Untacked march april 2016

CLEA NEWMAN

TALK TO THE HOOFA New Tech Solution To Test Footing & Farriery

RELIEF RIDERS INTERNATIONAL Saddle Up To “Voluntour” In India

A LOVE OF HORSES, A LEGACY OF PHILANTHROPY

Spring Fashion Finds

31

VOL. 4, NO. 2 • MARCH/APRIL 2016

A SUPPLEMENT TO THE CHRONICLE OF THE HORSE

The CHRONICLE of the HORSE

Trade snow for sand ...

Patiently waiting

Casual pony stroll with friends

The most meaningful kiss

A moment of pure focus

So many beautiful faces

2015 4PG_Untacked_WhyWEF_FINAL.indd 1 11/12/15 5:38 PM

Trade snow for sand ... Trade snow for sand ... Trade snow for sand ... Trade snow for sand ... Trade snow for sand ...

Patiently waiting

Casual pony stroll with friends

The most meaningful kiss

A moment of pure focus

So many beautiful faces


At the beachor in the ring

Define your own paradise...

WEF 1: January 13 - January 17 USEF 5*/AA

WEF 2: January 20 - January 24 FEI CSI 2*/AA

WEF 3: January 27 - January 31 FEI CSI 3*/ USEF 5*/ Premier AA

WEF 4: February 3 - February 7 FEI CSI 4*/ USEF 5*/ Premier AA




WEF 8: Mach 2 - March 6 FEI CSIO 4*/ USEF 5*/ Premier AA

WEF 9: March 9 - March 13 FEI CSI 5*/ Premier AA



WEF 12: March 30 - April 3 FEI CSI 5*/ Premier AA

Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, 3400 Equestrian Club Drive, Wellington, Florida 33414For more information please contact [email protected] or visit www.pbiec.com.

WEF 2016

Two slices of my favorite pizza please

The fun never stops

Impossible to pick

just one

Best way to watch a Grand Prix

See you at WEF!

Photos courtesy of ©

Sportfot., E

lena Lusenti Photography, Jack M

ancini Photography, M

egan Banks

The thrill of a win

Two slices of my favorite pizza pleaseImpossibl

e to pick just one

Laughing the night away

The perfect shot


At the beachor in the ring

Define your own paradise...

WEF 1: January 13 - January 17 USEF 5*/AA

WEF 2: January 20 - January 24 FEI CSI 2*/AA

WEF 3: January 27 - January 31 FEI CSI 3*/ USEF 5*/ Premier AA





WEF 8: Mach 2 - March 6 FEI CSIO 4*/ USEF 5*/ Premier AA




WEF 12: March 30 - April 3 FEI CSI 5*/ Premier AA

Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, 3400 Equestrian Club Drive, Wellington, Florida 33414For more information please contact [email protected] or visit www.pbiec.com.

WEF 2016

Two slices of my favorite pizza please

The fun never stops

Impossible to pick

just one


See you at WEF!

Photos courtesy of ©

Sportfot., E

lena Lusenti Photography, Jack M

ancini Photography, M

egan Banks



The thrill of a win

Laughing the night away

WEF 2: January 20 - January 24 FEI CSI 2*/AA WEF 2: January 20 - January 24 FEI CSI 2*/AA

The thrill of a win

The perfect shot


Las Palmas | Wellington | $9,800,000State of the art complete Equestrian Estate with every amenity, human or horse could desire. 10 acres with cutting-edge smart home, 12 stall barn, guest cottage, staff quarters, all-weather track that surrounds the 10 acres, and grand prix field, hacking distance to WEF. More land available.

The Equestrian Club | Wellington | $4,450,000Newly constructed 18 stall equestrian facility on 4.1 acres, with all the bells and whistles. 3BR/3BA owner’s quarters with wood floors and a large chef’s kitchen with granite counter tops. State of the art stable includes 2 lounges, 2 tack rooms, 2 feed rooms, and 2 additional half baths.

Palm Beach Polo & CC | Pebblewood Bungalow | $665,000Sought after 3BR/3BA bungalow well located at the end of the street, with fantastic views. Upgrades include a gas stove and completely redone bathrooms.

Palm Beach Point | Wellington | $5,900,000Spectacular 10.8+ acres in a gated equestrian community, hacking distance to the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. This property has been raised and permitted to build a 6BR/8BA contemporary pool home and 24 stall center aisle barn with owners lounge.

Stables Way | Palm Beach Point East | $4,390,000Pristine 18 stall barn, with large fiber ring and 10 paddocks. Two aisles of 9 stalls each with their own tack room, wash stalls, and laundry. 2BR Owner’s quarters, plus a 2 bedroom staff quarters as well. Freshly painted inside and out with new landscaping. Short hack to show grounds. A wonderful facility for the serious equestrian.

Palm Beach Polo & CC | Chukker Cove | $649,500 Freshly painted 3BR/3BA bath home with wood floors throughout living areas, updated kitchen, spacious pool area with newer pool tiles and tranquil views of the Preserve.

© 2016 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 are deemed reliable, but should be verified by your own attorney, architect or zoning expert. Equal Housing Opportunity.

MARTHA W. JOLICOEUR, P.A., BROKER ASSOCIATE | 561.797.8040 www.marthasproperties.com

Bridal Path | Palm Beach Polo & CC | $9,950,000 Truly one of the finest estate homes within Palm Beach Polo & CC. Elegant style, sought after location, and neutral décor, make this fine property a classic. Rarely does an exquisite home of this magnitude become available in the gated, Bridle Path neighborhood of Palm Beach Polo.

MARTHA W. JOLICOEURSPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT DIVISION

MARTHASPROPERTIES.COMFARMS AND ESTATES, WELLINGTON, FLORIDA

Stables Way | Palm Beach Point East | $7,800,000 Professional 10 acre farm with all the amenities, short hack to PBIEC. 12 stall center aisle stable, completely updated. Owner’s lounge with full kitchen and bath. New Riso fiber ring with underground drainage system, large grand prix field, tent pad that holds 15 12X12 stalls, 9 paddocks, a large lunging ring with fiber footing, and a covered treadmill area.

There are many rides, but only one journey.

We can help you along the way.

909 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022 212.583.6000 www.gellerco.com

HORSEHAIRANALYSIS.COMHHAHHAHorse Hair Analysis

®

S T Y L E & S O P H I S T I C A T I O N M E E T

D U R A B I L I T Y & P E R F O R M A N C E

S O V A R O . C O M

A V A I L A B L E F O R P U R C H A S E A T

I N T R O D U C I N G

A N E W L I N E O F L U X U R Y C O O L E R S

S T Y L E & S O P H I S T I C A T I O N M E E T

D U R A B I L I T Y & P E R F O R M A N C E

S O V A R O . C O M

A V A I L A B L E F O R P U R C H A S E A T

I N T R O D U C I N G

A N E W L I N E O F L U X U R Y C O O L E R S

saratogastalls.com612-270-6380

European Styled

The highest quality stal l at an affordable cost al lowing horse owners to enjoy the finest equipment available.

HORSE STALLS

Call for INVENTORY REDUCTION SALE PRICING

OVER 200 FRONTS 6 STYLES

Discounts up to 55% off!

horse owners to enjoy the horse owners to enjoy the horse owners to enjoy the horse owners to enjoy the finest equipmentfinest equipmentfinest equipmentfinest equipmentfinest equipmentfinest equipmenthorse owners to enjoy the horse owners to enjoy the horse owners to enjoy the horse owners to enjoy the horse owners to enjoy the finest equipmentfinest equipmentfinest equipmentfinest equipmentfinest equipmentfinest equipmentfinest equipmentfinest equipment

European StyledEuropean Styled

PRESENTATION: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2016 AT 3:00 PM

AUCTION:THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016 AT 7:00 PM

For the complete schedule of events go to: www.WEFSPORTHORSEAUCTION.COM Contact: [email protected] or call 561.870.6587.

EquestrianSportProd_VDL_Untacked.indd 1 1/13/16 11:57 AM

‘Best weekend

All Year!’April 28 - May 1, 2016

TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT WWW.RK3DE.ORG

KENTUCKY HORSE PARK | LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY

Thursday, April 289 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Dressage competitionNoon – 3 p.m. Maker’s Mark tastings12:45 – 2:30 p.m. Demonstrations and ExhibitionsAll Day – World-class shopping; Land Rover test drives friday, April 299:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Dressage competition10:15 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Demonstrations and ExhibitionsNoon – 3 p.m. Maker’s Mark tastings6 p.m. RK-5K Twilight Race All Day – World-class shopping; Land Rover test drives

saturday, April 309:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Cross-Country competition8:30 a.m. – 2:45 p.m. Demonstrations and ExhibitionsNoon – 3 p.m. Maker’s Mark tastings6 p.m. Hunter Hayes & Friends ConcertAll Day – Tailgating; World-class shopping; Land Rover test drives sunday, may 1Noon – 4 p.m. Stadium Jumping competitionNoon – 3 p.m. Maker’s Mark tastingsAll Day – World-class shopping; Land Rover test drives

PRESENTATION: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2016 AT 3:00 PM

AUCTION:THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016 AT 7:00 PM

For the complete schedule of events go to: www.WEFSPORTHORSEAUCTION.COM Contact: [email protected] or call 561.870.6587.

EquestrianSportProd_VDL_Untacked.indd 1 1/13/16 11:57 AM

Let’s talk horsepower.Enjoy quick, convenient and reliable private aviation.We make traveling to your next personal, business or equestrian event faster and more enjoyable. Bloom

Business Jets is your all-inclusive connection to efficient, time-saving and convenient private business

aviation. Our team of experts is skilled at finding the personal flying option that fits your specific needs—be

it an outright aircraft purchase, chartering or our convenient 25-Hour Jet Card program. Let Bloom Business

Jets introduce you to the flexibility, privacy and increased security of private business aviation. With more

than 30 years of experience, our professional staff is your key to the joys of private air travel.

Whether you’re purchasing a new aircraft, or simply need a 25-hour Jet Card, we are your trusted aviation resource.

Toll-Free: (855) BLOOMJET • www.mybusinessjet.com • [email protected]

Mary Sue JacobsDestiny International Properties

TOP 1% OF THE NATION IN SALES24 hours a day - 7 days a week

561.791.2501 • 561.758.5212 • Fax: 561.791.0949

26+ years experience in Equestrian & Luxury Estates, Land, Investments, Rentals

Serving Equestrian Buyers and Sellers In Wellington, Florida and surrounding areas

New Listing - Wellington, FL - Turn-key Horse Farm Close to Show GroundsThis amazing 2.2-acre Equestrian farm has it all: 9-stall barn on the bridle trail close to the show grounds, beautifully furnished 5-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom estate home, heated pool with spa, huge covered porch, summer kitchen, large ring suitable for Dressage or Jumpers with great footing and sprinkler system, lush green paddocks, lovely landscaping with lots of shade and privacy, groom’s apartment, separate barn bathroom, tack room, 2 feed rooms, fly system, 12’ x 12’ stalls. House has gourmet kitchen, large family room, wet bar, den, fireplace, magnificent master suite with glorious views of the property. Perfect for any equestrian!

Priced to sell at $2,550,000

Leading Supplier of BLEACHERS, BENCHES,

TABLES, AND MUCH MORE to Equestrian Facilities

Proud Supplier to Tryon International Equestrian Center & Palm Beach International Equestrian Center

TOP 500 E-RETAILERTHROUGHOUT THE U.S. & CANADA So FAST it ships in as little as 24 HOURS!

CALL 1-800-524-3052 www.TheParkCatalog.com

Old

C A T A L O G

UntackedLifestyle_AD_v1.indd 1 9/24/15 3:36 PM

Come Show with Us!

equestrian lifestyle at its best!

CALLINGyou

are

for

mountains

THE 2016 TRYON SPRING SERIES

Tryon Spring 1 (April 8-10) Hunter B Jumper level 4

Tryon Spring 2 (April 13-17) Hunter AA level 4

Tryon Spring 3 (May 4-8) Hunter AA level 6

Tryon Spring 4 (May 11-15) Hunter A Level 4

Tryon Spring 5 (May 18-22) TBA

Tryon Spring 6 (May 25-29) Hunter AA Level 5

Tryon Spring 7 (June 1-June 5) Hunter AA level 6 CSI 3*

Tryon Spring 8 (June 8-12). Hunter AA level 6 CSI 5*

Tryon International Equestrian Center and Tryon Resort offers spectators, exhibitors, and competitors a wide variety of on-site lodging options, all located just steps away from facility stabling to ensure a convenient and stress-free stay.

If interested in booking lodging for the 2016 Tryon Spring Show Series, please contact [email protected] for more information regarding weekly rates.

2016 2PG_Untacked_TRYONlifestyle.indd 1 2/4/16 11:02 AM

22 MARCH/APRIL 2016 UNTACKED

58 Clea’s Own

72 Famous Forever: The Lives And Times Of Horse Show Trophies

80 Adventure With A Purpose

88 The Faint Of Heart Need Not Apply

94 The Test Of Time


UntackedV O L . 4 , N O . 2 M A R C H / A P R I L 2 0 1 6

The C

UnConten

ts

ON THE COVER: Ashley Neuhof Photo

58

OC

TAVI

A PO

LLO

CK

PH

OTO

DAV

ID M

ULL

INIX

PH

OTO

JAM

ES

SH

AM

BH

U/I

NTE

RN

ATI

ON

AL

MU

SE

UM

OF

THE

HO

RS

E P

HO

TO

72

88

SURPRISE THE ELEMENTS�e Extreme Tall H2O riding boot, with Neoprene shaft,

�insulate™ insulation, and Waterproof PRO™ construction,is made to thrive in even the coldest of conditions.

For more information visit Ariat.com

K N O W W H E R E YO U S TA N D .

©20

16 A

riat

InInIte

rnat

iona

l,io

nal,

iona

lIn

cIn

cI

.


Departments

Contents

26 Editor’s Letter

28 Contributors

34 Around The Arena

36 Editor’s Picks

38 Tech Spotlight

40 Test Lab: Leather Cleaners

44 The Clothes Horse: Spring Wardrobe

50 The Clothes Horse: Foxhunting Fashion

98 City Guide

106 Film Review

108 Charity Spotlight

110 Best Of Web & Print

112 Parting Ways

PH

OTO

CO

UR

TES

Y O

F B

EN

MA

STE

RS

/UN

BR

AN

DE

D

44

40

106

LIGHTWEIGHT WARMTHPacked with a 650 fill-power layer,the Ideal Down vest warms you upwithout weighing you down.For more information visit Ariat.com

K N O W W H E R E Y O U STA N D .©20

15 A

riat I

nter

natio

nal,

Inc.

©20

15 A

riat I

nter

natio

nal,

Inc.

©


EDITOR’S LETTER

Don’t Stop At “A Good Start”Welcome to our March/April issue of Untacked, in which we’re catching up with former equitation star and current amateur jumper Clea Newman Soderlund (p. 58).

Clea, of course, is more often introduced with di�erent titles. In the corporate world, she’s “Senior Director of Special Initiatives for the SeriousFun Children’s Network,” and in the cultural lexicon she’s “the daughter of acclaimed actors and activists Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman.”

In Jennifer B. Calder’s insightful feature on this multi-faceted horsewoman, Clea recounts two anecdotes—each starring one of her Hollywood royalty parents—that have stuck with her for decades, and I’ve found them sticking with me as well as I’ve gone about my daily routine these past weeks.

In the �rst, a wealthy friend of her father’s planned to make a large donation to charity. “He looked to my dad,” Clea recounts, “and said something like, ‘I’m going to make this big gift, and I am feeling pretty good about it. What do you think?’ Dad looked at him and said dryly, ‘It’s a good start.’

“Dad gave so much of his money and time and energy to the causes he felt were important in his life, but to him it was, ‘OK, you want a medal? You’re doing what you should do,’ ” she says.

“My mother is the same way,” Clea adds. “I remember when I was little I had a really bad day at school. �e friends I had in Beverly Hills, their mothers would take them shopping after a bad day. Mom looked at me and said, ‘You know honey, the best thing to do if you’ve had a bad day is to actually give back to someone who is having a worse day.’ It may not have hit home at the age of 12, but it certainly does when you are older. How bad is my day? Not that bad.”

With all the poverty, violence and injustice we see in America and with humanitarian crises making refugees of millions across the globe, I sometimes marvel at our ability as “horse people” to remove ourselves from the plight of other humans in need—especially those with which we

have little or nothing in common. Somehow animals tug harder on our heartstrings, and we feel passionately compelled to save that horse from the kill pen or donate to the pit bull rescue. And I’m as guilty as anyone of secretly savoring the warm fuzzy feelings that accompany such actions—they are noble deeds, after all.

But as Paul Newman would tell you, with what I imagine was a piercing iceberg stare, “It’s a good start.”

Sometimes we need reminders to be people �rst, and horse people second. �at’s why I so enjoyed Ann Jamieson’s travel feature (p. 80) on Alexander Souri and Relief Riders International, a “voluntourism” organization that delivers medical and educational aid on horseback to indigent populations in India and Turkey. And I was inspired—but not really surprised—to learn that nearly a third of RRI’s “voluntourists” are in their 70s or 80s; with age comes wisdom. And until we reach those birthday milestones, the rest of us would be wise to prioritize experiences that keep us grounded.

All equestrians enjoy a certain amount of privilege and means, and we have the ability and responsibility to give back.

“My dad had the mindset that if you were lucky to have good life,” Clea reminds us, “it’s just part of who you should be.”

—Kat Netzler, Editor

Distilled from100%Malted Barley

IN

GOLDEN VALLEY, NORTH CAROLINA-USA-

DEFIANTWHISKY.COM

OFFICIAL WHISKY of the 2015 CENTRAL PARK HORSE SHOW


CONTRIBUTORS

In This Issue

Octavia PollockOctavia has hunted across the U.K. for pleasure and work, which often amounts to the same thing. She writes for the British publications Country Life and Horse & Hound and is thrilled to be discovering life behind hounds in the States. Octavia also runs Gateway to England, which offers American travelers the chance to experience the English country-house lifestyle.

Ann JamiesonA USEF-licensed “r” judge in hunters, jumpers and equitation, Ann is based in Kent, Conn., where she also works as a travel and equestrian writer. Ann began riding at the age of 5, and she began inventing stories for friends at 7. She now prefers chronicling true tales, as she feels they are indeed more interesting than fiction. She shows her horse Fred Astaire, an off-the-track Thoroughbred, in hunters and dressage, and together they’ve won several year-end awards in both disciplines.

Megan BrincksA former staff reporter for The Chronicle of the Horse, Megan now lives with her dog and cat in Midland, Texas, where she works for a local community college. With time spent in almost every kind of saddle over the years, she rides whenever she gets the chance and recently started dipping a toe into the waters of eventing. In addition to spending time with and riding horses, she enjoys reading, traveling and hiking.

SA

RA

H F

AR

NS

WO

RTH

PH

OTO

SUBSCRIPTIONS & RENEWALS:Mail: The Chronicle of the Horse,

P. O. Box 433288 Palm Coast, FL 32143-3288

Phone: 800.877.5467Email: [email protected]

Manuscripts and photographs, accompanied by return postage, will be handled with care. Publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material.

Copyright© 2016 by The Chronicle of the Horse, LLC. Reproduction of any material (including photographs and drawings) without written permission is prohibited. All rights reserved. The Chronicle of the Horse® and the distinctive masthead that appear on the cover of the magazine are all registered trademarks of The Chronicle of the Horse, LLC. and may not be used in any manner without prior written permission.

CONTACT US: THE CHRONICLE OF THE HORSE (ISSN 0009-5990) is published January 11, January 25, February 1, February 15, February 22, March 7, March 21, April 4, April 11, April 25, May 2, May 16, May 30, June 6, June 20, July 4, July 11, July 25, August 1, August 15, August 29, September 5, September 19, September 26, October 3, October 17, October 24, November 7, November 14, November 21, November 28, December 12, December 19 and December 26 in 2016 by The Chronicle of the Horse, LLC, 108 The Plains Road, Middleburg, Virginia. Periodicals postage paid at Middleburg, VA and additional mailing o�ces.

THE CHRONICLE OF THE HORSE UNTACKED is published bimonthly. It is part of your subscription to The Chronicle of the Horse. To order single copies, call 800-877-5467 or e-mail [email protected].

SUBSCRIPTION RATES United States and possessions $59.95/yr. Canada $79.95/yr. Foreign (other than Canada) $159.95/yr. For all subscription options see www.chronofhorse.com.

POSTMASTER SUBMIT ADDRESS CHANGES TO P.O. Box 433288, Palm Coast, Florida 32143-3288CANADA POST Publications Mail Agreement #40612608 Canada Returns to be sent to Bleuchip International, P.O. Box 25542, London, ON, N6C6B2

Ask your vet, traineror feed retailer

about ProForce® feeds.

ProForceFeed.com

THE BEST RESULTS IN COMPETITION BEGIN WITH THE BEST FEEDS.THE BEST RESULTS IN COMPETITION BEGIN WITH THE BEST FEEDS.THE BEST RESULTS IN COMPETITION BEGIN WITH THE BEST FEEDS.

