxe wallpaper (see pgs. 112-113).
KAT NETZLER PHOTO
>> Carry your wins with you by having a custom belt made. Check out Crimson Pony (crimsonpony.com) or JL Ribbon Gear (facebook.com/ JLRibbonGear) to order your own.
Rosette Shadow Box
This project is perfect for the person who gets angsty about the idea of cutting up her hard-earned ribbons. Don’t worry, you can still display your beautiful rosettes without ruining them! And once you’ve mastered the art of ribbon arrangement in shadow boxes, you can move on to more advanced displays, using everything from old photos to nameplates to small trophies. Or you can go the opposite route and start off as simply as possible, highlighting one special ribbon against a pretty background in a vintage frame of its own. What You’ll Need: Ribbons Shadow box at least 1” deep Large paper clips
How To: After assembling your ribbons, you’ll need to fold up their tails in order to hide them from view. Depending on their length, three or four folds should do the trick. Then you’ll want to secure the folds with paper clips (above right). Once you’ve bundled up each ribbon’s tails, you’re ready to arrange them in the box. Don’t be afraid to pack them in tightly—they’ll need to be snug to prevent slipping once hung on your wall. It’s easiest to place each ribbon face down onto the glass and occasionally hold the box up overhead to check your progress. But if you’d prefer to secure your rosettes with glue, you’re better off arranging them on the shadowbox’s backdrop and then settling the frame and glass down over the top once finished. c h ro n o f h o r s e .co m
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CITY GUIDE
The Show-Goer’s Guide To Gulfport By Jamie Krauss Hess
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With more than $1 million in prize money, weekly grand prix classes, USHJA Hunter Derbies and a refreshingly warm and friendly atmosphere, it’s easy to see why the Gulf Coast Winter Classics show circuit continues to flourish in Gulfport, Miss. Whether you’re one of the thousands who make the Magnolia State your home from Feb. 5-March 16 or just dropping in for a quick stop, we’ve rounded up the best of the best in dining, entertainment, and nightlife to help you have fun both in and out of the ring.
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Samurai
PHOTO COURTESY OF SAMURAI
The menu at Samurai Sushi offers everything from classics to creative chef specials.
Only a few minutes from the showgrounds and boasting “old school, sweet southern, down-home BBQ ,” The Shed is a hands-down favorite haunt of the horse show crowd. Guests can enjoy hearty portions of dishes like brisket, rack of ribs, pulled pork, and “chicken wangs” while enjoying live music. Depending on the night, expect anything from a local rock or blues band all the way to an appearance by Percy Sledge or the North Mississippi Allstars. 15094 Mills Rd., Gulfport. 228-832-1147.
theshedbbq.com/gulfport.
Samurai
If it’s sushi you crave, Gulfport’s got you covered. “Samurai is one of the best sushi places I’ve ever been to,” says Brian Locke, a six-year veteran of the Gulf Coast circuit. “The sushi is really fresh and the rolls are giant.”
Owner Sonni Lu says his inventive array of “special rolls” are particularly popular among the horse show crowd. But be warned, space is quite limited, so it’s best to call ahead, especially on weekends.
The Half Shell
The decadent surf and turf at The Half Shell serves as just reward after a big win.
2511 25th Ave., Gulfport. 228-214-4049.
samuraicuisine.com.
The Half Shell
Located directly in downtown Gulfport in the historic Kremer building, The Half Shell was twice named best seafood restaurant by Mississippi Magazine. Well-known for its legendary charbroiled oysters (a southern delicacy), excellent wine and martini selection, and its unique French Quarter-esque architecture, it’s a truly charming location for a special night out after a long day in the saddle. 2500 13th St., Gulfport. 228-867-7001.
halfshelloysterhouse.com.
