April/May 2020

EQ

P E OPLE | TR AVE L | D ESI G N | FA SH I O N | ST Y L E | DÉ COR

EQUESTRIAN LIVING

EQ U E S TR I A N LIVING EQLiving.com

APRIL/MAY 2020

A P R I L / M AY 2 0 2 0

FASHION 2O2O ALSO NAYEL NASSAR MARTHA JOLICOEUR SUNNYFIELD FARM DISPLAY UNTIL JUNE 11, 2020

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Skin Loving Ingredients Cruelty-Free Testing

LESLIE MUNSELL CEO OF BEAUTY FOR REAL & USDF SILVER MEDALIST

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EQ I N S I D E

FEATURES 36

MEET NAYEL NASSAR AND LUCIFER V

PHOTOERIC GEORGE STRIFFLER KAMPER

A P RI L | M AY 2 0 2 0

MEET NAYEL NASSAR AND LUCIFER V

36 Though it hasn’t always been a smooth road, this duo are achieving great things together in the show ring.

HELGSTRAND DRESSAGE INVESTS IN THE U.S.

44 Windsome Farm in Wellington, Florida, will become one of Europe’s most prestigious horseman’s permanent USA sales center.

2020 VISION

48 Fashion brands are reimagining equestrian apparel by integrating modern elements with classic traditions.

MARTHA JOLICOEUR: THE EVOLUTION OF A HORSE HAVEN

60 PHOTO COURTESY OF ARIAT

Martha discusses the Wellington, Florida, real estate market and the area’s burgeoning equestrian community.

SUNNYFIELD

68 Bedford, New York’s, Sunnyfield Farm boasts a rich history of equestrian sport.

PAINTER BOOTH MALONE BRINGS SPORTING ART TO LIFE

72 A gallery and discussion with sporting art painter Booth Malone offer insight into the evolution of his techniques.

48

2020 VISION 4 | EQU E S T R I A N L I V I NG | APRI L / MAY | 2020

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EQ I N S I D E

DEPARTMENTS A P RI L | M AY 2 0 2 0

16

DECOR

14

Rattan and wicker add texture and character to any space.

FOOD+DRINK

16

The winner of the 2020 Kentucky Derby party recipe is Jennifer Coalson Perez’s edamame succotash salad.

FASHION

20

14

An Ariat footwear designer talks about the Two24 collection.

STYLE

28

22

22

Spoil your pup with stylish accessories from beds to bones.

TRAVEL

28

Join the nomadic people of Mongolia for a lifetime experience.

32

Visit the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association’s Wheeler museum.

FAVORITES

30

An excerpt from Mustang: From Wild Horse to Riding Horse

by Vivian Gabor.

33

33

10 children’s books for your pony-crazy kids.

66

The 2020 Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup’s $230,000 CSIO5* played out like a big-screen blockbuster.

SCIENCE

24

Can reading to dogs improve reading outcomes in children?

GIVING BACK

34

The US Equestrian Team Foundation’s “Take Me to Tokyo” gala raised $1.5 million this January.

ON THE COVER

IN EACH ISSUE Cover image courtesy of F.WORDS gear.

For detailed product descriptions of the model’s Flawless Jacket and Flame Legging, see page 57 of the “2020 Vision” fashion feature.

All F.WORDS items are made in New York City.

6 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I NG | APRI L / MAY | 2020

EDITOR’S NOTE 8 Welcome to Equestrian Living.

RESOURCES

94

Look for CONTACT INFO | PAGE 94 to find the products and services in this issue.

BARN DOGS 98 A new documentary from the maker of Buck asks us to reconsider how we treat our pets, and ourselves.

EQUESTRIAN PROPERTIES

79

Fabulous farms and ranches.

MASTERING PARTNERSHIP

84

Equine specialist training is a win-win for horse, instructor, program, and student.

CONSERVING THE LAND

88

Forestry expert Geoffrey Wizwell explains his unique and environmental way to clear land and trails.

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EQ F R O M T H E E D I T O R

PHOTO GEORGE KAMPER

WELCOME Understandably, decisions about the Summer Olympics 2020 in Tokyo, Japan, loom large for premier athletes who have dedicated years of their lives for the chance to compete on the world stage. One such equestrian already chosen to compete for Egypt in Tokyo is Nayel Nassar, who you will meet in this issue. Take the time to get to know him and his animated equine partner, Lucifer.

Although Nayel is suspended in limbo regarding the Olympics, he remains positive; a demeanor I found both remarkable and irresistible.

This issue’s “2020 Vision” fashion feature offers an opportunity to briefly could use a clever turn of phrase escape the current events and peruse right about now: something the exciting new apparel that our mix that would offer a modicum of of brands are showcasing. You’ll find optimism in the wake of the appealing new palettes, fabrics, and patcoronavirus or COVID-19. But, terns to flaunt, whether you are showing, at present, most of our lives have schooling, or dashing from the barn to been upended in unprecedented ways. As an afternoon fête once life returns to fast as I draft this letter, more and more normalcy. of our everyday activities are coming to a Additional articles in this issue will halt. The most uplifting aspect to note is, also provide fascinating distractions from despite our isolation, we are collectively our imposed isolation. Sunnyfield Farm, doing our part to stem the spread of this a buttery-yellow landmark in Bedford, persistent virus.

New York, boasts a rich history of equesAs we go to press, equestrian events are issuing cancellation and postponement trian sport and presently, a notable name in racehorse breeding. In “The Evolution messages daily. WEF ended the season early, the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day of a Horse Haven,” Martha Jolicoeur, one Event and the FEI World Cup Finals have of Wellington, Florida’s, premier real estate agents, shares her unique underbeen canceled, and countless other event standing of the region’s expansion in real organizers are making decisions on a dayestate and the burgeoning equestrian by-day basis. Please visit the individual community. event websites for the most up-to-date scheduling information.

I

8 | EQU E S T R I A N L I V I NG | APRI L / MAY | 2020

We also inspire in this issue with a Nomad Experience in Mongolia, a sporting art gallery by renowned painter, Booth Malone, and an engaging selection of décor, style, and science topics.

Trust me on this; you may likely end up encouraging your kids to read to their dogs.

In wrapping up this letter, I want to thank so many of the contacts at the fashion brands for going above-and-beyond during their extreme quarantines.

Although working remotely, and with less-than-ideal internet connections, they responded brilliantly and provided lush imagery for the fashion feature.

On a similar note, I urge all who are able to support your local and small tack and saddlery shops by shopping online or purchasing gift certificates for future shopping as businesses re-open.

Our barns can never close completely, so whenever possible, roll up your sleeves and pitch in. It’s easy to keep a healthy distance from your barn mates. You’ll feel better, and so will your horses and any of the other four-legged critters roaming about.

All of us at Equestrian Living encourage you and your families to follow your government guidelines and stay safe.

Let’s hope this crisis ends quickly.

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EQ A PR I L /M AY 2020

EQ U E S TR I A N

Distinctly Virginia

EQLiving.com

LIVING

®

VOLUME 9 NUMBER 2 EDITOR AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR Stephanie B. Peters SENIOR EDITOR Jill B. Novotny PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR George Kamper EDITOR AT LARGE Carol Cohen-Hodess CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Rebecca Baldridge, Judy Richter DESIGN MANAGER Mary A. Stroup SOCIAL MEDIA & WEB CONTENT Maggie Carty EDITORIAL MANAGER Theresa Cardamone EQ SPECIAL EVENTS Jennifer Pearman Lammer UK & LONDON EDITOR Bridget Arsenault CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Emily Holowczak, Darlene Ricker, Emily Randolph, Catie Staszak PUBLISHER C.W. Medinger PUBLISHING CONSULTANT George Fuller PRINT John Spittle PUBLIC RELATIONS Carrie Wirth, EQmedia.agency NEWSSTAND DISTRIBUTION Ann Marie Barrera ADVERTISING SALES General: 929-262-0347, info@eqliving.com Joyce Jones, 954-796-1809, jones@eqliving.com Dick Holcomb, 770-331-7788, dickholc@bellsouth.net Blaire Baron, 215-439-8259, baron@eqliving.com Europe: Rosa Zampini, zampini@eqliving.com EQ LIVING ADVISORY BOARD Bob Cacchione, Connecticut Deborah Deutsch, Beverly Hills, Calif.

Melissa Ganzi, Wellington, Fla. Carson Kressley, New York, N.Y. Peter Leone, Lionshare Farm, Bedford, N.Y. Colleen and Tim McQuay, Tioga, Texas Mindy Peters, Los Alamos, Calif.

David Sloan, Millbrook, N.Y. Renee Spurge, LA Saddlery, Los Angeles, Calif.

Chester Weber, Ocala, Fla. EQUESTRIAN QUARTERLY (EQ) became EQUESTRIAN LIVING magazine in 2016 and is published six times yearly. It is distributed at selected equestrian locations, newsstands, and is available for home delivery for $24.95 | Canada $39.95.

Subscribe on page 93 or online at eqliving.com/subscribe Free EQ InnerCircle eNewsletter: eqliving.com/ic

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To purchase past issues or find newsstands offering EQLiving, visit eqliving.com/where-to-buy Subscription management and address changes: Web: eqliving.com/manage-subscription Tel: 929-262-0347 Editorial inquiries and letters to the editor: info@eqliving.com or mail to Box One, Brownsville, VT 05037

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©2020. All rights reserved, Wynnwood Media, LLC. No portion may be reproduced in print or online without written permission. ®Equestrian Living, Equestrian Quarterly, and EQ are.registered trademarks of Wynnwood Media.....

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EQ was chosen OVERALL BEST EQUESTRIAN MAGAZINE in its inaugural year by American Horse Publications.

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Handcrafted

DESIGN INSPIRED EQUESTRIAN-THEMED DÉCOR FROM NEW AND VINTAGE TACK Drawing from the rich history of horseracing and polo, designer Stephanie Reppas creates uniquely crafted furnishings, detailed with sumptuous hand-tacked leather and polished steel hardware. Her pieces deliver a refined simplicity and elegance that any lover of warm, sophisticated design will appreciate.

Buffalo Leather Serving Board with Nickel Finish Snaffle Bit Handles ABOVE: Circle Mirror Framed with Hand-Tacked Mahogany Buffalo Leather

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EQ E S S E N T I A L S | D É C O R

NATURALLY STYLISH On trend for spring and summer, RATTAN and WICKER add texture and character to any space.

The small Toba Mirror by Sweetpea & Willow is made from natural rattan with a gray finish and spokes surrounding the center mirror. $92.

Limited Abode’s Rattan double-door sideboard combines practical storage with sophisticated design.

Crafted in solid wood and natural mesh weaving. $834.

The striking NIDO Rattan Pendant Light by Lime Lace is beautifully crafted by lighting brand Faro Barcelona. It comprises a metal frame with a bird’s nest-style rattan shade, which creates a beautiful ambient light. $170.

The low, sloping silhouette of WilliamsSonoma Home’s rattan Boothbay Occasional Chair brings effortless style to a wide variety of living spaces.

Constructed of sustainably harvested rattan and an iron frame. $395.

The dressed Graywash Rattan Basket by Charley Chau is simple, stylish, and oh so comfy! $285.

Shown with the Charley Chau Daybed mattress.

The Rattan Chair by Smithers of Stamford is a vintage Scandinavian style for the office or dining room. Available in natural or black woven rattan and a wirework, pipe-effect frame. $247.

Taking intricate handweaving to the next level, Garden Trading’s medium Tangled Weave Basket looks like a work of art yet is perfect for storing toys, logs, or blankets. $65.

Vincent Sheppard’s Wicked Sofa in natural-finish wicker, with a dark green powder-coated galvanized steel frame, is unexpectedly light and airy. $2,576.

14 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | AP RI L / MAY | 2020

CONTACT INFO | PAGE 94

info@riderzon.com

EQ E S S E N T I A L S | F O O D + D R I N K

F L AVO

LOC

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The winner of the 2O2O KENTUCKY DERBY PARTY RECIPE is California’s Jennifer Coalson Perez.

R

A

EDAMAME SUCCOTASH SALAD T UN CO ITES E RS OR H O FAV

RY

E

arlier this year, Churchill Downs Racetrack announced its search for one passionate foodie to receive the honorary title of Official Menu Taste Tester of the 146th Executive Chef Kentucky Derby. Foodies from across the David Danielson country shared their favorite original derby party recipes. Each recipe was carefully judged based on its level of originality, ease of preparation, and consistency with the derby party theme by Churchill Downs’ executive chef, David Danielson.

The winner of this unique gourmet getaway, California resident Jennifer Coalson Perez’s entry was a succotash salad that took the “triple crown” as the winner.

She was awarded the trip to Louisville to learn the secrets behind chef Danielson Jennifer Coalson in his Louisville kitchen. As the official Perez menu taste tester, Jennifer will be joining Danielson to partake in the ultimate sampling of Kentucky fare and select the highly coveted dishes on this year’s official menus. She will also receive tickets to the 146th Kentucky Derby to see the official menu come to life.

