April/May 2017 by Equestrian Living

EQUESTRIAN LIVING

EQ U E S TR I A N LIVING

EQLiving.com

APRIL/MAY 2017

AT HOME WITH

A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 7

KELLY KLEIN 9 DISPLAY UNTIL JUNE. 8, 2017

FABULOUS EQUESTRIAN GE TAWAYS

EQ I N S I D E

FEATURES A P RI L | M AY 2 0 1 7

KELLY KLEIN’S PALM BEACH OASIS

Take a look inside the designer and photographer’s waterfront home that is a breathtaking showcase of her elegant sensibility.

THE WORLD’S RICHEST RACE

EQ photography director George Kamper captures the spirit of the Pegasus World Cup International, a $12-million Thoroughbred race run at the Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Florida.

125 YEARS DOWN ON THE FARM

Last year marked Stanford University’s 125th year, but did you know that the world-class educational institution was once a horse farm? The equestrian tradition continues as the riding team thrives.

KELLY KLEIN’S PALM BEACH OASIS

FABULOUS ESCAPES FOR HORSE LOVERS

Get out your planners and start shopping for tickets! This year’s annual travel feature includes upstate getaways and global adventures.

AT HOME WITH AMANDA AND TODD MINIKUS

A cowboy at heart, this top level show jumper and his family live the ranch life at his home in Florida.

CHARLIE LANGTON

FABULOUS ESCAPES FOR HORSE LOVERS 4 | EQU E S T R I A N L I V I NG | APRI L / MAY | 2017

British sculptor Charlie Langton recreates the shape of the horse with an accuracy and elegance that has earned him a royal reputation.

periodarchitectureltd.com

EQ I N S I D E

DEPARTMENTS A P RI L | M AY 2 0 1 7

EQ ESSENTIALS

FASHION

La Matera brings the style of the Argentine countryside to the U.S. with their belts, wallets, and watch bands.

Greet spring showers in these lightweight, functional, and fashionable jackets. DESIGN

A refreshing and revitalizing color, Pantone’s Greenery is symbolic of new beginnings. FAVORITES

Cuddle Clones replicates your beloved pet to be snuggled, shared, and remembered forever.

The New York Times bestseller tells of the heroic rescue of priceless horses in the closing days of World War II.

106

One of America’s most talked about show-jumping events is the Palm Beach Masters, held on 300-acre Deeridge Farm. FOOD AND DRINK

106

French chef Patrice Perron of La Cuisine in Ocala, Florida, shares one of his favorite recipes.

PEOPLE

Laura Kraut’s mount, Cedric, takes his last victory lap before retiring this year.

24 ON THE COVER

IN EACH ISSUE Kelly Klein, shot on location in Palm Beach, Florida, by EQ photography director George Kamper. Kelly wears a Balenciaga blazer, ATM T-Shirt, Rag and Bone jeans, Celine shoes, and Hermès belt. Full details on page 34.

6 | EQU E S T R I A N L I V I NG | APRI L / MAY | 2017

EDITOR’S NOTE 8 Welcome to Equestrian Living. RESOURCES 113 Look for to find the products and services in this issue. BARN DOGS 114 Robert Dover explains how he got his schnoodle, Simon, against his will.

Cyran Itzkovitz’s talent and natural empathy give him what it takes to be an equestrian scout. SCIENCE

Recent research probes the equestrian mind to find out how well they understand their human companions. EQUESTRIAN PROPERTIES

Fabulous farms and ranches plus sustainable design to connect health and aesthetics.

SHOP KEENELAND. Introducing

THE KEENELAND CUSTOM DESIGN BY CATSTUDIO Available exclusively at The Keeneland Shop.

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

WELCOME Escapes for Horse Lovers” feature. We’ve included a full gamut of destinations that range from a beachside resort in New Zealand—which can only be accessed by helicopter—to a cozy Brazilian fishing village that is known for its marvelous cultural fusion of art and architecture. Two personal travel diaries recalling EQ Living’s visits to Cowdray Estate (an elegant English manor and polo academy in the U.K.) and the luxurious Salamander resort in Middleburg, Virginia, flesh out the travel feature with colorful accounts of each writer’s experience.

riting isn’t for the faint of heart. At times there are those frightening moments when you think that the words may not come. For most writers, the blinking cursor on an empty document page has replaced the proverbial crumpled balls of discarded drafts in the trash can, but the impact of the blank page is every bit the same. Eventually, in drafting my welcome letter, the issue’s stories and images take over and help create the narrative. The fascinating people we meet tell their stories, and the places we visit, along with the travel destinations we showcase, transport us to unexpected places that leave me anything but speechless. My moment of writer’s block began to vanish, and I was able to indulge my wanderlust as I perused the alluring pages of our fourth-annual “Fabulous

8 | EQU E S T R I A N L I V I NG | APRI L / MAY | 2017

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

Although we only had fits and starts of winter in most of the Northeast, our recent annual visit to Palm Beach and Wellington, Florida, was a welcome break from the colorless landscape of the season. Once our eyes adjusted to the explosion of color that came in the form of palm trees, azure skies, tropical cocktails, and Lily Pulitzer-clad denizens, we set about tackling an ambitious itinerary. We’ll share some of our stories in this issue and save a score of others for future issues. Our visit with Kelly Klein in Palm Beach was a perfect segue from gray New York City into our week in the sunshine. With the Intracoastal Waterway as a backdrop, we casually chatted about the architectural concept behind her stunning waterfront home; her life as a designer, photographer, and mother; and, quite notably, her lifelong love of horses. You’ll also get to meet show jumper and recent Longines FEI World Cup qualifier Todd Minikus and his wife, Amanda. EQ visits with them at their welcoming home in Wellington.

The scope of talent in the form of horses and riders alike in Wellington is astounding, and the concentration of world-class events within an amazingly small radius is staggering. On this trip, we were fortunate enough to attend both the Winter Equestrian Festival and the Palm Beach Masters show-jumping event at Deeridge Farms. We’ve captured the flavor and caliber of the unique Deeridge show in candid snapshots. I will also say unequivocally that our meeting with Robert Dover, the chef d’equipe for the U.S. National Dressage Team, and his Schnoodle, Simon, for this issue’s Barn Dog feature, though brief, was absolutely memorable. I found them both irresistible, and I suspect you will too. A VISUAL FE AST

This issue, we have the good fortune of having multiple stories that feature the images of our exceptional photography director, George Kamper. His work sneaks up on me as I page through the issue, and eventually I realize why page after page has such a wow factor. In addition to shooting Kelly Klein and Todd and Amanda Minikus, he’s also shared his breathtaking fashion images taken at the world’s richest Thoroughbred race, the Pegasus World Cup, run at the Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Florida. George’s images inspire us and add visual impact to our stories. Ultimately, his images greatly enhance the magazine, and they allow our words to speak volumes. We want to thank him for sharing his talent with Equestrian Living.

Golden Ocala is absolutely the perfect place to spend my day off after a hectic week of horse showing.

AMANDA STEEGE, GOLDEN OCALA EQUESTRIAN LIFESTYLE AMBASSADOR, PROFESSIONAL HUNTER RIDER AND TRAINER

WINTERS IN OCALA HAVE NEVER BEEN BETTER W O R L D E Q U E S T R I A N C E N T E R AT G O L D E N O C A L A Now is the time to take advantage of an exclusive opportunity to become a National Member of Golden Ocala where boots and breeches are always welcome. Enjoy world class amenities such as the 18-hole championship golf course, six Har-Tru Hydro Grid tennis courts, state-of-the-art itness center, three exclusive restaurants, an Equestrian Center and six miles of private riding trails. Golden Ocala has a limited number of National Memberships available! Join now to be a part of the future of equestrian sport in Central Florida. Contact Golden Ocala today at 888.551.0983.

J O I N T O D AY ! M E M B E R S H I P. G O L D E N O C A L A . C O M • 8 8 8 . 5 5 1 . 0 9 8 3

Homes and Lots Available from Townhomes to Equestrian Estates

ESSENTIALS | FASHION

LA MATERA Two young brothers bring the style of the ARGENTINE COUNTRYSIDE to the U.S.

5 4

3 1. Bariloche belt $145. 2. Mendoza wallet $150. 3. Corbina belt $145.

5. Trucha belt $145.

10 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | AP RI L / MAY | 2017

RACHEL MAY

4. San MartÍn watch $125.

hile on a fly fishing trip in Argentina, young brothers Alex and Brook Stroud purchased some woven belts that they had seen worn by polo players in Buenos Aires and by gauchos in the coun tryside. Alex decided to return to Argentina the following summer to work on a cattle ranch, and he had the idea of starting a company that would bring these unique fabric designs and the gritty sophistica tion of the estancia aesthetic back to the U.S. La Matera launched in 2012, and word quickly spread about the new brand, which offers belts, wallets, watch bands, and dog collars incorporating the distinct woven patterns. PAGE 113

EQ A P R I L / M A Y 2 0 1 7

EQ U E S TR I A N

LIVING

EQLiving.com

WE’VE FOUND A NEW HOME. LET US HELP YOU FIND YOURS.

Cindy Polk and her Horse Farms and Country Homes team of Brandy Greenwell and David O’Flaherty have proudly joined the powerhouse firm of TTR Sotheby’s International Realty.

VOLUME 6 NUMBER 2 EDITOR AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR Stephanie B. Peters SENIOR EDITOR Jill B. Novotny PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR George Kamper EDITOR AT LARGE Carol Cohen DESIGN MANAGER Mary A. Stroup SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER Carly Neilson SOCIAL MEDIA & WEB CONTENT Maggie Carty EDITORIAL MANAGER Rose DeNeve EQ SPECIAL EVENTS Jennifer Pearman Lammer CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Rebecca Baldridge, Robert Dover, Elizabeth Letts, Courtney Maum, Betsy Medinger, Clay Nelson, Taylor Renner, Catie Staszak, Sue Weakley, Carrie Wirth INTERN Emily Holowczak PUBLISHER C.W. Medinger CONSULTANT George Fuller PRINT John Spittle, Lane Press TECHNOLOGY Matt Tarsi PUBLIC RELATIONS Carrie Wirth, EQmedia.agency NEWSSTAND DISTRIBUTION Richard Trummer, Curtis Circulation Co. GLOBAL PARTNER PUBLICATIONS EQUISTYLE, Germany; HORSEMANSHIP, China

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ADVERTISING SALES Debb Pyle, 434-806-6685, pyle@eqliving.com Joyce Jones, 954-796-1809, jones@eqliving.com Dick Holcomb, 770-331-7788, dickholc@bellsouth.net EQ LIVING ADVISORY BOARD Bob Cacchione, Founder IHSA Deborah Deutsch, Polo, Beverly Hills, Calif. Melissa Ganzi, Polo, Wellington, Fla. Peter Leone, Lionshare Farm, Greenwich, Conn. Colleen and Tim McQuay, Reining, Tioga, Texas Mindy Peters, Arabians, Los Alamos, Calif. Chris Pratt, Hunter Jumper West, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. David Sloan, Conceptual Advisor, Millbrook, N.Y. Renee Spurge, Fashion | LA Saddlery, Los Angeles, Calif. Chester Weber, Combined Driving, Ocala, Fla. EQUESTRIAN QUARTERLY (EQ) became EQUESTRIAN LIVING magazine in 2016 and is published six times yearly. It is distributed at selected equestrian locations, newsstands, and is available for home delivery for $19.95 | Canada $36.95. SUBSCRIBE AT EQLIVING.COM/SUBSCRIBE To purchase past issues or find newsstands offering EQLiving, visit eqliving.com/where-to-buy Subscription management and address changes: eqliving.com/manage-subscription 212-699-3636 Editorial inquiries and letters to the editor:

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EQ P E O P L E

THE HORSE OF A LIFETIME The 19-year-old show-jumping icon, CEDRIC, retires.

lympic gold medalist and show-jumping superstar Cedric, ridden by Laura Kraut and owned by Margaret Duprey of Cherry Knoll Farm, was recently honored and retired at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, Florida. Kraut rode the 19-year-old Holsteiner gelding around the International Arena at WEF for the last time on the first Friday in March. She fought back tears as crowds of Cedric’s adoring fans cheered and a highlight reel from their outstanding career together played on the jumbotron. Kraut and Cedric were key members of the United States show-jumping team that claimed the gold medal at the 2008 summer Olympics in Beijing. The pair made numerous Nations Cup appearances around the world, including Rotterdam, La Baule, Rome, St. Gallen, Aachen, Wellington, Dublin, and Barcelona. 14 | EQ UE S T R I A N L I V IN G | AP RI L / MAY | 2017

ANNAN HEPNER

BY TAYLOR RENNER

Cedric’s retirement at WEF in March 2017, with Laura Kraut, and owner Margaret Duprey.

Kraut and Cedric have also been successful players on the Global Champions Tour and are the only horse-and-rider combination to win back-to-back events—Chantilly, France, and, just two weeks later, Valkenswaard, Netherlands. “Cedric has been the horse of a lifetime for me,” Kraut said. “He has been incredible, and I’ve learned not to give up and to persevere. It took a long time, as he was a little bit slower to develop than your normal grand-prix horse. He’s been amazing, and I think I’ll never have another horse like him.” U.S. chef d’équipe and legendary horseman, George H. Morris, coached Kraut and Cedric to the team gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Morris was a huge supporter of the pair from the start, and he was confident in their

abilities to rise to the occasion in Beijing for Team USA. “I wanted to go with him because he was a careful and competitive horse,” said Morris regarding selecting Cedric for the Olympic Games. “I never underestimate a little horse and the rider—nobody rides better than Laura. He is an absolute blood horse. With all of that Thoroughbred blood in his veins, there is no bottom to Cedric. Careful, clever as a cat, so handy, so fast—all of the qualities that really make a superb show jumper.” Cedric is one of the nation’s leading money winners, amassing well over $2 million in prize money won and, in major competitions of $100,000 or more, producing 81 clear and 45 double-clear rounds. “He’s what I call a darling horse,” continued Morris. “That, of course, was a great asset for the team. Besides the Olympic Games, he’s a horse you won’t forget. You won’t forget Cedric.”

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

STAY HIGH AND DRY IN THE SADDLE Greet spring showers in these lightweight, FUNCTIONAL, AND FASHIONABLE jackets. 2 1

1. KERRITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S Half Halt rain jacket features fabrics that keep you dry while the two-way front zipper and split tail provide functionality in the saddle. A helmet-covering hood stows away in the collar. $99. 2. MOUNTAIN HORSEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S Montreal Tech jacket has you covered. A lightweight, waterproof, windproof, and breathable fabric ensures comfort without bogging you down. Built-in adjustments allow a bulk-free fit. $129.99. 3. The Lecarrow lightweight, waterproof, performance jacket from DUBARRY provides stylish protection from the elements. The breathable and durable finish, mesh lining, and multi-striped collar add to its distinctive appeal. $159.

4. The Oslo rain coat by KINGSLAND has a distinctive feminine flair. The stylish coat in navy shimmer offers ventilation through the shoulder and back and is perfect for the barn, in town, or walking the course. $69.95. 5. The lightweight, special-edition, All Weather Rider jacket in water-resistant black plaid by NOEL ASMAR includes a rear-zipper gusset and two-way front zipper to maximize protection of rider and saddle in rainy weather. $340. 6. OUTBACK TRADING COMPANY built the popular features of their classic oilskin collection into the Jill-a-Roo jacket. Designed with a modern edge, this favorite includes a two-way zipper, detachable hood, corduroy collar, and throatlatch. $169.99.

PAGE 113

16 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V IN G | AP RI L / MAY | 2017

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EQ E S S E N T I A L S | D E S I G N

THE COLOR OF 2017 A refreshing and revitalizing shade, Pantone's GREENERY is symbolic of new beginnings.

antone, the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries, announced Pantone 15-0343 Greenery as the 2017 Pantone Color of the Year. It’s a fresh and zesty yellowgreen that evokes the first days of spring, when nature’s greens revive, restore, and renew. Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, explained, “Greenery provides us with

Clockwise from top center: Bella Vetro chandelier; Keurig coffee maker; Forzieri women's gloves; Hermès Clemence Birkin bag; Kenzo runway show. Opposite: A London Airbnb house created jointly with Pantone to showcase the color of the year.

the hope we collectively yearn for amid a complex social and political landscape. Through its reassuring yet assertive vibrancy, Greenery offers us self-assurance and boldness to live life on our own terms, during a time when we are redefining what makes us successful and happy.” In the world of fashion, Greenery is nature’s neutral. A great harmonizer merging undertones of cool blues with vibrant yellows, the hue is a natural complement to a wide range of palettes. Like the spectrum of possibilities in colorful Continued on page 20

18 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | AP RI L / MAY | 2017

EQ E S S E N T I A L S | D E S I G N

Airbnb and Pantone came together to unveil a transformational experience that was available to guests from around the world in January. The 'Outside In' House in London transformed into an indoor-outdoor oasis so that people could truly live the color. It featured a woodland reception area, an indoor greenhouse/dining room, a garden bedroom with mown lawn, a tented nook for children to sleep in, and an herb-garden kitchen. A PRIL/MAY | 201 7 | EQ L I V I NG .CO M | 1 9

Continued from page 18

petals and blooms paired with lush green leaves, Greenery provides a pop of color in accessories and footwear or acts as a bold accent in a pattern. Prominent in fashion for men and women, it is seen in the recent collections of Kenzo, Michael Kors, Zac Posen, and Cynthia Rowley. In the ultimate personal display of boldness and vitality, Greenery is deployed as a chic, confident punch of color for hair, lips, eyes, and nails. It is also a camouflaging base for natural beauty looks, with green makeup rooted in color-correcting trends. A 20 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | AP RI L / MAY | 2017

EQ E S S E N T I A L S | D E S I G N

Clockwise from top center: Terrell Swan chandelier; Oriental Weavers Cosmo shag carpet; Three Posts loveseat; Celeste chandelier; Furla mini-crossbody bag; Horchow pillow; Diana Vreeland fragrance.

complementary color to red shades, Greenery plays down ruddiness in the skin. In home décor and architecture, open spaces and floor-to-ceiling windows allow the green outdoors to become part of a room’s backdrop and ambiance. Adding Greenery through living walls, terrariums, botanically themed wallpaper, paint, accent furniture, and décor provides respite and breathing space. A Greenerypainted wall or piece of furniture delivers a pop of color, with the added benefit of creating the illusion of nature, indoors. PAGE 113

MattJohnson.evusa.com

Aspen Glen - Private 15 acre custom designed home with top equestrian facilities. Riding arena with underground watering system, hot walker and round pen. Three grooms apartments and separate ancillary buildings with veterinary / farrier rooms, feed storage and multiple equipment bays. The main residence features cathedral ceilings, fireplace with floor to ceiling stone chimney, wood & marble floors, elevator, screened balconies and infinity pool with water vistas. Offered at $11,000,000

Gated Subdivision - 5 acre contemporary 4BR, 4.5BA home with beautiful natural light, center island kitchen, gas cooking, fireplace, private outdoor entertaining areas, herb garden & 65" lap pool. Guest residence attached to main home. Stunning half-circle, courtyard barn concept provides the ultimate efficient work space & healthy living for your horses, a riding arena & grass paddocks. Close to the showgrounds. Offered at $4,750,000

Homeland - Stunning 6Br/6.5Bth pool home on 5 acres, attached 3.5 car garage. Open floor plan with wood floors, center-island kitchen, hurricane windows, climate controlled wine room and home theater with stadium seating. Detached 60’ x 40’ garage with room for 9 cars or easily convert to a stable. Ample room to build a separate barn, paddocks & arena. Offered at $2,775,000

Loxahatchee Groves - 11 Acre equestrian property with 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom home, 17 stalls, 250’ x 180’ riding arena, 12 grass paddocks and 4 RV hookups. One block over the Wellington boarder. Great income producing property with unlimited potential. Just minutes to all of Wellington’s competition venues. Offered at $2,100,000

Matt Johnson • Engel & Völkers Wellington Licensee of Engel & Völkers Florida Residential, LLC 10620 W. Forest Hill Blvd • Suite 40 • Wellington • FL 33414 Mobile +1 561-313-4367 Matt.Johnson@evusa.com ©2017 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. Carr Sollak Realty, LLC licensee of Engel & Voelkers Florida Residential, LLC. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act.

Portfolio of Fine Properties in Wellington

Grand Prix Village - The best available property for anyone desiring to own stables near the Winter Equestrian Festival. Located in Grand Prix Village, this barn was designed by top horsemen, and is available for purchase for the first time since it was built in 2007. There are 30 stalls, paddocks, world class riding arena, walker, manager's apartment, owners' lounge, office, commercial laundry, and much much more. Offered at $16,000,000

Palm Beach Polo • Isle Brook- Beautifully situated on a double lot, this spacious custom home includes 5 beds and 6.5 baths. Volume ceilings and an open floor plan create an airy living space, perfect for life and entertaining. The back of the home is lined with French doors that lead out to the expansive screened-in patio, which includes a saltwater lap pool with spa. A separate guesthouse has one bedroom, full bathroom, and kitchen. Offered at $2,495,000

Palm Beach Polo • Mizner Estates - Elegant property located in the heart of Palm Beach Polo, with four bedrooms, five full and one-half bathrooms, and a three car garage. Impact glass French doors can be found in most rooms opening up to the expansive back patio, that enjoys open and covered areas, and an in-ground pool with pond views. The home has a large kitchen, with a nearby Butler’s pantry, includes a breakfast nook and flows into the family room. The second floor has the remaining three bedrooms, each with an en-suite. Offered at $2,195,000

Palm Beach Polo • Polo Island - This modern unit with four bedrooms and four bathrooms has been completely and masterfully renovated. Tons of natural light flows through the hurricane impact doors and windows, and bounces off of the wood-grain tiles that are found throughout the home creating a bright and inviting space. The home enjoys an open layout, with each space flowing into the next. There’s a screened-in balcony off the back of the unit with relaxing views of a tree-lined canal. Offered at $830,000

Amy Carr • Engel & Völkers Wellington Licensee of Engel & Völkers Florida Residential, LLC 10620 W. Forest Hill Blvd • Suite 40 • Wellington • FL 33414 Mobile +1 561-662-0728 Amy.Carr@evusa.com ©2017 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. Carr Sollak Realty, LLC licensee of Engel & Voelkers Florida Residential, LLC. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act.