PHOTO COURTESY THE HALF SHELL
The Shed
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CITY GUIDE Darwell’s
Darwell’s
Famously featured on the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives,” Darwell’s is a definite “can’t miss” spot located in Long Beach, about 30 minutes from the showgrounds. Don’t be surprised if you’re greeted by Darwell himself, who’s famous for intercepting newcomers at the door to chitchat about the menu and life in general. “He’s a total character!” says horse show regular, Katie McNeill Francella. “We always say we want to get a horse
PHOTO COURTESY DARWELL’S CAFÉ
Darwell’s offers southern specialties in a laid-back, BYOB setting.
and name him Darwell!” With specialty dishes like Shrimp Creole and Crawfish Etouffee, make sure to come hungry. The laid-back BYOB policy and live music make for a fun and groovy evening. 127 E. First St., Long Beach. 228-8688946. darwellscafe.com.
and feature an open, exhibition-style kitchen that ensures the restaurant always smells of mouthwatering garlic and various herbs. Dine on the patio for a view of the Gulf of Mexico, or simply watch the sun set beyond the coastline while enjoying a happy hour cocktail special.
1712 15th St., Gulfport. 228-864-2500.
Salute
For traditional Italian fare, try Salute, located in downtown Gulfport. They offer fine dining in a casual atmosphere
saluteitalian.com.
Salute
PHOTO COURTESY SALUTE
Salute may blend in with the typical architecture of downtown Gulfport, but don’t be fooled: There’s more to this Italian restaurant than meets the eye.
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Shaggy’s
PHOTO COURTESY SHAGGY’S
Shaggy’s beachfront patio and delicious specialties make the short drive to Biloxi worth it.
“It might not be fancy, but it sure is fun!” says exhibitor Amanda Forte of Shaggy’s, one of her favorite post-show hangouts. Located directly on the beautiful Biloxi beachfront, Shaggy’s offers a laidback, island ambiance meant to mimic Key West. Kick back with some Fried Green Tomatoes, Fish Tacos, or Back Bay Style Po-Boys while sipping a beer, margarita or frozen daiquiri and be instantly transported to your own personal beach vacation. 1763 Beach Blvd., Biloxi. 228-432-5005.
shaggys.biz.
The Quarter
By far the most popular bar within the horse show community, The Quarter draws a Sunday night crowd eager to kick up their heels and let their hair down after a long week of showing.
With two pool tables, a karaoke stage, a dance floor and plenty of drink specials, the bar is always filled with friendly faces and lots of laughs.
2504 13th St., Gulfport. 228-863-2650.
casino that just begs you to pony up that newly acquired prize money and have some fun. 875 Beach Blvd., Biloxi. 228-386-7111.
beaurivage.com.
facebook.com/thequarternightclub.
Beau Rivage Casino
If you’re looking to up the ante in entertainment, there’s a vibrant gambling scene in Mississippi, many casinos within driving distance of the show. For the true “Vegas-style” experience, Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi is the place to be. Just a 45-minute drive from the show, it’s recognized by both Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure as one of the top resorts in the country. It features luxurious spa and shopping options, a slew of topnotch restaurants, a lavish pool and golf course, and an 85,000 square-foot
Beau Rivage Resort and Casino offers a Vegas-caliber experience right on the Gulf Coast.
Beau Rivage
PHOTO COURTESY BEAU RIVAGE CASINO
Shaggy’s
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Mardi Gras Mardi Gras In Mississippi
Though long days in the tack might not leave a lot of time for partying, one cannot overlook the fact that the Gulf Coast series falls during Mardi Gras! This famed Carnivale celebration spurred the slogan Laissez les bons temps rouler, or “Let the good times roll,” and Gulfport offers a plethora of celebrations and parades on and around this year’s date of March 4. If you’re looking for a family-friendly event, don’t worry—there are plenty specifically for children (check out gulfcoast. org for further information). Or, if you’re hoping for the “real deal” and a taste of The Big Easy, hit 120
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the road to New Orleans, which is a little over an hour away. For information on specific activities, visit mardi grasneworleans.com.
Looking to make some Mardi Gras memories? Gulfport offers plenty of festivities, and New Orleans is scarcely more than an hour away.