EDAMAME SUCCOTASH SALAD WITH MINTED LEMON VINAIGRETTE INGREDIENTS 4 ears fresh sweet corn on the cob 2 medium red bell peppers 1 red onion 2 large cucumbers 1 pint mini heirloom tomatoes I bag frozen shelled edamame (9 ounces) ½ cup mint leaves loosely packed 1 cup Italian parsley leaves, loosely packed 1 Meyer lemon and apple cider vinegar

1 clove garlic ½ cup extra virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon honey Salt to taste

Once the corn has cooled, remove kernels from husks. Chop parsley.

Combine all produce into a large mixing bowl.

PREPARATION Remove husks and clean corn cobs and steam until just tender, then set aside to cool. Defrost edamame at room temperature. Dice all peppers, onions, cucumbers and tomatoes into uniform pieces.

VINAIGRETTE Mince 1 clove of garlic and the mint. Zest the Meyer lemon, and juice it. Augment the lemon juice with apple cider vinegar to equal ½ cup total. Add honey and olive oil and blend or whisk to combine.

Add salt to taste.

16 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | AP RI L / MAY | 2020

SERVING Mix vinaigrette with produce to fully coat. Chill for an hour and toss once more before service.

INFO PAGE 94

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PALM BEACH POINT | $11,250,000

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10-Acre Equestrian Estate | Hack to PBIEC | 7 Bedrooms, 5 Bathrooms, 2 HalfBathrooms | Hardwood and Marble Tile Flooring | Center Island Range | SubZero Refrigerator | Impact Glass | Wrap-Around Staircase | 14-Stall Center-Aisle Barn | 2 Studio Apartments | Managers’ Apartment | Riders’ Lounge | Outdoor Arena and Grass Jumping Field | Round Pen | 10 Grass Paddocks

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Striking 4-Bedroom, 4-Bathroom Pool Home | High Ceilings | Marble and Hardwood Flooring | Floor-to-Ceiling Windows | Impact Glass | 2 Half-Bathrooms | 3-Car Garage | Covered Screen Patio with Built-In Barbecue | Expansive Pool Area | Unobstructed Views of Lovely Water and Cypress Golf Course

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2.98 Acres | 14-Stall Barn | 6 Paddocks | 235’ x 115’ All-Weather Arena | Owners’ Lounge with Kitchen and Bathroom | 2 Staff Apartments | Grooms’ Lounge with Kitchen | Outdoor Patio with Summer Kitchen Overlooking the Ring | Adjacent to PBIEC | Sold Furnished

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FOR THE GLOBAL EQUESTRIAN COMMUNITY 1111 LINCOLN RD, PH-805, MIAMI BEACH, FL 33139. 305.695.6300 © 2020 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. ALL MATERIAL PRESENTED HEREIN IS INTENDED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. WHILE, THIS INFORMATION IS BELIEVED TO BE CORRECT, IT IS REPRESENTED SUBJECT TO ERRORS, OMISSIONS, CHANGES OR WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL PROPERTY INFORMATION, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO SQUARE FOOTAGE, ROOM COUNT, NUMBER OF BEDROOMS AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PROPERTY LISTINGS SHOULD BE VERIFIED BY YOUR OWN ATTORNEY, ARCHITECT OR ZONING EXPERT. IF YOUR PROPERTY IS CURRENTLY LISTED WITH ANOTHER REAL ESTATE BROKER, PLEASE DISREGARD THIS OFFER. IT IS NOT OUR INTENTION TO SOLICIT THE OFFERINGS OF OTHER REAL ESTATE BROKERS. WE COOPERATE WITH THEM FULLY. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY. .

EQ E S S E N T I A L S | F A S H I O N

IN PERFECT STEP Jóse R. Monroy, an ARIAT FOOTWEAR DESIGNER, answers a few questions about the brand’s lifestyle collection, TWO24, and what’s in the pipeline.

Can you explain the significance of the name Two24 and what initiated the new Ariat line?

Two24 represents the recordbreaking 2 minutes and 24 seconds that allowed Secretariat to win the 1973 Belmont Stakes, a record that stands to this day. Secretariat cemented himself as one of the world’s most-loved racehorses and is the original inspiration for our company name, Ariat. Taking our rich equestrian heritage and commitment to long-lasting products, we created this collection of handcrafted and expertly detailed boots and shoes that reflect our story through a refined and contemporary lens.

How would you define this lifestyle line of footwear?

This is a premium collection of handcrafted products that blends our rich equestrian heritage with that of mainstream fashion to create styles that are both timeless and contemporary.

Ariat footwear designer Jóse R. Monroy finds inspiration in the brand’s equestrian heritage.

There are definite signature details that we’ve included across the collection. Two of them were directly inspired

by Secretariat’s racing silks and the Triple Crown title that he was awarded after his win in the Belmont Stakes. Taking the blue and white colors from the racing silks and the gold to represent the Triple Crown title, we created what we call the “Triple Crown Stitch” and the “Triple Crown Label.” The Triple Crown Stitch can be found on the back of uppers as well as on the outsole waist, while the Triple Crown Label is mainly used on the back of our sneakers. Another great signature detail is the “Western Crown.”

Whether it be through a deco stitch, upper patterning, or cutout, this unique shaping is commonly seen across western products. The Western Crown can be found on the rubber top lifts in our men’s collection as well as subtle variations of it on both women’s and men’s products.

Where do you find inspiration?

What are considered the signature details in the footwear? Are there key elements that you deem essential?

20 | EQ UE S T R I A N L I V IN G | AP RI L / MAY | 2020

The basis for all my inspiration starts with Ariat’s equestrian heritage. I like to surround myself with as

EQ E S S E N T I A L S | F A S H I O N

many details of the equestrian lifestyle as possible. There are so many different elements to take inspiration from, whether it be through the unique details and shapes found on saddles and bridles, the beautiful, embossed edging on reins, or even the rich leathers and hardware used to create these products. Using this as my foundation, I then like to find ways to combine equestrian elements with concepts, silhouettes, and details that I see trending in the mainstream market. The challenge is creating something that balances both lifestyles and is both unique and fresh. It’s sort of a fun puzzle at the end of the day.

from the Paddock, which is a specific type of riding boot.

Paddock boots, more often than not, are used for everyday riding as they’re usually combined with half chaps to give the visual impression of a tall boot.

We took the base concept behind the traditional paddock and added some of our signature detailing with a sleeker, more contemporary shaping to the silhouette to create modern yet timeless styles.

I read that you like a yin/yang approach to style. Can you elaborate?

This is essentially the idea of combining two seemingly different concepts to create something that is familiar, well-balanced, and new. This line is a great vehicle for the expression of just that, a product that bridges the gap between our Western and English equestrian heritage and mainstream fashion.

I think the main difference is the long and rich history that we have with equestrian products at Ariat. We are one of the top companies that riders, ranging from amateur to professional, look to for technical equipment they trust will never let them down.

The Fairfax boot for men has a classic equestrian look. Do you have anything comparable for women?

Both the Parker and Bancroft are great examples of classic equestrian looks for women. They both derive

Top: The Leona monk strap shoe, shown with the men’s Jack leather sneaker. Center: The men’s Fairview lace-up ankle boot. Bottom left: The women’s Penny leather sneaker shown with the men’s Bartlett. Right: The men’s Jefferson sidezip Western-inspired boot.

Do you anticipate expanding the Two24 by Ariat product line? If so, what should we be expecting?

The line will most definitely be expanding to include a wider breadth of product with additional silhouettes and constructions. We’re looking to expand our core styles for both men and women as well as our athletic offerings for some added depth to the collection.

CONTACT INFO | PAGE 94

A PRIL/MAY | 202 0 | EQ L I V I NG .CO M | 2 1

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF ARIAT

What differentiates Two24 by Ariat from other brands in this equestrian-inspired category?

EQ E S S E N T I A L S | S T Y L E

SWAG TO MAKE TAILS WAG Spoil YOUR PUP with these stylish accessories.

The Camello dog lead by Annabel James is crafted by leather experts from fine leather and gray tweed. $72.33.

Ruff and Tumble drying coats are modeled on the design of a horse blanket for easy on-and-off, and no more back-breaking drying off soggy dogs.

Prices range by size. $45 - $85.

Charley Chau’s raised rattan dog bed is a beautiful piece of furniture in its own right.

Mattress sold separately. $575.

Treat your furry friend to a plush bone by Kona Cave, suitable for hours of fun with elegant fabrics to complement your home interior. Set of 4: $53.

Fenella Smith’s sweet Jack Russell round dog bowl will make for an inviting mealtime for your four-legged friend. $23.

Simple but stylish, the Charley Chau classic leather dog collar is handmade of soft and supple Nappa leather. $37.

Gummi Pets’ Marrakesh blue pet bowl comes with a stainless steel inset, which can be removed for easy cleaning. $22.80.

Hang your leashes and other accessories and clothes on these playful dog hangers

by Animi Causa. Set of 2: $23.99.

The pet teepee from Yellow Octopus is a fun and unusual accent piece that will offer your pet a cozy escape. $69.99.

CONTACT INFO | PAGE 94 22 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | AP RI L / MAY | 2020

EQ S C I E N C E

BARKING FOR BOOKS

W

hat activity is not improved when shared with your canine friend?

Research shows that the calming effect of a dog can improve young readers’s attitude towards reading— encouraging them to read more.

The study, published in Early Childhood Education Journal, looked at 28 second graders from public school classrooms, all with average literacy levels for their grade. It found that students assigned to a six-week after-school canine-assisted reading program had a significantly higher score on positive

24 | EQ UE S T R I A N L I V IN G | AP RI L / MAY | 2020

JILL NOVOTNY

Research has shown that READING ALOUD TO A DOG increases a child’s motivation to continue reading.

recreational reading attitudes compared to students with a standard classroom curriculum. The after-school program consisted of a 30-minute session in which the students were assigned to read to a registered therapy dog.

The students provided feedback on their attitudes about reading before and after each session, and their reading skills were assessed biweekly.

Though reading skills were the same between the groups, the students that read to the dogs were shown to feel more engagement and motivation to continue reading. They were more excited about reading and had significantly more positive attitudes toward reading than their

counterparts that followed the standard curriculum. The researchers reasoned that this motivation might come from a lower stress level. Who wouldn’t be happier to engage in reading aloud with some floppy ears listening?

“Even though reading skills did not change significantly, I would still endorse animal-assisted intervention for child literacy because attitudes about reading can be a stepping stone to improved reading skills,” study co-author Deborah Linder told an interviewer for the news and media website, Inverse. “Additionally, with a longer program or more frequent visits, we may have seen skill improvements, so future studies are needed.”

Where they go next is up to us Tens of thousands of horses become at-risk for abuse, neglect and an untimely and inhumane end of life each year. Over 81,000 of America’s horses were shipped across our borders to be slaughtered in 2018.

Most were young, healthy and had untapped potential.

Yet, while there are over 48 million people with disabilities in the US, and even more who would benefit from magic and power of horses, only 7,900 horses are currently serving only 69,000 people with special needs.

The EQUUS Foundation is committed to putting an end to the abuse and neglect of America’s horses by increasing opportunities for horses to share their magic as athletes, companions, teachers and healers.

The EQUUS Foundation is the only national animal welfare charity in the United States 100% dedicated to protecting America’s horses and strengthening the bond between horses and people.

Join us at equusfoundation.org

Wellington, Florida • MattSells.com • 561-313-4367

A home for the active family! - 5Br/5.5Bth home on 5 acres with impact windows & doors, stunning gourmet cook's kitchen with professional grade appliances, home theater with tiered seating, resort style pool with rock waterfall, hot tub and sauna. Plus oversized 3 car garage and attached boat or RV bay with hookup. Reduced to $1,595,000

This 2 acre farm has it all! Updated 4Br/3.5Bth pool home with 2 master suites. 8 stall center-aisle barn with studio apartment, 2 wash racks, tack & laundry room, 180’x110’ arena with GGT footing, 6 paddocks and direct bridle path access to WEF. Offered at $2,250,000

Great Value! - Lovely 3Br/3Bth home with 3 car garage situated on 5.25 acres with 6 stall center-aisle stable. Open floor plan with fireplace, centerisland kitchen with custom wood cabinetry and hurricane windows & doors throughout. The kitchen boasts granite counters, stainless steel appliances and walk-in pantry. There are 6 large paddocks, round pen and hot walker.

Offered at $1,250,000

40 Acre Equestrian Facility - This property has every amenity a horse person could desire: 3 BR owner's residence with pool, 58 Stalls, covered 90' x 225' arena, 2 outdoor arenas, round pen, exercise walker, large paddocks and room for a stick & ball field or grand prix field. Plus, 4Br/2Bth guest cottage. Prime location just minutes to downtown Stuart, the beaches and 1 hour to Wellington. Offered at $3,200,000.

