Hildegarde Frostbite - Hunter/Jumper August 2005 Issue

Are Jennifer Wood and Jenny Ross crazy?  Those Phelps Media Group staffers are planning on running in the Disney Marathon for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in early January.  This is a very ambitious project, and we hear the PMG team will have a support crew in tow with T-shirts and water bottles to help them reach the finish line.  If you would like to help them out, visit their websites at www.active.com/donate/tnt_pb/JenniferWood and  https://www.active.com/donations/fundraise_public.cfm?key=tntpbJRoss

Another equestrian couple is in the news again.  There was a big break up after they worked so hard to create a great business for themselves.  This is going to cause havoc with the barn, the employees, and all those customers – OUCH.  Come on guys, can’t you find a way to work all this out; you are such a great team.

Rumour has it that there will be a huge cash bonus for the rider who wins the most during the WEF in the grand prix events.  This is going to be big when the actual figures are released, but we hear the big point winner during WEF at Wellington might be looking at a $100,000 bonus.  Now won’t that keep the big boys jumping their best horses all season?  Wow!

We hear that both Georgina Bloomberg and Schuyler Riley have some new horses.  Georgina made her debut with some of her new mounts recently in Kentucky, and Schuyler wasted no time starting her new horse in Europe.  Good luck guys – we’ll be looking for you in the winner’s circle.

Andrew Ellis sent us the following email:  “As far as Ron Danta goes, yes, we did have a disagreement, after he put his finger in my face at the in-gate, and demanded that jackets be waived immediately. I simply informed him I would have to check with the manager and the judges. It was not my decision to make. He responded by saying that if I did not make the decision immediately that they would not return to the show next year. I informed him that I would not make decisions hastily based upon threats. He was displeased and proceeded to express his opinion to everyone who would listen at the show. His behavior was very unprofessional, and this is just a continuance of many incidents I have witnessed over the years in which he uses his size to intimidate people into making decisions. A true professional would have requested a meeting with the management in a private setting, not the pony in-gate where he chose to have this argument in front of children. I stand firmly behind my handling of the issue. He was the one on the attack

Ken and Emily Smith and Don and Nancy Stewart seemed to have joined the racing world with a partnership in a horse with the Farrish Family.  The Stewarts even went to Saratoga to watch their horse run.  Hope we don’t lose another group of professionals to the racehorse world, although Hildy doubts that will happen.  

The FEI was recently informed of the death of Pierre Cazes, a French Endurance Veterinarian, who had an accident with a horse and died from internal injuries. Pierre was very experienced and involved in Endurance research, and very motivated to get his perspective across during meetings on Endurance issues. He had recently been appointed in the FEI Endurance Committee. We are very sorry that this will no longer be possible and extend our deepest condolences to his family.

 

Samantha Charles, publisher of Sidelines Magazine, has had a mutual split from her steady beau, Chuck Wright.  They remain good friends and have some joint real estate ventures going on in Aiken, South Carolina.  Sounds a little dicey to this reporter.   

 

And speaking of real estate, we hear there are some big properties changing hands in the Wellington area.  And I mean, BIG PROPERTIES!  When the deals are concluded, I think you will be amazed to hear what is going on.  Stay tuned.

 

 

It was great to see that a terrific equestrian writer was back on the scene in Vermont.  Yes, Mary Hilton got out of the ivory tower of St. Lawrence University to report on the Vermont shows for Starting Gate and Jennifer Ward.  And, we hear that Mary will be back on the scene during the National Horse Show in Wellington and maybe even for the Winter Equestrian Festival.  Mary has been missed, and we are glad to hear she might be returning to the scene. 

 

We are very sorry to hear about the passing of former horse show personality, Rudi Corsini.  He had a very unfortunate accident at a race track (car racing that is) and did not survive the crash. 

 

The USET Foundation is gearing up to host another Festival of Champions.  At least, they are looking into the possibilities.  This has always been a very popular event for the community, so let’s hope they can pull it off again.

 

Wow, hasn’t Kacey McCann made a name for herself?  This cute junior rider seems to be winning everything.  We see her name and victories mentioned all the time.  This kid is special, with a big future, so watch out for this one.  Hats off to the team of Alfano and Schoellkopf for introducing the equestrian world to Kacey. PHOTO OF: Kacey McCann Best Child Rider at Saratoga Classic Photo by James Leslie Parker.

 Did you see the list of invites for US riders at the Las Vegas World Invitational in Las Vegas in October?   Seems like there are a few big names that didn’t get asked to play.  That is going to cause some concerns. 

How nice!  The Monmouth County Horse Show and the USET Foundation are making a presentation to Frank Chapot for his years of service as the Chef of the U.S. Show Jumping squads.  He deserves all the recognition he can get.  His years of service have been invaluable to the show jumping business.  Photo of Frank Chapot  A PMG FILE PHOTO 

If you believe what you hear on the rumor “Hot Line” – Bob Johnson is planning on making a bid to host the World Cup Finals in Charlotte, North Carolina, sometime in the future.  Wow, that is quite ambitious if it’s true. Photo of Bob Johnson. A PMG file photo

Rick Eckhardt had a short move to Wellington.  He lasted a month before getting out of his lease and making the move back to Virginia.  Seems the health care systems in Florida are antiquated compared to the services offered up north.