Don’t Forget The Exhibitor Parties
“We don’t do this horse show for the town or local activities, but the exhibitor parties are great!” gushes trainer Myrna Treuting. “The horse show goes above and beyond to provide weekly exhibitor parties that are very well attended. We love them!” Trainer Whitney Boyce agrees, adding, “since it’s a smaller circuit, everyone ends up going, and by the end, you’ve made friends with almost everybody.” That is the Classic Company’s goal, explains show coordinator Janet McCarroll. “There is so much more to derive from a horse show than just the competition,” she says. “We aim to enjoy each other and to give back to our exhibitors. It’s one small way to show our appreciation.” The parties take place every Friday night, usually on the showgrounds or nearby. Check with the horse show office for details.
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CITY GUIDE
We’re Offering A
MILLION DOLLARS IN CASH & AWARDS! 16th Annual Gulf Coast Winter Classics February 5 - March 16, 2014 On the Beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast
A Premier Equestrian Event...
Harrison County Fairgrounds & Equestrian Center, Gulfport, Miss.
Come for the Show Come compete for your share of $1 Million in prizes and awards at the 2014 Gulf Coast Winter Classics, a USHJA Members Choice Award winning event. This winter, the Mississippi Gulf Coast is the place to win money and earn national points. “This Grass Grand Prix Field is one of the best in North America. It really sets this show series apart from the others.” - Steve Stephens, International Olympic Course Designer “The footing is predictable. You know that whatever the weather, management will handle it. They are smart about it and good at it. You feel safe at 2’6” to 4’.” -Thomas Brennan, Trainer and Rider of the USHJA
Stay for the Fun Riders and their families say they have more winter show fun here than any place else. You’ll find world-class casino resorts and top-name entertainment. Shopping in unique boutiques or outlet malls. And flavorful local cuisine featuring fresh gulf seafood. The beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast has it all!
Reserve Your Stalls Today... www.GulfCoastClassicCompany.com USEF AA Rated / USEF Jumper Levels 4 & 5
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Post-Hunt Indulgences Compiled by Lauren Maruskin
Photos by Sara Lieser
There’s nothing like a long day of foxhunting to work up an appetite, but the meal that follows is more than just an obligation for many clubs across the country—it’s a celebrated tradition. We’ve asked four hunts with a reputation for hospitality to share their favorite hunt breakfast dessert recipes.
Palm Beach Hounds’ Black Bottom Key Lime Torte During cubbing, members of the Palm Beach Hounds (Fla.) contribute to potlucks. Once they’ve moved into the formal season, different members of the club host weekend hunt breakfasts. When Liz Howard, the club’s secretary and whipperin, has time to bake for hunt breakfasts, she chooses a dessert that reflects their location as the southernmost hunt in the United States. She finds the Black Bottom Key Lime Torte pleases both the chocolate lover and those who enjoy something a little more tart.
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Ingredients: • 1½ c. chocolate graham cracker crumbs • 6 tbsp. butter, melted • 2 14-oz. cans sweetened condensed milk • 1 c. key lime juice or juice of 10 key limes • 4 eggs • 1 c. whipped cream • 1 tbsp. lime zest, chocolate shavings or powdered sugar for garnish Directions: Preheat oven to 375°F. Thoroughly mix graham cracker crumbs and butter, then press into the bottom and about half an inch up the sides of a 9” spring-form pan. Bake for about 20 minutes, remove from oven and allow to completely cool. Lower oven temperature to 325°F.
Combine milk, juice and eggs; whisk until well blended. Pour into cooled crust and bake for about 15 minutes, or until the center is firm. Allow to chill, covered, in the refrigerator for at least two hours or overnight. Gently remove from spring-form pan. Spread whipped cream on top, garnish and serve. Baker’s Notes: This is a fairly easy, forgiving and delicious recipe. Don’t have time to make a crust? Most grocery stores carry pre-made chocolate graham cracker crusts. Of special note are the limes used to garnish this particular photo, which came from staff writer Mollie Bailey’s lime tree, “Limey,” which resides in the Chronicle office.