NUT3059_proforce_ad_COTH-9.25x11.125.pdf 1 10/23/15 2:24 PM


Volume 4 • Number 2 • March/April 2016


Untacked

chronofhorse.com

FOLLOW US ON:

produced and published by The Chronicle of the Horse

PUBLISHER

KATHERINE BELLISSIMO

PRESIDENT/EXECUTIVE EDITOR

BETH RASIN, [email protected]

EditorialEDITOR

KAT NETZLER, [email protected] EDITOR

SARA LIESER, [email protected] EDITOR

MOLLY SORGE, [email protected] EDITOR

LISA SLADE, [email protected] REPORTER & MARKETING COORDINATOR

MOLLIE BAILEY, [email protected] STAFF

SHARON ROSE, [email protected] BERRETH, [email protected] CALDER, [email protected]

KIMBERLY LOUSHIN, [email protected] STASZAK, [email protected]

ANN GLAVAN, [email protected] INTERN

KATIE ALLARD, [email protected] PRODUCTION MANAGER

LAUREN FOLEY, [email protected]

Design & ProductionART DIRECTOR

JOSH WALKER, [email protected] DESIGNERS

SONYA MENDEKE, [email protected] MARTINEZ, [email protected]

AdvertisingADVERTISING DIRECTOR

ALISON THAYER, [email protected] EXECUTIVE

LINDA ANDERSEN, [email protected] PRODUCTION MANAGER

BETH HONCHARSKI, [email protected]

Customer CareCUSTOMER RELATIONS

LAURA HONOHAN, [email protected]

Business O�ceCHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

MALLORY LOBISSER, [email protected] ASSISTANT

KRISTIN SCRUGGS, [email protected]

108 �e Plains Road, Middleburg, Virginia 20117Telephone: 540.687.6341

with the Chronicle this winter.

The 60”x80” THROW is woven with 100% cotton, machine

washable and dryable, and made in the USA. $80.00

The 20”x20” PILLOW is 100% cotton, made in the USA, and features an insert made of 100% recycled polyfill. Its shell has a concealed zipper for easy care and can be machine washed and dried. $40.00

Give The Gift Of Comfort This Season

ORDER NOW 800.877.5467

www.coth.com/store/home

The 20”x20”

an insert made of 100% recycled polyfill. Its shell has a concealed zipper for

this winter.

The 60”x80” THROW is woven with THROW is woven with THROW100% cotton, machine

washable and dryable, and made in the USA. $80.00

�ere’s a lot riding on your arena...

NEW YORK | KENTUCKY | NORTH CAROLINA | FLORIDA www.ESIFooting.com (772) 221.0707 NEW YORK | KENTUCKY | NORTH CAROLINA | FLORIDA www.ESIFooting.com (772) 221.0707 NEW YORK | KENTUCKY | NORTH CAROLINA | FLORIDA www.ESIFooting.com (772) 221.0707

Equestrian Services InternationalEquestrian Services InternationalEquestrian Services International

Where Champions Ride!

Wellington Equestrian Festival (WEF)Global Dressage Festival

Central Park Horse ShowsOx Ridge Hunt Club

Pennsylvania National Horse Show

Wellington Equestrian Festival (WEF)‘Simply the best’ arenas in the world.

on your arena...�e health and comfort of both horse and rider can be drastically a�ected by the quality of the riding arena and footing.

Don’t let the quality of the arena be the downfall of your training regimen, professional competition, or horse show.

Learn more at ESIFooting.com

Visit us in the VIP Lounge at WEF 2016


Around the Arena

A career-changing season in 2015 boosted the perpetually sunny Tamra Smith to the Chronicle’s Eventing and Overall Horseman of the Year titles in our annual American Horses In Sport issue (Feb. 1 & 8).

With her top mount Mai Baum, the 41-year-old mother of two from Murrieta, Calif., won three consecutive CIC***s and �nished the year o� with a

t i d b i t s f r o m a c r o s s t h e i n d u s t r y

tenacious performance to win the national championship at the Dutta Corp. Fair Hill CCI*** (Md.) the same day she lost a lifelong close friend to cancer.

As she looks ahead to a shot at the Rio Olympic Games this summer, Smith takes the time to share a few of her favorite things, from breeches to bad habits.

Hunt coat: Sarm HippiqueBreeches: Kerrits Cross Over Riding boots: TucciStreet footwear: Sandals Comfort food or drink: Red Hots and Tootsie Rolls Movie: Avatar TV Show: Scandal Book: �e Hunger Games Musician: Adele Vacation destination: CancunPlace to ride: Rolex Kentucky CCI****Place to shop: I don’t like shopping!Type of restaurant: �ai Non-horsey hobby: Snow skiingThing to do with family and friends: Going to the mountains with no cell serviceMemory in the saddle: Winning Fair Hill. Favorite movement to ride: GallopType of horse: Mai Baum!Guilty pleasure: Anything dessertApp: Fitbit Competition venue: Boekelo CCIO in the NetherlandsBarn chore: Cleaning stalls Vehicle: Mini Cooper Stress reliever: Biting my �ngernailsNon-equestrian sport to watch: Basketball with my son

SH

AN

NO

N B

RIN

KM

AN

PH

OTO

My Faves: Tamra Smith

CHRONOFHORSE .COM MARCH/APRIL 2016 35

On DeckMark your calendar with these upcoming important dates.

u March 20�e �nale of the America’s

Equestrians Got Talent competition in Wellington, Fla., will pit nine weekly winners against one another for a $10,000 grand prize and will raise money to support the U.S. Equestrian Teams at the Rio Olympic Games this summer. Head to Facebook.com/AmericanEquestriansGotTalent to purchase tickets for the event, or watch it live on COTH.com.

u March 25-June 23If you’re heading to Lexington, Ky., this spring, you won’t want to miss the American Academy of

Equine Art Spring Invitational

Show and Sale at �e Club at Spindletop Hall near the Kentucky Horse Park. Visit aaea.net for more information.

u April 4-5From horse abuse in endurance to Olympic competition formats of the future to an ongoing feud between the Fédération Equestre Internationale and the Global Champions League of show jumping, there’s plenty of drama roiling in advance of the annual FEI Sports Forum in Lausanne, Switzerland. Check FEI.org on March 7 for updates on speci�c forum topics and schedules.

New On The Page & In The Projector

I always thought horses were brought to America by the Spaniards in the 1500s. �en I read The Horse: The Epic History of Our Noble Companion by journalist Wendy Williams.

She skillfully blends history, geography, biology, art, psychology and paleontology to chronicle the 56-million-year evolution of horses from tiny rodent-like creatures that ran with dinosaurs to present-day mustangs and their civilized brethren. Interspersed with scienti�c information are tales of the author’s own horses

and those of her sources, explaining some possible origins of current horse behavior.

Fascinating photographs take the reader into various foreign lands to see unfamiliar varieties of horses. From the caves of France and Spain, where artists dating back 30,000 years drew spirited renditions of horses, to modern herdsmen who ride feral horses for a day and then return them to the wild until they are needed again, the author presents a colorful and thoughtful history of the horse and man’s association with him.

Williams synthesizes several di�erent branches of scienti�c study, knitting the whole into a readable and informative journey for the amateur historian and anyone interested to see where our horses began.

—Clarissa Edelston

A documentary �lm following six riders with disabilities, Horses That Heal chronicles their paths to the Chisholm Challenge, a Quarter Horse competition in Fort Worth, Texas. Produced by RideTV and

F2 Media, the �lm strongly advocates that insurance companies cover the costs associated with equine assisted activities and therapies.

What this documentary lacks in big-budget �lm techniques, it makes up for with a raw, powerful message brought to viewers through one-on-one interviews with riding instructors, volunteers, therapists and parents describing the change they’ve seen in children and adults with disabilities after working with horses.

�e �lmmakers explore a variety of topics associated with therapeutic riding, e�orts to conduct formal research supporting its bene�ts and current litigation e�orts aimed at requiring insurance companies to cover riding therapies.

�e �lm is available to stream at horsesthathealmovie.com. —Ann Glavan


EDITOR’S PICKS

You know the kind of horse I’m talking about—the one you’re almost afraid to look at when he comes in from the �eld, because you know he’ll have done something.

Maybe he cut his leg. Maybe he cut his face. Maybe he pulled o� three out of four shoes, or maybe his brand-new blanket has been ripped to unrecognizable shreds. He’s the one you pat on the butt and say, “Good luck, buddy,” as he heads out into the �eld again.

�ose horses? �ey need our help. And we, those lucky owners? We just need to keep our sanity—and a few handy items in stock.

3 Lifesavers For The Owner Of The

Accident-Prone Horse By LISA SLADE

>> EquiFit Pack-N-Stick HoofTapeIf there’s one thing you know for sure about the accident-prone horse, it’s that he’s going to lose a lot of shoes. And he won’t stop there; he’s going to step on the clips of the shoe too, and so his hooves are going to need packing.

I’ve spent plenty of my life crouched under a dancing horse, armed with a dia-per and a lot of duct tape, knowing all the while that it will likely fall off within hours anyway. So I can’t tell you how thrilled I am that those days are over. EquiFit’s Pack-N-Stick HoofTape is designed to replace that exasperating ritual. It fits over a shoe with packing inside, or over a bare hoof in a pinch (though the glue functions best when attached to a shoe).

Application is as easy as you can imag-ine. After putting packing or poultice inside the horse’s shoe or on his hoof, you peel the backing off the sticky part of the tape and then just place it on the hoof, starting with the heel.

The glue is sturdy, and it remained in place during normal, stalled use during the recommended 12-hour time period, and I imagine it’d be just fine in a manicured paddock as well. But when my horse was turned out overnight in a large and muddy field, I did use some duct tape for extra reinforcement. EquiFit also recommends extra taping if the horse isn’t wearing a shoe.

The hoof wraps come pre-cut, but you can trim them yourself if you’re dealing with an especially small pony.

A six-pack of wraps costs $24.95, or you can stock up with 24-pack or 100-pack options. Available for purchase at Equifit.net or other online retailers.

>> Animal Wound Care World Wide SpraysWhen you’re dealing with a horse who comes in with a fresh scrape somewhere nearly every day, you need an especially deep bench of wound care products at the ready in your tack trunk.

Animal Wound Care World Wide LLC makes a full product line of first aid products, all of them “touchless sprays” so you’re never apply-ing creams and ointments with your hands.

I have their First Aid spray, billed for use on cracked heels and general wound care. On small cuts—thankfully I haven’t had any large ones to test, yet—the sprayer works well, covers the cut, and heals quickly. It doesn’t irritate my sensitive-skinned Thoroughbred or leave a greasy residue.

The First Aid version includes the topical antibiotic bacitracin and zinc oxide for antibacterial purposes. The product line also includes Clear (for saddle sores), Zinc (for rainrot, sunburn and itching), Antifungal (for ring-worm, thrush and other infections) and Silver (for scratches, wounds and fly bites).

The First Aid spray retails for $23.95 at Animalwoundcareww.com, and the other sprays range from $22.65-$25.65.

>> Toklat Valena BootsAccident-prone horses work hard and play hard, so if you’re seeking a pro-tective boot you can use for daily riding as well as turnout, the Toklat Valena boots are a great option.

The boots are lined with WoolBack, a machine washable virgin wool fleece, and they don’t rub or cause hot spots even if the horses are in them for hours. The outer material is a heavy-duty vinyl that’s tough enough that I didn’t worry about interference problems but still flexible enough that the boots are easy to apply and seem comfortable for the horse to wear.

If you’re using for turnout, you might want another pair to take to shows, but I use the same set for some turnout and daily riding, and they’ve stayed in great condition. The Velcro and the elastic on the straps have remained strong, and they come out of the washing machine looking almost new.

It’s super easy to put these boots on; they have just two wide elastic straps. Even when they got wet during riding or turnout, they didn’t feel waterlogged or slip, and they also never make the legs feel hot on warmer days. On days I can’t wash them, a few quick swipes with a hard brush gets rid of sand and dirt and has them looking fresh again.

You can get front and hind boots, and the company also offers hind ankle boots in addition to the full coverage. They come in black, white, cream and brown—all with white wool inside—and in sizes S-XL. The front boots retail at $81.95, and hinds at $85.95 on Toklat.com.

#EquilineAmericaThe Dress Code

EquilineAmerica.com

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Untacked March-April.pdf 1 1/22/16 11:40 AM


Diagnostics For Goldilocks Is footing too hard or too soft, too sticky or too slippery? Is it causing a horse to compensate elsewhere in his body? Is the corrective shoeing technique of choice doing more harm than good? Frustrated by his inability to answer questions like these, one farrier invented a tool to help—and its practical applications are just beginning to be explored. By LISA SLADE

As experts debate and study the best ways to shoe horses and the best footing for di�erent

disciplines, they’re always faced with the same obstacle—horses can’t put words to whether a particular surface aids or inhibits their performance, and there’s been no quanti�able, numerical way of measuring if a shoeing technique makes them more or less comfortable. �ere’s also been no easily available way to measure how much pressure they feel on their hooves and legs or how they compensate for said pressure.

But the Fédération EquestreInternationale’s Surfaces White Paper, which came out in 2014, cited the work of several French researchers who’d developed a horse shoe that could sense pressure on the hoof. In their study, published in 2009 in the Journal of Biomechanics, the group tested a prototype of a “dynamometric horse shoe.” And now, in the United States, farriery expert Patrick Reilly has developed his

The Tekscan system developed by Patrick Reilly, the chief of farrier services at New Bolton Center, allows him to measure forces exerted on hooves as well as the execution of a shoeing job.

TECH SPOTLIGHT

PH

OTO

CO

UR

TES

Y O

F N

EW

BO

LTO

N C

EN

TER

own model of a force-measuring pad for hooves.

“It’s helping me ask the right questions,” explained Reilly, the chief of farrier services at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine’s New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, Pa. “If we put bar shoes on a horse instead of open shoes, we can measure, ‘What did that do?’

“Sometimes we put bar shoes on horses that are heel sore, but part of the problem we’ve found is that the bar shoes can concentrate the force on the heels, and they do that in a similar way to wedge pads,” Reilly explained. “Shoeing is more complicated than it would seem. We’re just getting to the point where we can ask some of those questions and have some technology to start identifying some possible answers.”

Reilly’s system functions di�erently than the one developed in France; that one was a three-dimensional model developed solely for testing forces

between the horse’s hoof and di�erent ground surfaces; it elevated the hoof above the testing shoe, leaving a gap in between.

Reilly developed his pressure sensor with technology company Tekscan. Using it, he can see hot and cold spots transmitted onto a computer screen as the hoof contacts the ground—and that enables him to see how the balance of a hoof changes in reaction to the pressure it’s receiving.

“If you’re watching late night television, and they show someone evaluating the pressure of a mattress, that system probably came from the same company,” he said.

“�ere have been companies that have come out with an equine mat that measures pressure, and the horse can stand on it. As much as I enjoy that


information, I’m more interested in what happens when a horse is moving,” Reilly continued. “If we put shoes on with the goal of altering some of the forces delivered to the horses, what impact is that having? If you’re asking that question, I’m less interested in measuring the force between the hoof and the ground and more interested in the force between the shoe and the hoof.”

Reilly needed the right way to attach his new device to the horse, which he started developing when he was a farrier at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine (Mass.) and perfected while at New Bolton.

“We tried nailing shoes on, but there are limiting factors,” he said. “�e sensor has two layers of Mylar with an electrical conductor, and if you put a nail in it, it starts shorting out. New Bolton has

patents on a certain type of glue-on shoes, and that worked really well because we could sandwich this sensor between the shoe and hoof.”

Because Reilly’s device has helped him determine how static said balance is while the horse moves, he jokingly—and temporarily—throws students out of his classroom if they use the term “balanced hoof.”

“Whatever balance is, it’s not consistent,” he said. “When a horse is standing, the load distribution is di�erent than when walking and di�erent still when trotting and cantering. [Using the device] has inÇuenced some of my thinking. Some things I thought I was right on about, now I question. Because I don’t have a job that’s primarily research, I’ve so far been using this to ask questions more than provide answers.”

Despite using his device in di�erent surfaces, Reilly’s still far from a conclusion about what’s the ideal footing for horses in various disciplines.

“With some of the synthetic footings, the advantage might be that the foot maintains some of its positioning, but sometimes they are stickier,” he said. “If you watch a horse walk on another surface, the hind feet will twist on the ground. If you see the horse walking in that kind of footing, the foot might not twist. If you’re talking about a jumper, sure, you need fewer studs. But you might be transmitting di�erent forces up the leg. You’re not going to come up with a singular correct answer. What is a perfect footing for dressage might be very di�erent than show jumping, and even then you’re going to �nd a lot of variation.”

WWW.TOKLAT.COM

BETTER PERFORMANCE FRONT TO BACK

Myler bits are designed to give your horse the most comfort and tongue relief possible, so he can relax and give you his best performance possible.

T3 Matrix combines T3 Impact Protection Inserts, advanced pressure relief materials and ergonomic design to a form a positively revolutionary pad proven to improve back health and allow for full range of motion.

COMBINING MYLER BITS WITH T3 SADDLE PADS GIVES YOUR HORSE A TRUE COMPETITIVE EDGE.

SPONSORED RIDER JENNIE BRANNIGAN


TEST LAB

Stepping Up On The (Saddle) Soap Box

Whether you like scents, suds, solids or liquids, one of these eight leather cleaners our sta�ers tested is sure to satisfy.

By MOLLIE BAILEY and LINDSAY BERRETH

For The Scented Candle LoverTLC Saddle Soap And Conditioner

If you want your tack cleaning sessions to smell like you’ve walked into a Bath & Body Works store, TLC’s one-step leather cleaner and conditioner is your best bet.

California dressage rider Dana Stremple spawned the idea for TLC after starting a business making custom browbands. While using her homemade saddle soap, a friend started asking her about it and suggested she sell it.

TLC is made with goat’s milk and comes in green apple, ruby red grapefruit or lavender. I got the green apple, which smells tangy, like a Jolly Rancher.

Made from natural ingredients, the soap is low foaming, easy to apply, and quick drying. I love anything that can help me skip a step, so the fact that TLC is a conditioner and cleaner in one makes it very appealing. It leaves a good shine on my leather and even left my hands feeling moisturized and fragrant.

Stremple says the soap can be used on other leather goods such as couches, shoes and handbags. It can also be applied using a dry sponge for extra shine. Plus, it comes with its own sponge inside the jar—a nice touch.

$15.99 for 12 oz. TLCSaddleSoap.com.

—LINDSAY BERRETH

For The Rider On The GoM.O.S.S. Goat’s Milk Saddle Soap

If you want a nicely scented, easy-to-use leather cleaner, M.O.S.S. is a great choice.

Created by dressage rider Morgan Adair in 2004 during her days as a working student, Morgan’s Original Scented Soap became popular with other riders, and Adair began selling it. Nunn Finer purchased the company in 2011 and has since expanded to other leather care products and helmet and bit wipes.

Available in vanilla bean, citrus basil, tea rose and lavender scents, M.O.S.S. soap smells wonderful and goes on effortlessly. Applied with a damp sponge, it easily absorbs into my saddle and leaves no residue behind. It cuts through the grimy dirt left behind on the back of my boots and leaves a nice shine as well.

I found myself reaching for this for my routine after-ride leather care, wiping off girths, tall boots and bridles. It did a good job during the week until I had time for a more thorough clean and condition.

The one downside is that it’s not as deep conditioning as other products I tried, but for an everyday cleaner it makes my tack clean and presentable.

$18 for 7 oz. NunnFiner.com.

—LINDSAY BERRETH


TESTERS’ CHOICER

A favorite of my co-reviewer as well as show jumper Scott Brash’s groom Hannah Colman, Stübben’s Glycerin Saddle Soap is a simple and classic cleaner that’s been around for ages.

I’d never tried it before, but it’s definitely a new staple in my tack trunk. It has a clean, light scent that’s not overpowering, and it’s low foaming, which is a big plus to me. There’s nothing worse than getting foam stuck in billet holes or laced reins and leaving behind white gunk.

This soap easily absorbs into my saddle with little effort and gets rid of stubborn dirt and grime on my bridles, which I’ll sheepishly admit I don’t take apart very often. It doesn’t leave behind any sticky residue or streaks.

It dries quickly and leaves a nice, subtle sheen on your leather. I’d recommend the regular use of a conditioner, but for a quick wipe down to remove stubborn dirt and sweat, this just can’t be beat.

$14 for 9.4 oz. and $18 for 15.9 oz. StubbenNorthAmerica.com.—LINDSAY BERRETH

For Classic Clean Stübben Glyzerin-Lederseife

For The Lover Of Natural IngredientsWarhorse Solutions Deep Cleaning Soap And Conditioner

This North Carolina-made product utilizes bio-based plant oils and is void of synthetic chemicals, phosphates, dyes, perfumes, heavy metals and pesticides. Even the company’s bottles are made of 100 percent recycled materials.

Warhorse Solutions founder and CEO Tawana Weicker, a former high school English teacher turned biochemist, prides herself on making natural soaps and cleaners for horses, humans and homes. This glycerin soap can be used on any leather goods, including tack, car seats, belts and couches.

The soap is slightly stickier than the others I tried, and it left my hands with a bit of residue. It applied very shiny onto my tall boots and took longer to dry than expected, but once it did, my boots looked great. Wiping off the excess product helps drying time; I’d advise that a little goes a long way!

I’m not a big fan of the smell, which is a little too strong and soapy for me, but this product is very moisturizing and really brought some life back into an old halter I had. It required a little more effort than I’d want for a quick tack cleaning session, so I’ll be saving it for a rainy day tack cleaning fest.

$13 for 12 oz. and $26 for 32 oz. WarhorseSolutions.com.

—LINDSAY BERRETH

For Reviving Old TackEffax Leather-Combi + Mildew-Free Formula

Lizzy Benchoff estimates there are up to 100 bridles to clean on busy show days at Shadow Ridge Farm in Westminster, Md., and she turns to Effax spray to get the job done. Benchoff says this product of choice leaves tack clean without being sticky, and I’d have to agree.