Grand Prix Village - There’s a 16-stall barn that includes a half-bathroom, two tack rooms, two feed rooms, and wash stations. A one-bedroom grooms’ apartment is on the second floor of the building, and includes a full bathroom and kitchen. Connected to the barn is a full owners’ home with vaulted ceilings and a gourmet kitchen. Offered at $13,950,000

Grand Prix Village - With six-acres of land, an 18-stall center aisle barn, gorgeous lake views, and hacking distance to the Winter Equestrian Festival, this property has everything a discerning equestrian could desire. There’s a spacious owners’ lounge with vaulted ceilings and skylights. Grass Grand Prix field and all weather ring in place. Offered at $12,750,000

Across from Horse Show - 4.5 acre farm boasts solar tunnel lighting, solar panel power, gorgeous bamboo wood Rower & Rub Stalls, Nelson automatic waters, and a luxurious detached owners lounge overlooking the ring. The home has a pool with outdoor kitchen and balcony that overlooks the farm. Offered at $12,750,000

Grand Prix Village - Situated on 3.67 acres of land, the center-aisle barn includes 20-stalls, 2 large tack rooms, 4 wash/grooming stalls, 2 feed rooms, 2 storage rooms, laundry, a full bathroom, and an office. The second-story serves as a luxurious owner’s penthouse. The grounds include a 210’ x 120’ sand ring, and 5 paddocks. Offered at $10,950,000

Palm Beach Point East - Situated on five wellmaintained acres, this property is within hacking distance to the WEF show grounds. The 12-stall center aisle barn includes a one bedroom, one bathroom groom’s apartment and a comfortable tack room with ample storage and laundry. Newly installed 220x130 all weather. Offered at $3,950,000

Grand Prix Village - Situated on 4-acres of lush land, is an amazing 20-stall barn with 4 wash stalls, 2 tack rooms, a laundry room, and a feed room. The owners’ lounge has a beautiful fireplace as the focal point, as well as a kitchen with great room for entertaining and a wonderful view of the 220’ x 120’ competition ring with superior custom footing. Offered at $9,300,000

Saddle Trail - Customizable 30 stall farm with 3bedroom, 3 bathroom pool home on 6.25 acres in Saddle Trail. This superbly designed professional farm is complete with a huge sub-irrigated (Riso System) Ring with Martin Collins CLOPF Footing, grand prix jump field, lounging ring and a 6 horse covered walker. Short hack to WEF showgrounds. Offered at $8,000,000

Las Palmas Equestrian - Stunning 10 or 15 acre equestrian estate in private gated enclave. The property offers a 4Br/4Ba main residence, 2Br/2Ba managers home with two additional staff apartments, totaling 4 bedrooms. The equine amenities offered are a 12 stall stable, jumping arena, grass grand prix or hunter field & large turnouts and room for a covered riding arena. Offered at $8,500,000

Saddle Trail - 30 stall equestrian facility with 5bedroom, 3.5 bath pool home on 6.2 acres in Saddle Trail. Farm is complete with a new Olympic all weather sub-irrigated ring, grass jump field, 6 horse Kraft covered walker and a detached storage garage. Offered at $7,250,000

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

©2017 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. Carr Sollak Realty, LLC licensee of Engel & Voelkers Florida Residential, LLC. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act.

EQ G I V I N G B A C K

CUDDLE CLONES LIFELIKE REPLICAS

of beloved pets help support animal-related causes. BY JILL NOVOTNY

ne day, when Jennifer Williams was cuddling her beloved great Dane, Rufus, she thought to herself, “It would be great to have a stuffed animal of him. Not just a generic stuffed animal, but a real replica, custom-made to look just like him.” When Rufus passed away a few years later, the idea returned, and she decided she would pursue the idea in his memory. Since that day in 2009, Jennifer has worked hard to build a company called Cuddle Clones that

24 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | AP RI L / MAY | 2017

creates super realistic stuffed versions of her customers’ beloved pets. Not only did she want to have Cuddle Clones become a business to capture the emotional connection between animals and people, but she wanted to give back to the pet community through charities and animal-related causes. To get a stuffed clone of your pet, all you need to do is submit at least one photo and choose some customized options, such as eye color and ear position. While many customers buy the stuffed version of their animal to memorialize a pet after it’s gone, others buy a Cuddle Clone for their kids to snuggle to sleep or even take to college.

In addition to traditional stuffed animals, the company also offers a fun range of products that feature an ultrarealistic replica of your pet, such as slippers and golf-club head covers. Nonstuffed replicas are also available in the form of figurines, ornaments, charms, and earrings. Cuddle Clones can even take a drawing straight from you or your child’s imagination and turn it into a stuffed animal. While most of the company’s stuffed animals are based on dogs, there are plenty of other species they have helped to commemorate, including cats, horses, ferrets, and cows. A portion of every purchase goes to support a charity, from local shelters and specific-dog rescues to wolf sanctuaries and other animal-related causes. PAGE 113

Photo: Sportfot

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THE LONG GAME What it takes to be an

BY COURTNEY MAUM

ride some of Knight’s horses. Right away, she knew that she was looking at the type of talent she could develop to become a transformational force at Halcyon. “Even though he didn’t know that much about the American market,” Knight recalls from their initial meetings, “it was clear that Cy was a fastidious worker with raw talent. He has something that’s really rare in this industry—he wasn’t jaded. When he meets a horse for the first time, it’s not just

seven-year adventure that saw him training at many of the world’s top barns in Calgary and Europe, competing at premier international events such as Spruce Meadows, and spending two years in Holland with the world-champion rider and stallion breeder Albert Zoer. For Knight, Itzkovitz wasn’t just a young guy with a natural riding ability. He had a working knowledge of four languages and on-the-ground experience on two different continents. The European sport-horse market was growing with each season. With three decades in the business, Knight realized that Itzkovitz wouldn’t only be an asset for her clients, but for her horses, too. “He’s equal parts talent and love, which both horse and rider appreciate,” says show jumper Brianna Lipovsky, who has trained with Itzkovitz. “I remember we’d wake up to Cyran chatting with the horses in French and English while galloping around the grass field that our house overlooked. He’d literally be having conversations with them while he thought no one was watching. Like they were his friends—and they truly are!” Itzkovitz’s natural empathy is both a boon and a hindrance when it comes to equine scouting. “One important thing I‘ve learned from working with Lindsey is to not get emotional about the horses,” Itzkovitz admits, “and to judge horses in a very pragmatic and rational way.” In 2016, he was named the Vermont ANDREW RYBACK

or people who have only a rote understanding of the horseback-riding industry, it’s generally understood that there are four basic components: the breeder, the trainer, the rider, and the horse. Much has been made of the trainers who develop the horses—and with the recent Olympics, even laymen are more aware of the feats and dedication of professional riders such as Charlotte Dujardin. But what about the horses? In America, where horsebreeding programs are less widespread than in Europe, many of the top horses are imported. But they don’t just show up in America all willing and wet-eyed by themselves. Someone needs to find them, ride them, vet them, and get them in an airplane. Enter the equine scout. Cyran Itzkovitz was an unlikely horse diviner when Halcyon Equestrian’s head of training, sales, and show programs, Lindsey Knight, first heard about him. To begin with, no one could figure out what the heck his name was. (To this day, all of Itzkovitz’s colleagues call him Cy [pronounced sigh], and new clients call him Simon, although his real name is pronounced See-ran.) Knight’s business was taking off, and she needed more help. A German farm hand mentioned a really tenacious French rider who was looking for experience in the American market, so Cyran came to White Bridge Farm in Litchfield, Connecticut, where Halcyon is based, to

EQUESTRIAN SCOUT.

another animal. This is really unusual, but there’s never been a horse that he won’t ride. He is truly, truly committed to the sport.” One thing that convinced Knight of Itzkovitz’s professional potential was his resumé. Born in Paris, Itzkovitz grew up watching his father and grandfather ride in the Fontainebleau forest. He started pony club and dressage at 6 years old and was show jumping by 18, a discipline he decided to indulge in as a hobby for a year after college. He fell in love with jumping, and that one year turned into a

Continued on page 103 26 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | AP RI L / MAY | 2017

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s humans, we have shared much of our history with horses. Equine companions have pulled our cultures and civilizations forward, working in transportation, farming, hunting, and sport. We have relied on equines for millenia, but it was not until recently that we studied their intellect and problem-solving skills in an attempt to uncover how much of the human-horse bond is measurable. In a recent article published in the journal Animal Cognition, two Japanese researchers from Kobe University shared new information regarding how much horses understand about us and the relationships we have with them. The study showed that when horses face a problem that they cannot solve, they use signals to get human attention and ask for help. Scientists Monamie Ringhofer and Shinya Yamamoto designed a test in which the horses would see a human put a carrot into a bucket that was accessible only to a human careHow well do HORSES UNDERSTAND taker. Some of the horses were their human companions? shown the carrot going into the bucket while the careSTORY AND PHOTO BY JILL NOVOTNY taker watched. Others were shown the food being added without a caretaker present. The horses’ actions were recorded on video. The results showed that the horses behaved differently when they knew that the caretaker was not shown the bucket. They seemed to try harder

THROUGH EQUINE EYES

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to make their caretakers aware of the food with tactile and visual signals than when they knew that the caretakers saw the food being added to the bucket. The horses tried to get the human’s attention by looking at them and touching them with their muzzle or pushing them toward the bucket more often than the horses that knew the caretaker was aware of the food. Other species have been shown to interact with humans this way, especially our close relatives, primates. Dogs have also shown the capacity to interact with humans based on what they think a human knows, though it is interesting to note that they seem to show the human where to look by alternating their own gaze from the human to the item of interest. Based on this experiment, horses are much more physical, using touch and even pushes to show the human what they’d like them to see. Ringhofer and Yamamoto noted, “This study is the first to show that horses possess some ability of understanding others’ knowledge states in social communication with humans.” Though more research is needed to confirm and expand upon these results, the study seems to show that horses have much more understanding of their human companions than was once thought. A knowledge of what others understand— especially those of another species—is a sophisticated level of thought that is still being studied in human children. “For most of the history of horse domestication, we’ve assumed that communications between humans and horses was unidirectional. Humans order. Horses obey. But in this study, we see that communication could be a two-way street,” science journalist and equestrian Wendy Williams, author of The Horse: The Epic History of Our Noble Companion, told National Public Radio earlier this year, “Horses do try to communicate with humans. Most of us just don’t try to learn their language.”

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

THE PERFECT HORSE OK

BY ELIZABETH LETTS

AN UNLIKELY OLYMPIAN

PART ONE:

The New York Times bestseller tells of the HEROIC RESCUE of priceless horses in the closing days of World War II.