Red Rock Hounds’ Sticky Toffee Pudding Members of the Red Rock Hounds, based in Nevada, pursue the decidedly American quarry of coyote, but John Edwards, partner of Jt.-MFH John Schafer, enjoys making a classic English dessert. Edwards reports this sticky toffee pudding is also one of Jt.MFH Angela Murray’s favorites, but it “depends on the lashings of toffee sauce and cream!” he adds. Pudding Ingredients: • 4 oz. soft butter • 6 oz. light brown sugar • 4 eggs, lightly beaten • 8 oz. self-rising flour • 1 tsp. baking soda • 2 tbsp. strong coffee
The Origins Of The Hunt Breakfast
Palm Beach Hounds’ Black Bottom Key Lime Torte
• 8 oz. pitted dates, finely chopped (or semi-dried apricots) • 1 c. boiling water Sauce Ingredients: • 1 lb. corn syrup • 3 oz. butter • 4 oz. soft brown sugar (or use granulated sugar and add 1-2 tbsp. molasses) Directions: Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour a 9” cake tin. Cream together soft butter and sugar and, little by little, the eggs. Fold in the selfrising flour. In a separate bowl, mix baking soda and coffee together and pour over chopped dates, followed by boiling water. Mix. Cool a little, then pour on the
After hours spent in the hunting field, just about everyone is hungry. But why is the post-hunt meal, which often occurs in the afternoon, called a hunt breakfast? There are two schools of thought: One blames the English, and the other claims it to be an American oddity. Author-editor Steven Price believes the hunt breakfast is yet another phrase that we borrow from foxhunting’s Anglo-Irish forebears. “In addition to breakfast being the day’s first meal,” explains Price, “the Brits and the Irish use the word breakfast to describe a meal eaten after an important daytime event. For example, the luncheon held after a morning marriage ceremony is most commonly referred to as a wedding breakfast. Since nothing would possibly be more important than a morning spent following hounds, the first meal thereafter qualifies as a hunt breakfast.”
One must also consider the English climate and geography to better understand the roots of many traditions born there and adopted here. At Britain’s northern latitudes— pretty much on a par with Canada’s Hudson Bay—winter mornings dawn slowly and late during the hunting season. Foxhunters rising during that protracted daybreak most probably would take to the field directly, before eating a formal meal. With breakfast by definition the first meal of the day, their fast would not be broken until hounds returned to kennels. Laura Hunt is an American foxhunter with extensive experience hunting in England, and she is in the opposing camp. “I think the term hunt breakfast for after the hunt is a very American assignment,” she says. “In pre-motorized vehicle days, most foxhunters spent the night before
creamed butter mixture, bringing together using a long-handled spoon. The result will be a very runny mixture. Pour into the prepared tin and bake for 1-1½ hours until springy to the touch, and a knife comes out clean. To prepare the sauce, gently heat the syrup, butter and sugar (or sugar and molasses), stirring slowly for about 10 minutes. Add a little vanilla. Serve with the toffee sauce and a generous helping of heavy whipping cream.
took this out of the oven at about 50 minutes, and I was concerned I’d cooked it too long, even then. Fortunately that was not the case! If your toffee sauce cools and solidifies, it can be made runny again by heating.
Baker’s Notes: Like many classic desserts, there are hundreds of ways to make this one. But I was relieved when a co-worker familiar with sticky toffee pudding deemed it excellent and asked for the recipe. I
the meet at their host’s home and did have a large breakfast before the meet. Neighbors who did not spend the night and arrived on their horses were offered drink and food in the form of a mounted stirrup cup. In England, or at least in Northern England, a breakfast or coffee before the meet is usually a fundraising event, and sometimes hosts may invite the returning field in to tea after the hunt. A large meal or party after the hunt is rare.” Renowned English breeder of foxhounds Martin Scott, MFH, agrees with Hunt. “In England, a hunt breakfast would take place before the meet, but they are rarely offered,” writes Scott. “More common would be an informal invitation for a drink or for tea after the meet, but this would not be called a hunt breakfast.”