Private Oasis - 10 Acre equestrian property with all the amenities. Centeraisle barn, 210’ x 110’ riding arena with mirrors, 6 horse exercise-walker, grass paddocks and 2 Br/1Bth guest house. The 4Br main house boasts updated kitchen & baths, wood and marble floors, stunning pool and patio with hot tub, 3 car garage and whole house generator. Reduced to $2,395,000

Updated 4Br/2Bth pool home - minutes to Palm Beach Island & downtown West Palm. Boasting updated eat-in kitchen with professional-grade appliances, country sink, quartz countertops, refinished hardwood floors, fireplace, formal dining room and a den w/ French doors to private backyard & pool area, perfect for entertaining family & friends. Reduced to $525,000

Matt Johnson • Engel & Völkers Licensee of Engel & Völkers Florida Residential, LLC Selling Wellington & The Palm Beaches Mobile +1 561-313-4367 Matt.Johnson@evusa.com ©2020 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. Coastal Luxury Properties, LLC licensee of Engel & Voelkers Florida Residential, LLC. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act.

Wellington, Florida • MattSells.com • 561-313-4367

11 Acre Estate - Situated on the cul-de-sac in Palm Beach Point, this property is the perfect training retreat with the ability to have up to 24 stalls. The main residence with overhead garage apartment has stunning views of the mature landscape and water features. Family & friends will love the charming 2Br guest cottage and staff will feel right at home in the 2Br apartment above the courtyard barn. An ideal location just minutes from Global Dressage & WEF. Offered at $5,450,000

Brand New Equestrian Property - This state-of-the-art Wellington facility features a 10 stall center-aisle stable with 4 grooming stalls, 1 Br/1Bth staff apartment, business office and elegantly appointed 3 bedroom owner’s residence above. Thoughtfully situated on 5 acres with riding arena & paddocks within hacking distance to the showgrounds. Combine with the adjacent 5 acres for an additional $850k. Offered at $4,250,000

Stunning Lakefront - Newly remodeled 4Br/4Bth pool home All new: impact resistant windows & doors, roof, pool, kitchen & baths, wood floors, marble & stone finishes, dog grooming room, 3 car garage & 1Br/1Bth detached guest house. Privately situated on approx.

3.5 acres backing to a private lake and wildlife refuge.

Reduced to $1,875,000

Car Collectors & Animal Lovers Take Note - Escape from the fast paced life! 4Br/3Bth home with open floorplan on 5 acres in a gated western community. 2000 Sq. Ft detached outbuilding perfect for a car collector, home business or stable.

Reduced to $795,000

Matt Johnson • Engel & Völkers Licensee of Engel & Völkers Florida Residential, LLC Selling Wellington & The Palm Beaches Mobile +1 561-313-4367 Matt.Johnson@evusa.com ©2020 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. Coastal Luxury Properties, LLC licensee of Engel & Voelkers Florida Residential, LLC. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act.

EQ E S S E N T I A L S | T R A V E L

THE NOMAD EXPERIENCE Live and ride with the nomadic people of MONGOLIA.

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his August a new endurance riding event will offer participants a unique insight into the traditional nomad lifestyle and the role of horses in one of the oldest cultures in the world.

The event is run in conjunction with the Gobi Desert Cup, an extreme horseback endurance race held on the Mongolian steppe. The 300-mile course is ridden in six days by athletes from all over the world. Both the Gobi Desert Cup and 28 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | AP RI L / MAY | 2020

PHOTOS: DEB LEE CARSON

BY JILL NOVOTNY PHOTOS DEB LEE CARSON

the Nomad Experience were conceptualized as a way to bring social and economic empowerment to the local community and to promote the welfare of the local horses.

In many aspects, the less extreme Nomad Experience sees the riders get closer to the culture and horsemen than is possible during the Gobi Desert Cup. The experience is underpinned by the nomad belief: Come to give.

The race creates work for over 60 people for up to a year, bringing empowerment to the local community. In addition,

the competition hires and brings to the training center 160 horses from different Mongolian families.�

The camp is based in the Khentii province, the birthplace of Genghis Khan, about 200 miles from the capital of Mongolia. During the Nomad Experience, riders are accommodated in a traditional ger, a portable, round tent covered with skins or felt and used as a dwelling, among nomadic people with access to basic amenities and surrounded by the 160 horses in training for the Gobi Desert

EQ E S S E N T I A L S | T R A V E L

Cup. Riders return to the base camp each night to enjoy the generous nomad hospitality. Held just before the Gobi Desert Cup, the overall experience and riding challenges during the Nomad Experience present an opportunity for riders to acclimate and build stamina, as well as to mentally prepare to ride someday in the Gobi Desert Cup. Or, for less experienced riders, it is a way to have a gentler experience in a less challenging riding environment but with similar

rich cultural highlights. Each day, after a traditional breakfast at the camp, riders face various challenges along their daily ride, which range from endurance rides to faster, shorter trips. The itinerary includes getting an inside look at the nomad horse trainers in action, as well as the Nomad Games, a chance for participants to practice their Mongolian horsemanship skills, including barrel racing. The trip concludes with prize-giving over traditional Mongolian barbecue, and all riders are gifted a traditional Mongolian outfit.

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EQ E S S E N T I A L S | F A V O R I T E S

MEETING MONA OK

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U

EQ

O

B

B

An excerpt from MUSTANG: FROM WILD HORSE TO RIDING HORSE by Vivian Gabor.

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TH N S EE ER W V T O E C B

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feel excited as I catch sight of “my” Mustang for the first time, a brief first glance before the mare walks sweetly into the trailer. “She’s familiar with food rewards,” the organizer tells me. The trainer who prepared the Mustangs mentioned this to her specially. With a treat, the horse stands calmly in the trailer while the second horse is loaded. The back door of the trailer is then carefully closed, and I can travel home with a “wild horse” on board.

I am told that the American trainer had given my Mustang the name “Mona Lisa,” which in my mind becomes simply “Mona.”

I offer my Mustang mare the back of my hand and invite her to sniff it. Very hesitantly, Mona reaches her head in my direction. She is very cautious but also seems curious. The first, tentative touch happens!

I am still interested in connecting and go into Mona’s stall again; however, she doesn’t give me a friendly greeting. In fact, she doesn’t want me anywhere near her, and threatens me. I hadn’t expected that: skepticism, yes, but more evasive, even anxious behavior.

This first encounter and the mare’s defensive behavior have given me food for thought. Will I be able to convince this horse to work with me? I start having doubts. Make Mona “rideable” within three months? I don’t quite believe it yet. With these 30 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | AP RI L / MAY | 2020

feelings, the first day with “my” Mustang comes to an end.

When I take Mona out for

Adapted and used by permission from Trafalgar Square Books.

the first time, she follows me quietly for the 50 yards or so to the round pen, looks around, but definitely doesn’t go into flight mode. Everything is new to her: the buildings we walk between, the other horses in the exercise pen that she can see next to the round pen. Another 50 yards away is the large indoor arena—but this building doesn’t seem to impress her either.

I enter the round pen ahead of her and she follows me willingly. How do you begin training a wild Mustang? I try to see Mona as a completely normal horse and think about what I would normally do.

I start with some simple exercises that are supposed to teach her to focus on me. I walk in circles and keep stopping and observing whether she is paying attention to me. I can see that she finds this difficult and keeps looking around her. As a result, she follows unsteadily, a little behind me. You couldn’t call it normal leading. I notice that being led on a rope like this doesn’t mean anything to her. Of course, she just isn’t ready for it at the moment. And why should she be? I feel the urge to let her go. I consider for a moment whether that is wise, and what could happen. Our round pen is fenced with panels so, in principle, escape is impossible. It is possible that I won’t be able to catch Mona again.

However, as has been the case with other timid or

EQ E S S E N T I A L S | F A V O R I T E S

anxious horses, good roundpen training makes it possible to build up a relationship with any horse that allows himself to be caught again.

(Well, that’s my theory, anyway.)

So I risk it and remove Mona’s rope. Then, something astonishing happens. I had expected her to want to get away from me. I am familiar with that behavior from horses I have trained, when I “let them go” in the round pen. They run around and try to get the lay of the land. But not this Mustang mare—she just stays next to me when I unclip the rope. It simply does not occur to her to leave me

JULIANE FELLNER

or to run wildly around the round pen. I can’t send her away from me. Instead, she is intent on staying by my side!

Nevertheless, I want to give her the opportunity to move away from me. That’s what I would normally do when training a young horse.

One of the reasons I do this is to establish my status as the “leader.” The idea is that I determine speed and direction, and establish my position in the middle of the circle—in a space that the horse shouldn’t enter without being asked. If I see that the horse is attentive and relaxed, I bring him into the middle. Within a very Continued on page 86

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EQ E S S E N T I A L S | T R A V E L

PRESERVING THE PAST Visit the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association’s WHEELER MUSEUM.

BY EMILY HOLOWCZAK

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he United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) headquarters is located at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. A central beacon of horse culture, not only does the organization work toward creating the future of equestrian sport, but it also celebrates its past through the USHJA Wheeler Museum. From Ponies Through the Decades to its current exhibit, Through the Lens: The Art of Hunter/Jumper Photography, the museum seeks to chronicle equestrian history in order to inform and inspire.

The Wheeler Museum features photos, artifacts, literature, and videos encompassing a diverse array of horse-related topics. Visitors can learn about the origin of horse shows, history of different disciplines, and notable athletes and their equine partners. Established in 2009, the museum is named after Sallie and Kenny Wheeler of Keswick, Virginia. The Wheeler family is widely respected for their significant contributions to equestrian sport. They have led countless horses and riders to success, earning numerous grand championships 32 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | AP RI L / MAY | 2020

spanning a six-decade career. The American Horse Shows Association awarded them with the lifetime achievement award in 1999. Now, the Wheelers lend their name to the USHJA museum.

The current exhibit showcases the art of capturing those special moments with our equine partners. From the bright

lights of a grand prix jump-off to the sparkle in a lead-liner’s eyes at their first competition, horse show photographers are the visual historians of the equestrian world. The exhibit invites visitors to learn about the technique and strategy of equestrian photographers. It highlights the timeline of technological advancements in the field, and how it has changed.

The Wheeler Museum is also home to a permanent collection, the Show Jumping Hall of Fame.

The display, which opened in 1989, pays homage to the greatest athletes of show jumping, both human and equine. These include the likes of athletes Frank Chapot, Anne Kursinski, and the famous grey jumper Snowman, featured in the popular documentary Harry and Snowman.

The museum is made possible by support from individual donors to the USHJA Foundation.

CONTACT INFO | PAGE 94

EQ E S S E N T I A L S | F A V O R I T E S

1O BOOKS FOR PONY KIDS What little child isn’t inspired by the MAGIC OF HORSES? This collection of books ranges from adorable and silly to sweet and adventurous.

HELLO HORSE. This gentle introduction to horses by Vivian French, illustrated by Catherine Rayner, will delight even those who need a little reassurance before jumping into the saddle.

IF I RAN THE HORSE SHOW. In the latest installment of the Cat in the Hat Learning Library by Bonnie Worth, the Cat introduces Sally and Nick—and beginning readers—to all things horsey.

CLIP-CLOP. With simple rhythmic text and charming pictures, this gleeful book by Nicola Smee will make your toddler beg to read it again and again.

A HORSE NAMED STEVE. Steve finds a gold horn in the forest and attaches it to his head. A laugh-out-loud tale of an endearingly self-absorbed horse who learns that there’s more than one way to blow your own horn!

IF I HAD A HORSE. An inspiring picture book with simple text and gorgeous, impressionistic artwork from acclaimed author-illustrator Gianna Marino, is about a girl imagining what life would be like with a horse.

1O

LITTLE PONY. Mini Look at Me Books are miniature versions of the larger versions—resized to fit tiny hands. Here, a baby pony learns about the world.

MY PONY. A little girl who longs for a pony draws pictures of a dappled mare she names Silver, then rides her through a magical countryside in her dreams.

HORSE MEETS DOG. Television comedy writer Elliott Kalan and acclaimed illustrator Tim Miller team up in this clever comedy of mistaken species identity.

IF A HORSE HAD WORDS. This lyrical story by Kelly Cooper with illustrations

by Lucy Eldridge follows the relationship between a boy and a horse.

DINKY GOES TO THE HAMPTONS. Author Emily Kil based this fictional story of Dinky on a real-life pony by the same name, who went on to win the 2018 USEF Pony Jumper Championships.

CONTACT INFO | PAGE 94

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EQ G I V I N G B A C K

TAKE ME TO TOKYO The US Equestrian Team Foundation gala raised $1.5 million.

BY EMILY RANDOLPH/JUMP MEDIA BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN brought the crowd to its feet and helped the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation during the “Take Me to Tokyo” fundraising gala held in January in Wellington, Florida. ● More than 500 guests attended the gala event, chaired by Springsteen and Patti Scialfa and hosted at Deeridge Farm by honorary chairmen Lou and Joan Jacobs, to raise funds to support the US Equestrian Teams headed to the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. ● Springsteen and Scialfa offered live auction donations of a Harley Davidson motorcycle and a Fender guitar, both personally autographed to the winning bidders by “The Boss” himself. Springsteen took the stage to help auction off the items, inciting higher bids by offering to start singing if the value reached a certain point. In the end, the two items raised more than $300,000–enough for Springsteen and Scialfa to take over the stage and bring the sold-out crowd onto the dance floor.