The Effax Leather-Combi + Mildew-Free Formula spray bottle has a regular spray option and a foaming spray option (plus a locked position). I had three bridles that had been in storage for a while and needed a little TLC, and the thirsty leather soaked the Effax right up, leaving them looking ready for primetime.

The directions say to spray this directly on the leather, but I think that’s impractical and wasteful for bridles, and it works just as well spraying directly onto a slightly damp sponge. The foaming feature didn’t strike me as a deal maker or breaker, but others seem to love it.

About $25.95 for 500mL. Available at various online retailers.

—MOLLIE BAILEY


TESTERS’ CHOICER

Higher Standards has long been an in-house favorite product for its origin story and its cleaning power. Amateur rider and full-time attorney Libby Henderson sent a jar of the homemade soap as part of a care package to her favorite event horse, Karen O’Connor’s Upstage, and a few months later O’Connor’s former head groom Max Corcoran asked for more. Before long, she found herself growing almost as passionate about new scent combinations for the cleanser as she was about depositions.

Full disclosure: Henderson created the recipe with help from none other than the Chronicle’s online forum users. They passed along the recipe that inspired Henderson’s initial batch and acted as an unofficial focus group to guide her decisions on everything from the name to the jar color to troubleshooting problems.

But up until now, I’d never actually tried the soap, and I even went into this project thinking it could never compete with my personal favorite imported glycerin-based products. Even the scenting options seemed too gimmicky for my taste before I tried them.

I was wrong.Higher Standards smells good but not overpowering, feels good on your hands without leaving you

running to the bathroom to wash them, and leaves tack looking fantastic. My multiple gross bridles felt show-ready without conditioning after I used this product.

I’m a big fan of soap in a plastic jar for its portability, efficiency and ease of use, and Higher Standards also fit the bill. Plus, you just can’t beat the price point. Consider me converted.

$14.95 for 8 oz. HigherStandardsLeatherCare.com.—MOLLIE BAILEY

For Small Business Supporters Higher Standards Leather Care Handcrafted Saddle Soap

TEST LAB

For Skipping A StepOakwood Liquid Saddle Soap

This product is designed to use without water, so you wipe it on, rub it in, and then wipe it off. I tested out the Oakwood liquid saddle soap upon hearing that three-time driving world champion Boyd Exell’s team loves the brand. (He’s not sponsored by the company, but they share the same Australian heritage.)

The pH-balanced cleanser is somewhat thinner than I expected, and it didn’t leave my skin, or the tack, feeling sticky or slick. I wasn’t confident that not running a damp sponge over bridles before digging in would yield acceptable results, but my truly filthy bridles came out looking fantastic.

The clear liquid comes in a shampoo-like bottle, which isn’t my favorite method of application. While the cleanser is concentrated, it still probably isn’t the most efficient choice, and I can see going through a bottle much faster than one would a solid bar of glycerin soap, as leather soaks up much of the product.

$16.95 for 500mL. OakwoodProducts.com.

—MOLLIE BAILEY

For The InnovatorsBelvoir Tack Cleaner Step 1 Spray

It’s hard to argue with 250 years of tradition. Carr & Day & Martin, who make Belvoir’s Tack Cleaner, have been in business since 1765 and have provided products for the British royalty since the reign of King George IV. But that doesn’t mean they’re stuck in the past.

They recently released a new spray bottle design called Equimist 360, which won multiple innovation awards for the ability to spray from any angle. That seems especially useful for fly sprays and coat conditioners that you can also buy in that design. It’s a far cry from the bars of Belvoir saddle soap I hung from a tack hook and used to scrub mountains of schooling bridles as a teenaged working student.

The sprayer releases a pleasant continuous mist for a good three to four seconds, and directions instruct the user to spray directly onto tack. That technique works well for saddles and girths, but again, isn’t my first choice for bridles, breastplates and most of the tack on a hook.

Still, it did a very nice job with the sweaty straps with which I challenged it. The instructions call for you to use a Step 2 Belvoir product, their tack conditioner, to complete the process, so I can forgive them that, while the leather was completely grime-free after I wiped it off, it wasn’t quite as pliable as with some of the other products.

While my fellow tester is a fan of the bottle design, it didn’t speak to me as much. There’s no way to lock the sprayer off, and it doesn’t come with a cap to avoid spills. While that’s handy for hanging up the bottle, it seems awfully easy to cause a mess in a trunk.

Around $19.75 for 600mL. Available at various online retailers.

—MOLLIE BAILEY

Dag Dia - Star of the upcoming film Albion: The Enchanted Stallion

Sylvia Zerbini

®

Dag Dia - Star of the upcoming the upcoming film Sylvia ZerbiniSylvia ZerbiniSylvia ZerbiniSylvia Zerbini

JULY 22–24, 2016Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY

2016 CelebrationHorse

YOUR THREE-DAY TICKET INCLUDES:YOUR THREE-DAY TICKET INCLUDES:• 3 days of thrilling round-the-clock equine performances• Entrance to the BreyerFest Marketplace• Access to the Craft Activity Tent – Paint Your Own Breyer model• Experience different hobby activities & The Tonka Fun Zone• Pony Rides, Petting Zoo, Face Painting & other games• Participation in JustWorld International Jump Off Competition & the Diorama and Costume Contests• Meet & greets with Guest Horses• Ticket to the BreyerFest Celebration of Horses Evening Performance on Fri. or Sat. evening• 24 page color program & BreyerFest App • Admission to all Kentucky Horse Park Attractions and much more!

World’s Finest Model Horses Since 1950™

PRESENTED BY

Model Horse Festival and Horse Fair

Program subject to change. *Please see website for details. ** While supplies last.

FREEBreyer® modelof Imperador

with every 3 DAY ticket!**

Imperador das Aguas JM

Breyer’s1st BrazilianMangalargaMarchador!

VISIT: BreyerHorses.comCALL: 800.413.3348

ORDER Tickets NOW & SAVE!VISIT: BreyerHorses.com

CALL: 800.413.3348

ORDER Tickets NOW & SAVE!

©2016 Reeves Intl, Inc. UNTACKED-MA16

Special Guests

SO MUCH TO SEE, DO & EXPERIENCE!SO MUCH TO SEE, DO & EXPERIENCE!

KYB DressageDiablo DC

Jeff Wilson

Get Your

Early Bird Tickets

NOW!*SAVE 15%Until 4/15/16

Get Your

Early Bird Tickets

NOW!*SAVE 15%Until 4/15/16

The fun family festival thatcelebrates the real horses

that inspire Breyer® models!N

E

W! 5K RAC

E

TO

BE

NEFIT OLD FRIE

ND

S!

NEWSculpture!

Only U.S. release until 2019!

© Rein Photography

© R

ed M

illin

gton

© Bianca McCarty

© Lisa Marie Photography Jeff WilsonJeff WilsonEVENINGSHOW!

DON’TMISS OUR

Fun,Friendship

and Horses!

Fun,Friendship

and Horses!

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K


KASTEL DENMARK CHARLOTTE COLLECTION SHOW SHIRT

Coming April 25, Kastel’s simple, no-nonsense show shirt with cooling mesh sleeves and UPF 30 sun protection will be available in four different trim colors: blue, gray, pink or purple (shown). It features a quarter-length zipper, hidden button collar, pearly wrist buttons and antibacterial odor reduction fabric. $95; sizes XXXS-XL. KastelDenmark.com.


THE CLOTHES HORSE

HIT REFRESH ON YOUR SPRING WARDROBE

You’ll still �nd plenty of pastels and neons in the spring and summer lines this year, but texture is the new color. From jacquard to

embroidery to exotic-print leathers, tactile is the trend du jour.

By K AT NETZLER

EQUILINE DREDA SHADBELLY, BILLY SHOW COAT & ALMA SHOW SHIRTAvailable in black and navy, the Dreda shadbelly features three color options for collar and points (which are niftily reversible), allowing for six possible configurations. Choose from an ice-colored Alcantara leather with hints of metal and rhinestone studs, a matte silver sequin-encrusted set, and a contemporary black-and-white horse print design (shown). Available in short and regular tail length; $1,229; Italian sizes 38-48. The Billy coat features three zip pockets, contrast white piping and an elegant crest and comes in black or navy ($529; Italian sizes 36-48). The Alma shirt, which includes a white cotton collar that secures with a key-hole button at the back of the neck, is made of a striped cotton jersey and available in gray with gold (shown) or gray with silver. $189; Italian sizes 38-48. EquilineAmerica.com.


GHODHO PANDORA & FIONA BREECHESWith a team that includes veterans from Betsey Johnson and BCBG and a design aesthetic akin to trendy athletic brands like Oiselle, GhoDho is right in step with mainstream fashion this season. Their beautiful new Pandora show breech ($240) features intricate seaming details, geometric back pockets and faux crocodile knee patch in white. Looking for something slightly more subdued? The tan Fiona model is suitable for all three rings but still boasts elegant piping and faux croc knee patches in brown ($200). Sizes 24-32. GhoDho.com.

MIASUKI RIBBON HELMET, NIKKI BREECH, PANDORA JACKET & HARRIET SWEATERItaly sets a high bar when it comes to fashion, and luxury brand Miasuki’s new spring line is inspiring many a rider to step up her game. Corset-like satin ribbons lend even their most utilitarian apparel item, a helmet, a touch of femininity. The Ribbon Helmet

($1,850; U.S. sizes 6¾-7 ) comes in Miasuki’s sumptuous signature color of the season, amarone, as does the new Nikki Breech ($875; also in black or beige; Italian sizes 40-46) and the Pandora Riding Jacket ($1,750; also in black or red; Italian sizes 40-46). And after your last class of the day, throw on the subtly textured and patterned Harriet Sweater ($710; sizes S-L) and head out on the town. LuisaViaRoma.com.

($1,850; U.S. sizes 6¾-7Miasuki’s sumptuous signature color of the season, amarone, as does the new Nikki Breech ($875; also in black or beige; Italian sizes 40-46) and the

also in black or red; Italian sizes 40-46). And after your last class of the day, throw on the subtly textured and patterned


THE CLOTHES HORSE

ESSEX TALENT YARN GELATO SHOW SHIRT

Essex’s spring updates include pick stitch detailing on the collar, cuffs and center front placket and beautiful new interior trims on their traditional Talent Yarn Wrap Collar Show Shirt. Under-sleeve mesh panels offer great ventilation, while the charming blue ice cream print adds a touch of caprice. Other prints available. $119.95; sizes XS-XL. EssexClassics.com.

THE CLOTHES HORSE

MOUNTAIN HORSE LAUREL JACKET, SOVEREIGN FIELD BOOT & SERENGETI CLASSIC BOOT

With techy tailoring, eye-catching zippers and rhinestone buttons on the front pockets and cuffs, the Laurel Event Jacket (dark navy or black; sizes XS-XXL) packs a lot of fashion bang into its $200 price tag. But Mountain Horse can suit traditional tastes as well—their beautiful Sovereign Field Boot with detail stitching, back zippers and Spanish-cut tops comes in brown or black leather ($389.00; available in various size combinations with regular, slim or wide calf and regular, tall or short heights). And the Serengeti Classic Boot, with its buttery brown leather and green canvas shins, is sure to turn heads no matter where you ride. $339; available in sizes 6-11 with regular calf and 6-10 with slim calf. MountainHorseUSA.com.

KASK DOGMA HELMETS

Kask’s spring line-up could be classified as “variations on a theme,” which is great news for the picky Goldilocks shoppers out there—you’re sure to find a model with just the right amount of matte, chrome or sparkle. Their Dogma line of helmets, for

instance, ranges in simplicity from the Dogma Light ($499; sizes 6¾-7¾) to the blingy Dogma Star Lady Swarovski Carpet ($1,200; sizes 6¾-7¾). Also available in brown or black, and with nation flag or custom patterns. Kask.it.

ASMAR EQUESTRIAN CONTINENTAL POLOS & YORK SHOW JACKET

In celebration of their new partnership with Equine Canada and role as outfitter of Team Canada for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, Canadian-based Asmar Equestrian has created a new line of championship gear, and luckily they’re not leaving their U.S. neighbors out of the fun. Their Continental Polos ($138; various designs; sizes XXS -XXL) have already been a big hit, and you can expect another new capsule of team apparel to debut in May. The stretchy York jacket features a zipper front with four-button overlay and comes in black or navy with tonal buttons, with the option to swap for bright chrome buttons. $418; sizes XXS-XXL. AsmarEquestrian.com.

PARLANTI OCALA FIELD BOOT

Ready to graduate to custom-cut boots? It’s a worthy investment! Just send your shoe size and calf height and width, and Parlanti will take care of the rest. Their Ocala model has three expansion panels to make sure they fit like a glove, and reviewers rave about how easy it is to break in these soft but durable buffalo leather boots (fully lined with premium calfskin). $1,000. Looking for a dress boot? Check out the new Denver

Essential model, just $599.

PassionEq.com.

ROMFH LACE PIROUETTE & CHILD’S SARAH SHOW SHIRTS

While the Pirouette shirt’s beautiful lace detailing may be hidden under your show coat, the touch of elegance will have you holding your head a bit higher as you head into the ring. Previously available only in monochromatic hues, the Lace Pirouette

now comes with navy or wine (shown) detailing. $71.95; sizes XS-XL. With cooling fabric, UV protection and anti-microbial treatment, the Sarah top hits the trifecta for junior riders. Features a wrap collar, mesh panels under the arms, and bright contrast prints like pink spirograph, aqua tiles or sun paisley (shown). $74.95; sizes S-XL. Romfh.com.


THE CLOTHES HORSE

OVATION HEARTS AND HORSESHOE BREECH & HORSESHOE BELT

The champions of the future are sure to go gaga over Ovation’s spring children’s line. Their Hearts and Horseshoe Breech features crystal pocket detailing on both front and back and fun embroidered motifs, plus it coordinates with a matching top. $44.95; navy (shown) or storm; sizes S-XL. If Mom needs a treat for herself as well, the timeless Horseshoe Belt comes in colors to complement any ensemble: black, brown, medium brown, petrol or purple (shown). $29.95; sizes 28-34; size 36 available in black. OvationRiding.com.

BUCKWILD FOX HEAD & PEACOCK FULL SEAT BREECHES

Sometimes even the most competitive rider needs to forget the stress of the show ring and go have fun, and for those days, Buckwild is there. They offer prints ranging from colorful argyles to zebra stripes, and starting in late April, they’re adding a navy breech with peacock and a tan breech with a fox head pattern—both with silicone dots for extra grip in the saddle—to their line-up. Sizes XXS (teen)-XL. Pre-order now. And if you’re looking for plus-sized breeches, check out Buckwild’s new Curvy Mare line. $129.99. BuckwildBreeches.com.

ARIAT HERITAGE ELLIPSE FIELD BOOT, MONACO DRESS BOOT & WHIPSTITCH BREECH

Long a leader in the footwear field, Ariat isn’t conceding any ground to its competitors this season. With beautiful Spanish-cut tops in snake or ostrich print, their Heritage Ellipse field boots are both traditional and trendy ($329.95; sizes 5.5-11 in various heights and calf widths). If you prefer a snazzy patent leather top, check out the Monaco Tall Stretch Zip Boot ($730; same sizes). But don’t forget Ariat’s apparel line too—you may need a few pairs of their comfy Whipstitch regular-rise denim full-seats. $119.95; sizes 22-26 and lengths regular and long; also available in low-rise knee-patch for $109.95. Ariat.com.

BUCKWILD FOX HEAD & PEACOCK FULL SEAT BREECHES

Sometimes even the most competitive rider needs to forget the stress of the show ring and go have fun, and for those days, Buckwild is there. They offer prints ranging from colorful argyles to zebra stripes, and starting in late April, they’re adding a navy breech with peacock and a tan breech with a fox head pattern—both with silicone dots for extra grip in the saddle—to their line-up. Sizes


HUNTLEY CHILDREN’S PONY STITCHED BREECH, HALF CHAPS & WOVEN BAG

Huntley has everything, from beautifully crafted bridles to soft-shell show coats. But this season we’re loving their children’s apparel in particular, including the whimsical gray stitched breech ($59.99; sizes 8-14). With well-cut tops and shiny swagger tags, their Brazilian black leather half chaps ($129.99; sizes XS-L and heights short-tall) are classy enough to fool a judge, while the fully lined woven Nappa leather bag with equestrian print fabric makes the nomadic horse show lifestyle a lot more fun. $199.99. HuntleyEquestrian.com.


THE CLOTHES HORSE

Foxhunting Fashion Through The DecadesDressage riders have embraced the bling, show jumpers sport high-tech fabrics, and eventers are all about the body armor. But foxhunters, deeply rooted in tradition, have always tended to celebrate forward riding and censure forward fashion. A glimpse back into the Chronicle and National Sporting Library archives reveals the oh-so-subtle sartorial trends of the past half-century in foxhunting.

By K IMBER LY LOUSHIN

The 1950s

While white was the color of choice for most huntsmen, brown or rust breeches were (and still are!) inarguably more practical for foul-weather hunts, and B.J. Naughton Jr. seems to have embraced that philosophy. The Jt.-MFH for the Waterloo Hunt Club in Grass Lake, Mich., is pictured here in 1957 wearing a longer hunt coat, as was the style in those days, which made for a warmer rider on frigid days afield. His saddle features a flat flap—knee rolls were unheard of at the time—and is placed directly on his sturdy mount without a saddle pad.

Breeches with blooming hips were all the rage in the 1950s.

The design came from a desire to keep women’s true figures disguised and were a unisex

style, seen here on Mrs. Joseph (Averell) Walker Jr. (left) and her

sister Mrs. John (Nancy) Hannum III of Mr. Stewart’s Cheshire

Foxhounds (Pa.). Notice the height on their spurs—if you look at any

hunt appointment, it states the spurs must remain level on the

boot. Hair could be worn out of the hunt cap, but only if secured

with a hairnet. At the tops of their boots you’ll notice black garters—

now worn almost exclusively by children in jodhpurs. The garter was originally used to keep the

boot up and squarely on the leg and the breeches (which of course

lacked elastic and a snug fit back then) from riding up, but it’s now

primarily a vestigial adornment that could be jerry-rigged to fix

damaged tack if necessary.

FR

EU

DY

PH

OTO

MARCH/APRIL 2016 51

Tweed coats were incredibly popular and were considered appropriate attire for the hunt breakfasts, as seen in this 1953 photo of S. Prentice Porter, Jt.-MFH of the Orange County Hunt (Va.). His mount wears a double bridle, which, while still considered appropriate in many appointments classes, has largely fallen out of style in the field today. Porter’s broad, flat leather tack remains as prevalent as ever, though. His saddle features a longer, straighter flap, which places his leg in front to give him a defensive seat.

DA

RL

ING

PH

OTO


THE CLOTHES HORSE

The 1960s

The 1970s

For brisk mornings, such as this one in January of 1967, heavy wool coats were the most practical, and the thick material also held up against scratching branches as you galloped along. Here one such jacket is sported by Tom Davies, the second whipper-in to the Banwen Hunt (England). Paired with rust breeches, Davies is perfectly turned out. His tiny Connemara stallion wears a then-popular drop noseband, and, of course, no saddle pad.

Everything worn by huntsman Gustave Mollet of the Smithtown Hunt (N.Y.) is carefully dictated, down to the length of his spur. In the 1960s, tabs were a required part of any boot for a master or huntsman, and the tab was to be sewn to the boot, but not sewn down. Regulation boots were black leather, not patent, with brown tops.

Carrollton Hounds (Md.) huntsman Howard Arthur “Brownie” Brown’s horse is outfitted in

both a drop noseband and a standard cavesson connected to a martingale. The horse sports a standard hunter clip and a mud knot in his tail—

perfect for a chilly December hunt in 1974.

FR

EU

DY

PH

OTO

DO

UG

LA

S L

EE

S P

HO

TO

MU

RIE

L B

RO

WN

PH

OTO


The masters of the Fairfield County Hounds (Conn.) posed for this picture after the hunt was named champion of the 1978 Hunter Pace Series. Boots were still boxy then (no zippers,

as seen on today’s tall boots), but field boots were starting to emerge as an acceptable option, as seen worn by honorary

whip John Rapetske (far left). Their breeches are all well fitted, with curving side seams and contrast knee patches a popular

choice. Even for a hunter pace, neckwear was a must, and you can guarantee that each stock seen here is perfectly tied.

FR

EU

DY

PH

OTO

In the early ’70s, top hats and bowlers were still the preference for most hunt members, as evidenced by this photo of the Green Spring Valley Hounds (Md.). The top hat was believed (incorrectly, we now know) to absorb shock in a fall because it would crunch like an accordion. If a woman chose to wear a cutaway, aka a shadbelly, she was expected to wear a top hat to match. Velvet hunt caps were still primarily only worn by masters and staff.JU

LE

S G

EL

LE

R P

HO

TO


THE CLOTHES HORSE

The 1980s

The 1990s

In March of 1985, the Midland Foxhounds (Ga.) and the Mooreland Hunt (Ala.) held a joint meet in Alabama. Just as warmbloods infiltrated the hunter

and jumper scene, heavier horses made their way into foxhunting circles. After decades of Thoroughbred dominance, many riders began to prefer the

slower pace a warmblood or draft cross could provide. This image also shows that thick faux fleece pads, rubber or canvas reins, and safety helmets with

harnesses were also becoming acceptable for the first time.