Norman Fine, Editor, FoxhuntingLife.com
Red Rock Hounds’ Sticky Toffee Pudding
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Lowcountry Hunt’s Cabinet Pudding
Lowcountry Hunt’s Cabinet Pudding
Oak Ridge Fox Hunt Club’s Peach Melba Shortbread
Oak Ridge Fox Hunt Club’s Peach Melba Shortbread Liz Stevenson, hunt secretary for Oak Ridge Fox Hunt Club in Virginia, enjoys making peach melba shortbread bars for the club’s social and snacking occasions. The recipe has a long history with the hunt, as it’s been passed down from prior hunt members through the decades. Liz reports that it’s as easy as it is delicious. Ingredients: • 2 c. all-purpose flour • ½ c. granulated sugar • ¼ tsp. salt • 1 c. cold butter • 1 c. peach preserves • 6 tsp. raspberry preserves • ½ c. sliced almonds • powdered sugar for garnish Directions: Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine flour, sugar 124
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and salt. Cut in butter with pastry blender until crumbly. Set aside 1 cup of this mixture. Grease 11" x 7" or 9" x 9" pan, then press your remaining flour mixture onto bottom of prepared pan. Bake 25-30 minutes until lightly browned. Spread peach preserves over crust in pan. Dollop raspberry preserves ½ teaspoon at a time over peach preserves. Sprinkle reserved cup of flour mixture over preserves. Sprinkle with almonds. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool 1 hour on wire rack. Cut into bars and garnish with powdered sugar. Baker’s Notes: No-fail and delicious. I ended up using a bit more of the raspberry preserves than the recipe called for, and I also let the shortbread cool for a bit before spreading the preserves so that the crust wouldn’t break apart.
The Lowcountry Hunt in South Carolina is lucky enough to have chef Paul Buck as one of its members, and he frequently whips up this tasty treat with an English heritage. It is said to have earned its name because it was originally made for the House of Commons when they worked long hours into the evening. Starting with a pre-made sponge cake makes it easy to quickly assemble, or you can make one ahead of time. Ingredients: • 10 oz. sponge cake • 2.5 oz. maraschino cherries • 2.5 oz. currants or golden raisins • 2.5 pt. milk • 8 eggs • 5 oz. sugar • 7 drops vanilla • 1 oz. rum Directions: Pre-heat oven to 325˚F. Dice sponge cake into ¼ inch cubes. Mix cherries and fruit (which can be soaked in rum), then place in custard molds or a Pyrex dish, only filling half the dish with the cake/
fruit mix. Warm the milk and whisk into the eggs, sugar and vanilla. Pour onto cake/fruit mix. Place the custard molds or Pyrex into a roasting pan halffilled with lukewarm water, and allow custard to rest for 5-10 minutes. Then bake for 30-45 minutes in the pan of water. Allow to cool before turning out. Can be served with a hot apricot sauce on top. Baker’s Notes: This recipe makes a substantial amount of pudding. I buttered my pans in order to make it easier to get the pudding out. I made it in a variety of pans, and cook time varies depending on the size of your bakeware. If you’re using a large Pyrex, it will need to stay in the oven for quite a bit longer. I recommend making an apricot sauce; I used a recipe from Epicurious.com. Mix 2 cups of water with 2/3 cup of sugar and 3 oz. of chopped dried apricots in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat, stirring occasionally for 25 minutes. Let the mixture cool, pour into a blender, and puree, adding water tablespoon by tablespoon if the mixture is too thick. Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla, blend and serve hot.