Clockwise from top left: (Photos: Jump Media.) Chrystine and George Tauber; Bruce Springsteen; Lou and Joan Jacobs; McLain Ward; Carol Hoffman and Anne Kursinski; USET Foundation President Jim McNerney; Beezie Madden (center left); Sarah Davis Kessler and Murray Kessler; Springsteen’s motorcycle; Dr. Stephen Norton and Martha Jolicoeur; Robin and Gerry Parsky and Jacqueline B. Mars.

CONTACT INFO | PAGE 94

34 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | AP RI L / MAY | 2020

Palm Beach Polo • Bent Cypress - 3 bedrooms, 4 full bathrooms, office/bonus room, a 2-car garage, and a fully-fenced backyard with pool, spa.

Offered at $1,899,000

Palm Beach Point East - 5-acre equestrian estate, 18-stall barn, includes 3 separate living quarters - an owners’ apartment and 2 grooms apartments. Riso fiber arena, 10 paddocks, and a spacious storage garage.

Offered at $5,995,000

Palm Beach Polo • Blue Cypress - The custom built estate boasts 4,907 sf living space, 4 bedrooms, 5 full and one half baths, a 3.5-car garage, and an exquisite outdoor entertaining area and pool.

Offered at $4,900,000

Palm Beach Polo • Blue Cypress - Modern design boasts over 7,400 square feet with 6 bedrooms and 7 and a half bathrooms. Floor-toceiling windows create dramatic spaces, filled with tons of natural light.

Offered at $5,900,000

Palm Beach Polo • Cypress Island - 7,251 square feet with 4 bedrooms, 4 full baths, 2 half baths, a detached 1 bedroom guest house, a 3 and a half car garage. Exquisite pool and outdoor living area.

Offered at $8,995,000

Grand Prix Village - Brilliantly appointed 4acre equestrian property. Includes 20-stall barn with owners' lounge, six paddocks and a separate grooms' apartment with 4 bedrooms and a large kitchen.

Offered at $9,600,000

Palm Beach Polo • Eagle's Landing - Rusticcontemporary design boasts 2,470 sf of living space with 3 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, a 2.5car garage, and fabulous pool and spa.

Price Upon Request

Palm Beach Polo • Sunnydale - 4 bedrooms, 3 full and 2 half baths, and a 2 and a half car garage. Fresh, clean contemporary design.

Offered at $1,300,000

Homeland - Colonial-style luxury estate situated on 5-acres. 10,913 square foot residence with 6bedrooms, 6 full and 2 half bathrooms, and a 3 and a half-car garage.

Offered at $3,250,000

Carol A. Sollak, P.A. • Phone +1 561-818-9476 • Fax +1 561-791-2221 www.carolsollak.evusa.com • Wellington, Florida • Carol.Sollak@evusa.com

©2020 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. Carr Sollak Realty, LLC licensee of Engel & Voelkers Florida Residential, LLC. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act.

MEET

NAYEL NASSAR AND

LUCIFER V

INTERVIEW WITH STEPHANIE PETERS

BY EMILY HOLOWCZAK PHOTOS BY GEORGE KAMPER

36 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | APRI L / MAY | 2020

A

ggravated bucks and pinned ears are a common

sight to see when Nayel Nassar’s Lucifer V steps into the show-jumping arena. The 14-year-old Westphalian gelding is well known for his warm-up antics and requires some special care when getting started in the show ring. Despite his testy behavior, Lucifer and Nassar have seen much success over their brief two years of partnership. While the road to victory wasn’t easy for the pair, Lucifer has become one of Nassar’s favorite and most successful horses.

Nassar was born in Chicago, Illinois, 29 years ago, and grew up in Kuwait. He began riding horses at the age of 5. Both of Nassar’s parents are from Egypt, which allows him to compete for the Egyptian nation. His professional career has seen many victories at top competitions throughout North America, multiple FEI World Cup Finals qualifications, and qualification for the FEI World Equestrian Games in 2014.

Most recently, Nassar became engaged to Jennifer Gates, president of Evergate Stables and a popular equestrian in her own right. (See June/July 2019 issue.) The two met through the horse industry years ago and established a friendship that grew into more. Both riders are based out of Evergate Stables and compete together all over the world.

EQ Living visited Nassar in sunny Wellington, Florida, to learn more about him and his unique horse Lucifer.

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ASHLEY NEUHOF PHOTOGRAPHY

Nayel and Lucifer competing for the Paris Panthers at the Global Champions League St. TropezRamatuelle event.

What was the beginning of your relationship like with Lucifer?

Definitely rocky. We had a bit of a tough start. The second time I rode him, I tried to get after him, and sure enough I found myself on the ground with bruised ribs. I was out in California—this was post-WEF 2018— and the horse was sent to me. I still remember the first couple of times riding him. I could hardly get him to go anywhere. I would get on and he would mosey into the ring at half speed. I was told that he looks a little lazy to start, so give him time, let him walk around, he just needs to get warm and he’s better.

But no matter how long I gave him, I could hardly pick up the trot. I’d go to put my leg on, and then he’d slow down instead of speed up until he was completely halted. The more leg I would put

on, the angrier he would get. He would pin his ears, and eventually, he would kick out with his right hind, and this was all at a complete halt. I was really confused. I had a hard time believing that this was a horse that could jump

1.60 classes. I immediately had my vet come out and look at him, but it was kind of the same deal.

We decided to send him in for a bone scan and determine whether he was dealing with any pain.

When we sent him in, a few parts of his body lit up, but nothing too unusual for him. My vet said, “He’s pretty sore on his side. It’s probably related to why he doesn’t want to go anywhere. You should probably take your foot off the gas a little bit and put him on the lunge line. He probably needs to get his fitness back up.” So, that’s what we did. For the next five or six weeks, I didn’t ride the horse.

I was over at Gregory Wathelet’s place training, and we were always going to shows, and nobody wanted to ride him at home when I wasn’t around. So, it made even more sense to leave him on the lunge line. It must have been at least six Continued on page 42

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S

Sure enough I found myself on the ground with bruised ribs.

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Both pages: The Franklin, Tennessee, home of Christian’s parents, Agneta and Brownlee Currey.

At right, a portrait of Robert Brownlee Currey, the first mayor of Nashville. Lower left, Agneta Currey.

40 | EQ UE S T R I A N L I V IN G | APRI L / MAY | 2020

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Continued from page 38

to eight weeks just getting lunged, just trying to get his body back underneath him. Then I started riding him again. It got slightly better.

Did you ever think about giving up on him?

I considered it. I started riding him slowly at Gregory’s trying to get him fit, but honestly I was a little scared of him. He would be totally fine, and then out of nowhere, he would start bucking and then go to his patented spin move, which was really hard to stay with. It had been a couple of months at that point, and I wasn’t really getting anywhere. I told [Evergate Stables Equestrian Operations Manager], Chris Howard, “I don’t know what to do with this horse. I can hardly flat him; I can hardly jump him at home. I don’t know how you want me to go to a show.”

It’s a good thing Chris really knew the horse and believed in him. He said, “We don’t really know what the horse had been doing before he came to you. Just keep on going. Take him to a show. He probably needs to get his feet underneath him.” So, I did that. I took him to a show and I did 1.25meter. I went in the ring, and he was a completely different animal as soon as he was in the ring. All of a sudden, he was taking me to the jumps, and he was fresh. I touched base with Hardin Towell, and he said, “He’s a ring horse.

You just have to get him there.” Then the second day of the show, I went to jump the first jump, and he pulled that same move where he started to buck and then

out of nothing stopped and spun. I was actually expecting it, and I stayed with him, and I gave him a good kick, and we finished the course. Since then, he hasn’t tried that move again. It was almost like he was testing me out a little bit. He

was like, “Ok, now we can get to work.”

After taking him home from that show, I felt like I was moving in the right direction. A few months later he began doing his first 1.45 meter and started coming into his own. It was always a struggle to get started, but then when I took him back to California in the fall, he started to win a few classes, and I felt like I was certainly on the right track. It felt like he

had finally given up on testing me, and he was starting to work with me. That was the start of our real progression.

People have this idea about him that he’s kind of wild all the time because when you see him at the show, he always has an abundance of energy.

He’s always playing around, and he’s always fresh. But in reality, he’s actually extremely lazy, especially at the barn.

Generally speaking, he’s actually a total sweetheart, and he’s mellow at home. He’s like a puppy dog at home, and in the past year-and-a-half he’s really changed in terms of his demeanor. He used to be grouchy and grumpy. He was never wild, but he didn’t give you the impression that he was a happy horse. Now, he’s always looking for treats, he’s kind of in your pocket.

I have to say, my groom, Pauline Holmer, who came on board about a year-and-a-half ago, really took a liking to him and spent a ton of time with him, even just out on the trails or hand-walking. I think she developed a strong bond with him. He definitely started to associate that with being in his happy place.

Now, home is really his comfort zone, and you see it in his attitude as well. He’s a lot nicer than he looks sometimes!

Do you find working through these challenges rewarding?

Yeah! It’s definitely more work, and sometimes it’s hard to see the finish line.

But when you get there, it’s got to be one of the most rewarding feelings, especially taking a horse that was so extreme. In Continued on page 92

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PHOTOS: ROBERT STEVENS

This purchase demonstrates that Wellington has become the preeminent international winter hub of equestrian sports.

HELGSTRAND DRESSAGE INVESTS IN THE U.S.

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ne of Europe’s most prestigious and influential sport-horse performance and breeding centers purchased 80-acre Windsome Farm, one of Wellington, Florida’s, largest equestrian estates early this year. Helgstrand Dressage, based in Aalborg, Denmark, was founded in 2008 and has operated its U.S. business for the past three winter seasons from a nearby farm under the management of Dr. Ulf Möller. Windsome will become the Danish firm’s permanent USA sales center.

The facility, built in 1995, includes Mediterranean-style barns with 52 stalls and a grass grand-prix field with natural jumps and hills, in addition to owner’s and rider’s lounges, each equipped with bathrooms and kitchenettes. It includes three training rings, 16 grooming stalls, six wash stalls, a tack room, a bridle path that surrounds the property, and four man-made lakes,

Continued on page 60

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and is located within hacking distance of world-famous Palm Beach International Equestrian Center’s competition venues.

Helgstrand Dressage is the namesake of international grand prix dressage rider Andreas Helgstrand, whose now-famous ride with the mare Blue Hors Matiné at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany, made him an instant international dressage celebrity. After earning the individual and team bronze, he founded Helgstrand Dressage in 2008.

The farm and training center has become one of the largest sellers of dressage horses in the world, with up to 600 horses and sales of over $55 million.

Andreas Helgstrand, left, and riding Revolution; Severo Jurado Lopez and D’avie.

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CONTACT INFO | PAGE 94

“The purchase of Windsome Farm by Andreas Helgstrand, whose farm in Denmark is considered to be one of the premier training and sales facilities in all of Europe, is a clear statement that Wellington has become the preeminent international winter hub of equestrian sport for hunters, show jumpers, polo, and dressage. We’re clearly the standout winter destination with an exciting future.”—Matt Johnson

ANNAN HEPNER

he realtor for the transaction, Matt Johnson, himself an avid dressage competitor, was a natural choice for Helgstrand’s purchase in Wellington. They met in 2013 when Johnson was looking at horses in Denmark. Johnson represented the U.S. at the 2014 FEI World Young Horse Championships in Verden, Germany, on his stallion purchased from Helgstrand as a 4-year-old.

“At first, the search was focused on smaller farms, but the more time Andreas spent in Wellington the more his initial plans evolved and grew,” said Johnson. “Once the European dressage powerhouse realized the enormous potential and possibilities for his business in Wellington, Windsome Farm became the obvious choice.

“It’s amazing when I think back to my first season in Wellington before I got into real estate,” Johnson continued.

“I used to drive by the construction site of Windsome Farm every morning on my way to the barn. I literally watched its transformation from dirt into one of Wellington’s iconic farms. So now, after 22 years in the real estate business, to be blessed with the opportunity to represent my clients in the acquisition of this cornerstone property, well, it feels like it’s all come full circle.”

MATT JOHNSON’S expertise in the real estate arena spans 22 years, with five of those years at the global firm of Engel & Völkers. With an innate skill for coordinating buyers and sellers, Johnson has successfully closed many of Wellington’s elite equestrian properties.

In 2017, he structured a client’s acquisition of four contiguous farms totaling over 100 acres, producing a sale in excess of $42 million, an all-time record

for the village of Wellington. Johnson is currently ranked in the top 3 percent of Engel & Völkers advisors worldwide.

In 2016, he was selected by the firm’s corporate headquarters in Hamburg, Germany, for induction into their Private Office Group, an international network of top advisors who specialize in real estate acquisitions and sales for high-networth individuals and corporations.

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2020 VISION Fashion brands are reimagining equestrian apparel by integrating MODERN ELEMENTS with classic traditions.