In this photo from October of 1987, Richard Webb (left), MFH of the Moore County Hounds (N.C.) and president of the Masters of Foxhounds Association, and James Young, MFH of the Orange County Hunt (Va.) and second vice president of the MFHA, are perfectly turned out for an afternoon of cubbing. Young wears a tweed jacket cut much higher than seen in previous decades. Neither man wears gloves, a sure sign of the relaxed nature of the event, but their horses are still impeccably turned out.

Ronald P. Stewart, MFH of the Fairfield County Hounds (Conn.) in the early 1990s, is shown here in an outfit typical for an out-of-season hunt. His attire is decidedly more casual, with plain dress shirt and tie. While his mount is sparkling clean, the square white saddle pad and Stewart’s lack of headgear would only have been acceptable for an informal occasion.

As the new Jt.-MFH for the Norfolk Hunt (Mass.), Mrs. Nicholas D. (Rhonda) LaVerghetta certainly looked the part. The three gold buttons on her coat would have the hunt’s logo emblazoned on them. Her mount wears conservative leather galloping boots, and we can see that rubber stirrup pads have come into the picture. LaVerghetta’s helmet has the signature clear plastic harness typical of the times.

DO

UG

LA

S L

EE

S P

HO

TO


The 2000s

The 2010s

The stock tie and pin have never been about fashion in the hunt world, and you won’t catch a dedicated foxhunter sporting a decorative pin. A plain silver or gold one—as worn by Jonathan Tatham, a Jt.-MFH and huntsman of the River To River Hounds (Ill.), in 2004—will always be preferred. The stock can be used as an emergency bandage for an injured horse or rider, and the pin will keep everything in place.

While much of Orange County (Va.) Jt.-MFH John Coles’ attire is a throwback to the earliest days of foxhunting, modern touches can be seen, such as his flexible branch stirrups, which were becoming popular in the show ring in the early 2000s. Also notice the sheepskin seat-saver on his saddle.

Ever wondered where huntsmen keep their horns while making chase? They have

two options: the leather case on the

left side over the coat, as worn by Brenda

Yost, huntsman of the Mill Creek Hunt (Ill.),

or in a leather case fastened to the front

of the saddle. This prevents the horn from

being a burden, but allows a right-handed

rider easy access.

You might think, given the top hat and birdcage veil, that this 2015 photo is straight from the set of a period film or an episode of Downton Abbey, but Devon Zebrovious is participating in the opening meet for the Middleburg Hunt (Va.). Her side-saddle habit is made of thick wool—no technical fabrics here—and her green collar and MH buttons denote her position in the hunt.

DO

UG

LA

S L

EE

S P

HO

TO

PE

GG

Y A

SS

EO

PH

OTO

VAL

ER

IE D

UR

BO

N P

HO

TOG

RA

PH

Y P

HO

TO

Where you FLY

before you RIDE

Asheville Regional Airportyour easy connection to

Tryon International Equestrian Center

Frequent Daily Flights ALLEGIANT | AMERICAN | DELTA | UNITED

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Full_Page_with_Bleed_DEC_2015_Equestrian.pdf 1 12/9/2015 1:25:19 PM


COVER STORY


Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward’s youngest daughter re�ects on her privileged but principled upbringing, her outstanding equitation

career, and the philanthropic passion that now guides her life.

By JENNIFER B. CALDER

Clea’s Own

Two passions have persisted throughout Clea Newman Soderlund’s life. She inherited her commitment to philanthropy from her parents, actor/activists Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, but she came about her love of horses organically, and it’s only deepened since her days at the top of the junior equitation ranks. AS

HLE

Y N

EUH

OF

PHO

TO

“Tag sale! Tag sale!”

Joanne Woodward, one of the most celebrated

and respected actresses in the world, stood in the

middle of a Connecticut country lane hollering at the

passing cars and directing them toward the home she shared

with her husband, Paul Newman, and their three daughters.

On the lawn, an entrepreneurial young Clea Newman, then 12 or so, was holding one of her “endless” neighborhood tag sales with a friend. �eir goal: to earn the $250 needed to partner on a yearling pony they decided they must have to train.

“Oh, my poor parents,” Clea (pronounced Clay-ah) reminiscences with a laugh. “We’d go rummaging through the house and �nd old stu� to sell. T-shirts, whatever we could �nd.”

Her parents easily could have a�orded to buy her the yearling, but there was a lesson to impart.

COVER STORY


“We’re a close-knit family, and my parents really tried to be around,” says

Clea Newman Soderlund, pictured at a horse show with her father, Paul Newman,

in the mid-1980s.

Driving one of the passing cars was Paul, returning home from the airport after picking up friend and legendary actor Sir Laurence Olivier.

“Mr. Olivier and my father are driving up to the house, and my mother is screaming in the middle of the street. As they’re driving by, ‘Larry’ looks at my father and says, ‘Why Paul, isn’t that Joanne?’ ” Clea recalls, mimicking his English accent and bemusement.

“Larry was so enamored with this story of us trying to raise enough money to buy this pony, he promised to send us $100,” she continues. “We had made $150 over the course of many, many tag sales and needed $100 more. He swore that when he got back to the UK, he would send us the $100. And he did! And that’s how we bought the pony, Sugar Bear.”

So maybe this particular teachable moment by two well-meaning parents was undermined a tiny bit by one of their celebrity peers, but there would be many, many more throughout Clea’s childhood. �ese lessons took root and bloomed, informing her life. And it’s not an over-statement to say the world is a �ner place for her e�orts.

As the Senior Director of Special Initiatives for the SeriousFun Children’s Network, Clea Newman Soderlund has devoted her life to continuing the phil-anthropic legacy her parents bequeathed:

providing free camp experiences for children with serious illnesses and their families all over the world. Started in part almost three decades ago by her father with the pro�ts and royalties from his Newman’s Own food empire, along with the support of friends and other donors, the organization continues to ensure

these kids have the opportunity to “kick back, raise a little hell,” (per Paul) and just be kids. Not seriously ill kids—just kids.

Clea, now 49, has followed a winding path to get here, but one thing hasn’t changed since that tag sale on the lawn: Deep down, she still remains that same horse-crazy 12-year-old girl.

PHO

TO C

OU

RTE

SY O

F C

LEA

NEW

MAN

SO

DER

LUN

D


Thanks to numerous “tag sales” on the lawn of the Newmans’ Connecticut home—and a generous donation by family friend Sir Laurence Olivier—young Clea earned enough money to buy Sugar Bear, a yearling pony she was intent on training herself.

A Pony Named JoanneBefore I can �nish my knock, the door of the orange waterfront bungalow with blue trim Çies open. It’s an unpreten-tious, happy jewel of a cottage juxtaposed against a gray mist blowing o� the Long Island Sound, the waves frothy from a recent storm.

I’m ushered into a Çurry of activity and greeted warmly like an old friend. “Hello! You made it! Come on in! Great to see you!” while two bouncing dogs wriggle and lace through our legs and everyone in the crowded foyer laughs.

�ere are quick introductions to older sisters Lissy and Nell, who are just on their way out. �e latter is recogniz-able from the original label of Newman’s Own Organic, in which she stands next to her father in a re-creation of Grant

Wood’s American Gothic.You notice the eyes when you �rst meet

Clea Newman, of course. And it’s not just the color—that brilliant azure hue—but their familiarity, dancing with the same mischievous delight as did her father’s. I quickly learn, however, the resemblance extends far beyond just physical.

We move down the hall of the home Clea shares with her husband of 13 years, Kurt Soderland, past the beamed ceiling

family room and onto the enclosed sun porch overlooking the water. Family photo after photo surrounds us.

�ere is one of her dad seated, Çanked by his daughters; another of him walking her down the aisle on her wedding day; another of Clea and Kurt at a ranch; Clea and her mother; Clea on a jumping horse, its front legs tucked tightly up to its chin. �en she passes me one of her as a young child with a round Connemara pony.

PHO

TO C

OU

RTE

SY O

F C

LEA

NEW

MAN

SO

DER

LUN

D

“Larry [Sir Laurence Olivier] was so enamored with this story of us trying

to raise enough money to buy this pony, he promised to send us $100.”

—CLEA NEWMAN


“Actually, this is a funny one!” she says, holding out the snapshot. “Jane…Jane…Why can’t I think of her name? She was in 9 to 5… Jane… Jane… All I can think of is Jane Forbes Clark…,” she puzzles and looks to me for help, the question hanging between us.

I think a moment and then blurt out, “Fonda! Fonda! Fonda!” like a winning contestant on a game show.

“Fonda! Yes!” she exclaims, relieved.“So, Henry Fonda gave us this horse,

which was completely untrained. He gave it to Dad, and Dad named her Joanne,”

Clea says, laughing.In all the ways that really matter, the

Newman family is like plenty of others. �ere were vacations to rural Vermont, conversations about politics around the dinner table (“We were all expected to have opinions, no matter how young you were. You were expected to be a part of the conversation, which was kind of cool,” Clea says) and many practical jokes.

But there’s also no denying the numerous ways this close-knit family is extraordinary—the least of which is because they were Hollywood royalty.

Clea, the youngest of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward’s three daughters, says her mother has always set an incredible example throughout their lives. In addition to her career as an Academy Award-winning actress, Woodward directed plays and “was politically involved and very much an activist for anything she felt strongly about, whether the environment or women’s rights,” says Clea. “She put her money where her mouth was. She showed you how to be a strong woman.”

COVER STORY


Leading By ExampleClea is the youngest of Paul Newman’s six children. His two oldest daughters, Stephanie and Susan, are from a previous marriage, along with his only son, Scott, who tragically died from an accidental drug and alcohol overdose in 1978.

Newman started his �rst non-pro�t, the Scott Newman Center in Torrance, Calif., two years later.

“It was very hard on our family,” Clea says quietly. “I was 13 at the time. I remember getting put in the car and kind of being sent o� to a horse show. It was really, really hard on my parents.”

Exalted for their 50-year marriage, Paul famously remarked of his devotion to Woodward, “Why go out for a hamburger when you have steak at home?” (Clea tells me her mother was never fond of the oft-repeated retort. “What woman wants to be compared to meat?”).

“We’re a close-knit family, and my parents really tried to be around,” Clea continues. “My mom really tried to stay home a lot more once I was born. It was hard to have three kids and trying to do it all. She was, frankly, probably more famous than Dad when they got married. She had just won an Academy Award. So it was hard for her. She gave up a lot.”

Woodward was ahead of her time in many ways. She gave birth to her three daughters via natural childbirth, nursed each for at least six months on set, and always maintained her own bank account.

“She was a very hands-on mom. When she was away making �lms, it was really horrible for her. She couldn’t bear leaving all of us, so she was trying to juggle her career and us, and that’s why we all started picking up and moving. It wasn’t easy for any of us, but it’s hard to know what is better. Leaving your kids and having no parents around, or moving?

And it allowed us to have a lot of di�erent experiences—good and bad,” she says.

Clea grew up bicoastal, attending school in Los Angeles until she was 16 and spending summers and holidays back east. Westport, Conn., however, was always home.

“It wasn’t that hard for me for some reason,” she says of moving back and forth, pushing her Çaxen hair o� her face, the waves from the Long Island Sound inhaling and exhaling behind her.

“I’m super social, and I didn’t mind it. You know, it’s so funny. All you know is what you know. I just didn’t know any

di�erent. I mean, I knew other families stayed in one place, but that just wasn’t what we did,” she clari�es.

Even when she turned down roles that would keep her from her family for too long, Woodward channeled her energies in di�erent ways.

“She was always busy, directing plays and [staying] incredibly active. She was politically involved and very much an activist for anything she felt strongly

PHO

TO C

OU

RTE

SY O

F C

LEA

NEW

MAN

SO

DER

LUN

D

NB

C/G

ETTY

IM

AGES

PH

OTO

Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward with daughters Melissa (left) and Clea in New Hampshire in 1974 for the filming of The Wild Places, NBC’s conservation documentary created in partnership with The Sierra Club.

COVER STORY


“Both my parents used to come to all my horse shows. They would fly down to Florida to watch me ride and get up at 2 o’clock in the morning and take me to the Garden for schooling,” recalls Clea, pictured with her father at New York City’s Madison Square Garden during the 1980 National Horse Show. “And my dad was horribly allergic. He would have to take like four Benadryl and go and sit in the stands at the Garden. Poor guy, his eyes would be bright red.”

about, whether the environment or women’s rights. She taught all of us, whether you were a boy or a girl, it didn’t really matter. You could do anything you wanted to do. She was a great advocate for that. And she put her money where her mouth was. She showed you how to be a strong woman,” Clea says.

One such occasion was a Women Against Nuclear War event in Wash-ington, D.C. Clea was a teenager—the age at which most kids are apt to be morti�ed by their parents.

“�ere were a couple of thousands of people there, and my mom was one of the speakers,” she says proudly. “I remember getting ready in D.C. and going with her and being completely mesmerized by that fact. How cool is my mother, that she was one of the speakers?”

Leading by example also took the simpler form of just showing up. Clea was a nationally-ranked junior rider, �nishing second in the 1983 ASPCA Maclay Finals at Madison Square Garden (N.Y.).

“My mother was a saint,” Clea recalls, laughing. “Both my parents used to come to all my horse shows. Oh God, they were just amazing! �ey would Çy down to Florida to watch me ride and get up at 2 o’clock in the morning and take me to the Garden for schooling. And my dad was

NEW

YO

RK

DAI

LY N

EWS

AR

CH

IVE/

GET

TY I

MAG

ES P

HO

TOAP

PH

OTO

Clea with mom Joanne Woodward and dad Paul Newman at the opening night of the 1976 National Horse Show in New York City.


In her early 20s, Clea (pictured here with her parents at a film premiere in New York in 1994) never envisioned herself returning to the family fold and the Newman’s Own Foundation, but an employee’s fatefully timed maternity leave gave her the opportunity to fill in. “I loved it,” she says. “I was just so enamored by the by the fact that there were people all over the U.S. doing amazing things to either protect the environment or protect children.”

horribly allergic. He would have to take like four Benadryl and go and sit in the stands at the Garden. Poor guy, his eyes would be bright red.”

“Joanne and Paul Newman were the simplest, sweetest, best customers I ever had,” recalls George H. Morris, who trained Clea as a junior. “I never had easier, less complaining customers. �ey were the best.”

“Her parents were such lovely, lovely people,” agrees Frank Madden, with whom she also rode. “I remember Joanne would bring Clea out in the morning for a 6:15 lesson. Instead of just sitting in her car or doing something of no use, she’d walk around the showgrounds picking up litter.”

Welcome To Pony LandBefore the pony that was gifted from Henry Fonda and before Clea earned (almost) enough money to buy Sugar Bear, and long before she began training with Madden, Morris and Bill Cooney, there was Pony Land.

�e Woodward-Newman clan were huge animal lovers, and their home and barn overÇowed with cats and dogs, one a puppy of the famous Lassie.

“My mother, every time she took us to buy dog food, we’d come home with another animal,” Clea says. “My dad would just shake his head. We had like seven or eight cats and �ve or six dogs. �en one of the dogs had a litter of puppies. And Nellie ended up with a weasel, and she actually hatched a chicken from an egg in an incubator, so then we had a pet chicken.”

Near their home in California was a place called Pony Land.

“Oh it was this horrible little place in L.A.,” she says. “It was like a pony ride/hell-for-ponies place.

“So this is what it looked like,” she

gestures for my interview notes and pen and then draws a diagram on the back of it.

Tacked ponies lined the fence. �ere were concentric loops: the �rst, a walking circle; the next, trotting; the third for cantering and the outer for galloping.

“�e �rst pony I ever sat on was here,” she says. “I was 2 and did the walking and trotting circle. By the time I was 3, I was doing the cantering. I was so hooked. We went all the time! My poor mother. �ere was some place next door that sold milkshakes or whatever so we would beg her to take us there and then said, ‘Hey, Mom! Look! We’re right here next to the ponies…’ ”

Her passion ignited, Clea began to pursue competitive riding. At age 9 she began showing, training with Sue and Ronnie Mutch in Connecticut and Nick

and Kost Karazissis in California. At 13, she began riding with Leslie Howard (née Burr).

“I was very lucky with the people I got to ride with. �ey were all fantastic,” she says. “Leslie was very understanding of the fact that I had a good natural feel and a good eye to �nd the jump.”

Clea quali�ed for the Maclay Finals when she was 13, but “I didn’t really know

PHO

TO C

OU

RTE

SY O

F C

LEA

NEW

MAN

SO

DER

LUN

D

COVER STORY


When, in her 20s, Clea first signed on to work for her father’s Hole in the Wall Gang Camp for children with life-threatening illnesses, “I knew nothing about children,” she says. “I was the youngest of six, never babysat and was more interested in being around adults. I didn’t even know if I liked children at that point. [But] the camp absolutely blew my mind. I went up there and volunteered, and I honestly can say, I drove into camp one person and 10 days later, drove out a very different person. It changed my life that dramatically.” Two decades later, she is Senior Director of Special Initiatives for the camps’ support organization, the SeriousFun Children’s Network.

how to walk the lines or count strides!” she says. “Leslie would tell me, ‘Just land and go fast! Land and go!’ It was very simple!”

It was during a show at Flintridge back in California that Morris �rst approached her family.

“He was judging, and after the show he walked up to my parents and said, ‘If Clea ever comes back east for school, I’d love for her to ride with me.’ I was like, ‘I’m moving! �at’s it! I am outta here,’ ” she recalls, laughing.

“So I literally begged my parents to let me go to boarding school,” she continues. “No one else in our family went to boarding school.”

She was accepted at �e Hun School in Princeton, N.J., and began training with Morris, Madden and Cooney, who were located nearby.

“It was great. I really wanted to go and ride with George, but I loved Leslie. I was afraid to leave. I was nervous and fearful, and she kind of shoved me. She was like my big sister, my con�dante and trainer all in one. I adored her,” she says.

Morris still clearly recalls one of his earliest encounters with Clea, before she signed on as his own student.

“It was at the Garden, that early 3 a.m. riding-in-the-ring warm-up for the

PHO

TO C

OU

RTE

SY O

F C

LEA

NEW

MAN

SO

DER

LUN

D


juniors. I walked down my barn aisle and saw this man pulling o� Clea’s boots. She was high pro�le, as Paul Newman’s daughter, and I didn’t know who that man was, so I walked up and said, ‘Who is this man?!’ �e man turns around, and it’s Paul Newman,” Morris says, laughing. “Paul Newman at 3 in the morning pulling o� his daughter’s boots.”

Clea refers to her time training with Morris, Madden and Cooney as “an extraordinary blessing. What a team! It was insane.” But she and Morris would occasionally bump heads.

“George was very tough. All of them were tough, but I was also really tough!” she confesses. “I don’t think I was easy to train. I was kind of a free spirit.”

But Morris remembers it a little di�erently: “She was great to train. Clea was very, very fun!” he says e�usively.

“She always had a great eye for distance, and she was a very soft rider,” he continues. “Not weak, but very soft, very accurate. She was short, but she had very good position. She was very appealing on a horse. And she had a heck of a career. She was second in the Finals and often third or fourth. She never won one, but she was always in contention.”

“She was always a very talented rider

and absolutely adored horses,” Madden agrees. “I think, as a byproduct of those two things, she was very, very successful in every ring she rode in. She did well in the equitation, and she did well in the hunters.”

Her �nal junior year was an outstanding one, in which she won championships at many of the indoor shows and scored her best placing in the Maclay. But the words said to her by Morris—always noto-rious for noting corrections on

even the best rides—when she walked out of the ring were in�nitely more valu-able than the ribbon.

“I had to go �rst,” she recalls, “and I had one of those rounds where you pick up a gallop, and every jump is out of stride. It was probably one of the better rounds I’ve had in my lifetime.

“I walked out of the ring and found George in the box, and he said to me, ‘Cleaaaaaa,’ ” she mimics a spot-on Morris impersonation. “ ‘�at. Was. Perfect. I gave you 100.’ I was so happy that when I ended up second, I didn’t even care. His words made me so happy.”

Morris chuckles when I convey her sentiment.

“I remember that, yes,” he says. “We had a great relationship.”

Shifting PerspectivesFollowing boarding school, Clea desper-ately wanted to continue to ride, but her parents insisted on college. She attended American University (D.C.), eventually transferring to Sarah Lawrence (N.Y.) with an interest in political science, history and a strong aptitude for math. She rode as often as her college schedule allowed, showing in the jumpers.

Old Salem Farm: You Can Go Home Again

In 1981, the Woodward-Newman family bought what is now Old Salem Farm in Westchester County, N.Y., and installed Nick Karazissis as head trainer. Joanne

Woodward, having recently taken up riding after having previously been afraid of horses, spearheaded the effort.

“After a show of mine that hadn’t gone as I hoped, Mom was trying to cheer me up,” Clea Newman recalls. “We were driving home, and she told me it wasn’t that bad. I said, ‘Mom! You don’t know anything about horses!’ So, typical of my mother, she thought, ‘OK, well then I am going to learn about this,’ and she started riding.

“My mother was terrified of horses. Terrified,” she continues. “But she wanted to know about it, so she rode. She was just like that.”

Ironically, during the brief time Woodward and Paul Newman owned Old Salem (which they called Far West Farms of New York, as a nod to Karazissis’ California-based operation), Clea still had her horses at Hunterdon in New Jersey with George Morris, Frank Madden and Bill Cooney. After just three years and numerous capital improvements to the property (such as the addition of its famous grand prix field), Woodward and Newman sold the stable, and Madden and Cooney eventually moved there to train.