There is
NO GENERIC ® ADEQUAN Get the facts at www.nogenericadequan.com
BRIEF SUMMARY : Adequan® i.m.: For the intramuscular treatment of non-infectious degenerative and/or traumatic joint dysfunction and associated lameness of the carpal and hock joints in horses. There are no known contraindications to the use of intramuscular Adequan® i.m. brand Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan in horses. Studies have not been conducted to establish safety in breeding horses. Each 5 mL contains 500 mg Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan. WARNING: Do not use in horses intended for human consumption. Not for use in humans. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children. Caution: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. Adequan® I.A.: For the intra-articular treatment of non-infectious degenerative and/or traumatic joint dysfunction and associated lameness of the carpal joint in horses. Inflammatory joint reactions and septic arthritis have been reported following administration of Adequan® I.A. Joint sepsis, a rare but potentially life threatening complication, can occur after intra-articular injection. Use only in the carpal joint of horses. Each 1 mL contains 250 mg Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan. WARNING: Do not use in horses intended for human consumption. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children. Caution: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. SEE PRODUCT PACKAGE INSERTS FOR FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION. Adequan® is a registered trademark of Luitpold Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ©LUITPOLD PHARMACEUTICALS, INC., Animal Health Division, Shirley, NY 11967. AHD 010, Rev. 1/2014
charity spotlight
A
Brook Hill Farm in Forest, Va., combines a thriving horse rehabilitation program with an equine-assisted learning program for at-risk and disabled teens.
>> What It Is: Brook Hill
Horse Rescue and Therapeutic Riding Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit horse rehabilitation center in Virginia that also hosts United Neigh, an after-school program for disabled and at-risk children. It’s also accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries.
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A Closer Look At:
Brook Hill Farm
By combining equine rehabilitation and outreach for children in need, this Virginia facility works double duty on good deeds.
By Megan Brincks Photo courtesy of Jo Anne Miller
fter purchasing a 60-acre property in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains in 1991, Jo Anne Miller quickly realized that if she didn’t want her husband to fill the pastures with cattle, she’d better find some horses to dot the landscape. A chat with her veterinarian, Ronald Fessler, DVM, convinced Miller to start taking in the occasional horse in need of pasture time to heal from various injuries and caring for them alongside her own three horses. Though she’d never intended to run a rehab facility and had been skeptical about feasibility at first, the endeavor continued to snowball as the years progressed, and in 2001, Miller officially established Brook Hill Horse Rescue and Therapeutic Riding Center in Forest, Va. In the 13 years since, they’ve rehabbed more than 350 horses. “Lameness [can take] six months to a year to heal, and people don’t want to deal with that,” said Miller. “When you go to an auction, the skinny ones [who are sound] get bought, so we decided to focus on the lame horses. They were the ones who were slipping through the cracks.” Brook Hill also takes in rescue cases from county seizures, and its staff has rehabbed performance horses of many disciplines, from grand prix jumpers to a western reining horse. After the horses come sound, they’re slowly worked into Brook Hill’s youth program to get back in shape and teach young riders new skills. Then the team veterinarians and staff evaluate the horses and decide what might be the best fit for a second home for each horse.
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Miller explained that a grand prix jumper might never jump 5' fences again, but he could easily jump 3' without a problem and clean up the ribbons at local shows. “These horses can go back and have a useful life at a lower level,” she said. “I’m trying to place these horses in homes with kids who will work hard, but maybe they can’t afford the best horse.” But the horse rehabilitation program is only half of Brook Hill’s mission—the program puts just as much emphasis on helping humans in need. “We added the children because when you have this many horses, you need a labor force,” Miller joked. In reality, the children she refers to are lucky members of Brook Hill’s “United Neigh” Equine Facilitated Learning program for at-risk and disabled youths. The after-school program is designed to help kids ages 12-18 develop self-confidence, personal responsibility, teamwork and workplace skills. They also receive tutoring and must keep their grades up in order to spend time with the horses. “They have to earn a way to be a part of it,” said Miller, who grew up around horses but focused on education and disabilities in college. “They have to do their farm chores and get good grades.” Students come twice a week yearround, and the proof of the program’s quality is clear: United Neigh participants have a 100 percent graduation rate from high school. And Miller’s programs don’t stop there—she also provides internship experience for college students, manages more than 600 rotating volunteers, runs
4-H and Pony Club groups, organizes training for Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International instructors and works toward a higher level of equine education in the community. Miller and one other full-time employee, Assistant Executive Director Tracy Russler, handle the majority of the administrative duties. Brook Hill also employs two part-timers, but the majority of the work on the farm, including the veterinary and farrier work, is done by people volunteering their time. “I’m surprised at how much support we have,” Miller said. “It’s a really good surprise. We’re just so busy trying to do the programs right. We call ourselves the Brook Hill family, and I think that’s why we have so many volunteers. We definitely are family-oriented.”