BERLIN, GERMANY, 1936

lois Podhajsky wore the cares of the world on his narrow, melancholy face. His gaze was like a poet’s, directed inward. His oeuvre was the art of classical dressage. His verses danced on four legs. Podhajsky looked as if he’d been born to sit astride a horse. His long straight torso had no awkward angles, no rounded curves, nothing to detract from its elegant lines. But to look at the Austrian officer’s forlorn expression was to understand that within, he carried a shadow. In 1918, after being severely wounded in the neck while serving in the trenches in Flanders, he had suffered from shell shock. His love for horses had brought him slowly back, but the deep stillness of a defeated warrior never left him. On June 12, 1936, Alois Podhajsky sat astride his mount, Nero, ready to enter the rectangular dressage arena that had been set out with meticulous precision on May Field, a 28-acre lawn just to the east of the Olympic stadium; it was the site of the Olympic competition in equestrian dressage. The fact that this pair was competing here, in the eleventh Olympic Games, against the top equestrian contenders from around the world, was unlikely indeed. Nero, a gangly brown Thoroughbred, had been bred to race, but having proven slow, he had been cast off for use as an army cavalry mount. The gelding had shown equally little talent as a soldier’s charger, and the army had nearly sold him off before

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TH N S EE ER W V O C

Excerpted for Equestrian Living from the book The Perfect Horse by Elizabeth Letts. Copyright © 2016 by Elizabeth Letts. Reprinted by arrangement with Ballantine Books, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, New York. All rights reserved.

Podhajsky decided that the horse showed potential and saved him from the auction block. Podhajsky too was an almostreject, kicked out of Austria’s prestigious cavalry officer training school after a back injury made him unable to bend at the waist, forcing him to abandon his first love—jumping. Unwilling to give up his passion, he kept riding even though he had to be lifted onto his horse. He would never forget the day in 1928, during a cavalry school lesson, when his riding

instructor scrutinized Podhajsky’s stiff form in the saddle and said, “You’re finished.” But Podhajsky had pressed on, working with his reject mount, dedicating his energy to the art of dressage. Just three years later, Podhajsky had received the Austrian cavalry’s highest honor: In 1931, he was sent to study for two years at the world’s oldest academy of classical riding, the Spanish Riding School. The instruction he received in the classical art of horsemanship was as much a spiritual education as a physical one. Students neither entered their horses in competitions nor vied for any medals. They pursued perfection as an end unto itself. Podhajsky’s love for horses, for riding, for life, had been restored. Five years after being expelled from the cavalry school, Podhajsky was representing his country at the Olympics. While Nero was neither flashy nor handsome, the gelding was willing and cooperative, and after several years of training, they had risen to the top of the sport: Today, they entered the arena as favorites. Although Podhajsky believed that the Austrian tradition of riding was without peer, he knew that many found his country’s traditions backward-looking. One of Podhajsky’s teammates was the oldest competitor at the entire Games, born way back in 1864. Podhajsky’s own love of Austria’s equestrian traditions had started during his boyhood, and at eighteen, he’d joined the cavalry. Posing for a portrait in 1916, wearing the uniform of his regiment, he looked younger than his eighteen years. His ornate uniform—fur-muffed, spike-helmeted,

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THE PERFECT HORSE

brass-buttoned—could be mistaken for a costume. In his right hand, he held white gloves; at his left hip, a sword and scabbard. He resembled a boy playing dress-up in his father’s clothes. But Austria lost both the Great War and its empire, and the pomp and traditions to which he had sworn boyhood allegiance were mostly gone. What remained of the great Austrian empire was its tradition of horsemanship, which Podhajsky still believed was the best in the world. Now was his chance to prove it with the eyes of the world upon him. ero’s turnout was impeccable, each of his braids carefully wrapped in snow-white adhesive tape, setting off the arched carriage of his neck. Podhajsky looked resplendent in the olive uniform of the Austrian Republic. The failed racehorse and his reject rider were preparing to compete in one of the most complex and demanding sports. Of all equestrian sports, dressage requires the most discipline. Descended from intricate military maneuvers developed in ancient times, dressage asks horse and rider to execute a series of carefully prescribed movements. Just as ballroom dancing and pair skating command partners to work together seamlessly, in the sport of dressage, the rider performs an intricate pas de deux with his partner—a twelve-hundred-pound four-footed beast. Great dressage demands more than skill;

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it engages a rider’s inner wisdom and his ability to communicate with a mount in the silent language of horsemanship. The arena was laid out with geometrical precision on the clipped lawn of May Field. Large pots of flowers were set up at intervals around the perimeter, adding vibrant splashes of color. In the distance, the impressive hulk of Olympia Stadium filled the horizon, festooned with the flags of many nations. Evenly spaced scarlet Nazi swastika banners stained its perimeter. Inside, a hundred thousand seats were filled to capacity for the track and field events. The crowd assembled to watch the dressage competition, though a quarter that size, was no less fervent. Men in white fedoras and women in colorful summer dresses speckled the field’s stands like rainbow sprinkles on ice cream. Podhajsky had committed to memory the complex series of movements that he would need to execute perfectly in the seventeen minutes allotted to him. If his horse stepped out of the low barriers that marked the boundaries of the twenty-by-sixty-meter ring, he would be eliminated. Surrounding the arena were points marked by letters of the alphabet: If the program specified that a movement be completed as he

passed that mark, the horse needed to begin or end the movement just as the rider’s boot passed the marker. In the sport of dressage, the rider spends years teaching a horse to perform movements on command that come naturally to horses in the wild. The horse has four ordinary paces: walk, trot, canter, and gallop, each with a different cadence. But in each of these paces, a wild horse will perform the gaits with a variety of nuances. For example, when a horse trots, it moves its legs in diagonal pairs with a two-beat cadence. A wild stallion, showing off, sometimes elevates the simple trot to an art form—he coils his powerful haunches underneath him, slows down the tempo, and elevates each step, transforming the workaday gait into a balletic art. These exaggerated movements are innate in certain circumstances, but to coax a horse to perform them on command takes the utmost tact, sympathy, and meticulous training from a rider. In an advanced dressage test, a rider may ask a horse to perform a pirouette, whereby the horse’s hindquarters remain almost in place while his forelegs canter a full circle around them, or a half-pass, where a horse moves both forward and sideways, his body slightly bent around his rider’s leg, his legs crossing each other. Each of these movements has been inculcated slowly, painstakingly, in a step-by-step process that takes years to complete. Available in paperback on May 23. PAGE 113

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This page: Kelly and Precious, her Jack Russell terrier, at the entrance of their airy home. Kelly wears a Tom Ford blazer, Ovation breeches, ATM T-shirt, HermĂ¨s belt. Opposite: One of several blackand-white photos by Steven Klein that hang throughout the house. Produced by George Kamper; photo assistant: Felipe Patino; production assistant: Sherryl Kamper; hair and makeup: Marissa Nemes@artist-management.net; retoucher: Christine Johnson.

34 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V IN G | APRI L / MAY | 2016

A PALM BEACH OASIS BY STEPHANIE PETERS PHOTOGRAPHY GEORGE KAMPER

K E L LY KLEI N

The secluded Palm Beach home instills a sense of warmth and welcoming. ELLY KLEINâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INNATE SENSE

of taste and style emanate from every aspect of her tranquil Palm Beach, Florida, home. Referring to it as an oasis perfectly befits the 3,000-square-foot waterfront home that she created for herself and young son Lukas four years ago. Known for her accomplishments as an

author, fashion designer,

photographer, and quite

notably as a lifelong com-

petitive rider, Kelly could

easily add interior designer

and architectural vision-

ary to her repertoire of

skills. As a teenager, Kelly

studied fashion design at

the Fashion Institute of

Technology in New York

City and went on to a job

as an assistant designer to Continued on page 38 A PRIL/MAY | 201 7 | EQ L I V I NG .CO M | 3 5

The stunning view of the pool and Intracoastal Waterway. FE B RUA RY/MA RC H | 20 1 6 | EQ L I V I NG .CO M | 3 7

“I knew in my mind how I wanted to live here—in an indoor-outdoor house and enjoying the breezes with the family always together.”

Continued from page 35

Ralph Lauren. She continued to hone her design skills while working in the design studio of Calvin Klein. Kelly and Calvin eventually married in the ‘90s but amicably decided to end their marriage in 2006. For 30 years, Kelly spent her winters in Wellington, Florida, pursuing her love of equestrian sport, but after a bad fall, which led to her decision to stop riding, she decided to purchase a private lot on Palm Beach Island’s Intracoastal Waterway and build a house. “I’d never done that before so I chose David Piscuskas, of the firm 1100 Architect, who had worked with me on my New York City apartment a couple of years earlier,” explains Kelly. “David and I came up with the concept of a house that was glass on one side and cement on the other. I love the idea of having only a sliding barn door at the front of the house. During hurricane season, that gets closed off so I’m totally protected.” Upon entering, everything one might know of Kelly’s pared-down aesthetic becomes evident as the environment quickly envelops the senses in a soothing serenity. It’s quiet. It’s minimal. And the restrained, monochromatic color scheme and earthy textures direct the viewer’s gaze without a hint of effort. There are no visual accidents or oversights here. Each framed photo, potted orchid, or objet d’art is perfectly positioned for maximum impact. In deference to her love of horses, varying sizes of equine photos are strategically hung throughout. Although sophisticated in its design, Kelly has created a home that imbues a sense of warmth and welcoming. Cedar 38 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | AP RI L / MAY | 2017

ceilings, teak doors, limed-oak floors, reclaimed-wood furnishings, and open shelving in the kitchen, lined with a neutral palette of earthenware, all contribute to the casual atmosphere. The home’s wow factor unfolds when a series of glass and teak doors slide open to create a seamless vista—linking the interior living space with the exterior covered terrace with outdoor fireplace, European-style pool, and the water beyond. In a 2012 interview with Architectural Digest, Kelly said, “I knew in my mind how I wanted to live here— in an indoor-outdoor house and enjoying the breezes with the family always together. I find that in big houses everybody is always in a different room, and no one can find each other.” Even the discerning Palm Beach architectural review board referred to her intimate house as a “breath of fresh air.” STRONG INFLUENC ES

Kelly’s parents were both strong influences on her fashion design, photography, and overall design aesthetic, as well as her profound love of horses and riding. “I think both of my parents were quite stylish,” admits Kelly. “My dad was a film director, so he was quite creative, and mom was an antique dealer who collected art and antiques. She’s had many stores, so I think I got a lot of my art background by growing up with ‘50s and ‘60s furniture in the house, and maybe that inspired me for my modernism background. I was surrounded by the arts growing up, so yes, they definitely had an influence on me.” Continued on page 42

This page: Kelly relaxes on the terrace; the seamless, open design of the house. Opposite: Orchids thrive throughout the property; furnishings in oak, pine, and reclaimed wood add warmth to the home.

Kelly strikes a pose in front of the outdoor fireplace. Dress by Isa Areen.

“My father took me for my first riding lesson in Westport, Connecticut, and it immediately became a real passion.”