“George told us he had come to the point he didn’t want to be as involved with the hunters and equitation, and he was basically going to give [Bill and I] the business we helped develop,” says Madden. “We spent about six months figuring out where to go. The Newmans ended up selling it to Paul Greenwood, and that’s where Bill and I ended up bringing all the hunters and equitation horses. So Clea ended up going with us, moving into Old Salem only after her parents sold it.”

“I walked out of the ring and found George

[Morris] in the box, and he said to me, ‘Cleaaaaaa,’ ” she

mimics a spot-on Morris impersonation. “ ‘That. Was. Perfect. I gave you 100.’ I was so happy that when I ended up second,

I didn’t even care.”

COVER STORY


Clea married her husband, Kurt Soderlund, who works with the Safe Water Network to bring clean water to struggling communities around the world, in 2003 on her family’s property in Connecticut.

“I loved jumpers. I love it. I wanted to do the jumpers when I was a junior, but George was afraid it would mess up my eye,” she says.

Following gradua-tion she considered a career in law, working for a time for a criminal defense �rm, but “didn’t have the stomach for it.” And city life wasn’t her thing.

“Everybody and their mother loved NYC, but I’m an outdoorsy girl. I just wanted to get out of the city,” she says. “I needed to be outside more, and I was kind of going crazy because I wasn’t riding at the time, and I couldn’t take it.”

A bit direction-less, she moved back to Westport with her two large Chow Chows. Unsurprisingly, she had a tough time securing a rental with the two giant, fuzzy dogs, so she moved into the pool

house on her parents’ property.“So here I am, 25 and moving back in

with my parents. I couldn’t �gure out what I wanted to do,” she says. “At Newman’s Own, one of the ladies in the oÉce was out on maternity leave, and Dad, probably very frustrated with my moping around, told me he could really use my help.

“I loved it,” she continues. “I was just so enamored by the by the fact that there were people all over the U.S. doing amazing things to either protect the envi-

ronment or protect children. I knew my parents were doing amazing things, but I didn’t realize there were people every-where doing that, and that one person could really make a di�erence. And four or �ve could really make a di�erence.”

From its inception in 1982, the Newman’s Own Foundation has given money to countless charities. What started small exploded into donations totaling $25 to $30 million a year to upwards of 900 organizations. �e ones perhaps closest to Paul’s heart were the camps he created for gravely ill children and their families.

�e Hole in the Wall Gang Camp (named by Paul in a nod to the Wyoming hideout used by the characters in his 1969 movie, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid)began as a single camp in Ashford, Conn., in 1988, and has evolved to locations and programs in more than 50 countries on �ve continents, with some 600,000 chil-dren and families as the bene�ciaries.

It was here that Clea would eventually land.

It’s A Good StartNewman’s Own started as a folly, with batches of homemade salad dressing concocted at home by Paul over a few beers and then gifted to friends in old wine bottles. When a budding neigh-borhood caterer named Martha Stewart selected it as the winner in her blind taste test, Paul began selling it to local stores.

�e �rst year, in 1982, they made a pro�t of $920,000 and promptly donated all of it. Since then Newman’s Own Foundation has donated more than $450 million to non-pro�ts and charities ranging from emergency disaster relief, special needs education and land preser-vation to veteran support, education for girls in Kenya and nutrition education

PHO

TO C

OU

RTE

SY O

F C

LEA

NEW

MAN

SO

DER

LUN

D


programs—to name but a fraction.It’s in continuing this legacy of giving

back where Clea most resembles her parents, forget eye or hair color. She’s gone on to do these things not just because she can, due to reputation or name, but because it’s the right thing to do.

�is is the Newman way. “My dad had the mindset that if you

were lucky to have good life, it’s just part of who you should be. It’s part of being a good neighbor, a good person in your community,” she says. “I remember a funny story that perfectly summarizes my dad: A wealthy friend of his made a very large donation. He looked to my dad and said something like, ‘I’m going to make this big gift, and I am feeling pretty good about it. What do you think?’ Dad looked at him and said dryly, ‘It’s a good start.’ ”

“Dad gave so much of his money and time and energy to the causes he felt were important in his life, but to him it was, ‘OK, you want a medal? You’re doing what you should do. You’re a rich guy, and if you’re not working in a soup kitchen, then you should give your (bleeping) money!” she says, laughing.

“My mother is the same way,” Clea adds. “I remember when I was little I had a really bad day at school. �e friends I had in Beverly Hills, their mothers would take them shopping after a bad day. Mom looked at me and said, ‘You know honey, the best thing to do if you’ve had a bad day is to actually give back to someone who is having a worse day.’ It may not have hit home at the age of 12, but it certainly does when you are older. How bad is my day? Not that bad.”

During the week, Clea works tirelessly for SeriousFun, but come

weekends, you’ll find her showing her beloved mare Tabella in the amateur

jumper divisions. DAV

ID M

ULL

INIX

PH

OTO

COVER STORY


An Extraordinary GiftClea’s time at the Newman’s Own oÉces were eye-opening, but after volunteering as a counselor at the very �rst Hole in the Wall Gang Camp Clea felt struck by her true calling.

Her position at Newman’s Own evolved from pitching in where she was needed and researching grant proposals to fundraising for the organization, even attending a special fundraising school.

“I really didn’t think [fundraising] would be something that interested me, to be honest. I wasn’t 100 percent sure I wanted to go and twist arms, but the bottom line is, if you work for an orga-nization you really believe in, it’s really easy,” she says.

After she’d worked in this position for a few months, her father suggested she volunteer at their new camp, then in its second summer season. Clea was resistant.

“I knew nothing about children. I was the youngest of six, never babysat and was more interested in being around adults. I didn’t even know if I liked children at that point,” she says, laughing.

All that was about to change. “�e camp absolutely blew my mind,”

she confesses. “I went up there and volun-teered, and I honestly can say, I drove into camp one person and 10 days later, drove out a very di�erent person. It changed my life that dramatically. Talk about reorganizing your priorities. �e kids were so amazing, and they were having such horrible struggles and not feeling sorry for themselves. �eir ability to be vivacious and childlike and curious—all those amazing things children do that is so beautiful to walk and be around. And knowing they were so sick…” she trails o�.

“It is a special gift, to be there and


“I’m a very competitive person, and I love horses. It’s a little frustrating for me, because at one point of my life I rode pretty well,” says Clea, pictured with her mare Tabella, “and now I am a real amateur!”

witness that. It literally changes your life. So it was an extraordinary gift. It spurred me in the best way. It didn’t turn me into a saint,” she chuckles, “but it did change my perspective in a pretty dramatic way.”

Clea returned and began raising money for the camp. She detoured a few times at other non-pro�ts, wanting to spread her wings a bit and not be “necessarily under the family name, quote/unquote, forever,” working with the Pegasus Foundation and an autism organization called Giant Steps, all while sitting on the boards for the SeriousFun Children’s Network (which at the time was called the Asso-ciation of Hole in the Wall Gang Camps)

and Newman’s Own Foundation.But she eventually realized that

her “heart was with the camps.” “Clea is an original,” says Emily

Wachtel, Clea’s best friend since age 2. Born in the same hospital just a month apart, they’ve been inseparable—more like twins than friends—since their mothers met in an exercise class.

“She’s incredibly empathetic and incredibly focused and brings that to her work,” Wachtel says.

Following Paul’s death in 2008 at the age of 83, Clea was instru-mental in a restructuring of the SeriousFun Children’s Network, allowing it to function as a support organization for all the camps.

“I think, honestly, it’s what my father wanted,” she says.

Julia Harris has been with SeriousFun in one capacity or another for 15 years, �rst working with Paul and now closely with Clea.

“It’s so much of who she is, and she is so passionate about it,” Harris says. “I think she really brings people together and reminds them why we’re all here. I’ve heard someone describe her as ‘the heartbeat of the organization.’ She’s very present with people, just like her father was. She’s so committed to really protecting and main-taining and furthering his camp legacy, so it’s very inspiring to see that every day.”

But it’s clear that the passage of time since her father’s death hasn’t eased Clea’s pain. Her grief remains palpable.

“Losing my dad was…well, losing anybody important in your life is really hard, but…” she presses her lips together and glances out at the water. I change the subject.

Woodward, 85, still lives on the same Westport property that played host to Clea and Kurt’s wedding in 2003. Clea’s AS

HLE

Y N

EUH

OF

PHO

TO

ASH

LEY

NEU

HO

F PH

OTO

sister Lissy and her family now live in the house where they all grew up, while Woodward’s home is a short walk away across a creek, over a footbridge.

Kurt works for the Safe Water Network, which brings clean water to struggling areas; their main focus now is in India and Ghana.

“My dad and Kurt were really close. �ey adored each other,” Clea says. “It was really nice. I mean, my mother adores him too, but he and Dad were really, really close, and it was very sweet.”

And as for children of their own? “�at was the crappy part,” Clea

says candidly. “�ere was no real reason why we didn’t get pregnant, it just didn’t happen. Luckily enough, what I do for a living, I’m around a lot of kids, and I have a lot of kids I’m close to—my nieces and nephews and godchildren.”

During the week, Clea works tire-lessly for SeriousFun, but come week-ends, you’ll �nd her in Wellington, Fla., showing her beloved mare Tabella in the amateur jumper divisions. In Florida she stays at the home of fellow equestrian (and Emily’s older sister) Martha Wachtel Jolicoeur.

“I’m a very competitive person, and I love horses. It’s a little frustrating for me, because at one point of my life I rode pretty well, and now I am a real amateur!” she says, laughing. “But with my work, I just don’t have the time.”

And that’s all �ne by her.She may no longer hold impromptu

tag sales to support her horse habit, but Clea has learned her family’s lessonswell , and there’s no doubt her dad would be very proud of her. Not that he would necessarily tell her.

“He’d be like, ‘Yep. �at’s what you are supposed to be doing,’ ” she ruminates.

She’s just doing what makes her a Newman.

FEATURE


After more than a quarter century and through some of the deadliest years in Los Angeles history, the Compton Jr. Posse

continues to change lives and defy expectations for inner-city youth.By KELLY SANCHEZ

URBAN Legends

At nearly 3 feet tall, the Wanamaker Trophy, awarded to the winner of Devon’s Idle Dice Memorial Stake, requires some help from a bench-pressing presenter to award.


Most trophies only make an appearance once a year, but that brief photo opportunity reÇects a 12 months worth of organization and hard work. Historic horse shows often have exquisite collections of awards, and keeping them organized and ready to go isn’t easy.

No one’s better suited for the task than Johanna Hall Glass. A meticulous organizer with a great memory for the history of horse sport, Glass got her start typing the packing lists for the trophies alongside her mother. Now she serves as the co-chair of the Devon Horse Show (Pa.) Trophy Committee, and she knows each of the show’s 170 trophies inside and out.

“�ey’re works of art,” says Glass, of Kennett Square, Pa. “We have magni�cent statues and bronzes, small, beautiful pitchers and everything in between. One of the great things about these trophy collections is how diverse they are.”

There’s a story behind each of these prestigious awards.By MOLLIE BAILEY

F A M O U S F O R E V E R :

�e Lives And Times Of Horse Show

Trophies

The Devon Horse Show has 170 trophies in its historic collection.

BR

EN

DA

CA

RP

EN

TER

PH

OTO

BR

EN

DA

CA

RP

EN

TER

PH

OTO

FEATURE


Perpetual trophies stay in a show’s collection inde�nitely, while challenge trophies may be retired. �e speci�cations for retiring a trophy vary, but commonly, the award must be won three times by either the same horse and owner, or the same owner, for permanent possession.

“Nowadays that the horses are sold more and more, it’s not too often that a trophy is retired,” says Joe Pugliese, longtime Trophy Committee member of the National Horse Show. “Often when a winner earns a trophy they’ll chose to reissue it and donate it back to the horse show.”

For example, the Congressman’s Challenge trophy, awarded to the winner of the puissance at the Washington International Horse Show (D.C.), has been retired and re-donated three times: once by Mr. and Mrs. Harry Gill, once by Daydream Associates, and once by McLain Ward.

If a retired trophy isn’t re-donated, the donor of the original trophy or the individual who retired the trophy may be invited to provide a replacement, depending on the show, and of course outside individuals occasionally approach the show wishing to donate an award. Donors may be given speci�c guidelines about height and weight of the award, but generally there’s plenty of leeway with trophy design. Each trophy is appraised and insured, with values running the gamut from a few hundred dollars to low �ve �gures.

WHERE DO THEY COME FROM?Trophies can come from anywhere. Some donors have family heirlooms or antiques converted into awards. Committee members regularly steer excited would-be donors to a major jewelry house like Ti�any & Co. or Cartier, or to a speci�c silversmith. Over the years, a few trophies may be lost or stolen, but many historic shows still have trophies from their original collection.

�e oldest trophy in the National Horse Show’s collection isn’t awarded anymore but found its way back to the show after a long hiatus. It’s an ornate sterling piece, created using repoussé and chasing by Whiting MF’G in 1855 and originally awarded to the best four-in-hand team. Pierre Lorillard IV, largely credited with inventing the tuxedo and popularizing that attire at the National Horse Show, won the trophy in 1885 in the show’s third year.

�e so-called Lorillard Trophy disappeared from the National’s collection for years, until Hank Collins, former chair of the show, stumbled across it in the 1980s. While Collins, an antique enthusiast, can’t remember if it appeared at an auction or sale, he made sure to get it right back to the National’s collection.

Coaching found its way back on the prize list when the show moved to the Meadowlands in New Jersey, and the trophy was

If history is any indication, it’s nearly impossible, in the same year, to make a clean sweep of the championships in any

division at the top shows. But Protocol defied those odds, winning regular working hunter titles at Devon (Pa.), the Pennsylvania National, Washington International (D.C.) and the National Horse Show (N.J.) all in the same year.

Danny Robertshaw purchased Protocol from Ashley Weaver (now Hodges) as a large junior hunter for student Mardie Faucette. The off-the-track Thoroughbred’s main job would be with Faucette, but he shone brightest over the bigger fences.

THE STORY BEHIND THE TROPHY: Protocol

“During that time courses were based on galloping and a lot of trust, and he was one you could put your reins up on the neck when you came out of a turn and not touch them again until you landed two or three strides after the jump,” recalls Robertshaw. “He would just prick his ears and look for the next jumps. He was so handy—he could turn on a dime, jump a huge fence, pull up and trot a fence. And you could really fly to a trot fence. He just looked totally unbeatable. It was a time when everyone knew all the horses’ names and where they’d won. He had lots of fans and a great cheering section, and it was just a fun time.”

In 1989, the pair won 19 regular working hunter championships, highlighted by their historic sweep at indoors and Devon, and Robertshaw was named The Chronicle of the Horse Hunter Horseman of the Year.

That also marked the third year Protocol won the Pin Oak Farms Challenge Trophy at Devon, retiring that award. Faucette immediately called sculptor Sarah Gordon to get to work on a replacement. But according to Devon tradition, when a challenge trophy is retired, the original donor is first offered the honor of replacing it, and sure enough, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Williams jumped on the


brieÇy awarded again. �ese days it’s part of the collection of unawarded trophies, joined by several pony hunter trophies assigned to outdated divisions.

When individuals donate trophies, they are generally invited—but not required—to pay an annual endowment fee. �at contribution may help support the upkeep of the trophy or cover the smaller keeper trophies that winners take home. Some donors will present trophies themselves; other times it’s the division sponsor.

“A lot of times the trophies represent something really emotional, especially if it’s in memory of a person,” says Jennifer Glass, (no relation to Johanna) who’s in charge of the trophies at Washington International and Capital Challenge (Md.). “When the family comes into the ring to present that award, they’ll usually be great, but you can tell it’s a bittersweet time for them. It’s such a wonderful way to honor someone’s memory.”

JAM

ES

SH

AM

BH

U/I

NTE

RN

ATI

ON

AL

MU

SE

UM

OF

THE

HO

RS

E P

HO

TO

The oldest trophy awarded at the National Horse Show, the Pierre Lorillard Trophy, has been in the collection since 1885.

opportunity, commissioning the Second Pin Oak Farms Challenge Trophy. So Faucette found herself with a gorgeous bronze on a marble base and nothing to do with it.

Faucette loved the idea of honoring a horse who followed in Protocol’s footsteps, so she, Robertshaw and trainer Ron Danta collaborated with show management to award the trophy to the regular working hunter—now high performance hunter—who accrued the most points at Devon, Pennsylvania National and Washington International. It’s not necessarily awarded every year, as the horse must have shown at

CH

RO

NIC

LE

FIL

E P

HO

TO

In 1989, Protocol and Danny Robertshaw swept the working hunter championships at the

biggest competitions on the circuit.

all three shows to be eligible, but it reads like a Who’s Who of top hunters of the last two decades. Rox Dene, Strapless, Gray Slipper, Rosalynn and Mindful have all won the trophy twice.

“It’s always been such a special way to remember ‘Pro,’ ” says Faucette, who has the Pin Oak Challenge Trophy displayed in her den in Columbia, S.C. “I’ve had a couple friends win it over the years, which was really special.”

FEATURE


But presentations don’t always go as planned. At the 2009 Rolex FEI World Cup Show Jumping Final in Las Vegas, Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum hoisted that trophy above her head for a photo opportunity, then her horse spun, and Michaels-Beerbaum had to toss it into the dirt.

“You have to be savvy when you’re presenting!” says Jennifer, Bokeelia, Fla. “Even when they’re properly stored and cared for, sometimes a handle will fall o�, or something won’t be right, so you just do the best you can and make the trophies look the best they can. It’s show business, and it’s live.”

CODDLING THE TROPHIESDespite best e�orts to treat them with kid gloves, handles inevitably fall o� loving cups, statues detach from bases, silver plate wears away, and revere bowls dent. Once the show shuts down, there are plenty of repairs to be made, and the entire Çeet also needs engraving. Most trophies at championship competitions are hand engraved, a time consuming and dying art, but some are machine engraved, a process which has become more sophisticated in recent years. Some trophies are engraved directly, but many trophies—especially older ones—have plaques on the plinth.

�en there’s the polishing, which is a huge task unto itself. Devon’s trophies are professionally polished, a policy begun after a crew once scratched many of the awards by using terrycloth for the job.

Jacqueline Kennedy presented the

Washington International Horse Show with the gold

Tiffany & Co.-designed President’s Cup

Perpetual Cup in 1961. Awarded to the winner of the Longines World Cup Qualifier at Washington,

it’s the only trophy known to have the presidential

seal.

The Protocol trophy recognizes the highest-ranked horse in the high performance divisions at Devon, the Pennsylvania National and Washington International. In 2015, owner Ken Garber (left) accepted Mindful’s second consecutive award, presented by (from second left) Washington International Horse Show junior committee ambassador Miriam Dupree, junior committee member Ana Bertozzi and WIHS awards manager Jennifer Glass.

DIA

NA

DE

RO

SA

PH

OTO

MO

LL

IE B

AIL

EY

PH

OTO

FEATURE


Pugliese, a former buyer for Ti�any & Co. and a silver a�cionado, actually looks forward to this stage.

“I’m crazy, but silver polishing relaxes me,” he says. “It’s instant grati�cation to watch something go from green black to shiny silver.” (He uses his bare hands to rub in the polish, walking around with black hands for days afterward.)

�en the trophies disappear for the year. Most awards from major competitions live in special storage containers. �ey’re treated as �ne art, locked in secure storage facilities. �e Pennsylvania National used to send trophies home with the winners for the year, but tracking down the nearly 60 trophies before every competition proved next to impossible.

By and large, the awards just come out for the photo presentations, but there are chances to get a better look at some of them. Many of the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s Horse of the Year trophies are on display in their oÉce at the Kentucky Horse Park. During Devon, the trophies sit in a window near the Dixon Oval, and in 2012 their Trophy Committee commissioned Brenda Carpenter to photograph their iconic collection. �e Pennsylvania National built displays to show o� the trophies outside the entry oÉce and in the sponsor lounge.

�e National Horse Show’s collection is on permanent display at the International Museum of the Horse at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. Every day during the show the day’s trophies are carefully transported to and from the competition, with some of the older trophies on display in the sponsor lounge throughout the competition.

“�ey’re amazing works of art,” says Liz Shorb, former president of the Pennsylvania National. “�ere are so many gorgeous, beautiful trophies, and everyone should be able to see them.”

THE STORY BEHIND THE TROPHY:

Shenandoah SundownerIt’s tough enough to win

a championship at a show like the Washington

International (D.C.) once, let alone the three times it typically takes to retire a challenge trophy. Add in the fact that many trophies may only be retired if they are won three times by the same horse and owner, and it’s become pretty unusual for anyone to leave a show with a historic trophy in their trailer.

It took Shenandoah Sundowner four championships before he finally took the Tidbit Challenge Trophy home. Molly Ashe-Cawley rode the pony to his first Washington title in 1985, for Sabina Wister. Then the pony moved west, where he split his time between winning with Megan Johnstone and Lauren Hough and jumping out of his paddock. Johnstone picked up the reserve title at Washington in 1986 by a narrow margin.

Two weeks before Christmas in 1987, Allyson Coluccio, who had trained Shenandoah Sundowner (Cowboy Joe—Farnley Daylight) when Ashe-Cawley was aboard, received a phone call offering her the chance to buy the pony. He’d hit his late teens, developed a notorious cribbing habit (Coluccio had to bring a 4x4 to the Pennsylvania National for him to crib on to keep him calm) and had a host of pet peeves that made him a tricky keeper. But the timing was right.

“I’d just had a baby eight weeks earlier, and I was entirely emotional and crazy,” says Coluccio, Boca Raton, Fla. “I just knew I needed the pony. I knew that pony, and I understood him. It was way too much money, and when I had him vetted out there the results showed that his old suspensory injury had calcified. When he got off the truck he looked like a furry old goat, but it didn’t matter.”