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>> Learn More: Check out the Brook Hill website at brookhillfarm.org. >> Get In Touch: Email Executive Director Jo Anne Miller at secretary@brookhillfarm.org or call (540) 586-7432. >> Get Involved: Brook Hill welcomes monetary donations of any amount, but they also keep a list of supplies needed on their website. At the moment, the program is seeking donations of horse books for the children’s library and horse models (Breyer, etc.) to use for teaching. In addition, they’re always looking for good volunteers (and they can offer college students class credit for internships) and adoptive families for rehabbed horses.
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Inside: p. Peters Shows Off New Tricks Kids p. 32 Reptiles, Quarterbacks & Judges’ Encounters With Wrong At Boekelo p. 54 Boyd Martin: What Went 14
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Whether you’re a dressage rider, eventer, or a hunter, jumper or equitation guru, there’s plenty to glean from many recent training sessions in Florida. Visit our website to check out Lindsay Berreth’s five days of coverage from the 2014 George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session, Lisa Slade’s analysis of the Robert Dover Horsemastership Clinic and the Succeed/USDF FEI-Level Trainers’ Conference and Kristin Carpenter’s take on the USEF Eventing High Performance Training Sessions. You never know what lessons from the pros might inspire big changes in your own riding. Make sure to check in at COTH.com for all the wisdom.
u The World Cup In… Nebraska? Equestrians’ eyebrows shot collectively skyward when Omaha, Neb., was announced in December as a candidate city for the 2017 FEI World Cup Finals for show jumping and dressage. But your skepticism may be softened after reading Molly Sorge’s informative Q&A with the bid’s proponents, Lisa Roskens and John McQueen. “When you think Nebraska, you think short buildings and cornfields,” McQueen admits. “I will tell you the first thing I thought about Omaha as an outsider when I flew in the first time. I landed at the international airport and I was driven into 128
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a city that was as cosmopolitan as any place I’ve ever been in my life. One thing about Omaha, as an outsider coming in, is that the people are far and above the most eager people I’ve ever seen about, ‘What can we do for my city, and what can I do, and how big can we do it?’ As a city, they support things.” Learn more about Omaha’s surprising bid for the Finals at COTH.com/article/Omaha-question-mark.
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u What Can The Winter Training Sessions Do For You?
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Have you bookmarked COTH.com yet? Because you don’t want to miss our daily coverage of horse sport news, competition results and equestrian issues, plus phenomenal blogs, photo galleries, videos and more. Make sure you’re up to date with all the stories setting the industry abuzz:
u The Battle Over A Bill Of Sale
Executive Editor Beth Rasin examines one of the most hotly contested subjects at the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association Annual Meeting and an ongoing discussion within the industry in her staff blog at COTH.com/article/bill-sale-too-much-ask: “‘This rule is exceedingly simplistic, asking for a bill of sale,’ said USHJA Joint Owners Task Force co-chair Debbie Bass in the general rules forum. ‘I have to ask you, is that really too much to ask?’ And the response—not so much from her peers but from a room full of trainers, show managers and officials—was that yes, it was. Might that change if the conversation is available via live-stream broadcast so that owners and riders at their day jobs can follow the conversation? Bass thought it would and that this could possibly happen by next year’s meeting. As one person stated, ‘In the discussion, the offenders made it pretty clear that they’re the offenders.’ ”
BEST OF web & Print process, that good riders can take a good horse from beginning to end without one awkward ride, without one growing pain, and that everyone who encounters a problem is clearly doing something egregiously wrong,” Sprieser writes. “And that idea, that judgment, is one thing. The talk, the