“My father took me for my first riding lesson in Westport, Connecticut, and it immediately became a real passion. I eventually got my first pony when I was about 5 years old, and I did horse shows from then on,” smiles Kelly. “My father bought the pony at a roadside auction for $25 and brought it home to the barn one day. I think it was a roan-cross Appaloosa with one blue eye. He was very scruffy.” Initially, Kelly rode at local shows around Westport and Fairfield, Connecticut, explaining that she was more of a local hunter rider. Her father eventually went into the horse business with the great horseman and world-class trainer Bernie Traurig (See Equestrian Living Summer 2013, “At Home with Cait and Bernie Traurig”), which led to lots of young horses that Kelly could ride during her early teens. She describes them as green and young and says that they ultimately taught her to ride. Bernie, whom she’s known since she was 10 years old, gave her great lessons. But before Bernie, Rick Fancher was her trainer. “I had really good teachers, and I was a good rider, but I never competed until much later in my life. I started showing in the A-circuit horse shows in the amateur-owners division when I was 27 years old,” Kelly recalls. “I bought a couple of nice horses, and by that time I was able to support myself, and that’s when Charlie Weaver became my teacher. He was a great horseman, and I stayed with him until the bitter end.” With tremendous admiration, Kelly describes Charlie as an amazing trainer 42 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | AP RI L / MAY | 2017

JAMES PARKER

Continued from page 38

and hard-working man. “He had those horses so prepared for me to compete. He knew my capabilities as an equestrian and would buy the right horse for me so I was safe,” Kelly reflects. “As long as I didn’t mess it up, I usually could win. If I didn’t win, it was always my fault. Always, because the horses were perfect under Charlie.” By the time Kelly was competing as a hunter at the adult amateur level, she was also enjoying a burgeoning career as a fashion designer and fashion photographer. “When you have another job you’re doing, you can’t ride every day. You have to show up at the horse show and kind of wing it,” Kelly says. “Charlie was really good at setting the horses up for me so I could continue to work and then show up to compete and be competitive. That’s what I wanted to be. I didn’t want to lose. I wanted to win. I had a good run

in my equestrian life with Charlie and before Charlie.” This remarkable partnership came to a sad end six years ago when Charlie, at the age of 58, suffered a fatal, paralyzing injury after falling from a horse he was prepping for a show. Weeks before that, Kelly also had a serious fall that led to her extremely difficult choice to stop riding. “At the time, I had a 2-year-old son, and I made a very hard decision to just give it up at that point. I couldn’t ride anymore. I’ve never been back on a horse,” Kelly admits. “I go to Wellington every week to watch my friends. I have a lot of friends there, and I love watching any division. My boyfriend, Nick Manifold, is a five-goal polo player, and I also go to watch polo. I think about riding every day, but I just go over to Wellington every time I feel like it and just watch.” After the loss of Charlie, Kelly and her business partner, Stormy Good, sold Wild Ocean Farm, their Bridgehampton, New York, horse farm. “Madonna bought the farm, and she keeps her horses there,” Kelly says. “I have one retired horse in Middleburg, Virginia, and I still go and visit once in a while.” BALANCING ACT

Kelly capably balanced her riding and design careers as they both evolved, but she gradually shifted her creative focus to photography. Her work has been published in countless major national and international fashion and lifestyle magazines as well as in highprofile advertising campaigns. Stunning

ALL PHOTOS THIS PAGE BY JAMES PARKER

This page, clockwise: Charlie Weaver and Kelly at the Hampton Classic; Kelly riding her horse Gratis at Old Salem Farm; Kelly showing El Star in Wellington; showing Oz at Winter Equestrian festival (WEF); strolling the grounds at WEF; having a chat with her horse Navajo. Opposite: A casual portrait of Kelly at WEF.

examples of her keen eye are displayed in six coffee-table books that feature topics such as pools, crosses, emotions, and, most recently, horses. Considered the most successful of her books, Horse conveys Kelly’s lifelong passion for the equine world with evocative imagery. The process encompassed compiling over 5,000 photographs and editing them down to a few hundred; these feature images by world-renowned photographers such as Steven Klein, Helmut Newton, Bruce Weber, and Patrick Demarchelier, to name a few. These days, Kelly prefers to take on a few select creative projects, casually entertain friends and family at home, and focus on her 9-year-old son, Lukas, who has begun to show an interest in riding. “He’s just starting to ride,” Kelly smiles. “He goes one day a week for an hour.” Never far from the profound impact that horses have had on her life, Kelly’s poignant introduction in Horse reminds us all of the incomparable joy and purpose they can bring to anyone’s life. “My love of horses is an indescribable feeling,” she writes. “I will never quite understand what it is that drives young girls to get up at five o’clock in the morning to spend a little time with their horses before school. What is it that makes us throw ourselves into neck-breaking maneuvers in a show-jumping arena? It is like an uncontrollable drive. My love of horses has been the only constant in my life. I love everything about them: their smell, temperament, their large, friendly eyes, their warm breath, their muscles—everything.” A PRIL/M AY | 2 0 1 6 | EQ L I V I NG .CO M | 4 3

Clockwise: A pair of naturalistic photos by Anita Calero are a focal point of the living room; a collection of Kelly’s books and objets d’art; horses visible from the outside in.

4 4 | E QUE ST RIA N LIV IN G | APRI L / MAY | 2016

Idyllic poolside lounging areas with unobstructed views.

A PRIL/M AY | 20 1 6 | EQ L I V I NG .CO M | 4 5

THE WORLD’S RICHEST RACE George Kamper’s striking images celebrate the record event..

46 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | AP RI L / MAY | 2017

A PRIL/MAY | 201 7 | EQ L I V I NG .CO M | 4 7

arlier this year, the richest horse race in the world was run at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida, just outside Miami. The first-of-itskind $12 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational surpassed the Dubai World Cup as the world’s richest Thoroughbred horse race. Entrants each ponied up $1 million for one of the 12 starting spots, and horse owners had a chance to win a $7 million purse as well as share in additional money from wagering and sponsors. The winner, Arrogate, triumphed over rival and 2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner California Chrome, who is retiring after the race. Chrome won six of the seven races he ran last year—his only loss was to Arrogate.

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Arrogate has won six straight races, the last three the Travers, the Breeders’ Cup Classic, and now the Pegasus World Cup. The race took place in the shadow of a $30 million, 110-foot-tall Pegasus statue, the second largest sculpture in the U.S. after the Statue of Liberty. CNBC noted that “The race and the statue are the brainchild of 84-year-old billionaire Frank Stronach, whose company owns Gulfstream Park as well as several other prominent racetracks. His horses have won two of the prestigious U.S. triple crown events—the Preakness Stakes, which the family now owns, and the Belmont Stakes—as well as the Breeders’ Cup Classic.” His daughter, Belinda Stronach, is chairman and president of the Stronach Group. In honor of the record-breaking race, Belinda and Seth Browarnik, founder of

World Red Eye, a Miami-based lifestyle journal, created Pegasus magazine to celebrate the world of Thoroughbred racing. The debut magazine features a cover and fashion feature photographed by George Kamper (Equestrian Living’s photography director) created on the grounds of Gulfstream Park. The cover photo of the model and huge Pegasus required special lighting and safety procedures. In addition to the safety of the crew, Kamper’s challenges included creating lighting and effects on site that did not interfere with or scare the race horses. Like these images, “I think the race will take on the personality of this very modern city, which is fun, sexy, and very fashion-conscious,” says Belinda Stronach. Take a look at the results. We think they are stunning and worthy of helping to define the landmark sporting event.

George Kamperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s crew included fashion stylist Danny Santiago; stylist assistant Francesca Lopresti; model: Karina represented by Front Management; Makeup Leslie Munsell, Beauty for Real; hair: Stephanie Milner Giles; retoucher: Christine Johnson; digital tech Zach Scheffer; photo assistants Steven Burton, Felipe Patino.

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125 YE AR S DOWN ON THE FARM

tanford University in Silicon Valley, California, is considered one of the best universities in America—if not the best. It is an international institution with students from all 50 U.S. states and 91 other countries. It is also an athletics powerhouse, boasting 900 current student-athletes and a history of 128 national titles and 22 consecutive Learfield Sports Directors’ Cups (awarded to the top intercollegiate athletics program in the nation).

STANFORD UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES

THE EQUESTRIAN HERITAGE OF STANFORD UNIVERSITY’S BIG RED BARN.

PHOTOS: YANYANG LI

Last year was Stanford’s 125th anniversary. In 1884, when railroad magnate and former California Governor Leland Stanford and his wife, Jane Lathrop Stanford, lost their only child, Leland Jr., to typhoid, they decided to build a university as the most fitting memorial and deeded to it a large fortune that included 8,180 acres of Palo Alto rangeland.

Courtesy of China’s Horsemanship magazine and stanford.edu

Before Stanford became a world-class university, it was a horse farm that produced champion racehorses. Two dozen buildings, 50 paddocks, and 8 racetracks were on the trotting farm. At its height, the farm employed 150 workers and boarded 600 horses. Two buildings from the farm survive today. The Victorian red barn, built between 1878 and 1880, served as the training stable for the stock farm. The “fireproof” brick stable Leland Stanford ordered as a replacement for a stable destroyed by fire in 1888 now houses A PRIL/MAY | 201 7 | EQ L I V I NG .CO M | 5 1

STANFORD UNIVERSITY IS STILL AFFECTIONATELY CALLED “THE FARM.”

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the equestrian-team clubhouse and other equestrian-center facilities. The farm was also the site of Eadweard Muybridge’s famed photographs of horses in motion. (See Equestrian Living, February/ March 2016.) Governor Stanford hired Muybridge, then a well-known landscape photographer, to prove Stanford’s theory that a trotter, at its fastest gait, momentarily has all four feet off the ground. Muybridge confirmed Stanford’s idea by working with railroad engineers in 1877 to develop a technique to take a sequence of images that froze a trotter’s actual movement. A plaque commemorates the role Muybridge and Stanford played in the early development of motion pictures. The Stanford equestrian team, led by head coach Vanessa Bartsch, has between 35 and 45 active members riding huntseat equitation, dressage, and Western horsemanship. Tryouts for the team occur at the beginning of each academic year. The team looks for both accomplished

riders with strong show experience and beginners dedicated to learning more about the sport. The team owns 30 horses, and members are expected to ride two to five times a week, attend team meetings, and complete three hours of cross-training.

or more than 30 years, Stanford has competed in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). In order to create a level playing field based on riding skills rather than the quality of the horse, IHSA competitions are based on catch riding, where riders draw a horse provided by the host school. According to the rules of IHSA, the riders choose a horse’s ID number from a hat. Riders can’t have any contact with the horse until they enter the arena, which ensures that everyone has to ride an unfamiliar horse. Competitors accumulate points in their respective classes both for their individual standing and

for the team. Stanford competes in IHSA Zone 8, Region 1. Others in this region are University of California at Berkeley; University of California at Davis; University of California at Santa Cruz; Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo; College of the Sequoias; Santa Clara University; Sierra College; Sonoma State University; and University of Nevada at Reno. The Stanford team was a successful experience for Lucy Davis, who graduated in 2015. She collected Stanford’s 18th overall medal at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, bringing home silver as a member of the U.S. show-jumping team with Kent Farrington, Beezie Madden, and Mclain Ward. Davis majored in architecture at Stanford while also riding professionally since her freshman year. She rode horses at school every morning before classes. The 125-year-old equestrian heritage remains strong at Stanford. In fact, the university is still affectionately called “the farm.” A PRIL/MAY | 201 7 | EQ L I V I NG .CO M | 5 3