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HE ADVENT OF A NEW SEASON alerts equestrian and main-

stream fashion enthusiasts to see what their favorite fashion brands are introducing—whether in design details, embellishments, or innovative fit and functionality.

At times, the changes in the collections are more nuanced in cuts and fabrics, allowing the performance

aspect to take priority rather than visible enhancements that shine and shimmer.

In other years, apparel designers showcase seismic changes and innovations with distinctly new looks.

In this spring and summer season, we will see more pastels, piping, and pinstripes added to the fold of the classic blue and black jackets. Illusion shirts, also more prevalent, are not only cooler during the warmer months, but they add an air of femininity and polish in the competition ring.

Equestrians are discovering they don’t have to sacrifice style to protect themselves. Now, riders beyond the eventing discipline are adding an extra layer of protection. More hunter-jumper show coat designs are compatible with inflatable air vests, which offer additional security and stability while in the saddle.

Luxury brands have adopted the classic equestrian look for years for its effortless appeal. This year, we see more and more apparel brands introducing crossover streetwear—promoting athleisure-style breeches, knee-patch leggings, and equestrian-themed fabrics adorning training-style polo shirts.

Even within the confines of riding and competition apparel, there is always room for expression of personality. Whether you take a bold fashion approach or remain faithful to the classics, invest in pieces you truly love and head to the barn and show ring with confidence and style.

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From the contemporary capsule of Equiline’s spring-summer collection, the Caia women’s polo shirt made with comfortable stretch fabric is ideal for the on-the-go equestrian. $140. Pair this top with their new Celine breeches in black with knee grip ($380) and the Cuba braided belt in black. $140.

Opposite page: The Fresh Hay Horse tunic pattern in black and white by Rönner Design.

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SHOW STOPPERS 1

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PHOTOGRAPHER: VANESSA LENZ FOR KAVAL

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1. Ariat’s Galatea show coat features stretch, double-knit construction, contrast 3-D fabric paneling, which is both stylish and strategic, and a three-button front with zip closure underneath. $379.95. 2. Dada Sport’s Comic Star Airbag show coat in black is one of the best airbag shells on the market. The slim-fit jacket is designed to be used with the Helite Airbag Zip-In vest (sold separately). $628.

3. Samshield’s Frac Crystal dressage tailcoat is made from highly breathable, lightweight, and durable fabric to ensure comfort and mobility. The coat is adorned with Swarovski Crystal Fabric on collar, back, and martingale. $789.

Shown with the Shadow Matt top Medley Helmet. $1,737. 4. The long sleeve, four-way stretch Pleated Jersey shirt in blue from Cavalleria Toscana, features a pleated poplin front insert, covered buttons, and extreme comfort and breathability. $295.

5. Cavalleria Toscana’s red, grand prix Perforated Riding Jacket in a fourway stretch jersey, is both lightweight and breathable. $810. 6. The Sunstopper Pro 2.0 show shirt by Ariat features a raglan-cut sleeve and breathable, tech-mesh paneling where you need it most. $59.95.

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1. Equiline’s Galilee tailcoat, made with XCool stretch and breathable fabric, features glitter on the collar and bottom along with strass buttons. This tailcoat provides freedom of movement and adjustable weight on the tails. $1,290. Shown with the Gladis full-grip breech with glitter belt loop ($410), and the leather Garcia belt with silver E buckle. $110.

2. The transparent, jersey jacquard front Elegant Competition shirt from Cavalleria Toscana, boasts breathable, bi-stretch, and antibacterial features. $255.

3. Equiline’s new Edda show coat in stone gray ($860) features their XCool breathable stretch fabric and pairs perfectly with the Ella show shirt in Vapore. $205. The flattering shirt features a back-opening collar and ultra-light sleeves with transparency details.

4. From Equiline’s Evolution Capsule, the Eden shirt is made with a breathable stretch fabric. $190. Pair it perfectly with the Everleigh full-grip breeches ($390) with a flattering, ergonomic cut, and the Eros belt made with high quality leather in orchid ice. $140. 5, 6.

Noel Asmar’s sophisticated Euro Show Jacket (shown in gray) boasts innovative details that stand out in a crowd and compliment performance. A hidden zipper eliminates gapping, laser holes on underside of arms add breathability, and the inverted back box pleat enhances mobility. $518.

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COURTESY OF LA SADDLERY

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1. The Camilla 100-percent waterproof jacket

by Equiline features an adjustable velcro cuff, two zip pockets, and tapered seams. With fun but subtle pink details, this jacket is perfect for keeping riders dry in those spring showers. $295. 2. The super-light fleece Jump sweatshirt is from a collaborative collection between LA Saddlery and Bird and Vine. The up-and-comingline will be under the label of Bad Horse Clothing. $88. Shown with the Tamara breech from Iago Italia. $329.

3. Noel Asmar makes a confident statement with the CittĂ jacket (shown in black) with flattering tailoring, superior stretch, and zippered pockets.

Contrasting ribbed cuffs and bottom hem, along with contrast stitching and detail on the back shoulder yoke, present a fashionforward style. $268.

4. Perfect for training, the stretch nylon Hooded Jacket with rib-knit insert

by Cavalleria Toscana, is windproof, lightweight, and water-resistant. $455.

5. The Ariat Tri Factor 1/4 Zip Baselayer top features the ultimate technology for staying comfortable and protected in the sun, including built-in SPF and cooling Icefil to lower skin temperature.

Shown in nautilus. $79.95.

Shown with the white Tri Factor Grip Knee Patch breech ($149.95), and the One Rail woven belt in black. $49.95.

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1. The heather gray, scoop back Forme cardigan ($165) in neoprene by F.WORDS is paired with their striped Fond tank jersey top with asymmetrical front ruffle. $195. The slimming Freestyle breech with ankle velcro closure and side cell pockets adds functionality.

Shown in fawn. $650. All F.WORD’S items are made in New York City.

2. The Favorite Trench Coat in chocolate and khaki by F.WORDS is water repellent in a cotton-micro merino double-face mackintosh. $2,250. 3. The Olivia printed sweater in soft, durable material by Rönner Design, brings the geometric print to life. Shown in orange. $179. 4. F.WORD’S Formula Jacket in warm charcoal is a water repellent cardigan. $550. The jacket is paired with the machinewashable Filly breech with Italian deerskin patch and side cell pockets. Shown in fawn. $650. 5. Jenni Kayne’s classic, relaxed fit Cotton Fisherman sweater (in oatmeal) is a lighter-weight version of the brand’s signature cashmere crewneck. $295. 6. Rönner Design’s Cadencia equestrian polo shirt in clementine and navy has a timeless silhouette, sharp tailoring, and perfected with a piqué performance fabric. $149.

7. F.WORD’S Flawless Jacket in technical double face micro merino wool boasts an open back and contrast red trim. Shown in flotilla navy and red. $1,095.

The double-bonded Flame Legging is a breathable, superfino legging. $300.

8. Ariat’s Wexford H2O boot for women is sleek, simple, and beautifully crafted in waterproof suede.

Shown in sand. $169.95.

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1. Ariat’s Two24 Jubilee mule shoe is an Englishinspired, leather and suede year-round classic. $228.

2, 8. The open-top Halter Tote bag in golden by Adi Kissilevich is sculpted with Italian leather and embellished with refined details. $475. 3, 4. Horse Pilot’s Exchange belt (in gray) is adjustable for a perfect fit. $60. The brand’s new magnetic belt (in peach) can be opened and closed with one hand. $60. 5. Stick & Ball’s handwoven Air Blue Cotton Diamond scarf is 100-percent organic, Turkish cotton, which grows softer with each use. $65. 6. The Alpargata Rope espadrille by Toms is a casual slip-on designed with plant-dyed canvas. $59.95. 7. The All-day Clutch bag (in orangine) with removable shoulder strap by Adi Kissilevich blends fantasy and femininity. An interior chain wallet holds up to 12 credit cards. $550. 9. The Becca Glass Cuff by Stick & Ball is handcrafted by expert Native American female artisans using leather and Japanese glass beads. $275. 10. The Embrace Ambition cord bracelet

by Tory Burch features an engraved message, turning a charm into a powerful talisman. $30. 11. Rönner Design’s classic velvet and leather Mimosa Slippers in jockey green and pink, are handcrafted in Colombia. $329. 12. Jenni Kayne’s tan, Boucle half zip boasts a versatile style made with a plush, 93-percent merino wool yarn. $325. 13. Stick & Ball’s lightweight Leather Trim Tassel Poncho (in stone) is the ultimate in luxury and sophistication. $595. 14. Hardware on the Logo Buckle reversible leather belt by Burberry pays homage to Thomas Burberry, the brand’s founder. $490.

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PHOTOS GEORGE KAMPER

M A RT H A J O L I CO E U R :

THE EVOLUTION OF A HORSE HAVEN

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Martha Jolicoeur discusses the real estate market in Wellington, Florida.

hen Martha Jolicoeur was first introduced to the equestrian mecca that is Wellington, Florida, it looked slightly different than it does today. It was a modest, horse-show community just beginning to crop up in south Florida with unbridled—and perhaps unrecognized—potential.

The year was 1979, and Martha was a junior rider making a name for herself. She stayed in Palm Beach Polo and Country Club during that first year, and she has not missed a season since. It was then that she fell in love with Wellington, but it would take many years for it to become her home.

Martha grew up in Westport, Connecticut, located in the heart of northeastern horse country. For her, riding felt like a natural step, and was one that rewarded her from the moment 60 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | AP RI L / MAY | 2020

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she climbed onto the back of a horse as a child, riding felt like a natural step that rewarded her. She was named best child rider at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in 1978. While attending college at St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York, Martha saw a future in show jumping and began training with 10-time Canadian Olympian Ian Millar. In 1985, the American Grand

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There was no doubt in Martha’s mind that Wellington was where she belonged.

Prix Association (AGA) named Martha its rookie of the year.

In 1991, Martha came to a crossroads in her career and began balancing her time in the saddle with work in residential equestrian real estate. She had settled into another equestrian-centric community, with a farm in Culpeper and an office in Middleburg, Virginia. She sold properties in the northeast during the year and transitioned to Florida real

estate when she made her annual winter pilgrimage to Wellington.

“In 2005, I decided to make a big change,” recalls Martha. “I was riding my horse at the peak of a hill on our Virginia farm, and thought to myself, ‘I really want to be successful in real estate.’ I got off the horse that day, we sold our farm, and moved to Wellington! From then on, real estate became my competitive sport.”

M Martha has transformed the home into a lakeside retreat.

There was no doubt in Martha’s mind that Wellington was where she belonged, and she admits that it had been calling her ever since her first winter in the show ring as a child. Those years of immersion gave her a unique understanding of Wellington’s evolution, both in horse sport and real estate.

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JUMP MEDIA

“Wellington was founded by Bill Ylvisaker when he brought polo here,” said Martha. “It was founded around horses, and without them, Wellington would be the same as Royal Palm or anywhere else in South Florida. Now, it truly is the winter equestrian capital of the world!”

In the beginning, the rental market in Wellington was booming. Horse shows are a traveler’s paradise, and while Martha has settled into a quaint home in Wellington, it was still a temporary stop on a year-long travel schedule for most.

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Photos Top Row: Beezie Madden with Martha receiving the Martha Jolicoeur Leading Lady Rider Award at WEF; The airy kitchen in Martha’s Wellington home; Alexandra Thornton and Charielle receiving the award.

Lower row: Details from Martha’s home, including a clock (fourth photo) that was the Seiko Trophy from the National Horse Show of 1985.

Wellington real estate, there was a boom in the market; you listed things, and they sold right away,” said Martha, who is now a member of the elite Douglas Elliman Real Estate Sports and Entertainment Division. “But, the shift that we saw during that time as the show jumping, dressage, and polo events grew, is that more people wanted to settle in Wellington.

“Growth has been the biggest facilitator for a healthy market in Wellington,” she continued. “At first, people were renting more than buying, but today more people are buying, because they realize the horse

JUMP MEDIA

show is here to stay, and they spend more nights of the year in Florida than any other location. I would say that a sizable number of equestrians have someplace to call home in Wellington.”

With the expansion of Wellington’s equestrian community, Wellington transitioned from a stop on the tour to a winter home. That is when Martha saw a boom in farm sales. While space is not abundant enough for expansive rolling pastures, Wellington was uniquely and intentionally designed as a home for horses. Communities like Palm Beach

Point, Mallet Hill, and Appaloosa Trail became mini versions of Kentucky, Westchester, and Northern Virginia.

Today, Martha has transformed the home she bought in Wellington into a lakeside retreat from the bustling horse world with nods to her career in the tack. Mementos from big wins and special moments can be found throughout the home. Similarly, Wellington has experienced its own transformation from just another horse show community to the hub of North American sport.

“I am a horsewoman, and I

understand what equestrian clients need and want for their horses and their families,” said Martha. “That understanding puts me in front of a very specific audience, but it is an audience that speaks the same language, and that is the language of the horse. For me, Wellington is a unique and fabulously special place because it is not dedicated to one discipline. One can find show jumping, dressage, polo, racing, and everything in between here. That gives it a real sense of community that is unlike anywhere else in the world.”