It was the right decision. Shenandoah Sundowner would serve as the perfect leadline, walk-trot and short stirrup pony once Coluccio’s newborn son, Evan, turned 3. Meanwhile, the likes of Corinne Lindner, Blake Lindner and Liza Towell Boyd showed him in the medium division, with Boyd riding him to his second Washington title in 1991.

At the age of 7, Evan won his first medium pony award at Washington aboard Shenandoah Sundowner in 1995, and they repeated the win in 1997. The pony was 27 when he won at Washington that year, and that marked his last turn around the show ring, as Allyson immediately retired him.

When it came time to design a new trophy for the show, Allyson knew just what she wanted to do. “Sunny” had a best friend: a feline named Orange Cat who followed him around the farm for 14 or 15 years and who had a white splotch on his head similar to Sunny’s star. The cat perched on the side of Sunny’s favorite cribbing window, followed him around in this field and sat in his stall as he ate his breakfast. The trophy pays homage to Sunny and his best pal. Allyson had several bronzes made, one for the trophy, one for herself and one for Evan.

“I never fell off that pony,” recalls Evan. “I was doing him in the short stirrup and mediums on him by the time I was 6. I was the only one who could catch him in the field when I was little. He was just the coolest pony ever.”

The Shenandoah Sundowner trophy pays homage to an ever-present feline who was a

legendary pony’s best friend.

PH

OTO

CO

UR

TES

Y O

F W

IHS

For over 25 years, Palm Beach International Academy (PBIA) has been the premier educational provider for the equestrian community, developing individualized academic programs for students of all levels and learning styles. We offer year-round, custom programs to help student-athletes maintain academic excellence while training, traveling and competing. PBIA has an 8,000 sq ft center adjacent to the showgrounds in Wellington and another center in Boca Raton. We also offer educational services at horse shows in Ocala, Gulfport, Tryon and around the world.

Joanne Weiner, Executive Director

"For years, I've been a trainer to students whom I've sent to Palm Beach International Academy, and now as the step-dad to Taylor Griffiths, I have witnessed firsthand what a great experience and opportunity it is for students to work with them."

Frank Madden, Old Salem Farm

"All that I can say about Palm Beach International Academy is how lucky I was to be a student of theirs. Ever since I was a child I knew I wanted to make it to the Olympic Games and that took intense dedication and most of my time. PBIA allowed me to give the same dedication to my academic career as I did to my Showjumping career. I can't thank PBIA enough and its incredible staff of teachers who helped me maintain a high standard of education while pursuing my athletic dreams."

Reed Kessler, Former Student and Olympian

• FULL TIME K-12 PROGRAMS

• HONORS PROGRAMS

• UNIVERSITY CLASSES

• ACT/SAT TEST PREP

• COLLEGE COUNSELING

T H E E D U C AT I O N A L P O S S I B I L I T I E S A R E E N D L E S S AT P B I A !

WE HELP STUDENTS SUCCEED!www.pbiafl.com

561-338-3811Joanne Weiner, Executive Director

STUDENTS HAVE IT ALL!

The Official Education Sponsor

OF WEF 2016

• B O C A R AT O N • W E L L I N G T O N •


hat’s great. Why don’t you call me when you wake up?” was a friend’s reaction when Alexander Souri �rst shared his vision of Relief Riders International more than a decade ago.

Admittedly, Souri’s concept seemed a bit Pollyanna-ish. His plan was to “ride horses through the desert and help people who needed it, poor people. Bring them medicine and food.”

It sounded noble, but not particularly doable.Yet this idea was a perfect storm of Souri’s background and numerous talents. As the

child of a French mother and an Indian father, he attended a boarding school in the foothills of the Himalayas while his mother was thousands of miles away in New York City. Souri discovered solace and joy in companionship with horses, riding for hours at a time.

After �nishing his education (high school in France, followed by college in Massachusetts), Souri worked in theater, then helped create special e�ects for Hollywood blockbusters like X-Men and �e Matrix. Little did he know, his �air for the theatrical would prove valuable in a wholly di�erent venue.

When Souri’s father and four of his close friends all died in a two-month period, the shock pushed Souri to the realization that there was more to life than what he’d been living. He felt a need to realign his direction and sense of self, to give back, to help others.

�e idea he came up with was simple, yet elegant: lead riders across a beautiful country while bringing health services to those who had none.

At the time, in 2003, “voluntourism” was basically unheard of. Yet it was precisely what came to Souri’s mind. �at November he returned to India to begin researching and developing his idea.

Souri never let his friend’s comment deter him. He sensed that he’d discovered his life’s work, and there would be no stopping him.

WITH A PURPOSEWhat began as a romantic pipedream more than a decade ago is

today Relief Riders International: a“voluntourism” organization

that o�ers a horseback service opportunity like no other.

By ANN JAMIESON

Photos courtesy RELIEF RIDERS INTERNATIONAL


By ANN JAMIESON

Photos courtesy RELIEF RIDERS INTERNATIONAL

TRAVEL


for treatment. Just as the Relief Riders were shutting down the camp, a woman came in crying, carrying her infant daughter wrapped in a �lthy blanket. Souri looked at the 8-week-old bundled baby and was shocked to see her skin was lacerated, and the wounds were green with pus. �e doctor was brought over immediately. After cleaning the wound and administering antibiotics, the baby was handed back to its mother (in a clean blanket).

What would be commonplace in America, Souri says, was powerful beyond words in that poverty-ridden village. A baby’s life was saved.

Yet it’s not just the programs that are a gift to the villagers. �e delivery of the supplies is in itself a gift—in the form of entertainment.

Relief arrives on horseback. And these aren’t just any horses, but indigenous Marwari horses, which were once considered divine and superior to all men. Fitted in colorful, traditional tack, led by

Get Your GoatToday, Souri refers to Relief Riders International as “adventure with a purpose,” and since its inception, he’s racked up some incredible statistics. Relief Riders has completed 26 rides (mainly in India, but two were held in Turkey), treated more than 25,000 adults and children, and donated livestock to nearly 2,000 people. An average of 500-600 people attend each health care camp (the highest attendance so far has been 869).

In conjunction with the Red Cross, Relief Riders has developed far-reaching medical and educational programs for rural communities in Rajasthan, India. �ey help facilitate medical and dental care along with cataract surgeries, as well as furnishing six months’ worth of school supplies to local children.

�e medical camps, says Souri, are “really intense.” Early in Relief Riders’ history, Souri had one

of the most powerful experiences of his life. In an extremely poor village, nearly 600 patients showed up

In conjunction with the Red Cross, Relief Riders has developed far-reaching medical and educational programs for rural communities in Rajasthan, India. They help facilitate medical and dental care, as well as cataract surgeries, for which these locals have lined up to be screened.


Souri clothed in �owing desert robes, they create a dramatic entrance and a bit of theater sure to delight everyone—especially children.

Descended from the war horses that served as mounts for the ruling families and warriors of India, Marwari horses are beautiful, hardy, sure-footed and bred for endurance. In battle they were esteemed for their bravery. Known for their inward pointing ears and the ravaal, a unique ambling gait that allows them to travel long distances at high speeds while their riders sit in complete comfort, Marwaris are the perfect desert mount.

“Marwari horses are not only a means of reaching the next village, but are a joy to ride,” says Judy Large, a “voluntourist” who’s traveled more than once from her home in Cheshire, England, to participate in Relief Riders projects. “�e exhilarating riding and the satisfaction of being useful at the same time were the perfect combination for me.”

Medical and dental expertise is in short supply in India’s rural districts, so the Relief Riders

team includes opthamologists; ear, nose and throat specialists; pediatricians; gynecologists and general

physicians. But experience isn’t a prerequisite for ride participants. In the general medical and mobile eye

surgery camps, guests operate the registration desk with the help of an interpreter, guide villagers to the

appropriate doctor, and help distribute medicines.

Since its inception in 2003, Relief Riders International has provided medical treatment to more than 25,000 adults and children and donated livestock to nearly 2,000 people in rural India and Turkey.

TRAVEL


Over two separate trips with Relief Riders in 2012 and 2014, Large handled a range of simple but vital assignments: “assisting with advice on hygiene, demonstrations of hand washing with soap to reduce diarrheal disease, administering de-worming medicine and vitamin pills, giving out education supplies at schools.”

Relief Riders volunteers like Large also perform everything from sight checks for cataract surgery to �eld dentistry to goat gifting.

�e “Give a Goat” program is one of the highlights of the organization’s strategy and has already helped hundreds of families combat hunger. In a country where nearly half of children under the age of 5 su�er from malnutrition, owning a milking goat can be a huge step toward providing adequate nutrition for an entire household. In addition, goats are easy to care for.

“To give the gift of a goat to a widow was very humbling,” says Large. “�e smile on her face and the squeeze she gave my hand had me on the verge of tears.”

Wildly Interesting PeopleEven the limited number of rides Relief Riders can produce each year have far-reaching impact. In fact, the results have been so dramatic that Relief Riders was awarded the 2010 United Nations NGO Positive Peace Award in the small business category. �e honor recognizes organizations positively impacting their communities through corporate responsibility.

Alumni rider Andrew Mersmann describes his experience on a Relief Ride as “a breakthrough that picks you up and puts you down somewhere exponentially further along the road than you expected to get.”

Ride routes are determined by looking at the demographics for healthcare in each area. As a result, there is no endless retracing

To avoid unnecessary stress on the horses in the heat of the day, rides

usually begin early in the morning, followed by a rest period midday, and then resume in the late afternoon. A wide range of mounts are available to suit riders of all levels, but those with plenty of experience will enjoy

the chance to ride a spirited Marwari horse in its native habitat.

Common assignments for guests on Relief Riders missions include helping schoolchildren take de-worming medicine, distributing educational supplies such as notebooks and pencils, and helping to organize and load camel carts with provisions.

110 East Washington Street P.O. Box 1380

Middleburg, Virginia 20118(540) 687-5588

Faraway FarmMiddleburg Area

Impeccable solid stone home with copper roof & original portionsfrom the 1700’s. Expanded to include a 1st floor bedroom & 3additional suites. Original floors in library, den & dining roomwith 8 fireplaces throughout. 70 acres in a dream-like settingwith 2 ponds, mountain views, pastures & stone walls. Home issurrounded by mature gardens, pool & primitive log cabin.Piedmont Hunt. $2,975,000.

Helen MacMahon (540) 454-1930Paul MacMahon (703) 609-1905 Ann MacMahon (540) 687-5588

Old Goose Creek FarmMiddleburg, Virginia

Immaculate equestrian property in turnkey condition.Exceptional location. Stone home expanded to approx. 7,000square feet & includes 4 main level suites, lovely gardens,extensive pool, garage apartment & pond. Blackburn designed 6stall center aisle stable with 70 x 210 indoor arena. Addtional 4stall barn. Entire property is fenced and cross fenced on 26 acres& 8 paddocks. $6,295,000.

Helen MacMahon (540) 454-1930

Providence FarmBluemont, Virginia

Spectacular 42 acre equestrian property in Piedmont Hunt.Lovely 5,000 sf home with 1st floor master suite. Entire propertyis very well maintained with many recent renovations. Newkitchen. Horse facilities include indoor (150' x 75') and outdoor(200' x 100') arenas, 10 stall stable with large apartment, 8 morestalls in shed row, 6 paddocks, cross country course and massive9,800 sf heated Morton Building. $2,650,000.


The HavenThe Plains, Virginia

Fabulous 26 acre equestrian property. High efficiency, lowmaintenance home with state of the art geothermal and solarsystems. Stone fireplaces, pool, cabana, great kitchen andbathrooms. Huge front porch overlooking pond. 7 stall stablewith apartment, euro felt arena, 4 paddocks and prime ride out inOrange County Hunt. $2,295,000.


Trough Hill FarmMiddleburg, Virginia

Surrounded by 103 acres of protected land is this pastoral farmhouse& grand stone pavilion, constructed of native fieldstone, Honduranmahogany and exquisite millwork. Originally a large game room,today a pool house and guest quarters. Trough Hill gracefullycombines a 5 bedroom c. 1830 Virginia farmhouse with under-stated elegance. Original floors, 9 fireplaces and 2 ponds. $2,450,000.

Ann MacMahon (540) 687-5588Paul MacMahon (703) 609-1905

GreystoneThe Plains, Virginia

Circa 1807. 33 acres ideally located between Middleburg & ThePlains. Rare quarried stone exterior, 10-foot ceilings. Periodmantels, original wood floors, two-story front porch. 3 bed-rooms/3 baths, each a private suite. Historic stone barn includesone bedroom/bath apt, heated tack room, 6 stalls. Carriage barn.3 paddocks, large turnout field, run-in sheds, auto waterers.Whole farm generator. Pond. Orange County Hunt. $1,900,000.


[email protected]

FairviewBoyce, Virginia

Circa 1904 Colonial home with 3 bedroom, 3 1/2 baths, highceilings & notable room sizes, gourmet kitchen and 5 fireplaces.90x200 covered arena, 12 total stalls, main barn redesigned byJohn Blackburn. 4 bay garage with apartment. 12 paddocks.Asphalt drive & security gate. Heated pool. Property has 2 DUR'sand whole house generator. Hilltop setting with mountain views.$2,300,000.

Paul MacMahon (703) 609-1905

ChipmunkUpperville, Virginia

Prime location in Piedmont Hunt on 10 acres. 2 bedroom, 2 bath,1 fireplace stucco residence. Open floor plan. Treed setting withmature landscaping. Center courtyard off living area. Separatestudio with half bath can serve as guest room or studio. Large 3bay garage. 2 stalls for horses and 5 paddocks. Great views.$899,000.

Paul MacMahon (703) 609-1905

Palmer’s MillBluemont, Virginia

Circa 1860 Virginia Farmhouse, updated & enlarged in 2004. 3/4bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, hardwood floors, 3 fireplaces, exposedbeams & gourmet kitchen. 10 acres, fenced & cross fenced. 2stall barn with tack & hay storage. Spring house & smoke house.Protected with mountain views. Piedmont Hunt Territory.$785,000.

Paul MacMahon (703) 609-1905Helen MacMahon (540) 454-1930

TRAVEL


walk out of your tent, and a blackbuck will just be hanging out.”

Michele Foster had never ridden a horse when she signed up for Relief Riders, but a friend of hers had ridden with the organization and asked her to accompany him when he went back. Wanting to see India in a di�erent way than her friends, who’d spent most of their time there on a bus, Foster agreed.

Ten hours of lessons somewhat prepared her for the ride, and she enjoyed it so much she now rides three to four times a week.

“No one I’ve met has gone to India in the way that I have. You’re really in the landscape and close to the people on horseback,” says Foster. “We spent a lot of time in villages with the kids and parents, camped out with farmers, and spent nights sitting around camp�res with the villagers. You get a real sense of community.”

Souri refers to his riders as “a group of wildly interesting people with a common purpose.” And surprisingly, 20-30 percent of the riders are in their 70s or 80s—inspiring for those of us who want to stay in the saddle until the end of our lives!

Barbara Jenkel, who took her �rst Relief Ride at 65, signed up after reading an article in Outside magazine that labeled the ride one of the most

of the same three or four routes; they constantly change. Although this costs more to produce, Souri says it makes the rides more interesting for participants and leads to a rider return rate of 50 percent.

Breathtaking scenery unlike anything else on earth greets visitors. Cinematic desert landscapes, overnights in ancient forts, and riding through unearthly terrain by moonlight are all part of the experience. Landscapes change according to the region, ranging from four-story high dunes in the northwest to moonscapes in southwest Rajasthan. In the sandy desert, endless canters can be enjoyed.

Wildlife abounds along the Relief Rider routes. Magni�cent blue bulls, similar to wild oxen, sometimes accompany riders along the way. Desert foxes can be spotted scurrying along the dunes, and the distinctive blackbucks, which resemble antelopes except for their tall, wavy, backward-stretching striped horns, dot the scenery.

In the home of the Bishnoi, a purely vegetarian population, the tribe doesn’t even allow people to cut down trees. In this environment all animals are fearless.

“It’s kind of like a Walt Disney cartoon,” says Souri. “It’s magical; they come right up to you. You

RRI distributes basic medicines and school supplies to children across the region. “We spent a lot of time in villages with the kids and parents, camped out with farmers, and spent nights sitting around campfires with the villagers,” says Relief Riders participant Michele Foster. “You get a real sense of community.”

A typically packed crowd waits outside RRI’s free eye surgery camp in Khirod, Rajasthan.


challenging trips one could take. She relished the idea of a testing experience and loved that she’d be able to help others in the process.

“We got to set up medical clinics,” she says. “�ere were lines and lines of people who had never had medical care before. �ey were very receptive; they couldn’t believe we came all the way there to help them.”

Jenkel says she also loved the care with which horses were chosen for riders and the fact that Souri is “really good at reading people, knowing what they can and can’t do.” Riders are grouped according to their ability so that no one need fear they won’t be up to the experience.

“Not only have thousands of people in rural Rajasthan bene�tted from the Relief Rides,” Large summarizes. “So have I.”

Patients wait outsidea mobile eye surgery

clinic to be briefed by RRI’s lead surgeon.

Expeditions are usually limited to groups of 10-15 guests, and rides are designed to allow participants to choose their own pace. But rest assured advanced riders: There are plenty of opportunities for

lengthy gallops across the desert sands.

LEARN MOREReady to take the next step in planning a trip with Relief Riders International? You can view photos and read accounts of past rides, learn more about the organization’s upcoming schedule, and begin the booking process on their website, ReliefRidersInternational.com, or at Facebook.com/ReliefRidersInternational.

Each expedition is 16 days and 15 nights, and that includes a few days of sightseeing in the cities of Jaipur and Delhi at the beginning and end of each trip. The remainder of your stay will be spent traveling through the rural countryside to serve various communities.

If you don’t have any special medical training, don’t worry. You don’t need it to participate in a Relief Ride. But do expect to be in the saddle three to five hours per day.

Expeditions are usually limited to groups of 10-15 riders, and rides are designed to allow participants to choose their own pace. Riders with less experience or those who prefer a slower pace are always free to ride alongside the caravan, and a support vehicle is always present.

Looking for a Relief Ride experience you can share with a non-horsey friend or spouse? New in 2016, Alexander Souri will begin offering motorcycle relief rides throughout India as well.

The women of rural Rajasthan.

TRAVEL


TRAVEL

Story and photos by OCTAV IA POLLOCK

Stout drinks and stouter horses keep drawing the author back to the Irish

hunting fields year after year.

N E E D NOT APPLY

89

The �rst time I went hunting in Ireland, I heard the phrase that should be the motto for anyone tackling the walls, banks and drains of the Emerald Isle: “Go fer it; if ye fall, ye fall.”

�ere really is no other way to approach Irish hunting. When the mud is up to your horse’s hocks and you can’t see over the bank in front of you, all you can do is grab the neck strap and hang on.

I hunt in Ireland with an intrepid (or mad) group led by Rosie van Cutsem, co-founder of the Riding Club London. Together with fellow RCL founder Ashley Parasram, Tania Buhlmann, Irish sisters Aoife and Sarah Byrne, and Orlando Bridgeman, we’ve made the annual jaunt for the past several years.

�e base for shenanigans is Bunratty Manor Hotel in County Clare, 20 minutes from Shannon Airport, where host Noel Wallace plies us with champagne, feeds us divine meals (scallops, chowder, black-pudding bread) and joins us around the piano until dawn.

After 10 years staying with him, entering the hotel is like coming home. We leave our bags unattended in the hall and cluster round the bar, where photographs of great

After 10 years of annual visits to Bunratty Manor in County Clare, “entering the hotel is like coming home,” says Octavia Pollock (far right), pictured before the off with intrepid riders (from left) Sarah Byrne, Aoife Byrne, Tania Buhlmann, Orlando Bridgeman, Rosie van Cutsem and Ashley Parasram.

TRAVEL


days on the racetrack and in the hunting �eld adorn the walls. All thoughts of an early night vanish; this year, it was 4 a.m. before we collapsed into bed, to rise again at 7:30 a.m. for a full Irish breakfast.

Usually when I go hunting, I know exactly where, when and who. But in Ireland, we are content to leave all these concerns up to hunting doyen Aidan O’Connell. A veteran of countless terri-fying fences, including those on the famous Grand National stee-plechase course at Aintree (England), he teaches cross-country clinics all over the world, and he has a knack for getting the best out of horse and rider alike. Hunters he’s trained and sold are currently carrying riders as far a�eld as the Santa Fe West Hills Hunt in California.

Aidan �nds the hunts, the hirelings and the parties, and we follow willingly in his hoofmarks.

Green Is The Color Of Paradise�e most important element of a successful day’s hunting in Ireland is the horse. Irish horses are the greatest hunters in the world, with “brains, bravery and manners,” as Aidan puts it, and they’re in charge. A neck strap may usually be considered just for emergencies, but here it’s crucial.

An Irish horse just wants to be left alone to do its job with no interference, as he knows far better than a visitor how to tackle the country. Riding a giant chestnut called Facebook once, I suggested that we leave a little more space between me and the horse in front. He shook his head violently and leapt forward, giving the fence several feet and catapulting me into the air. By the grace of God I landed in the saddle, clutching my hunt whip by the end of the lash and with no stirrups. After that, I left him alone, and he

Here’s your typical Irish double bank, with the nasty wire that gains plenty of riders admission into the Tumblers’ Club.


gave me a cracking ride, popping enormous banks and a �ve-bar gate o� a lane with ease.

