Nona Garson wants to up the ante for New Jersey show jumping at her facility in Asbury, where.the competition runs the same week as the venerable Sussex County show.
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Nona Garson presents a trophy to jumper rider Anne Kursinski during a show at The Ridge, which will host a $50,000 grand prix next month. While Nona Garson was growing up in New Jersey, she enjoyed attending horse shows around the state that drew the greatest U.S. jumper riders, from Rodney Jenkins and Bernie Traurig to Michael Matz, Melanie Smith, Norman Dello Joio and Frank Chapot.
The Sussex County Farm & Horse Show, the Garden State Grand Prix in Leonia and the Festival of Champions at U.S. Equestrian Team headquarters in Gladstone all offered what was big money for their era, as did the National Horse Show from 1989-95, when it was held at the Meadowlands.
But now, says Garson, 56, "I feel we're falling off the map. New Jersey has slipped into a much more local scene. I would like to create the kind of atmosphere and level of competition we used to have.
"It used to be every big show jumping person came to New Jersey. Now even the highest-ranked barns in New Jersey are leaving the state to compete."
Sussex still has a $30,000 grand prix, the Junior Essex Troop's Garden State fixture at the same showgrounds in Augusta offers a $40,000 class and Princeton Show Jumping in Skillman has a series of grands prix in the spring, summer and fall that offer as much as $35,000.
But Garson wanted to present the biggest purse in the state, and she's doing it with her August I show at The Ridge, her showgrounds in Asbury, Warren County (not to be confused with seaside Asbury Park in Monmouth County).
Her August I show, which runs Aug. 5-9, will offer a $50,000 grand prix.
"What I'm trying to bring back is a quality event that everybody wants to partake in," continued Garson.
She and her partner, George D'Ambrosio, also run a successful series of shows at another Ridge location in Wellington, Fla., where riders from the neighboring Winter Equestrian Festival can bring their mounts for a different, more relaxed experience.
For the August I show in Asbury, however, The Ridge is amping up the amenities with a VIP tent for riders, trainers, owners and sponsors, and a Friday night party.
On the downside of the initiative is the fact that it's running against the 79-year-old Sussex show, whose hunter/jumper dates are Aug. 3-9.
"I know the Sussex people are upset with me," Garson conceded.
"I asked for six different dates, and this is the date that the USEF (U.S. Equestrian Federation) chose for me. I'm trying to make it work as well as it can for everyone."
She scheduled her open jumper welcome class for the Friday, and the grand prix for the Sunday afternoon. Sussex has its welcome on the Thursday and its grand prix on the Saturday night, playing to a big crowd against the colorful lights of the New Jersey State Fair and its ferris wheel.
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The ferris wheel backdrop at the Sussex County Horse Show is part of the New Jersey State fair, which is held at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta.
"People love coming here for the grand prix night, and (riders) who do come love showing in front of a crowd," said Robin Fairclough, vice-chairman of the Sussex show.
While Garson's show is rated Premier for hunters (the old AA rating), Sussex is the equivalent of the old single-A.
"We're not happy," Fairclough said about the juxtaposition of the shows, adding she is concerned about getting sufficient hunter entries.
"We don't have the pool of the double-A exhibitors in New Jersey to do this; it's hard enough to have a rated show that week," said Sussex Chairman Lisa Pellow Stoner.
"Why you would need to run a double-A show (at that time) is beyond me."
"It's a very bad date to begin with" for hunters, Fairclough noted, explaining it's "weak" because the USEF Pony Finals in Kentucky that week draws many of the big stables, and the fact that the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association's pre-green and derby finals are the next week in Kentucky doesn't help.
"We're both going to suffer because of it," maintained Fairclough about the Sussex/Ridge juxtaposition.
Fairclough, whose late father, Robert Rost, ran the Sussex show for many years, feels pitting an A-rated show against an AA-rated show "34 miles apart just doesn't seem smart for anybody."
The question that immediately comes to mind is how Garson's new show got the date, when Sussex has the history. Fairclough said the roots of the situation are 15 years in the past, when a previous show administration did not apply for its date as required.
That left Sussex in the position of being a "permission show," that could run only if the shows on the same dates within the mileage parameters set forth by the federation agreed to let it run. There were three shows on that date, one in New Jersey, another in Pennsylvania and a third in New York, and all agreed.
However, even though the New Jersey and Pennsylvania shows are defunct, and the New York show has no problem with Sussex running on that date, Sussex is not a "priority competition" and is still considered a permission show by the USEF. For that reason, it does not have mileage protection, so Garson's application was accepted.
The USEF board last week revised its mileage rules in an effort to balance the jam-packed competition calendar and better meet the sport's needs, but that won't affect the situation this year with The Ridge and Sussex, which has a lawyer trying to seek clarification on the matter with the USEF.
Stoner noted that the situation is time-consuming. "It becomes trying to save your date rather than spending that energy in trying to put on a show." Meanwhile, Sussex also is focusing on a campaign to raise money for new footing.
Next year, Garson, a veteran of the Olympics, World Cup finals and world championships, is planning to run her show with FEI (international equestrian federation) recognition so jumper riders who participate get points for Longines world rankings.
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A view of the arena at The Ridge in Asbury. "You have to be a world-ranked rider to be considered for international competition," she commented, adding she would like to see more riders have that chance.
"We've built this facility over the last several years, and in our mind was always that it could be a place where you could come for a World Cup qualifier or something like that," Garson said.