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EQ F A V O R I T E S

THERE WAS ATMOSPHERE.

The crowd spilled over the railing around the perimeter of the expansive grass arena at Deeridge Farms. They sat on lounge chairs, couches, bar stools, and on the grassy berm on the south side of the arena; they parked caravans of golf carts under mature shade trees; and they crowded together on the ledge of the Be Proud statue, with the symbolic letters providing an omen for the result that was set to come on American home soil.

THE 2O2O LONGINES FEI JUMPING NATIONS CUP The $230,000 CSIO5* Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup USA at the Palm Beach Masters Series played out like a big-screen blockbuster.

THERE WAS DRAMA.

Then it rained. The heavens opened up as Margie Goldstein-Engle’s and Royce’s first round got underway. Jumping second in the order, following a 4-fault first-round performance from Jessica Springsteen and RMF Zecile, Engle liked the way her horse felt as she navigated Alan Wade’s 1.60 meter track. Royce was jumping for the first time that week and felt fresh. Engle didn’t get as ideally straight as she would have liked to an oxer, and the rail fell, but that would be the only mark against them. They crossed the finish timers, the typical signal of a completed round, but Royce’s performance was just beginning.

Cantering past the ingate, Royce was caught off guard by motion in the 66 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | AP RI L / MAY | 2020

crowd, and he darted sideways. Engle, who had loosened her reins, was thrown off balance. She tried to re-center herself in the tack, but the two were no longer in sync. Royce darted left, while Engle exited right. A tough-as-nails Engle immediately jumped to her feet, but Royce continued his show, galloping two additional laps around the arena before being caught.

Team USA finished the round on a score of 8, two poles behind Ireland and a rail behind Great Britain. A win was attainable but seemed slightly out of reach.

THERE WERE HEROINES.

BY CATIE STASZAK PHOTOS KATHY RUSSELL

The second round of the Nations Cup sent the scoreboard reeling. Jessica Springsteen, the youngest member of the Team USA squad, set out to turn the tides. She improved upon her 4-fault score in round 1 with a confident clear, and momentum shifted. Engle and Royce then returned and replicated the performance.

“After Jessica went and had a really nice round, and was clean, I knew that we still had to fight to try to get clear rounds,” Engle said. “It’s a lot of changing that usually happens in the second round.

EQ F A V O R I T E S

“After he ran around the ring for a while, he was much quieter in the second round!” she added. “I took my time, and I just made sure when I went to that oxer [where I had the rail in Round 1], that I came out and got a bit straighter to it.”

Then Laura Kraut made her statement. The member of Team USA to jump clear in the first round, Kraut, aboard veteran partner Confu, gave their squad a second; they were one of just two doubleclear performers on the day.

“You hate to be overconfident, but I was feeling good. Confu was jumping well down here [in Florida],” Kraut said.

“I had an unlucky fence in the [CSIO5* Longines Grand Prix two days before], and I said to myself, ‘Alright, that’s an omen that you need to do two clear rounds on Sunday.’”

THERE WAS A SCRIPT…

With one rotation remaining, the class suddenly became a two-team race for gold. Great Britain, with the smallest squad of just three riders, sat somewhat surprisingly at the top of the leaderboard on just four faults—despite having no drop score.

With three second-round clears of their own, Team USA did not need a fourth rider to jump. Team anchor,

two-time Olympic gold medalist Beezie Madden, sat out the round—but laid in wait as U.S. Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland wrote his script.

“We did script it that way,” Ridland joked. “I told Laura, we don’t want Beezie going in the second round. That was exactly what the script was.”

It came down to Great Britain’s final rider. Amanda Derbyshire had three options: a clear round would secure victory for the British; two rails would give the win to Team USA; a single rail would require a jump-off.

She and Cornwall BH came home on 4 faults, and the afternoon reached its climax. …AND A HOLLYWOOD ENDING.

Madden, fully loaded with a fresh horse that had jumped just one round, entered the arena first for a two-horse jump-off between herself and Alexandra Thornton.

With ice flowing freely through her veins, Madden delivered a clutch performance. Brimming with confidence, Madden and Darry Lou boldly delivered a clear performance, crossing the timers of Wade’s shortened course in 33.11 seconds.

“For sure, I didn’t want to leave the door too open for Thornton to be faster

than me,” Madden said. “I think my horse [Darry Lou] actually kind of rises to the occasion when I put a little pressure on him.

“I have to say, right from the first jumps in the schooling area, he was jumping better than in the first round,” she added. “He wanted to play a little after fence 1, and I kind of had to kick him in the belly and be like, ‘Let’s get down to business here!’ But he really came through.”

The crowd held its collective breath as Thornton took her turn, knowing exactly what she needed to do to secure victory.

On this day though, she would come up short. She and Cornetto K equaled Madden’s clear but were a bit slower, finishing in 36.34 seconds.

And when Team USA returned to the arena to take the podium, they got the reception they deserved.

“This is the pinnacle of the sport: the Nations Cup,” Ridland said. “This is what the sport is all about.”

With a hard-fought, unforgettable victory on home soil, the book closed Sunday afternoon on an unforgettable day of showjumping.

Here’s hoping we get a sequel. It is an Olympic year, after all.

CONTACT INFO | PAGE 94

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A NEW YORK LANDMARK

SUNNYFIELD FARM

The buttery yellow of Sunnyfield farm has greeted visitors to Bedford, New York, for decades.

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estled in the rolling hills of Bedford, New York, Sunnyfield Farm boasts a rich history of equestrian sport. The meticulously kept property has hosted many famous horses and riders over the years, spanning a myriad of disciplines. From dressage and eventing, to show jumping and racing, Sunnyfield has seen it all.

The McIntosh family owned the farm in earlier years. Mrs. Josephine McIntosh, heiress to the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company (A&P), catered

to a wide array of equestrian disciplines in the years before the current owners, the Nielsen family, bought the farm. The barn was painted its characteristic yellow color based on a brand of A&P butter. Today, Sunnyfield is home to one of the most prominent names in racehorse breeding. Owner Joanne Nielsen has raised numerous top Thoroughbreds over her 40-plus years in the business.

The Nielsens’ journey into the horse business began at Ox Ridge Hunt Club in Darien, Connecticut, where

the children trained for many years and became established riders. When Sunnyfield Farm became available at auction in the 1970s, the Nielsen family joined the Salant, Sigler, and Bayne families to purchase the farm. Later, the Nielsens bought out the other families to become the sole owners. After the children grew up, Joanne and her daughter Karen focused mainly on breeding racehorses. Most recently, the farm has welcomed foals sired by the famous Triple Crown

BY EMILY HOLOWCZAK PHOTOS GEORGE KAMPER

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After 44 years in the business, the Nielsens hope to keep the farm in the family.

winner American Pharoah. One colt fetched $1.3 million at auction last year when Bob Baffert bought him on behalf of M.V. Magnier

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ot only does the farm cater to raising prize Thoroughbreds, but a handful of top show-jumping and dressage trainers have called Sunnyfield home as well. Robert McNeel’s Astor Place Show Stables is based there.

Olympic silver-medalist Peter Leone also runs his training operation out of Sunnyfield and consistently showcases top show-jumpers around the world.

Leone has 35 stalls at the farm and has been a tenant for over three years. Each fall, he hosts the Bedford Cup, an exciting day of equestrian competition at Sunnyfield, where Olympic, amateur, and junior riders come together to celebrate Bedford’s beautiful fall season while competing for gold, silver, and bronze 70 | EQ UE S T R I A N L I V IN G | AP RI L / MAY | 2020

medals in show-jumping. Among other disciplines, grand-prix dressage rider Lendon Gray also ran her business out of Sunnyfield for over 15 years. Back in the 1950s and ‘60s, several top eventers showed at Sunnyfield, including Michael Page and Denis Glaccum. The remains of an upper-level three-day eventing course runs throughout the property.

As for the future of Sunnyfield, the Nielsen family’s main focus continues to be rooted in breeding top-notch racehorses. After 44 years in the business, the Nielsens hope to keep the farm in the family while offering exquisite accommodations to their equestrian tenants for many years to come.

This page: The sun porch of Neilsens’ home on the property, Award ribbons, and a stall plate. Opposite: Jerry Nielsen, Joanne Nielsen, and Sandra Neilsen Baumann. Joanne Nielsen overlooks the fields. One of the barn residents and tools of the horse trade.

ROBERT HANSEN

PAINTER

BOOTH MALONE B RINGS SP O RTING ART TO LIFE .

Tomorrow is Another Day

INTERVIEW BY STEPHANIE PETERS

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Portrait of William D. Haggard IV, Joint Master of the Mells Foxhounds

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Bullet Work Fall

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Booth Malone

Booth Malone has been a signature member of the American Academy of Equine Art since 1994 and its president since 2016. He made his international debut with Frost & Reed gallery in St James, London, in 2001. Malone has been the official artist for numerous race meets from the Virginia Gold Cup to last year’s Montpelier Races as well as the 2006 Breeders’ Cup at Churchill Downs. A signature member of the Oil Painters of America and the Society of Animal Artists, he has completed portrait commissions for AFLAC; 1987 Master’s Champion, Larry Mize; and White House Press Secretary, Marlin Fitzwater. Recent works are on display each fall in the Keeneland/Cross Gate Gallery Sporting Art Auction.

What influenced you to become an artist?

So, why paint horses?

I did a lot of business-related travel when I first got out of college. I saw the whole country several times over. Whenever I was in a new town, I would consult the AAA TourBook to see what was around. I discovered a lot of great, but relatively obscure, museums that way. At the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma, I saw a display of Charles Russell paintings, arranged chronologically. It was an epiphany to see just how far he came in his art. His early things were pretty bad, taking him about 10 years to attain the skills we think of as “Charles M. Russell.” Seeing his rudimentary early work really impressed upon me that every artist starts from somewhere near the bottom. The only shame is if you never make the effort to better yourself.

The first painting I ever sold was to a colleague at work. She knew I had an art background, and asked if I would paint her something from an old photograph she had. (Serendipity alert: the photo was one of her and her horse). I took great pleasure from painting it and from earning a little money, plus making a friend happy. After that, all the steady income and profit-sharing in the world couldn’t hold me down.

Funny you should ask. I had a home-visit IRS audit, and that fellow asked me the same thing. I’ll tell you what I told him: I was not raised around horses, and I am not a horseman now. When I was young, I could do a mean imitation of Mister Ed (but in 1960 America everyone knew how to say “Wil-bur”). Be that as it may, 20 years later, I was hit over the head by horses. At the very moment I was looking for artistic direction, a friend invited me to his uncle’s farm where they were staging a mom- and pop-style threeday event. I was fascinated. I had never seen so many horses, all of them ridden or managed by seemingly ordinary people who just happened to know how to control 1,200-pound animals. Some of the competitors appeared to be as young as 6 or 7. At that age, I was gluing myself to airplane models.

So I fell hard. Not so hard that I bought a horse, but hard enough. I wanted to be part of that world in whatever small way they would have me. I realized how few and far-between horse artists actually are. Capturing a horse on paper or canvas is difficult, no question about it. No animal is so nuanced, nor so uncooperative when the artist is trying to bury a flaw. And often, your audience knows conformation better than you. You have to make the horse look sound. But the challenge is part of the fun––if you plan to be a self-taught horse artist, anyways.

The IRS guy was dozing off at this point, too, so I told him, “I like making brown look good, okay?” He wrote that down.

Do you consider yourself self-taught?

I suppose any artist worth his salt is selftaught. Don’t get me wrong––I’ve had my share of lessons: drawing and painting classes in college. But that is the craft of rendering, learning your materials, and discovering the tried-and-true ways of using them. But becoming an artist, that selftaught stuff–starts afterwards: What do you see? And how do you express what you see? How do you make your art connect with your audience? The ability to create is like a muscle: if it doesn’t get exercised on a regular basis, it never develops. Or if it gets no exercise, it withers away. The best artists teach themselves every time they pick up a brush, and every time they challenge themselves. If you are not learning––if you are not challenging your abilities––you are just doodling.

You have written that good equestrian paintings should reflect more than mere photographic accuracy. How do you mean?

The advent of photography transformed equestrian painting, especially as to the depiction of action. Today, an artist can gather more reference material in an afternoon than Munnings or Stubbs got in a lifetime.

Continued on page 78 A PRIL/MAY | 20 2 0 | EQ L I V I NG .CO M | 7 5

“CAPTURING A HORSE ON PAPER OR CANVAS IS DIFFICULT, NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.”

Burrland Road

76 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | AP RI L / MAY | 2020

Walk Up Untitled

A PRIL/MAY | 20 2 0 | EQ L I V I NG .CO M | 7 7

Continued from page 75

Comin’ thru the Rye

A camera is a pretty handy thing to have. Even Remington used a camera.

But I never shoot subjects hoping the result will be a perfect image to paint; I’m usually looking for details. Munnings and Stubbs knew what modern-day painters are fast forgetting: anatomy. They understood horses, rode them, worked them, fed them, and knew a lame horse when they saw one. A camera is not an eye. It just looks and records. A good painting should be more than that—more than the counting of stitches in a bridle.