EQUESTRIAN LIVINGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FOURTH ANNUAL TRAVEL GUIDE

ENGLAND SEE PAGE 56

DOMINIC JAMES

FA B U LO U S E S C A P E S CALIFORNIA SEE PAGE 63

NEW ZEALAND SEE PAGE 66

F O R H O R S E LOV E R S VIRGINIA SEE PAGE 68

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COWDRAY ESTATE, U.K . BY REBECCA BALDRIDGE

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CLIVE BENNETT

all clothes by fendi; socks by falke; shoes by bally

have a tremendous gift for being in the right place at the wrong time. And thus I found myself at Cowdray, the home of British polo, in November, with nary a polo pony to be seen. Fortunately, Cowdray offers a range of attractions that guarantees a great visit at any time of year. The 16,500-acre Cowdray estate, located in Midhurst, Sussex, lies within the South Downs National Park and is the quintessence of the fairytale English countryside. Today owned by Michael HORSE RIDER’S JOURNAL Pearson, the fourth Viscount Cowdray, the Opposite: estate features the ruins of Cowdray House, one of Cowdray’s croquet England’s great Tudor manors. Built in the 1520s, lawn and the gold cup the house was destroyed by fire in 1793. Today the semi-final match, La Grade-I-listed ruins provide a stunning backdrop to Indiana versus Zacara. Top: The Cowdray the green velvet of the polo fields. House Morning It was Weetman Pearson, the third Viscount Room. Above: Nic Cowdray, who made the estate the home of British Roldan in Fendi, phopolo. Lord Cowdray was an enthusiastic player from tographed for Horse Rider’s Journal. his youth, but after World War II he became the

driving force in reviving the sport in the U.K. He played with gusto, despite having lost his left arm at Dunkirk, and managed the reins with the hook that replaced his hand. His passion for the sport, coupled with his hospitality, established Cowdray as a mecca for polo. In 1956, Lord Cowdray established the Cowdray Gold Cup. Today, the JaegerLeCoultre Gold Cup, along with the Cartier Queen’s Cup played at Guards in Windsor, are the highlights of the U.K. summer season. The gold cup is considered the most significant tournament outside of Argentina, and from late June into early July, Cowdray is the center of the polo universe. Eight-goal pro and captain of the U.S. polo team Nic Roldan says, “Throughout the year, there are three main tournaments every polo player dreams of: the U.S. open in Palm Beach, the British open at Cowdray, and the Argentine open at Palermo. Playing at Cowdray last year was an unbelievable experience and a dream come true.” He adds, “ 2016 A PRIL/MAY | 201 7 | EQ L I V I NG .CO M | 5 7

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is a season I will cherish forever.” Aside from the gold cup, Cowdray hosts more than 450 matches every season and offers instruction for new players as well. Registered polo coach Guy Verdon, who heads the polo academy, aims to have neophytes ready for instructional chukkas after only 10 private lessons. When I stepped off the plane in London, the damp chill sank into my bones. A mist hung over the dismal Gatwick landscape, and gray clouds threatened rain. But as I drove toward Cowdray and the Sussex countryside came into view, my spirits soared. Brilliant green fields and red-gold autumn leaves blazed against the leaden sky. In the middle of this countryside, amid more than 100 acres of gardens and parkland, sits Cowdray House (the original manor is known as Cowdray Ruin). An intriguing mixture of Tudor, Arts and Crafts, Georgian, and Elizabethan architecture, the house is available for exclusive-use rental for corporate events, weddings, and other 58 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | APRI L / MAY | 2017

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Top: The Cowdray House Diamond Bedroom. Above: In the Cowdray Farm Shop.

festivities. Cowdray’s marketing manager, Sally Blackburn, was kind enough to give me a tour of the house. As I entered the hall, it was suddenly 1930 and I was Lady of the Manor, welcoming guests from London for a weekend of riding and shooting. Sally shook me from this reverie by explaining that the current Lord and Lady Cowdray live in a smaller house on the estate. Their portraits hang in the imposing, vaulted Buck Hall, its wood-paneled walls populated by a cavalcade of ancestors. From the main floor reception areas and sitting rooms to the luxurious bedrooms on the second floor, the house manages to combine grandeur with a coziness that makes you want to curl up in front of the fire with a pot of tea and a copy of Right Ho, Jeeves. Cowdray House, though, is just the beginning of the Cowdray experience. We set off down the road to what might be characterized as a sort of Cowdray village, home to the Cowdray Farm Shop, the Farm Shop Café, a juice bar, the Exceptional English Wine Company, and Hudson & Colt, an embroiderer that

provides bespoke kit for polo teams. Despite it being a rainy Friday in November, the Farm Shop Café was packed with locavores enjoying a variety of freshly prepared sandwiches and entrees. If there’s one thing I can’t resist, it’s an English bacon sandwich, and I was gratified to learn that the pork was free range and locally produced. Lord and Lady Cowdray are committed to local sourcing, and most of the beef served, as well as the lamb and venison, is estate raised. The Farm Shop is a cornucopia of local produce, freshly prepared foods, and a butcher shop. Overstimulated, I filled my basket with homemade Scotch eggs and sausage rolls, envisioning a late night picnic. A stop at the wine shop for a bottle of English fizz completed the provisioning, and then I popped into Hudson & Colt for an addition to my riding wardrobe—a black gilet (padded vest) with

Top: Cowdray Heritage, the original Cowdray House. Above: A holiday cottage.

the Cowdray crest embroidered in gold. Then it was on to my roost for the night, the smallest of four cottages located nearby. Set well back from the road, the cottages are accessed by a gravel lane that ambles alongside Benbow Pond. The setting might be described as pastoral, or even bucolic. I opened the door of Highfield Cottage to a light and airy interior. Glass patio doors opened onto a terrace with a barbecue and a lovely view of open fields. As if that weren’t enough, I discovered that the kitchen had been stocked with essentials such as farm-fresh milk, a crusty loaf of bread, tea, butter, and homemade marmalade. Perfection! I stowed my Scotch eggs and set off to explore. While the estate offers no shortage of activities, including sporting clays, fishing, and an 18-hole golf course, the surrounding villages of Midhurst and Petworth demand their share of attention. Petworth A PRIL/MAY | 201 7 | EQ L I V I NG .CO M | 5 9

House is a late 17th-century, Grade-I mansion with a significant art collection and a 700-acre deer park, landscaped by Capability Brown. Midhurst is a market town offering a surfeit of English-village charm, complete with winding brick lanes and enough antique shops to furnish a stately home. Of course, no trip to the countryside is complete without an evening at a pub. The Duke of Cumberland, voted one of the U.K.’s top 50 gastropubs, is a 15th-century pub set high on a hillside. In addition to the cozy and traditional interior, the pub has a garden complete with trout ponds and a bird’s-eye view of the surrounding countryside. While the Duke of Cumberland offers sophisticated cuisine, the Stag Inn, located in Balls Cross north of Petworth, is the ultimate

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Top: Cowdray House in the summer. Below: The library and the Cowdray Park Polo Academy.

pub experience. Flagstone floors, low ceilings, and a slumbering lurcher in front of an open fire, create an atmosphere guaranteed to send American lovers of Ye Olde Englande into paroxysms of ecstasy. My English companion generously refrained from rolling his eyes at my unrestrained glee. While Cowdray in November may offer everything the Anglophile needs for a satisfying English getaway, the polo player in me demands to return in June. Rumor has it that pro Nic Roldan will be teaching a master class at Cowdray during his summer in residence. Another stay in Highfield Cottage, farm-shop Scotch eggs, and a lesson with Nic on the green fields of Cowdray—my English polo fantasy come true. PAGE 113

GOLDEN OCALA , FLORIDA

he ride of your life awaits you at Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club. Amid rolling hills and idyllic landscapes, you’ll enjoy a national-championship resort lifestyle in a one-of-kind, world-class

community. Top-notch equestrian facilities include multiple barns featuring private equestrian suites with four or six stalls in each, a large jumping arena with separate dressage arena, large grass paddocks, and climate-controlled tack room, kitchen, and lounge. In addition to a state-of-theart equestrian center, riders enjoy meandering trails throughout the majestic, lush green, and serene property. As a Golden Ocala equestrian member, you will find it the perfect place to board and care for your horses. Plus, coming in 2018: the World Equestrian Center at Golden Ocala, a world-class equestrian sports venue. Currently under development, this 1,000-acre facility with home sites will feature both indoor and outdoor competition space and

RELAXATION, LUXURY, AND THE EQUESTRIAN LIFE.

accommodate a cross section of equestrian disciplines. The new World Equestrian Center at Golden Ocala will allow equestrians an opportunity to combine the best of equestrian sports and country-club living. There are a limited number of memberships available. Guests staying in the luxury rental villas or private residences have access to exciting club amenities. Play a round of golf on the famous Ron Garl-designed championship golf course that incorporates eight holes patterned after some of the world’s finest courses: Augusta, Royal Troon, Baltusrol, Muirfield, and St. Andrews. Or strike up a tennis match on Har-Tru Hydro Grid courts. When it’s time to relax, head over to the pool or treat yourself to an afternoon of pampering at the 17,000-square-foot spa facility. You’re going to love the dining choices as well. From a casual, poolside alfresco meal to fine dining, it’s all here. While you’re visiting, inquire about Golden Ocala’s eight unique neighborhoods designed to offer distinctive options that fit the luxurious lifestyle of your choice. PAGE 113 A PRIL/MAY | 201 7 | EQ L I V I NG .CO M | 6 1

B&B RANCH, NEW YORK

ooperstown, New York, might be famous for its ties to baseball, but there are plenty of other ways the area celebrates sport. The lush forests and crystal-clear waterways of Central New York are ideal for outdoor sports like flyfishing, hunting, and horseback riding. At the B&B Ranch, less than four hours from New York City, visitors enjoy cozy luxury in one of the five suites, which include five-course dinners, spa robes, and a fireplace lounge. Venture outside, and you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help but enjoy the outdoors. The small country inn is an equestrian facility, a working livestock ranch, and a center for agricultural tourism with a focus on farmto-table dining. Guests have access to all the 62 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | APRI L / MAY | 2017

facilities, which include tennis and basketball courts, trails, an indoor swimming pool, hot tub, and the training arenas at the stable. Qualified riders are encouraged to borrow a horse and take to the trails. The ranch hosts equestrian events throughout the year, including training and clinics, and offers boarding and horse care. When booking four or more nights, the stay includes riding lessons and trail rides. The ranch is one of the premier producers of Piedmont beef in Central New York. In THE SMALL addition to cattle, the farm raises Spanish goats, COUNTRY INN Berkshire pork, and free-range poultry. Members of IS A WORKING LIVESTOCK RANCH the ranch can purchase food directly as well as from a members-only online store, where the ranch sells the AND A CENTER FOR AGRICULTURAL meat in subscription Butcher Boxes that are shipped throughout the continental U.S. TOURISM. PAGE 113