�is year’s ride proved again that, to an Irish horse, the rider is superÇuous. Jumping a wall with a huge drop, my reins broke, and I had no option but to do the next four walls with no brakes or steering. It didn’t matter a bit: I was riding Aidan’s own horse, the aptly named Top Of �e List, and he took everything in his stride. All I had to do was go with him.

Of course, it helps to have a little Dutch courage in one’s belly, so an Irish day always begins in a pub. On our most recent adventure, it was �e Lodge of Ashford Castle Hotel, where members of the North Galway Hunt forti�ed themselves against the downpour outside with copious glasses of hot port and pints of Guinness.

It’s a far cry from the genteel stirrup cups of an English lawn meet, and moving o� is often correspondingly chaotic. On one memorable occasion with the Duhallow, we failed to notice that the huntsman had left the bar until we saw horses clattering past the window. Cue a mad dash to �nd our hirelings and a 40-minute gallop to catch up with the action.

�is time, we set o� con�dently with a large group of visi-tors and locals, but we quickly realized that no one knew where hounds were. We clattered down the Ashford Castle driveway, scrambled through a wood, and skittered through a village before we �nally caught up with everyone else.

Safely behind �eld master Jackie Lee, we followed as huntsman Pat Kearns took hounds up to gorse bushes atop a hill and our �rst stonewall.

�e Irish countryside is lush and green, muddy and deep—a patchwork of small �elds. Coverts are thick patches of gorse, small woods or dense hedgerows, Çanked by inviting stretches of bright emerald grass that can hide dangerous black bogs. �roughout the countryside one �nds plenty of stonewalls, banks (requiring a horse to jump up and o�), double banks (a bank with a ditch on either side, usually full of water) and drains (huge, water-�lled ditches). An Irish horse is essential; ask an English or an American horse to conquer such things, and they would turn tail in outrage.

�e North Galway country abounds in stonewalls, and I lost count entirely of how many we jumped. �ey start o� as high as 5', although by the time a few horses have gone over they tend to be a little smaller. Indeed, two sturdy fellows follow all day rebuilding everything we knock down.

By preference of my horse, I was up front, which meant the walls were bigger, but also that the landing side was less treacher-ously strewn with tumbled rocks.

�ankfully, Irish horses are as clever on their feet as Irish

dancers. If they do falter, the landing tends to be soft, if muddy, as Aoife discovered when her horse stumbled and sent her Çying out the front door in spectacular fashion. Orlando also fell, but as a result of the curse of modern Ireland: wire.

All too often, a thin strand of wire, sometimes barbed, lies across the face of a wall or bank. Usually it’s visible and just means �nding another way round, but occasionally it’s hidden until pulled free. In this case, Ashley saw it and called back, too late for Orlando’s horse to avoid it. He bucked himself free and took o�, leaving Orlando on the ground as a proud member of our unof-�cial Tumblers’ Club. Writing this will guarantee that I come o� the very next time I go.

�e rain was so heavy that we could see little of what was happening at the sharp end, but Jackie did a �ne job of staying in touch with hounds as they kept their noses down. I feared no self-respecting fox would be above ground on such a day, but it seems Irish foxes are not so easily cowed. �e workmanlike pack of handsome Old English hounds kept going, and we had some thrilling runs that staved o� the cold.

At one point, after I nearly went out the side door when my horse twisted to avoid stones, we paused for a moment, and I looked out across a scene that more closely resembles paradise for a hunter than any white-sand beach. Stonewalls stretched everywhere, and we could all take our own line. Riders on every-thing from small ponies to stocky cobs jumped as they pleased, choosing gaps or big places as they liked.

My blood being up, I headed for the biggest bramble-tangled wall, then paused as another horse refused and kicked on. But Top Of �e List banked it, touching down in the middle and soaring to the other side. At one place, Rosie and I jumped in unison, grinning at each other in mid-air in sheer delight.

�e rain may have been heavy enough to turn the hunt sta�’s breeches pink when their maroon coats ran, but it didn’t dampen anyone’s pleasure in what was described by the masters as “a serious jumping day.” And at the hunt ball in �e Lodge that night, any hint of tiredness was brushed away by delicious food and Jt.-Master Lar Sheeran’s rousing speech, not to mention the odd snifter. We collapsed back at Bunratty at 5 a.m., in time to get plenty of sleep before setting o� again.

Good CraicIf Saturday was about the riding, Sunday was all about the hunting. �ankfully the sun shone on the �elds of Tipperary and its distant snow-dusted hills. We were following the Premier Harriers, a gung-ho pack in bank country, with whom

TRAVEL


Find Out More >> For more information on visiting, or if you’re interested in trying an

Irish horse in the field, contact Aidan O’Connell at [email protected] or 00 353 86 241 4437.

The Riding Club London (ridinglondon.com) organizes riding across the United Kingdom and further afield, including hunting, side-saddle lessons, polo, course walks, safaris and more, for UK and international members.

Bunratty Manor Hotel in County Clare (bunrattymanor.ie) is our usual base, with fantastic food and a very warm welcome. The Dunraven Arms Hotel in County Limerick (dunravenhotel.com) is a famous hunting inn that can organize hirelings for you and clean your kit overnight.

Our hirelings came from Johnny Geoghan of North Galway/Galway Blazers (00 353 86 865 9807) and Michael Moore of the Premier Harriers (00 353 87 260 6901).

The rain, fog and near-freezing temperatures clearly can’t put a damper

on Rosie van Cutsem’s enthusiasm.

we once crossed a ravine so steep that we had to hang onto our horses’ ears to clamber up the far side.

�is time the thrills came from seeing several �ne foxes at close range and this level pack of harriers speaking joyously on the line.

Standing in the teeth of a lazy wind, the kind that whistles icily straight through you, we saw a glossy red fox slip through the long grass on the edge of a wood, double back, and dive between the trees. He was in full sight of a couple of hounds, but it was only when they caught his scent that they spoke, and soon the whole pack crashed on his trail.

�e �eld charged along a lane, past the smart stables of an outpost of Coolmore Stud, and stopped to listen from a vantage point. �e saturated ground and those evil strands of wire meant we had to be careful where we rode, but the next draw took us higher, where we could stay closer to the action.

Immediately we had the glorious sight of a fox streaking across the grass below us, with hounds in full cry only yards behind. Pursued and pursuers disappeared into gorse as we took o� in a whirlwind up and down slippery slopes at full speed. Moments of stillness allowed views of hounds working busily, casting, feathering and �nally speaking, in and out of the gorse as huntsman Tom Shanahan stayed close outside.

Irish hospitality is famous, and rightly so. Good craic (the

uniquely Irish brand of friendly conversation) is the most impor-tant thing: I’ve seen kids in hoodies, point-to-point jockeys in crash hats, and venerable gentlemen in top hats and tails all galloping along together.

�ere might be ribbing if you hit the dirt, but you’ll always be looked after, and nothing bonds people, wherever they come from, like tackling this country. A good Irish horse will get you over things you never thought you’d try, and if you drink up and kick on, you’ll have the time of your life.

And just remember: If ye fall, ye fall!

After a long day afield, the author (left) dances the night away at the hunt ball with host Aidan O’Connell. “Aidan finds the hunts, the hirelings and the parties,” she says, “and we follow willingly in his hoofmarks.”

Over 20 years of excellence and discretion representing premier Manhattan properties.

Lisa Tarnopol Deslauriers LICENSED REAL ESTATE BROKER212.439.5182 | [email protected]

Linda Reiner LICENSED REAL ESTATE BROKER212.439.4538 | [email protected]

654 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10065 | warburgrealty.com

Real estate brokers and salespeople a�liated with Warburg Realty Partnership Ltd are independent contractors and are not empolyees of Warburg Realty. Equal housing opportunity.


HISTORY

For nearly 60 years, an unlikely partnership between a luxury watch brand and

equestrian sports has helped change the way the world looks at both.

By ANN GLAVAN AND KAT NETZLERPhotos courtesy Rolex

THE TEST OF

Participation in Olympic equestrian events was opened to male civilians beginning in 1952, but female riders were still considered too delicate and weak for the rigors of show jumping at that level.

That made Pat Smythe, who became Britain’s first female Olympic show jumper four years later, the perfect choice for Rolex’s first equestrian testimonee. With her history-making (and team bronze medal-winning) performance at the 1956 Games in Stockholm and the many international victories that followed, Smythe defied the weak and delicate stereotype for women and watches alike.

“I wondered at first whether it would stand up to all the jarring and the falls,” Smythe bragged of her Rolex Oyster Perpetual in this 1957 ad from The New York Herald Tribune, “but they don’t harm it at all.”

Participation in Olympic equestrian to male civilians beginning in 1952, but female riders were still considered too delicate and weak for the rigors of show jumping at that level.

Sterling cups eventually gather dust on mantle pieces; medals tarnish slowly in their display cases. But one coveted horse show prize keeps

glinting under the morning sun and the late-night spotlights for decades after the major victory that earned it. It marks, with legendary precision, the passage of time since the day a rider’s life changed forever: the day they won their �rst Rolex watch.

It’s no easy feat. �e luxury timepieces are only awarded at seven of the most elite equestrian competitions in the world—top-level competitions such as the Rolex Kentucky CCI**** and the Rolex Grand Prix CSI***** at the Aachen CHIO (Germany).

Equestrian sport has enjoyed many


The very nature of three-day eventing, with its requirements of elegance, grit and precision, made the sport well qualified for a Rolex alliance. In 1981, the company signed on as the title sponsor of the Kentucky Horse Trials, now the Rolex Kentucky CCI****.

After winning both team and individual gold in the 1982 World Championships at Luhmühlen (Germany), Lucinda Green was the biggest name in eventing, bar none. The company featured the British champion prominently in many of their ads of the era, including this one, which shows her perfect form over a massive oxer with Badminton and Burghley winner Beagle Bay. She’s shown again in top hat and tails aboard Shannagh in the inset photo, next to an image of an unidentified “amateur rider” from the United States—who happened to be Jim Wofford on the famous Castlewellan.

loyal corporate sponsors over the years, but after nearly six decades of support, it’s hard to rival Rolex’s commitment. And it’s a clever metaphor designed to remind generations of equestrians of its products’ parallel reputation: a Rolex won’t quit.

At the beginning of 20th century, when founder Hans Wilsdorf began his Swiss watchmaking company, his goal was to create a timepiece that would be respected as more than just a fragile item of apparel. He didn’t want the people wearing his watch to think of it only for dinner parties and social events—Wilsdorf wanted them to wear it when they climbed mountains, when they dived to the bottom of the ocean, when they competed in the most strenuous athletic events imaginable.

In a sport where “like clockwork” is the ultimate

standard and highest compliment, German rider Nicole

Uphoff was the epitome of Rolex-caliber elegance in the mid 1990s. She won double gold in dressage at both the 1988 Seoul and 1992

Barcelona Olympic Games, as well as at the 1990 World

Championships in Stockholm. With all that gold to her name,

Uphoff needed a watch to match. This ad from 1993 features her on her famous mount Rembrandt as

well as her timepiece of choice—the Rolex Lady Datejust Chronometer in

18k gold with a diamond dial.


HISTORY

Rolex initiated its Grand Slam of Eventing in 2001, and when British rider Pippa Funnell scored the trifecta just two years later, she made it look so easy that many believed the feat would soon be repeated. Yet in the 12 years since, some have come close, but none have managed a consecutive sweep of the Rolex Kentucky, Mitsubishi Motors Badminton (England) and Land Rover Burghley (England) CCI****s to score the now $350,000 prize.

This ad from 2004, featuring Funnell aboard her Badminton winner Supreme Rock, underscores the difficulty of the accomplishment and her ubiquitous fame at the time—she and her mount aren’t even identified by name.

So Wilsdorf set out to partner with sportsmen and women doing just that. In doing so, he pioneered the concept of a brand testimonee—a high-pro�le “witness to the uncompromised performance” of his product.

�e �rst Englishwoman to swim the 21-mile wide English channel in 1927, Mercedes Gleitze, did it with the world’s �rst waterproof wristwatch: the Rolex Oyster. Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, the climbers who historically summited Mount Everest in 1953, did it with Rolex watches. And when Jacques Piccard and Don Walsh dove 10,916 meters down into the Paci�c Ocean’s Mariana Trench in 1960, Rolex equipped their pod with a pressure-defying exterior timepiece

called the Deep Sea Special. It was also around that time that the

company took its �rst foray into equestrian sport, on the wrist of a famous British show jumper. Pat Smythe was not only a team bronze medalist from the 1956 Olympic

Show jumper Rodrigo Pessoa came flying off the page in one of Rolex’s 1999 advertisements. The “dashing young Brazilian,” as he’s identified in the text, had just set a record in 1998 as the youngest winner (at 25) of the FEI World Equestrian Games, held that year in Rome.

With Baloubet du Rouet, the famous Selle Français stallion pictured in this ad, Pessoa would go on to win the FEI World Cup Final three years in a row (1998 in Helsinki, Finland; 1999 in Gothenburg, Sweden; and 2000 in Las Vegas) and individual gold at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, making him the perfect spokesman for a company looking to underscore its peerlessness.

Now 43, Pessoa is Rolex’s longest-serving equestrian testimonee.


This advertisement from 2013 celebrated the creation of the

Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, which awards a 1 million

euro bonus to any rider who can consecutively win the five-star CSIs

at the prestigious (from top) Aachen CHIO (Germany), Spruce Meadows

Masters Tournament (Alberta), and Geneva CHI (Switzerland).

In 2015, at age 29, British rider Scott Brash became the first Rolex

Grand Slam of Show Jumping winner aboard Hello Sanctos.

Games in Stockholm—she was the �rst woman to ride on a British Olympic show jumping team, and she became one of the sport’s �rst outright global superstars. Known for her scrappy, gutsy performances and astounding record of wins in an era of adversity for female competitors, she �t the bill for Rolex’s �rst equestrian “testimonee,” a title given to the individual athletes sponsored by the company, perfectly.

In the decades that followed, Rolex continued involvement in science and exploration and expanded its support into everything from sailing and motor sports to architecture and the arts. In 1981 they took their support of equestrian sport to a new level, inking the kind of title sponsorship deal every company dreams of with the Kentucky

Horse Trials; more than 30 years later, America’s only four-star three-day event is known simply and succinctly as “Rolex.”

In 1989, the brand expanded into show jumping event sponsorship at the Spruce Meadows Masters Tournament, and they signed on to support the Geneva CHI in 1996 and the Aachen CHIO in 1999. Today these three competitions make up the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping challenge.

Rolex’s ties to the equestrian world have continued to grow in the 21st century, with the FEI World Equestrian Games, the Winter Equestrian Festival (Fla.), the Rolex Central Park Horse Show (N.Y.) and many other competitions added to its docket of sponsored events.


S ituated about 30 miles west of Houston, the town of Katy, Texas, sustains a thriving equestrian community thanks in large part to the Great Southwest Equestrian

Center, which hosts shows nearly every weekend of the year. Located just o� the busy Mason Road strip, the area may look

like a swamp of strip malls at �rst glance, but there are plenty of hidden gems nestled next to the big box stores, and the local businesses welcome horsemen. Most of the restaurants and bars are come-as-you-are, and there are many dog-friendly hotels and

CITY GUIDE

Join The Crowd In KatyBy MOLLIE BAILEY


The Lone Star State may be best known for rodeos and ranches, but the hunter/jumper community is alive and well and

active year-round in scenic Katy.

LEE

KR

IS/I

STO

CK

PH

OTO

.CO

M P

HO

TO

PH

OTO

CO

UR

TES

Y O

F TO

RC

HY

’S T

AC

OS

TORCHY’S TACOSThere’s plenty of debate about who has the best tacos in town, and the Torchy’s camp has its share of supporters. If you’re looking for a cheap, quick meal, stop by and weigh in on the debate.

“If you’ve never been, you don’t even know what you’ve been missing,” says professional trainer Morgan Erbstoesser of Irish Day Farm in Houston. “Have a margarita and ask for the secret menu. Also, they have potentially the best chili con queso this side of the border.”

Torchy’s is open for breakfast, and they go well beyond the usual fare, with choices like fried avocado or ahi tuna tacos.

23501 Cinco Ranch Boulevard N100, Katy. (281) 394-7808. TorchysTacos.com.

businesses in the area. And the Cinco Ranch area, an upscale planned community with shopping and restaurants, a�ords plenty of opportunities for a nice night out.

Serious traÉc means a trip to downtown Houston will involve a bit of planning to avoid rush hour, but it’s a great option for spouses and siblings looking to enjoy a major metropolitan city and for equestrians looking for a change of pace on a Tuesday during a multi-week circuit.

CITY GUIDE


ATHENA GUN CLUBWhen in Texas, as they say, do as Texans do. If you’re looking for a taste of local culture, head to this first-class, 40,000-square foot indoor shooting range about 10 miles from the showgrounds. You may run into the likes of Morgan Erbstoesser, as she counts shooting as one of her favorite unmounted activities.

Local and out-of-state residents are welcome—Athena offers a mandatory short safety course for newbies and a wide range of firearm rentals. They host events too, with a dynamic virtual training simulator, as well as plenty of shooting lanes.

Check the website for specials, like 50 percent off range fees and a free handgun rental for women every Wednesday.

10814 Katy Freeway, Houston. (713) 461-5900. AthenaGunClub.com.

3 OLIVESHunter professional Jennifer Alfano counts 3 Olives as one of her favorite haunts when she heads to Katy every year from her home base in Buffalo, N.Y.

“It’s really amazing Italian food, but it’s casual enough I can go in my breeches right from the horse show,” she says.

There’s an extensive menu with mouthwatering appetizers and plenty of vegetarian options to boot. The restaurant also offers live jazz on Friday and Saturday nights and hosts a popular happy hour.

Villagio Town Center, 22764 Westheimer Parkway, Suite 600, Katy. (832) 437-4062. 3OlivesKaty.com.

THERAPEUTIC THAI MASSAGE OF KATYMorgan Erbstoesser couldn’t endorse this massage studio more highly.

“It’s an amazing gem next to the horse show,” she says. “They have super prices, and they can cure any ailment from the week of showing.”

This family-owned business offers a variety of massages, from traditional Thai to hot stone to deep tissue. A 60-minute Swedish massage costs $65, and they’re open seven days a week with appointments stretching into the evening.

1548 S. Mason Road, Katy. (281) 395-5652. ThaiMassageHouston.com.

MO’S PLACEIf you’re not up for a fancy night out, put on your dancing shoes and head out to this Katy institution just a stone’s throw from the showgrounds. Equestrians flock here for the cheap drinks, live music and dancing.

“Everyone who’s been to Katy has a Mo’s story,” says Morgan Erbstoesser. “It’s amazing people-watching. Hopefully there aren’t any pictures circulating!”

“People drive from Houston to come out here,” adds Lynn Walsh, president of Pin Oak Horse Shows. “Some people had a little too much fun last year at last year’s exhibitor party we held there. You get a real Texas experience.”

21940 Kingsland Boulevard, Katy. (281) 392-3499. MosPlaceKaty.com.

PH

OTO

CO

UR

TES

Y O

F A

THE

NA

GU

N C

LUB


GREAT SOUTHWEST EQUESTRIAN CENTERTurn off Mason Road into this 25-year-old equestrian complex, and you’re transported from suburbia to a 60-acre show facility. GSWEC hosts several multi-week series of premier-level hunter/jumper competition, including the spring Pin Oak Charity circuit, which is recognized as a U.S. Equestrian Federation Heritage competition and draws competitors from as far away as New York.

GSWEC also hosts the Houston Dressage Society CDI, the National Reining Breeder’s Classic and numerous breed shows throughout the year.

The facility includes more than 1,000 stalls, five covered arenas and four outdoor show rings.

2501 S. Mason Road, Katy. (281) 578-7669. gswec.com.

NO LABEL BREWING CO. Stop by this taproom after the show, Wednesday to Friday evenings, for pints and tastings. Takeout food and dogs are welcome at this Katy establishment, and there are plenty of other events going on, including comedy nights and detox-retox yoga classes on Thursday evenings ($20 gets you three beers and an hour class!).

Check the website for the schedule.

5351 1st Street, Katy. (281) 693-7545. NoLabelBrew.com.

PH

OTO

CO

UR

TES

Y O

F A

THE

NA

GU

N C

LUB

MO

LLIE

BA

ILE

Y P

HO

TO

PH

OTO

CO

UR

TES

Y O

F N

O L

AB

EL

BR

EW

ING

CITY GUIDE

CITY GUIDE


BRENNER’S STEAKHOUSENamed best steakhouse in Houston by multiple sources, Brenner’s has loads of fans from the horse show set. Lynn Walsh, who lives in nearby Magnolia and runs the Pin Oak Charity horse shows, sends show judges there to enjoy the food.

“Everyone loves it,” she says. “It’s one of the older area restaurants, and they’re big on seafood, and they have really good steaks and an excellent vegetarian plate. It’s kind of an old-fashioned, really nice restaurant.”

Besides the fantastic food, Brenner’s offers great views and a patio overlooking a waterfall. Eat like a local and save room for dessert: They have a mean homemade apple strudel as well.

10911 Katy Freeway, Houston. (713) 465-2901. BrennersSteakhouse.com.

LUCCHESE BOOTSEvery Texan needs a great pair of cowboy boots (or three), and it’s worth the trip to downtown Houston to get your own pair of Luccheses.