You paint a variety of things in the equestrian world. Do you have a favorite?

I try not to get stuck on any one thing, but I do enjoy the action and camaraderie of fox hunting—the aspect of horse and hounds at work together— and I like to paint dogs. So a well-trained pack of hounds is a delight. Like Munnings and most foxhunters I know, I am rooting for the fox.

78 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | AP RI L / MAY | 2020

Who else inspires your work?

Three Horses Grazing

The older I get, the more I enjoy rendering weather conditions. It can’t always be sunny. To that end, I’ve been studying the work of Lanford Monroe and Tom Lovell. Monroe was prominent in the 1980s and ‘90s. Lovell had a much longer career and was more of a historical illustrator. Each can make you smell spring is in the air or make you come inside to warm yourself before a fire.

Do you have a unique sporting venue or equestrian event that remains on your wish list?

There are plenty of horse things out there I haven’t seen. I hear about new ones all the time. Just point me in the right direction. I would like to try my hand at some western scenes. Though maybe that would make ole Charlie Russell smile and shake his head at me: “You think it was easy?”

CONTACT INFO | PAGE 94

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ellington’s Finest! La Victoria Farm a 7.3 acre equestrian property is being offered for the first time. Located only a short hack to the show grounds this 28 stall farm with main residence is designed for the ultimate equestrian lifestyle. Custom built with no expense spared using only the finest materials. Access the barn and 3,600 sf. main residence through two separate gated entrances. There are two separate one bedroom staff quarters in the barn and a separate Managers house on property.

The barn has two 16’ wide aisles each with 14 stalls complimented with separate tack rooms, laundry, feed, bathrooms, wash racks and grooming stalls. There is a separate storage building for the tractor, drag, jumps and other farm equipment. This is truly one of Wellington’s finest and most complete equestrian estates. Offered at $20,900,000

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82

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EQ M CO A SNTSEERRIVNI G N GP ATRHTEN LE AR N SH DI P

EQUINE SPECIALIST TRAINING A win-win for HORSE, INSTRUCTOR, PROGRAM, AND STUDENT.

H

orses give us so much,” says Megan Dushin, who helped launch The Masterson Method’s Equine Specialist training and certification for equine-assisted learning and therapy programs. “Now people can give back to the horse, and it empowers them.”

At-risk youth, veterans, people with eating disorders or recovering from addiction, and others who seek healing or therapy with horses are guided to use the Masterson Method by a certified Equine Specialist in a safe and structured setting.

As a result, they become more relaxed, focused, and connected in their interaction with the horse. It turns the tables on the horse providing the therapy. The client works to help the horse and connects more deeply. The result can be profound.

Lise Lunde, the program’s director and instructor, teaches equine-assisted learning and therapy professionals and volunteers how to safely use the method with their own clients. She worked in a pilot program with a group of 12 at-risk teenage boys who were uncontrollable when they arrived. Within 15 to 20 minutes, they settled down. “They were silent,” she said. “Their focus shifted to the horse instead of where they were.”

However, she noticed that one boy was rushing through the work and not paying attention to the horse. She offered to help him individually and asked if she could touch his hand. He consented, and Lunde saw a big change. “He really wanted to help the horse,” she said, and later learned that he hadn’t allowed anyone to touch him in a long time.

84 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | AP RI L / MAY | 2020

PABLO VESCIA

“

BY DARLENE RICKER

In the last two years, the program has certified 36 equine specialists. Of them, about two-thirds are therapeutic riding instructors, therapists, or mental health coaches who have their own clients. The other third were program volunteers who became certified.

Brenda Thompson, who completed the Equine Specialist Training program, works at Hearts and Horses Therapeutic JIM MASTERSON was the official bodyworker for the US Endurance Team and has worked on thousands of performance horses, including competitors in the FEI World Cup, Nations Cup, Pan American Games, and the World Equestrian Games. His bestselling book, Beyond Horse Massage, has been translated into six languages. He teaches The Masterson Method of Integrated Equine Performance Bodywork to horse owners and therapists around the world.

Riding Center in Loveland, Colorado.

The organization uses The Masterson Method, and Thompson has applied it to some specialized programs, including those for elderly people with dementia and people with grief and family issues.

She recently taught a weekend course specifically tailored for siblings who had lost a brother or sister.

The equine specialist program is a three-day course at a host stable. Then the participants do seven to nine sessions of field work in their own communities, and write to their mentor after each session via email. Then they take an online test and sign the code of ethics.

The program was designed to be accessible to the equine-assisted learning and therapy industry to benefit horses while providing an innovative activity for participants. It focuses primarily on using simple, easy techniques such as the “bladder meridian” technique.

The bladder meridian is one of the major acupuncture meridians in Eastern medicine that has a unique effect on balancing the others.

The interactive technique uses specific horse-human pairings. “You learn how to read this particular horse, and the horse learns how to read this particular human,” said Jim Masterson, creator of the method. “It gets you both on the same page and develops mutual trust.”

Lunde has been involved with The Masterson Method since 2015 and has taught the Equine Specialist Training and certification program at host stables across the country.

CONTACT INFO | PAGE 94

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EQ E S S E N T I A L S | F A V O R I T E S

MUSTANG

Continued from page 31

”

EQ

O

CL U OK B

B

I START TO STROKE HER HEAD AND NECK AND, FOR THE FIRST TIME, I FEEL THAT SHE IS REALLY ENJOYING IT!

I try to touch Mona’s body more and more frequently. She doesn’t really like being touched. Why would she?

She isn’t familiar with it. My touches don’t make any sense to her. Apart from another horse, what other animal would touch a horse in the wild? Contact with another species would only happen in an attack. If horses touch each other during mutual grooming, for example, this is always preceded by certain gestures. A horse will approach slowly and enquiringly, and mutual grooming only begins if the other horse consents. We take it for granted that we can just walk up to our horses and touch them. We should definitely think about this and realize what it means for them.

Mona shows me clearly that she doesn’t enjoy my touch, even if I approach her very cautiously. I assume that she can’t work out what the point is.

Her expression changes and she quickly sends threatening signals in my direction.

I don’t allow myself to be intimidated, but consciously relax and touch her shoulder-wither area with slow, stroking movements. I stop touching her as soon as her expression relaxes. The idea is to show Mona that she has a say in the

B

ET

TH N S EE ER W V O C

E

JULIANE FELLNER

short time, I have laid the foundations for respect and trust. The difficulty with Mona is sending her away from me.

I wonder how this can be possible as horses are supposed to be flight animals!

I actually manage to send her into trot for at least a couple of yards then bring her back to me. She is soon following me freely for the first time after bringing her in the pen.

What a moment!

decision and that I won’t force her to do anything. She should realize that acceptance and relaxation, not defense, are the solutions for influencing me.

I have been working Mona in the round pen without a rope or direct contact. Today, I want to try out this work at liberty in the arena for the first time.

There is considerably more space for evasion in here, and it will become clear whether she already has a good bond with me because of our communication work—if she moves away from me, we still have to establish that connection. We start by walking over poles and through cones on the lead rope. I want Mona to focus on me. My praise motivates her, and I have a good feeling when I unclip the rope.

I stick with the exercises and start sending her through the cones at liberty.

She gets verbal praise and a food reward after each time she walks through them.

I also send her over the pole and she pays close attention to me. However, Mona also tries to find her own solutions and heads straight for the cones or the poles if I don’t give her a command and let her decide for herself. It is amazing to see how quick on the uptake she is! I obviously don’t want to encourage Mona to anticipate or even to demand food, but her cooperation and high motivation are wonderful to see. Her behavior is in no way pushy and anticipating food doesn’t make her stressed. I have seen some horses becoming stressed when they anticipate food and frantically reeling off behaviors in order to get a reward.

Yielding the forehand and hindquarters and lateral movement at liberty are also successful in the arena, and Mona has decided to stay with me during training. It’s a great feeling!

I send her through the cones around me in ever-increasing turns until we are doing our first circles of “free lungeing.”

What this Mustang mare demonstrates after just a few sessions takes a lot of time, patience, and weeks of training in other horses!

Then it happens—once the work is done, Mona wants to roll in the fine sand of the arena, and I let her. She rolls luxuriantly in the sand, and then stays lying calmly there. I approach her cautiously, but she makes no move to get up. I start to stroke her head and neck and, for the first time, I feel that she is really enjoying it!

This genuine, relaxed, and calm togetherness lasts for minutes. It’s an incredible moment.

CONTACT INFO | PAGE 94

86 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | AP RI L / MAY | 2020

E Q U E S T R I A N P R O P E RT I E S

All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdraw without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. Exact dimensions can be obtained by retaining the services of an architect or engineer.

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EQ C O N S E R V I N G T H E L A N D

LOVING YOUR LAND A unique and environmental way to CLEAR LAND AND TRAILS.

BY C.W.MEDINGER

In the area around Vermont’s Green Mountain Horse Association, the local horse world is excited by a new addition, Geoffrey Wiswell of Beech Hill Vegetation, who brings unique methods to clear land and trails. To share these possibilities for landowners in other areas, Equestrian Living spoke with Wiswell about his process and equipment.

What is unique about what you do compared to other services?

Most landscape services use chippers, which are trailer-mounted. The workers have to bring the brush to the machine to be chipped and then hauled away. My machine, a Lamtrac 6125, is a mobile chipper otherwise known as a forestry mulcher. The difference is, I drive to the debris, which I cut, chop, and chip in place, basically creating wood-chip trails as I drive.

Mulchers help operators remove underbrush, trees, and other vegetation, including invasive species. A chief benefit of using any style of mulcher is that it replaces several other machines and eliminates the need to haul away or burn cleared growth. Instead, chopped up mulch is returned to the ecosystem for rapid and natural decomposition. Using mulchers can greatly reduce manpower and equipment requirements while generating significant savings in cost and time. Moreover, in many areas, operators can use mulchers year-round, not just the growth seasons.

Are most landowners unaware that such a process exists?

Yes. When they first hear of it, I’m 88 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | AP RI L / MAY | 2020

usually asked if it is a “brush hog” or “flail mower.” It’s neither. A forestry mulcher is unique as it can either be used on an excavator with a forestry mulching-head or on a dedicated forestry tractor with a forestry mulching-head.

The mulching-head is unique in that it is basically a large drum, which spins at a high rate of speed and has carbide teeth or knives mounted to it. In either case, the tool makes quick work of invasive species, trees, vines, and stumps.

What are some things landowners can do to enhance their properties?

Pasture Restoration: With pasture restoration, the main emphasis is to eradicate invasive species. Examples are poplar trees that easily creep into fields, pastures, and timbered woodlots. There are also other harmful trees such as wild cherry, whose leaves contain a type of cyanide that can be lethal if too many are eaten by horses or livestock. You would want to get all wild cherry trees out of your pastures as soon as possible. Doing it in the late fall or winter when the leaves are gone is best, but mulching can be done at any time as long as horses and livestock do not have access to the fields that I’m working in.

Landowners may want to to enlarge their pasture. A forestry mulcher removes brush, trees, and brambles, and leaves a nice dense mulch on the ground, which naturally breaks down quickly in the environment. Stumps can be an issue too.

Depending on the size, my machinery makes quick work of dead tree stumps. continued on page 90

EQ C O N S E R V I N G T H E L A N D

LOVING YOUR LAND

Continued from page 88

debris, create lined drainage swales, put in culverts, and enlarge the pond so it could be used for swimming, or perhaps even fishing. To keep manure runoff created by the horses and livestock from reaching the pond, the area was fenced off so that the horses could look at the pond, but it was still off limits to them.

We primarily work in New England, but we have a network of associates that we can recommend in many regions of the USA. We can also travel anywhere in the country.

Our machinery is portable with a delivery service.

We can subsoil the mulch whereby all biomass is turned into aerated dirt and viable soil, inclusive of rocks up to eight inches in diameter to create new pastures.

In the old tradition of slash and burn everything is removed. In a sense it goes up in smoke. Nothing is returned to the ground, and therefore all the valuable soil nutrients are lost. A better alternative is mulching everything in place, then using a subsoiler turning the leftover biomass into viable soil.

Forest Beautification: Forest timber harvesting is a popular option of land management. The forest is harvested for specific species of wood. There are two types of harvesting: “cut and leave” the waste behind or remove the whole tree. In the cut and leave type of harvesting, the best trees are taken and everything else is left. The landowner is left with the dead falls, the less desirable trees, ugly stumps, and of course, the timber slash. Often, prior to a timber harvesting the landowner’s woods had attractive trails for walkers, hikers, and equestrian riders. After the harvesting, the woods are left looking like a war zone. It is not that the loggers didn’t do their job, they did, but their job is to harvest viable lumber and not worry about what they are leaving behind.

Hiring a forestry mulching service cleans up the after timbering mess. We mulch the slash, remove the deadfalls, and remove the woodlot trees that won’t produce good future timber. We cleanup the understory, and working with your forester, we can replant new trees after cleanup has been completed. We allow you to see the woods through the trees.