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Think you know The Chronicle of the Horse? If you’ve let your subscription lapse or skipped some of our recent issues, you’re missing more than you think. In addition to the news, analysis and results from all the top competitions that you’ve come to expect, we’re also jam-packed full of expert commentary on controversial issues, perceptive profiles, fun features and beautiful photography. Keep your finger on the pulse of the industry with stories like these: u An Industry In His Debt Pick up a copy of our Feb. 10 issue of the Chronicle to read Sara Lieser’s revealing profile of horse-welfare trailblazer Ned Bonnie. In it, the 84-yearold Yale-educated lawyer reflects on his lifelong quest to enact drug rules and establish fair play across equestrian sport: “They threatened to kill our horses at a show in St. Louis [in retribution for his crusade against reserpine the late 1970s],” Bonnie recalls. “The people in Chicago, who were a rough bunch, I knew them, so I called them up and said, ‘I understand you all are going to either hurt or kill our horses when my wife shows up in St. Louis.’ This guy said, ‘Oh, Ned, you know we wouldn’t do that.’ I said, ‘Let me just tell you, if it happens, you’re going to be the first stop. I’m coming after you.’ As you might imagine nothing happened. “It wasn’t an easy road,” Bonnie continues. “I’m kind of a stubborn SOB. The only reason I haven’t been killed is that I’m a little too high profile.”
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gossip? That’s another.” Read more at COTH.com/ article/cagingrailbirds.
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u Caging The Railbirds One of our most-shared stories this season has been dressage rider Lauren Sprieser’s blog about the culture of gossip and judgment within the horse show world. “I don’t know where the idea came from, the idea that training is a linear
u When Is Enough, Enough? After a steroid injection to treat her cough resulted in a rare and long-undiagnosed psychotic reaction, trainer Jessica Filiatrault started to take the issue of over-medicating horses much more seriously. “I consulted a veterinarian, who gave me some pretty good advice. He told me to be the horse’s best advocate. Seems simple, doesn’t it?” Filiatrault writes. “I didn’t realize just how important that small piece of advice was until I was put in a position where I didn’t have a best advocate for myself. “Even those closest to me didn’t believe me when I told them I thought my medication was the problem. My first instinct was ‘flight,’ so I left my room and ran to find my family. However, one of the male nurses grabbed me. This triggered another basic instinct: ‘fight.’ I kicked, punched and screamed to free myself, but I wasn’t strong enough. It took four people to hold me down on the bed because in my ‘crazy’ mind I was fighting for my life. I didn’t want any more medication because I was afraid I was going to die if they gave it to me. “I was doing my best to be my own advocate, but I wasn’t doing a very good job, and the doctors decided they knew better.” You can read Filiatrault’s entire Horseman’s Forum in our Jan. 20 Winter Circuit Preview Issue of the Chronicle.
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parting ways
Falling With Grace Despite this image taken over a colossal spread fence at the 1941 Piping Rock Horse Show in New York, Sara Bosley Secor was a winning and wellknown equestrienne and came from a family of strong Mid-Atlantic horsewomen. Her mother, Elizabeth Cromwell Bosley, bred and trained the famous sprinter Chase Me, and her sister, Elizabeth C. “Betty” Bird, became the first woman to train a Maryland Hunt Cup winner. Growing up in rural Monkton, Md., Secor began working with Chase Me when she was 12, teaching him to retrieve sticks, shake hands and steal handkerchiefs from pockets. Just before his first race (which he won by 20 lengths), Chase Me plucked a cigar out of the starter’s pocket.
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The brown colt went on to win every race he entered until breaking down in the spring of 1934 at Belmont Park (N.Y.). Six years later, Bosley died in a car accident at the age of 45. But Secor rallied through the tragedies and continued on in the horse world for decades to come, showing, training, hunting and eventually becoming master of the Elkridge-Harford Hunt Club (Md.) in 1972. She rode every day and hunted twice a week into her 60s. “She was the confidante of practically everyone and was never judgmental,” said longtime friend Bonsal White in her Baltimore Sun obituary. “She was the most unforgettable character I’ve ever known, in addition to being a fabulous horsewoman.”
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