FAIRMONT GRAND DEL MAR , CALIFORNIA

an Diego’s Fairmont Grand Del Mar is a luxury oasis drenched in year-round sunshine. The area is home to some of the country’s premier show jumping, polo, and horse racing. This year, the resort will be an official host hotel for the Breeders Cup, which will be held for the first time at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The two-day, $28-million event will attract fashionistas, celebrities, and some of the world’s best racehorses to the beachside venue for exciting races and extravagant parties. The Fairmont Grand Del Mar has won dozens of awards for its spa, golf, and dining offerings, as well as Trip Advisor’s coveted top spot as the best luxury hotel in California. The five-star resort is nestled into the hills of Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve, where each of the 249 guest-rooms offers the elegance of an old-world Mediterranean estate. The resort’s design honors architect Addison Mizner, whose work defines

A LUXURIOUS HOME-BASE FOR RACING, JUMPING, AND POLO IN SAN DIEGO

Palm Beach, Florida, and draws it inspiration from Spain’s palaces and France’s sun-washed coastal retreats. Mizner’s aesthetic is perfect for San Diego’s warm climate and the community’s affinity for outdoor living. The hotel’s vast verandas and terraces, outdoor and poolside dining, as well as its tennis courts, hiking trails, and nearby ocean beaches, offer infinite ways to enjoy the outdoors. The resort’s highend offerings include the Grand Golf Club, which was designed by Tom Fazio and features dramatic elevations, diverse bunkers, and lush fairways. The Forbes five-star spa—one of only 25 in the U.S.—offers a comprehensive menu of amenities, including fitness classes, relaxation lounges with fireplaces, plush robes, and handcrafted chocolates. The resort provides door-to-door shuttle service to the stable next door and can arrange private lessons and rides on the 37 miles of trails that surround PAGE 113 the site. A PRIL/MAY | 201 7 | EQ L I V I NG .CO M | 6 3

UXUA CASA HOTEL AND SPA , BRA ZIL

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t’s said that authenticity is the greatest luxury, and that’s what a visit to Brazil’s picturesque and historic Bahia state can offer. Nowhere else delivers an experience like Trancoso’s Quadrado and its car-free, UNESCO-protected town square. UXUA Casa Hotel and Spa features 10 unique casas that blend seamlessly into the small fishing village on Brazil’s southern coast. Four casas are restored fishermen’s homes facing the 16th-century town green called the Quadrado, while six others are hidden in a lush private garden. Five of the casas date back 500 years to the village’s founding. The casas were created by designer Wilbert Das in collaboration with local artisans using traditional building methods, reclaimed materials, and Brazilian antiques and art. Their design blends rustic elements with contemporary comfort and fuses indoor and outdoor living spaces to take advantage of the year-round tropical climate. Portuguese adventurers, Jesuit missionaries, Indian tribes, African slaves, and even Brazilian hippies have

A UNIQUE ADVENTURE AT A 500-YEAROLD CASA IN BRAZIL.

contributed to the architecture, art, and antiques that make the resort’s casas a unique expression of the local culture. Each casa includes a private garden, deck, or patio; bathrooms with outdoor gardens and handmade fixtures of copper and wood; furniture by local artisans, created from reclaimed materials; and Bahain antiques and art. UXUA’s rustic beach lounge, Almescar Spa, Quadrado restaurant, and five-star service complete the perfect holiday. In general, horseback is the preferred method of transportation around Trancoso and for guests at this Bahian retreat. Taipe Beach, long a secret of the native Pataxo Indians, offers an exclusive horseback excursion and spa treatment for guests. The fourhour excursion begins with a horseback ride to the red-colored cliffs of Taipe Beach for a natural, detoxifying body scrub with a mineral-rich clay that has been used for centuries as a stress relieving therapy. Bask in the sun with your body covered in white clay, then take a quick dip in the ocean to wash it all away, leaving your skin fresh and smooth. PAGE 113 A PRIL/MAY | 201 7 | EQ L I V I NG .CO M | 6 5

HELENA B AY, NE W ZEALAND

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ocated on nearly two miles of private coastline on the northeast corner of New Zealand’s North Island, Helena Bay is an intimate property and the first of New Zealand’s luxury lodges to offer accommodations with balconies directly on the beach. Guests arrive via a 40-minute scenic helicopter ride from Auckland. Up to 10 guests can stay at Helena Bay in the beachfront villas in a total of five luxury suites. Nestled among 800 acres of untouched greenery along peaceful shores, the resort offers exclusivity paired with fine cuisine, an opulent European-style spa, and a plethora of opportunities for outdoor adventure. The main lodge includes the private spa retreat and a heated outdoor swimming pool. In addition to the beaches and abundant amenities, Helena Bay has brought the Michelin-starred Ristorante Don Alfonso 1890 in Italy to New Zealand. Overseen by

PRIVACY AND EXCLUSIVITY FOR UP TO 10 GUESTS.

chef Ernesto Iaccarino and helmed by chef Michele Martino, the menu focuses on the traditional cuisine of Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, and offers guests estate -to-plate ingredients fueled by the on-property farm. Despite its remote location, Helena Bay offers an array of activities to enjoy when not relaxing by the ocean or pool, including tennis, hiking and biking trails, and a farm where guests can visit pet alpacas and donkeys. New Trek mountain bikes, two with electric motors, can be used on the many scenic trails. Paddleboards and kayaks are available for those looking to go out on the water. Guests can also explore the expansive locale in four-wheeled buggies, on local fishing and diving excursions, and on scenic horseback riding tours. Also available are cultural tours, guided by members from the local Maori tribe, that highlight the property’s history and sacred grounds. PAGE 113

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SALAMANDER RESORT, VIRGINIA BY BETSY STEIN

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fter a scenic drive from Washington, D.C., through the heart of Virginia horse country, I arrived in the historic village of Middleburg, Virginia, in less than an hour. Simply driving onto the Salamander Resort property is a treat. The long, tree-lined driveway brings you between carefully tended hayfields with mountain views and perhaps the glimpse of a fox. When I came around a bend through the gardens, I had the sense of arriving at a Virginia estate rather than a hotel. For centuries, the salamander has symbolized strength, courage, and fortitude. The name Salamander also reflects the wartime history of the propertyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s previous owner, Bruce Sundlun, whose World War II code name during his secret amphibian missions was Salamander, and why he chose it as the name for his Middleburg farm. In respect for both Sundlun and the traits attributed to the

Above: Sheryl Jordan hosts EquiSpective classes, a unique self-discovery program that unites horses and humans using an innovative hands-on approach.

salamander, the current owner, Sheila Johnson, sought and was granted permission to use Salamander as her brand name. My feeling of entering an estate rather than a hotel was maintained when I entered the lobby, which, although grand, offered a sense of welcome and comfort. The room is beautifully appointed with equestrian-themed sculptures, paintings, and inviting seating areas. Adjacent to the lobby is a wood-paneled, 2,500-book library. Guests can choose a cozy corner with a chessboard, a stuffed-leather chair, or a couch in front of the fire. Evidence of Sheila Johnsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s involvement appears throughout the resortâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;from her art collection and photography to her personally designed scarves and clothing in the gift shop. Similar to the common areas, the spacious guest rooms are tastefully decorated with equestrian themes, warm welcoming colors, natural light, and perhaps the latest copy of Equestrian Living magazine. Horses grazing in the paddocks was the view out my window, A PRIL/MAY | 201 7 | EQ L I V I NG .CO M | 6 9

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which reinforced the sense of being at a Virginia farm home. My visit was on Mother’s Day weekend, which coincided with the annual Gold Cup Steeplechase race at nearby Great Meadows. The resort was bustling. Families with toddlers and great-grandparents celebrated motherhood. Equine enthusiasts excitedly anticipated the race. Yet the public areas never felt crowded or noisy. Everyone wore a big smile and was festooned in new spring outfits, some casual, some fancy, but all stylish. The horsey set, distinguishable by their Barbour quilt jackets and Dubarry boots, fit right in with the resort’s décor. Come Monday morning, the scene changed from brightly colored frocks and shopping bags to include some gray suits and briefcases. The atmosphere was quieter, but it still maintained a relaxed sense of comfort and home. A key component of Sheila Johnson’s vision of an environment of mindfulness, connection to nature, 70 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | APRI L / MAY | 2017

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VIRGINIA HORSE COUNTRY LESS THAN AN HOUR FROM WASHINGTON D.C.

and well-being is the spa. Its luxurious, nature-inspired design features private stone treatment terraces, aromatic steam rooms, comfortable changing areas, a couple’s suite, and a secluded courtyard with an infinity pool, fire pit, and private poolside cabanas. The spa also includes a fitness facility with both indoor and outdoor workout areas and a full-service salon. Relaxing makes me hungry, and Salamander boasts two restaurants and a cooking studio. The chefs maintain a twoacre culinary garden from which they harvest herbs and produce to ensure that most of the produce they use is sustainably, organically, and locally produced. The cooking studio offers demonstration and interactive classes featuring seasonal menu offerings. Salamander’s 340 acres invite guests to explore, try new things, and challenge themselves—I could try zip lines, a bird watching tour, horseback or bike riding, tennis, or golf—or just sit and enjoy the quiet. There are special programs and camps for kids

and 50 wineries waiting to be visited within an easy drive from the property. My key reason for visiting the resort was the 25-acre equestrian facility. Johnson was inspired to include an extraordinary resort stable as a result of her daughter, Paige’s, lifelong passion for horses. The impeccably kept 14,000-squarefoot barn features 22 stalls and a classroom/dining venue. There are nine large grass-filled paddocks, a spectacular 120-by-240-foot outdoor riding arena with ThorTurf footing, and direct access to maintained trails through the scenic Virginia countryside. Riders and horses are appropriately matched for trail rides, and lessons include gentle ponies for children. Guests can also bring their own equine companions along for their visit and take lessons or enjoy the many trails. As an experienced rider, I am often skeptical of hotel trail rides, but this was different. The tack looked ready for the show ring, and the horses were

Top: The 22-stall, 14,000-square-foot barn and stable. Above: The culinary garden, where chefs harvest herbs and produce to ensure that the majority of foods they serve are sustainably, organically, and locally produced.