Creating Horse Trails: One can ride on a public dirt road, but it is inevitable 90 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | AP RI L / MAY | 2020

Tell us about yourself.

you’ll encounter an automobile at some point. Riding on trails in nature, either in the woods or through open fields can be a pure joy. For instance, we just created a trail that had been a dream of the land owner for 10 years. We removed all the stumps, leaving behind soft chips, thus avoiding possible stumbles and inevitable injury to horse or rider.

Our projects don’t always represent a cleanup or a pasture restoration. We enhance or create a view or open the woods along a horse trail for the client who wants a beautiful view from their horse.

One of our clients had a section of their property logged for timber. They wanted to extend their horse fence to encompass this area. The problem was the area had been washed out and hundreds of dead, discarded trees were left in every imaginable direction. It was impossible to walk or ride in the area.

The pond above was always overflowing into the area, which made it even worse.

Our task was to clear away the dead tree

We own a farm in Reading, Vermont.

It has been in our family since the 1960s. We began with 150 acres, and we cleared 40 acres and raised sheep.

Then we got into maple sugaring and maintaining the woods. The farm has grown since then and now encompasses about 300 acres. We initially tapped a few hundred trees, and we now are at 8,000 taps and still expanding. Working closely with our sugar growers and our forester, we learn more each year. I decided to take what I learned working on our farm and share it with others. I looked at the traditional methods, and I believe I’ve found a better solution. I looked at the traditional process where slash, scrape, and burn has been widely utilized. The losses to the soil and its surroundings can’t be replaced in our lifetime. Forestry mulching seems like the best alternative. The tree’s remains stay where it should—on the land. It does not end up in landfill or up in smoke. What we mulch replaces what has been lost, building up topsoil and replacing the valuable nutrients back into the land.

CONTACT INFO | PAGE 94

t s e B ‘T H E

’ ! r a e Y l l A -25, 2021 april 22

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

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NAYEL NASSAR

Nayel and Lucifer competing for the Paris Panthers at the Global Champions League Paris event.

ASHLEY NEUHOF PHOTOGRAPHY

Continued from page 42

his case, he was really sour towards his job, and making him like it again, and not just like it but reach the peak of his ability, is definitely something that I’m proud of. When it’s such an extreme case, and the horse is so talented, it definitely makes it worthwhile. Of course, I wouldn’t choose that option if I had the choice, but if the work needs to be put in and the horse is worthwhile, then it’s absolutely worth it. Chris Howard assured me along the way that this horse was a fighter and that he really was a winner. All the blood, sweat, tears, and bruises all pay off in the end.

Every time I swing my leg over a difficult horse they tell me, “If you could ride Lucifer, if you could get him going the way you did, then you can definitely get this one going as well.”

What would you consider the most rewarding win that you’ve had with Lucifer?

92 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | AP RI L / MAY | 2020

I’ve had a couple. I have to say, my win in the 2019 Ocala HITS Million was pretty special. It was the turning point where he felt like an established horse on the circuit. Then definitely my week in 2019 at the New York Masters, where he won the speed challenge on Friday, and then he went on to win the grand prix on Sunday. That was actually my first five-star grand prix win. The fact that he could do it after going flat out in a speed class two days prior, I think it showed his versatility as a horse and how far we’d come together as a partnership to be able to do something like that on the same weekend. It was definitely special.

Was the New York Masters your first five-star personally or with Lucifer?

Ever. That was my first five-star grand prix win ever. I think that’s also the moment where he realized how good he was. He went on a roll after that and was outstanding the whole year. He was

the only horse who jumped a doubleclear round in our Olympic qualifier, the Nation’s Cup, towards the year’s end. We went on to punch our ticket to Tokyo as well, so he was a pivotal part of our Olympic qualification.

How did you meet Jenn Gates?

We actually met at a horse show: Thunderbird. I was a senior at Stanford, and she was just about to start there the following semester. It was a summer show, and she actually beat me in a class.

We got to talking at the prize-giving, just as friends. We really hit it off, and she told me she was going to Stanford, so we exchanged numbers and we chatted about school and horses and things like that. That’s how we originally met. Then a few years later, when the timing was right, we ended up going out on a few dates and got to know each other more personally.

CONTACT INFO | PAGE 94

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Look for the DÉCOR Page 14 NATURALLY STYLISH Sweetpea & Willow sweetpeawillow.com Williams-Sonoma williams-sonoma.com Charley Chau charleychau.com Vincent Sheppard vincentsheppard.com Lime Lace limelace.co.uk Smithers of Stamford smithersofstamford.com Garden Trading gardentrading.co.ul Limited Abode limitedabode.co.uk TRAVEL Page 28 NOMAD EXPERIENCE The Gobi Desert Cup & The Nomad Experience gobidesertcup.com/ nomad-experience Page 32 PRESERVING THE PAST The Wheeler Museum kyhorsepark.com/equinetheme-park/museums/ wheeler-museum FAVORITES Page 30 BOOK Mustang: From Wild Horse to Riding Horse Vivian Gabor 2010 Trafalgar Square Books horseandriderbooks.com CHILDREN'S BOOKS Page 33 A Horse Named Steve

By Kelly Collier Kids Can Press, 2017 kidscanpress.com Clip-Clop

By Nicola Smee Boxer Books, 2006 amazon.com Dinky Goes to the Hamptons

By Emily Kil Outskirts Press, 2019 outskirtspress.com

Hello, Horse

By Vivian French Candlewick, 2018 penguinrandomhouse. com Horse Meets Dog

By Elliott Kalan and Tim Miller Balzer + Bray, 2018 amazon.com If A Horse Had Words

By Kelly Cooper Tundra Books, 2018 penguinrandomhouse. com If I Had a Horse

By Gianna Marino Roaring Brook Press, 2018 us.macmillan.com If I Ran the Horse Show

By Bonnie Worth Random House Books for Young Readers,2012 penguinrandomhouse. com Little Pony

By L. Rigo B.E.S., 2014 My Pony

By Susan Jeffers Hyperion Books for Children, 2008

WHERE TO FIND IT

symbol throughout the magazine to find out about featured products and services.

Dada Sport kaval.com Equiline equiline.com F.WORDS fwordsgear.com Horse Pilot’s Exchange horsepilot.com Jenni Kayne jennikayne.com LA Saddlery lasaddlery.com Noel Asmar asmarequestrian.com Rönner Design ronnerdesign.com Samshield samshield.com Stick & Ball stickandball.com Toms toms.com

Tory Burch toryburch.com Two24 by Ariat two24ariat.com

GIVING BACK Page 34 US Equestrian Team Foundation uset.org

GALLERY Page 72 Booth Malone boothmalone.com

STYLE Page 22 DOG ACCESSORIES Annabel James annabeljames.co.uk Animi Causa animicausa.com Charley Chau charleychau.com Fenella Smith fenellasmith.com Gummi Pets gummipets.com Ruff and Tumble us.ruffandtumbledogcoats.com Yellow Octopus yellowoctopus.com

NAYEL NASSAR Page 36 Evergate Stables evergatestables.com

MASTERING PARTNERSHIP Page 84 The Masterson Method mastersonmethod.com

HELGSTRAND DRESSAGE PAGE 44 Helgstrand Dressage Windsome Farm helgstranddressage.com/en Matt Johnson mattsells.com HORSE HAVEN Page 60 Martha Jolicoeur marthasproperties.com/ about-martha

EQUESTRIAN LIVING

F O L LOW U S :

CONSERVING THE LAND Page 88 Beech Hill Vegetation beechhillforestrymulching. com BARN DOGS Page 98 Dog Doc dogdocthefilm.com

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THE PREMI ER MAGA ZI NE O F CO UNTRY L I FE

PALM BEACH MASTERS Page 66 palmbeachmasters.com FOOD+DRINK Page 16 Kentucky Derby Menu Taster Contest kentuckyderby. com/146menucontest FASHION Page 20 Two24 by Ariat two24.ariat.com 2020 VISION Page 48 Adi Kissilevich adikissilevichusa.com Ariat ariat.com Bird and Vine birdandvineusa.com Burberry burberry.com Cavalleria Toscana cavalleriatoscana.it

94 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | AP RI L / MAY | 2020

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TRAVEL

THE B EST OF

THE B EST OF E QUE STR IAN LIVING MAGA ZI NE EQUESTRIAN LIVING ZINE .

ON YOUR PHONE, TAB LE T, MAGA OR COMPUTER

ON YOUR PHONE,www.eqliving.com TAB LE T, OR COMPUTER . www.eqliving.com

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FOR THE BENEFIT OF BRYN MAWR HOSPITAL

Thursday, May 21-Sunday, May 31, 2020 EXCEPTIONAL EQUESTRIAN COMPETITION BOUTIQUE SHOPPING • FINE FOOD & LIVE ENTERTAINMENT • RIDES & GAMES NOW FEATURING FIVE NIGHTS OF FEI 4* INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION FIRST NIGHT AT DEVON - LADIES DAY - FAMILY DAYS

For more info call 610-964-0550 or visit www.devonhorseshow.org Brenda Carpenter Photography

spring FORWARD

MAY 5-10 CSI2* USEF 5* JUMPERS USEF PREMIER HUNTERS USHJA NATIONAL HUNTER DERBY

MAY 12-17 CSI3* USEF 6* JUMPERS USEF PREMIER & WCHR HUNTERS USHJA INTERNATIONAL HUNTER DERBY GROOMS CLASS

JUMP MEDIA

Join us for spring in bloom, world-class show jumping and family fun at Old Salem Farm in Westchester County horse country. $137,000 Empire State Grand Prix CSI3*, sponsored by The Kincade Group $73,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix CSI2*, sponsored by The Kincade Group $37,000 Welcome Stake each week, $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by Mane 'n Tail Old Salem Farm 1 9 0 J u n e R o a d , N o r t h S a l e m, N e w Y o r k OldSalemF a r m. n e t # O l d S a l e mF a r m

At last year's Lake Placid Horse Shows, Kevin Babington made history by sweeping the top 3 places in the $100,000 Great American Insurance Group Grand Prix presented by Aon. We invite you to join us in supporting Kevin and the Kevin Babington Foundation.

Make history in l ake pl acid www.lakeplacidhorseshows.com

L ake Pl acid Horse Show: June 23 - 28 , 2020

info@lphorseshows.com

518.523.9625

I Love New York Horse Show: June 30 - July 5, 2020

Sponsored by: Bainbridge Farms Presented by: Sea Shore StableS

Our 2020 Prize List will be avail able at the end of March! Contact us to be on the mailing list!

We can’t wait to see you!

EQ B A R N D O G S

THE DOG DOC A film from the maker of BUCK shows the power of holistic veterinary care.

A

new documentary from Cindy Meehl, director of the 2011 film Buck, promises to pose interesting questions about the health and care of our pets. The Dog Doc, which has premiered in select theaters earlier this year follows Dr. Marty Goldstein and his colleagues at their practice in South Salem, N.Y., who have created a mecca for holistic veterinary care and have given hope to scores of previously hopeless animals and their owners.

“When my first film, Buck, came out, everyone asked me what I would do next,” Meehl explains. “I always said I wanted to make a film about a unique veterinarian I know who works miracles.

The origins of the Dr. Marty story began 27 years ago when I took my dog, Coco, to Smith Ridge Veterinary Clinic. The other vets who had seen Coco were flummoxed by her illness and high fevers and said there was nothing they could do to

98 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | AP RI L / MAY | 2020

save her. She was only 6 years old. I was devastated when I took her, on death’s door, to Dr. Marty. His philosophy resonated in a way that was totally unique and made a lot of sense. I’d never met a veterinarian so positive and full of hope.

“I followed the unusual protocols of homeopathy and supplements Dr. Marty prescribed and watched Coco not only recover, but she started behaving like a puppy again,” Meehl continues. “I truly couldn’t believe it! She lived another 6 years, reaching the age of 12, remarkable for a Shar-Pei. I have been taking my animals to Smith Ridge ever since. In fact, it changed my approach to my own health as well as my animals. It’s such a common sense approach, I applied it to my children, as well.”

Filmed over a two-and-a-half year period, Meehl’s unobtrusive camera highlights the vulnerability of her subjects, both canine and human. The Dog Doc combines the touching stories of families with the hard science of integrative care,

painting a complete picture of the dedication and joy of being a veterinarian.

As a founding father of integrative veterinary medicine, Goldstein has decades of experience helping animals with his conventional medical training, complemented by cutting edge alternative therapies.

In case after case, Goldstein’s patients have seen unprecedented results, the implications of which can’t be ignored.

With a deeply empathetic philosophy, he offers a vital example of how improving overall health rather than just treating disease can prove transformative.

The Dog Doc asks us to reconsider whether we are over-medicating our pets, ourselves, and our children.

“This story is very close to my heart,” says Meehl. “I am so passionate about the animals in our lives, and I feel this film will save thousands and hopefully make veterinarians more aware of their responsibility to the animals they care for.”

CONTACT INFO | PAGE 94

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