This legendary bootmaker has been in business since the 1860s, and their customer list reads well beyond their Texas roots. Sure, they’re the official boot of the Dallas Cowgirls, and John Wayne and Gary Cooper wore Lucchese, but their fans also include Jimmy Stewart,

Arnold Schwarzenegger, George H.W. Bush and Tony Blair.They’re popular gifts too, as Texan Lyndon Johnson had custom pairs made for Jackie Kennedy (shortly before he gave her daughter

Caroline a pony), and Ronald Reagan presented a pair to King Hassan II of Morocco.

4051 Westheimer Road, Houston. (713) 960-1121. Lucchese.com.

PH

OTO

CO

UR

TES

Y O

F B

RE

NN

ER

’S S

TEA

KH

OU

SE


HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCEIf you have a free afternoon—or have a family member in tow who’s up for a few hours away from the horse show—head the half hour or so to downtown Houston to check out the Houston Museum of Natural Science. According to Houston-based amateur competitor Cheryl Rubenstein, it’s one of two don’t-miss places if you have just a day downtown.

Unless you have a whole weekend, you’ll never get to the entire museum. There’s a planetarium, IMAX Theatre, and a spectacular collection of gemstones in the Lester & Sue Smith Gem Vault to explore. Check the website for tips on special exhibits in town. Afterward, wander next door to the lovely Cockrell Butterfly Center.

5555 Hermann Park Drive, Houston. (713) 639-4629. HMNS.org.

SPACE CENTER HOUSTONNo trip to South Texas is complete without a visit to Mission Control, where NASA monitored the historic Apollo 13 mission (“Houston, we have a problem”).

Independence Plaza just opened, which allows visitors to enter the shuttle replica Independence—mounted on top of an authentic NASA 905 Shuttle carrier aircraft—and explore the giant aircraft. There are interactive exhibits to get a feel for what it’s like to be on the International Space Station and others that allow you to pilot a plane and control traffic in the city.

Be sure to come on a Friday to meet an astronaut and ask him what it’s like to travel in space.

1601 NASA Parkway, Houston. (281) 244-2100. SpaceCenter.org.

PH

OTO

CO

UR

TES

Y O

F S

PA

CE

CE

NTE

R H

OU

STO

N

PH

OTO

CO

UR

TES

Y O

F H

OU

STO

N M

US

EU

M O

F N

ATU

RA

L S

CIE

NC

E

CITY GUIDE


KATY MILLS MALLThis popular outlet mall has a big selection of stores like Neiman Marcus, Bass Pro, Coach, H&M, Oakley and Saks Fifth Avenue.

It’s just a few miles from the horse show, so don’t be surprised to run into other exhibitors shopping for great deals. Check the website before you go for extra deals and specials.

5000 Katy Mills Circle, Katy. (281) 644-5015. Simon.com/mall/katy-mills.

PERRY’S STEAKHOUSE & GRILLELocated in the popular Cinco Ranch district not far from the show, Perry’s is a great place for wine, appetizers and dinner, with an excellent drink menu to boot. It’s a horse show favorite, and you can find professionals like Morgan Erbstoesser and Jennifer Alfano here several times during the Pin Oak Charity circuit.

Try the giant pork chop or bone-in ribeye, and don’t miss the mac and cheese side or the bananas foster, made tableside.

23501 Cinco Ranch Boulevard, Suite Q100, Katy. (281) 347-3600. PerrysSteakhouse.com.

PH

OTO

CO

UR

TES

Y O

F P

ER

RY

’S


CITY GUIDE

SUSHI HANAA perennial favorite among the horse show crowd, Sushi Hana makes it onto many locals’ favorites lists, and it’s not just because it’s half a mile from the horse show. Shawn McMillen Photography owner Melissa Pomerleau looks forward to heading there all year, and dressage show manager Marilyn Kulifay loves the huge variety of their rolls.

The presentation is just as important as the taste, and favorites include the Tony Roll (spicy tuna, avocado inside, crabmeat outside, topped with spicy mayo) and the Katy Roll (snowcrab and avocado inside, topped with spicy salmon and crunchy flakes).

1638 S. Mason Road, Katy. (281) 395-8899. SushiHanaKaty.com. SALTGRASS

STEAKHOUSEThis Texas chain has loads of fans who flock there for more than just the steak. You may run into dressage show manager Marilyn Kulifay there—she recommends the sea bass—or lots of competitors, as it’s not far from the Great Southwest Equestrian Center.

Saltgrass boasts a greatly varied menu, which even includes a gluten-free section—with breads, soups and dessert made from scratch daily in-house.

21855 Katy Freeway, Katy. (281) 647-9400. Saltgrass.com.

DRIX Tucked in amongst a bevy of chain restaurants on Mason Road, Drix is a don’t-miss establishment. Chef Casandra Choko makes excellent food and drinks, and the wine selection is definitely up to par.

Drix offers an adults-only section if you’re looking to unwind with your fellow competitors, but there’s also a kids’ corner with an indoor playroom for families with young children along.

The food is Cajun-tinged American—think shrimp po-boys and flatbread pizzas—and the truffle fries are a local favorite. They’re open for lunch and dinner, plus brunch on the weekends, and there’s a popular happy hour as well.

1850 S. Mason Road, Suite 100, Katy. (281) 371-2749. DrixRestaurant.com.

PH

OTO

CO

UR

TES

Y O

F S

US

HI H

AN

A

PH

OTO

CO

UR

TES

Y O

F P

ER

RY

’S

PH

OTO

CO

UR

TES

Y O

F D

RIX


FILM REVIEW

Beware the wild mustang.It’s a decades-old adage.

Described as feral, untamable and downright savage, the mustang

has been stamped with a negative reputation since the old Westerns of the early 1900s, and, more recently, so too has the agency charged with controlling the species’ popu-lation: the Bureau of Land Management.

�e documentary Unbranded debunks both stereotypes by following four young men’s 3,000-mile journey on horseback from the Mexican to Canadian borders. �omas Glover, Ben �amer, Jonny Fitzsi-

Unbranded Re-Brands the Wild Mustang Stereotype

A new documentary tracks the forging of horse-human bonds throughout a daring trek from Mexico to Canada.

By CATIE STASZAKPhoto courtesy of BEN MASTERS/UNBRANDED

mons and Ben Masters (the mastermind behind the project and one of the produc-ers of the �lm) are recent graduates of Texas A&M University seeking one last great adventure before journeying into structured adulthood.

Instead of enlisting a herd of Quarter Horses, the prototypical trail and ranch horse, the men adopt 16 unbroken mus-tangs, hoping to bring attention to the breed’s trainability, reliability and tough-ness. After a few weeks of training, they put the ultimate trust in these animals as they navigate across �ve states—all through

public land comprised of harsh, overgrown terrain, taxing weather conditions and a merciless lack of natural resources—in an undertaking that spans more than �ve months and tests emotional and physical strengths.

Just one misstep, one spook, one scoot from one of the green mustangs could result in disaster as the men ride along the cli�s of the Grand Canyon in one powerful scene about 350 miles into the trip.

Director and cinematographer Phill Baribeau does a fantastic job of letting the images—and more importantly, nature—


speak for itself. �roughout the �lm, the viewer is reminded of the beauty and purity of the American landscape. From stunning, seemingly endless sunÇower �elds to tran-quil yet powerful streams and rivers to the imposing bison and moose that cohabitate with the travelers and the pure expanse of terrain, the cinematography is breathtaking.

At various points throughout the �lm, informative graphics display eye-opening facts about the wild mustang popula-tion. To control a population of mustangs that doubles every four years, the BLM periodically collects some of the horses to

mountainside on its �rst attempt) and even cross a narrow suspension bridge through the Grand Canyon, all after having been in training less than six months.

Despite this �lm documenting a 3,000-mile journey, viewers won’t lose interest. �e editors have done a commendable job of condensing more than 500 hours of footage into less than two hours, and both Go Pro and iPhone videos bring a strong sense of realism and perspective to the �lm.

Some complementary storylines dis-tract the viewer at times, like when the riders temporarily stop at a rodeo, and there’s a scene or two that might be diÉ-cult to watch for the passionate horse lover. But the introduction of Val Geissler, an elderly cowboy who becomes a mentor to the travelers, adds a compelling storyline, and Donquita, an adorably stubborn burro the riders adopt midway through their trip, may be the brightest character of all.

As legendary basketball coach Jim Val-vano once said, “If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that’s a full day,” and by that measure, Unbranded will cycle you through a complete 24 hours in just 105 minutes. You’ll have to watch for yourself to �nd out which of the men and horses are able to complete the grueling journey, but after the last of the credits scroll through the top of your screen, you might feel the urge to go out and adopt a mustang.

Unbranded premiered on Oct. 9 and received the Audience Award from Tellu-ride Mountain�lm (Colo.), Hot Docs Inter-national Film Festival (Ontario), Tallgrass Film Festival (Kan.), Equus Film Festival (N.Y.) and Crested Butte Film Festival (Colo.).

Visit unbrandedthe�lm.com for upcom-ing screenings, to view a trailer or purchase a copy of the documentary.

Unbranded follows four young men as they train a string of wild mustangs over the course of a 3,000-mile journey.

adopt out. About 10,000 are rounded up each year, but only about 3,000 of those get adopted, leaving more than 50,000 wild mustangs currently in holding areas, sup-ported by insuÉcient government budgets.

�e four riders make a strong case for that adoption rate to climb, as their mus-tangs’ positive and endearing qualities are illustrated through their unfailing loyalty toward their riders. �e strong bonds the horsemen share with their mounts are pal-pable as the horses bravely trek through dark tunnels, climb steep cli�s (one does so after taking a scary tumble down the


In 2014, more than 22,000 �oroughbreds were foaled and registered with the Jockey Club in North America. And while

superstar stallions like American Pharoah have a second career in the breeding shed and team of caregivers awaiting them after they leave the racetrack, thousands of ex-race horses set o� on an uncertain path the day they stop racing.

Many o�-the-track �oroughbred organizations care for and help �nd second careers for these horses, and the �oroughbred Aftercare Alliance has taken on the role of helping thosenon-pro�t programs. �e TAA, the oÉcial charity of the Rolex Kentucky CCI****, supports the organizations that help OTTBs in two signi�cant ways: accreditation and fundraising.

�e TAA seeks to answer one fundamental question: “What’s going to happen to this horse when it’s done racing?” says Danielle Nichter, the alliance’s marketing and fundraising coordinator.

When a rescue/retraining/rehoming organization applies for TAA accredita-tion, it’s not just a matter of �lling out a form. �e alliance, which is based in Lexington, Ky., will send representatives to complete onsite visits across the conti-nent and will dig into the organizations’ business models.

“We look into every nook and cranny to make sure they’re a sound non-pro�t,” Nichter says.

Four-star eventer Laine Ashker, pictured with her Thoroughbred gelding Anthony Patch at Rolex Kentucky CCI****, is the newest ambassador for the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, which accredits and helps fund rescue and rehoming organizations focused on ex-race horses.

CHARITY SPOTLIGHT

A CLOSER LOOK AT: The Thoroughbred Aftercare AllianceHow better to help the lives of o�-the-track �oroughbreds across North America than by helping—and holding accountable—the organizations that help the horses?By MEGAN BRINCKS

KAT

NET

ZLER

PH

OTO


Once accredited, non-pro�ts receive supplementary funding twice a year from the TAA, in amounts that vary.

“It’s not intended to keep the lights on; it’s a cushion,” says Nichter. “We take a very close look at their �nancials to make sure this grant will help them excel—not survive the next three months.”

Founded in 2012, the TAA grew from accrediting three non-pro�ts in 2013 to 56 in 2015. So far there hasn’t been a need to cap the number of organizations accredited, but the process isn’t easy. In addition to the initial site visit, organizations are re-inspected regularly and must re-apply every two years.

“We do that because things change,” Nichter says. “It might have been strong but now is lacking. We want to make sure we’re always checking in.”

Current non-pro�ts aÉliated with the TAA span the United States and Canada and include well-known rehoming e�orts such as New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program, TROTT, the Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center, several CANTER branches and many more.

Even a small amount of additional funds can make a big di�erence for non-pro�ts like these.

“It’s hard to fundraise when you’re in the barn from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. It’s hard to get those phone calls done,” Nichter says. “�at’s one of the burdens we like to take o� the organization.”

Funds from the TAA are earmarked for �oroughbred care only; they cannot be used for things not directly relating to the horse’s care.

�e money itself comes from the �oroughbred racing industry. As Nichter explains, the TAA �nds sustainable areas of potential fundraising by following

WHAT IT IS: The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is a 501(c)(3) that accredits, inspects and funds other organizations that retire, retrain and rehome former race horses.

LEARN MORE: Visit ThoroughbredAftercare.org or Facebook.com/ThoroughbredAftercareAlliance.

GET IN TOUCH: Contact the TAA at [email protected] or at (859) 224-2756.

GET INVOLVED: In addition to welcoming monetary donations and sponsorship deals, TAA has plenty of volunteer roles available. Individuals and groups can help with special events and programs, students can apply for internships with the TAA team, veterinarians and experienced horsemen and women can donate their time and expertise as accreditation site inspectors, and individuals can become TAA brand ambassadors. The alliance also encourages equestrians to reach out to their local accredited Thoroughbred organizations. You can find a full list of these non-profits on the TAA website.

their time, and the TAA also maintains a network of volunteers around the country who can perform site inspections at the accredited non-pro�ts.

�e TAA also brings on ambassadors who can help spread the word about the versatility and talent available in retired race horses. In January of this year, four-star eventer Laine Ashker, who regularly touts the joys of riding and competing her o�-the-track �oroughbred Anthony Patch, signed on as a TAA ambassador. In 2015, she and her 17-year-old gelding (Castle Guard—Aimee Alexis, Right Mind) completed Rolex Kentucky for the third time and tackled the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials CCI**** (Great Britain).

“It helps when high-pro�le riders like Ashker constantly post about [their �oroughbreds] and put that in peoples’minds,” says Nichter.

She refers to the current climate surrounding �oroughbreds as the “perfect situation.”

“It’s nice to see the �oroughbred breed is popular and to see owners who are racing taking a second look at what’s happening,” Nichter says. “It’s shaped the need for the �oroughbreds in second careers and the want for them. It’s de�nitely helped what we’re trying to do.”

the racing �oroughbred’s lifespan. For example, the TAA receives $25 from the Jockey Club for each foal registered, and partnerships with �ve auction companies across the United States and Canada bring in steady revenue throughout the year. �ey also work with stallion farms, tracks, professional horsemen’s associations, owners, trainers and other individuals to fundraise from di�erent parts of the racing industry.

�e goal is pursuing larger donations from the racing community without letting any one person or business feel as though they’re carrying the weight, which can be diÉcult in an intertwined industry where a single person might play many di�erent roles during a horse’s career. And although the TAA has �gured out a lot of the challenges facing equine non-pro�ts, they still face their own set of obstacles.

“�ere’s no simple explanation for what the TAA does,” Nichter says. “It’s quite a process, and there’s not an easy answer to what we’re going to do with retired �oroughbreds at increased rates.”

�e TAA relies heavily on free promotions, such as racetracks that donate advertising space, and teaming up with events like Rolex Kentucky. All board and committee members volunteer


u Amateurs Like Us: Three Cheers For The (Professional) Adult Amateur

The term “amateur” doesn’t reflect the depth of a person’s commitment to their riding or horsemanship, as blogger Carleigh Fedorka points out in this entry at coth.com/article/three-cheers-professional-adult-amateur. “In my mind, these people are not any lesser of a horseman than a professional when I think of general animal health or passion for the sport. In fact, at times, I believe that they actually love it more. They don’t have to be A Professional Rider to be The Most Professional Competitor. And they certainly don’t have to have stars next to their names or money in their bank accounts to be accomplished horsemen,” she writes.

BEST OF WEB & PRINT

u Who Needs Leg When You Have Winter?

Humor columnist Jody Lynne Werner captured perfectly the challenges of dealing with the cold-weather enhanced mount in this post at coth.com/article/who-needs-leg-when-you-have-winter. “You thought Studly-Do-Right was animated around mares before? His feet won’t even touch the ground now. It will be like a fairytale magic carpet ride, except for the screaming and the part when you hurl your body to the ground to get off of it,” she writes in this hilarious and ever-so-apt column.

What’s Hot On The Web

PH

OTO

CO

UR

TES

Y C

AR

LEIG

H F

ED

OR

KA

PH

OTO

CO

UR

TES

Y D

ELO

ISE

NO

BLE

-STR

ON

G

u Open The Gate

Riding outside the ring—is it a lost art? Blogger Deloise Noble-Strong knows that riding over hill and dale can drastically improve a rider’s position and instincts, so she doesn’t understand why so many decline the opportunity. In her blog entry at coth.com/article/open-gate, she writes, “It makes no sense. There are thousands of exercises with cavaletti, poles, gymnastics and other tools suggested or sold to riders to try and improve your balance, reflexes, and sense of timing, when all you need is to find a local hunter pace or cross-country course to school, and might cost at the most $20, if that.”

JOD

Y L

YN

NE

WE

RN

ER

PH

OTO


Don’t Miss In The Magazine

STE

FAN

O G

RA

SS

O/L

GC

T P

HO

TO

CA

TIE

STA

SZ

AK

PH

OTO

u Learning From The Masters

New in our 2016 line-up of special issues is our Master Class edition (Jan. 25), with educational insights for riders of all disciplines. In it you’ll find great reports from the George H. Morris and Robert Dover Horsemastership training sessions in Florida and eventing clinics with Jimmy Wofford, a gripping Living Legends feature on Bernie Traurig, who epitomizes a true “master” of the sport as well as a natural-born teacher, and much, much more. You’ll want to keep this issue in your tack room or on your coffee table for a long time. “After all, several lifetimes wouldn’t be enough to absorb everything there is to know about horses and horse sports,” writes Executive Editor Beth Rasin. “The educational opportunities and challenges provided by horses never get old.”

u Our Horses And Horsemen Of The Year

“David O’Connor pressed shoulder to shoulder with 30 other horsemen around a small hotel lobby television in Bromont, Quebec. Jimmy Wofford stood in front of an even smaller 9” x 12” monitor in a press trailer with two colleagues in Tryon, N.C., miked for the upcoming grand prix, which was being delayed to allow the broadcast from New York to play on the ring’s Jumbotron. John and Beezie Madden desperately fought traffic to get back to their hotel from the Spruce Meadows showgrounds in Calgary, Alberta, aborting when they realized they wouldn’t make it and searching instead for a sports bar.” Where were youwhen American Pharoah won the Triple Crown? In our American Horses In Sport 2015 issue, we honored the accomplishments of an equine athlete who captivated not only those passionate about horse sports—but also an entire nation. Read all about him, and all our Horses and Horsemen of the Year, in our Feb. 1 & 8 issue.

u Why GCL Vs. FEI Matters

At the Chronicle we’re always striving to not just give you the news, but also provide context and expert analysis on how it affects the lives of horsemen and women like you. Our Feb. 15 issue includes an insightful Between Rounds column from Armand Leone that helps explain the trickle-down ramifications of the ongoing legal dispute between the Fédération Equestre Internationale and the Global Champions League, a super-elite, unsanctioned show jumping team tour. Unsanctioned events create a serious risk of horse abuse, Leone argues, and “the outcome of this dispute will determine the ability for unsanctioned leagues to hold equestrian competitions across all disciplines in all countries, so this concerns all horse people.”

February 1 & 8, 2016 • $4.99

Vol. 79, No. 3

American Horses In Sport 2015

February 1 & 8, 2016 • $4.99

Vol. 79, No. 3

OVERALL HORSE OF THE YEAR

AmericanPharoah


PARTING WAYS

Popping OffPhotos by ARND BRONKHORST/ARND.NL

Spanish eventer Carlos Diaz Fernandez’s horse Junco CP picked an especially inopportune time to hang a leg and test the eÉcacy of his rider’s air vest—at fence 10 at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France—but both walked away unharmed.

11008 South Highway 475 • Ocala, Florida 34480 • www.FLHorsePark.com • (352) 307-6699

The 500-acre Florida Horse Park in Ocala-Marion County provides a beautiful, world-class setting for equestrian events throughout the year. With a 79,500-square-foot all-weather arena, seven regulation dressage arenas, over 100 obstacles and stabling, the park is quickly becoming a hub for the state’s equine activities. From beginners to Olympians, the Florida Horse Park has something for everyone. Its expanding array of educational programs provides clinics for horse owners and caretakers and inspires new generations of horse enthusiasts. Experience the Florida Horse Park during your next visit to the Sunshine State.

Educate - Inspire - ExcelThe Florida Horse Park

MARIA MENDELSOHN, REALTOR ASSOCIATE10680 W. Forest Hill Boulevard, Wellington, Ste 220 FL 33414

C: 561.758.1605 www. mariamendelsohn.com

© 2015 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 are deemed reliable, but should be verifi ed by your own attorney, architect or zoning expert. Equal Housing Opportunity.are deemed reliable, but should be verifi ed by your own attorney, architect or zoning expert. Equal Housing Opportunity.

12929 MIZNER WAYWELLINGTON, FLORIDA

ONE OF A KIND COURTYARD HOME IN MIZNER ESTATES

A rare fi nd! Enjoy the lush landscaping around the courtyard pool or enjoy the serenity by the lake! The main house has 2 bedrooms and 4 baths with an upgraded kitchen, breakfast nook and offi ce. Across the courtyard is the guest house with 2 bedrooms and 2 full baths, lending privacy to friends or family. The minute you walk through the front gates, you will realize that this is the secluded nugget in Palm Beach Polo Club that you have been searching for!

Untacked march april 2016

Documents

Transcript of Untacked march april 2016