"This is kind of a bold move for us. We have over $100,000 in prize money (for all the divisions), and I'm still working on sponsorship. The first year is the hardest, because everybody wants to see if you can actually do it. I believe it's something we need and for the good of the sport, too," she said.
As far as Sussex goes, she insists, ""We're not trying to compete against them. I grew up showing there and I wish them the best."
She believes people can compete at both shows if they want to (and have enough horses) because they are approximately 45 minutes apart.
"I've done my best to have it all work together nicely," she commented.
ON THE RAIL --New Jersey riders have been stars up and down the East Coast this weekend.
Schulyer Riley of Stockton ended a grand prix victory drought of several years last night when she and Dobra De Porceyo won $127,000 Ariat Grand Prix CSI 3* at the Tryon (N.C.) International Equestrian Center.
They had the only double-clear round of the evening, while Angel Karolyi of Venezuela came in second with Venus. It was the first grand prix title for Dobra, a 9-year-old chestnut mare who was difficult when Riley bought her as a 6-year-old, but has come around to have a strong bond with her rider.
Riley was impressed by the Tryon facility, which she characterized as "built for the top of the sport." Dobra's groom, Jesus Pimental, received the new groom's award, designed to highlight the work of the people who keep the horses going.
"I love this job," he said. "I love working with the animals and I think that's why I always try to do my best, because I really care about them. They're my family."
At the Lake Placid show in New York State today, Laura Chapot of Neshanic Station took ISHD Dual Star to a win in the $75,000 Equine Insurance Services/Great American Grand Prix.
Only four made it into the jump-off over a course designed by Richard Jeffery. The lead was held by Devin Ryan of Long Valley, clocked in 42.661 seconds on Cooper, the winner of Friday's $30,000 CMJ Sporthorse Jumper Classic. Chapot took the honors with a clear round in 42.214 seconds.
Chapot is clear about her philosophy: "You might as well not go in the ring at all if you're not going to go for it."
Her mother, Mary, was, as always on hand. interestingly, her daughter's victory came 50 years to the week that Mary won the first grand prix ever held in the U.S., in Cleveland, Ohio.
Meanwhile, another Long Valley rider, Amanda Flint is tearing it up at the Vermont Summer Festival, where she was 1-2 yesterday with Superbad and VDL Wittinger in the $30,000 Summer Special Grand Prix.
It was the second year in a row that Superbad won the class...
After last month's successful debut in New Jersey of an American Competitive Trail Horse Association competition, another is being staged July 18 at Horseshoe Bend Park in Kingwood Township, near Frenchtown in Hunterdon County.
This event is known as a Competitive Trail Challenge, or CTC, for all levels of riders. It's a 6.8-mile ride with six obstacles, and the footing is suitable for barefoot horses.
For more information go to www.actha.us/ride/7633/view, or contact Jan Kuhn at (908) 229-6479 or jmkuhn160@gmail.com...
Camp Cold Brook at Mane Stream in Oldwick, which takes both special needs children and typically developing youngsters, still has a few openings for this summer. Riding is featured, but horse care and crafts also are part of the program, which runs every week through Aug. 21.
Information is available at www.manestreamnj.org or by calling (908) 439-9636...
A symposium at Daystar Farm in Ringoes with French classical dressage trainer Dominique Barbier has been changed from its original July 31-Aug. 2 dates to Aug. 28-30. Auditors are welcome at $25/day, $40/two days and $50/three days. For reservations, contact Gary Maholic at (215) 489-1557 or via email at Gmaholic@gmail.com.
ACTIVITIES SCHEDULE
Today: Princeton Show Jumping Summer Series, Hunter Farms North, 246 Burnt Hill Road, Skillman; Spotted Toad Show, Hunter Farms North, 246 Burnt Hill Road, Skillman; Delaware Valley Horsemen's Association Driving Show, DVHA Showgrounds, 299 Ringoes-Rosemont Road, Sergeantsville; Dressage at the Park, Horse Park of New Jersey, Route 524, Allentown; Monmouth County Horse Show, East Frehold Showgrounds, Kozloski Road, Freehold; Garden State Paint Show, Gloucester County Dream Park, 400 Route 130 South, Logan Township.
Tuesday: Briarwood Farm Derby Day, Black River Farm, 20 Boss Road, Ringoes.
Wednesday: Princeton Show Jumping Summer Series, Hunter Farms North, 246 Burnt Hill Road, Skillman (through July 12); Hunterdon County Shows I and II, Duncraven, 1300 Trenton-Harbourton Road, Titusville (through July 13); Rutgers Equine Science Center Summer Showcase, The Red Barn, College Farm Road, New Brunswick (10 a.m.-noon).
Friday: West Milford Equestrian Center Show, 367 Union Valley Road, Newfoundland.
Saturday: Sussex County Benefit Show, Sussex County Fairgrounds, Plains Road, Augusta; Spotted Toad Show, Hunter Farms North, 246 Burnt Hill Road, Skillman (through July 12); Eastern Pennsylvania Reining Horse Association Show, Gloucester County Dream Park, 400 Route 130 South, Logan Township (through July 12) .
July 12: Delaware Valley Horsemen's Association Jumper Show, DVHA Showgrounds, 299 Ringoes-Rosemont Road, Sergeantsville; The Ridge at Riverview Schooling Show, 3 Woolverton Road, Asbury; Oxbow Farm Horse Trials, Dressage and Combined Test, 39 Orts Road, Hamburg; Barrel Racing, Horse Park of New Jersey, Route 524, Allentown.
Nancy Jaffer: nancyjaffer@comcast.net.