fit, capable, and clearly happy in their jobs. The barn staff was organized and professional and seemed to have an underlying mission to teach people respect for the animals. Aside from riding, there are other ways guests can interact and enjoy the horses. Participants in the Equi-Spective classes will undoubtedly come away with new insights into themselves and how they communicate. I was lucky enough to join one of Sheryl Jordan’s Equi-Spective classes. This unique self-discovery program unites horses and humans using an innovative handson approach, in which participants connect with horses while exploring relationship awareness, communication style, and leadership techniques. When it came time to return to D.C., I felt like I was leaving a relative’s home after visiting for the weekend. It all felt familiar—like I had been there before—and I knew I would be back again. Hopefully soon. PAGE 113 A PRIL/MAY | 201 7 | EQ L I V I NG .CO M | 7 1

nique destinations make for unforgettable trips. Take your trip to the next level—literally—by staying in one of Chewton Glen’s treehouse suites. A first in the U.K., these opulent accommodations are just a short walk from the resort’s traditional hotel and offer a certain elegant eccentricity that is hard to find. The treehouses range from romantic hideaways to private suites for up to eight guests and include flat-screen televisions, walk-in showers, and outdoor terraces complete with hot tubs, all suspended 35 feet off the ground. Kids will love the loft beds, while adults luxuriate in their kingsized beds. The hotel itself is a bastion of English luxury, with fine dining from some of Britain’s best-known chefs. And where better to take an afternoon tea than in one of England’s first country-house hotels? In good weather, traditional tea

YOU NEVER OUTGROW A TREEHOUSE.

is served outside on the terrace and includes local ingredients in sandwiches, cakes, scones, and jams. The Kitchen restaurant, opening this spring, is the creation of chef James Martin. It will offer relaxed dining while watching the chefs at work, plus a cookery school where guests can spend a day under the tutelage of a professional chef. After trying the on-site golf, tennis, croquet, swimming, jogging trails, dance studios, or swimming pools, guests can choose from a spectrum of over 50 restful and rejuvenating treatments and holistic therapy spa options, ranging from energetic to tranquil. In true English-country fashion, the 130-acre property also offers shooting, archery, falconry, and duck herding. Nearby is the New Forest, a national park and royal hunting playground with a rich history and over 900,000 acres through which visitors can bike, walk, or horseback ride. PAGE 113

CHE WTON GLEN TREEHOUSES , U.K .

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MA Z AGAN, MOROCCO

azagan Beach and Golf Resort covers over 600 acres along the Atlantic Ocean in El Jadida, Morocco. Located 60 miles south of Casablanca, El Jadida is a bastion of Portuguese architecture and laidback Moroccan character. Formerly known as Mazagan, the city has been revamped, but its history is still clearly visible in the Fortress of Mazagan, a Renaissance-era structure built to protect the area from invaders. Moreover, the old port of El Jadida has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There is plenty to enjoy in the area—that is, if you’re able to tear yourself away from the resort itself. The resort grounds offer panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and include outdoor pools, gardens, Morocco’s largest casino, a world-class spa, and eight restaurants and bars. Guests can play the longest golf course in the country—a par 72, 18-hole links course designed by Gary Player—stretching

2016’S BEST BEACH RESORT AND CASINO HAS THREE MILES OF BEACHES.

alongside the beach and providing challenges for all levels of skill. Fascinating scenery and three miles of beach draw guests to a wide range of outdoor activities. Beach-seeking guests can partake in jetskiing, beach volleyball, or dunebuggy rides. Le Cavalier is the resort’s equestrian center; it offers trail rides, team-building activities, and parties. A nearby fitness center provides an array of exercise equipment and classes. Beach strolls, riding lessons, and memberships allow riders of all levels an opportunity to enjoy the Moroccan scenery and climate on horseback year-round. The resort combines old-world elegance and luxurious amenities with Morocco’s relaxed hospitality. Each of the 490 rooms is air-conditioned and has both wifi and a flat-screen TV. Interiors draw on the unmistakable motifs and textures of Moroccan architecture, with bright colors, geometric patterns, and details in woodwork and ceramics surrounding wide marble floors under elegant chandeliers. The World Travel Awards chose Mazagan as 2016’s best beach and casino resort. PAGE 113 A PRIL/MAY | 201 7 | EQ L I V I NG .CO M | 7 3

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T H E PA L M B E A C H M A S T E R S BY CATIE STASZAK

BIANCA McCARTY

One of America’s most talked about show-jumping events is held at Deeridge Farms, a 300-acre oasis of calm and beauty set in the heart of the winter equestrian capital of the world, Wellington, Florida.

Catie Staszak is a grand-prix commentator for ShowNet, leading broadcasts from top horse shows across the country. She is also a SportsCenter anchor on ESPN West Palm and has worked with FEI TV, Carr-Hughes Productions, and the NBC Sports Network, among other media companies. Staszak spends as much time in the saddle as she can and is grateful to be able to combine her passions into a career she loves. This article is excerpted and reprinted courtesy of RulingSports.com.

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harlie Jacobs rode through the in-gate and onto the expansive grass jumping field at the Palm Beach Masters and blocked out the dozens of items spinning around in his mind. Aboard his 11-year-old Dutch sport horse mare, Cassinja S, he was about to tackle a challenging course of five-foot tall fences and had an important task ahead: to qualify for the $216,000 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping–Wellington, a qualifier in itself for the 2017 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Finals in Omaha, Nebraska, in two months time. “Sometimes, you just have to block it out and go ride, but it’s a challenge some days,” Jacobs said. While Jacobs, 45, is the 11th-ranked rider in the North American Eastern subleague of the world cup standings and a participant in two of the last three world cup finals, a career in show jumping is a far cry from the Boston native’s only job. Jacobs and his brother, Louis, are

the masterminds behind the Palm Beach Masters event, a four-day boutique competition in Wellington. In fact, it’s even held in their family’s own backyard. “When the [United States Equestrian Federation] issued the request for proposals three years ago to host the world cup qualifier, we raised our hand and said we would love to do that,” Charlie said. Wellington is the winter equestrian capital of the world, and thousands of horses and riders alike migrate to the village to compete in international competitions between the months of December and April. The main competition grounds have been the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), but a sponsorship conflict prevented championship-caliber competitions from being held in the area. Rolex is the sponsor of the 12-week Winter Equestrian Festival at the PBIEC, but competitor Longines sponsors the International Federation for Equestrian Sports’ World Cup and all of its qualifying events. The

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

Jacobs family, who has owned its 300acre Deeridge Farms in Wellington since 1980, did not want their area to lose such competitions after they had been held in the area for the previous 10 years, and after submitting a bid, they were granted three years of hosting a world cup qualifier in Wellington. “We were losing things such as the Nations Cup and FEI World Cup qualifiers, and they’re important classes with championship-level jumping that we really felt belonged here,” Charlie said. “As longtime residents, we really felt that we were missing this.”

he Jacobs brothers partnered with Michael and Matt Morrissey of Morrissey Management, who have run horse shows for decades, to bring to reality a championship-caliber competition on their family’s private farm, which rarely opens to the public, and make it a must-attend destination event.

1. 300-acre Deeridge Farm. 2. JustWorld executive director, Jessica Newman. The 14th Annual JustWorld Gala was held at the venue, and the evening raised well over $430,000 for the children at JustWorld’s partner projects. 3. Laura Kraut and Zeremonie. 4. Left to right: Deeridge’s Peggy Jacobs welcomed the show to her farm; Stephanie Peters, Equestrian Living editor; and Douglas Mutch of Gracie Street Interior Design, who created the Taylor Harris Club VIP area. 5. Inside the two-story tent.

(Photos: Lauren Baker, Phelps Media Group; George Kamper for Equestrian Living; Taylor Renner Phelps Sports.)

“The Morrisseys and myself, my mom and dad, and my brother have a long, long relationship,” Charlie said. “[Michael Morrisey’s] uncle Gene Mische was one of the founders of Stadium Jumping and what was the first iteration of the Winter Equestrian Festival back in the ‘80s. I can remember jumping with the Morrisseys at the South Florida Fair and the polo grounds before. We go far, far back, especially with Gene before he passed it on to Michael and Matt. It was a natural progression for Louis and myself to make that connection much like Gene had with my father.” Called the Wellington Masters in 2016, the Palm Beach Masters is now in its second year of what management hopes will be a long-term existence. The feature class is the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping–Wellington, which boasts a $216,000 purse and valuable qualifying points toward the world cup finals. This year, the class was won by 25-year-old Nayel Nassar of Egypt and A PRIL/MAY | 201 7 | EQ L I V I NG .CO M | 7 5

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his 13-year-old Hanoverian mount, Lordan. A U N I Q U E E VE N T

The Palm Beach Masters is not an ordinary show-jumping competition, and Deeridge Farms is not an ordinary venue. Tucked away behind a forest of mature greenery on Pierson Road, less than a mile from the PBIEC, the facility boasts an enormous sand arena equipped with a superior equestrian surface and an unbelievably grander grass field comparable to historic venues in Europe, where equestrian competitions are as revered as football is in America. “This horse show is at my mother and father’s property—my brother Louis and I as well as my sister Katie are longtime equestrians—but we arranged it, of course, with our parents’ support, and they gave us the free rein to make what we could out of this,” Charlie said.

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They went to great lengths to add unique touches to the facility. A month before the event, construction began on a two-story VIP hospitality tent that overlooks both the sand and grass arenas. Called the Taylor Harris Club and sponsored by Taylor Harris Insurance Services, the double-decker construction was decorated with exquisite artwork, luxurious chandeliers, and featured decadent dishes prepared by Iron Chef star Masharu Morimoto. NFL football chefs such as John Morey of the Carolina Panthers, John Wilson of the Buffalo Bills, and the Green Bay Packers’ Heath Barbato contributed to the fare. The mainstream sport connection runs deeper. A part of the senior leadership team for his family’s global food service and hospitality company, Delaware North, Charlie Jacobs is also

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the CEO of the Boston Bruins, owns TD Garden, and jointly operates the New England Sports Network with the Boston Red Sox, among other endeavors. “When we learned we were awarded the world cup qualifier, we really wanted to have something unique,” Jacobs said. “When you go to horse shows, you see the same jumps every week, and it’s just kind of blah. We wanted things that reflected the uniqueness of the property, and we wanted some things showing the Boston Bruins.” P U T T I N G T H E H OR SE FI R ST

“The feedback I’ve gotten from the riders has been all positive, and that makes me feel good, because [my brother and I] would like to think of ourselves as horsemen,” Charlie said. “We’re not necessarily event producers, but we design and engineer this horse show around what is in the best interest of the horse. Yes, it’s pretty; yes, it should look spectacular, but everything needs to be

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designed around what’s in the best interest of the horse. I would expect that if you walked back to the FEI pavilion and asked people if this was handled properly in terms of safety and the welfare of the horse, I would hope every horseman would share a yes with you. That’s a responsibility and a fabric of where we begin from, and we just build off from that.”

1. Arianna Rockefeller. 2. Adam Prudent and Vasco had the first FEI win of the week, shown here with Louis and Joan Jacobs. 3. Egypt’s Nayel Nasser bested the field of international veterans to run away with the grand finale—the $216,000 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Wellington CSI3*-W—aboard his longtime partner, Lordan. 4. Beezie Madden and Breitling LS. 5. Ian Millar and Dixson.

(Photos: Lauren Baker, Phelps Media Group; George Kamper for Equestrian Living; Taylor Renner Phelps Sports.)

he results not only attracted more than 100 internationally ranked riders, but also numerous high-profile sponsors. The show was broadcast across more than 20 countries through IMG media distribution. Event coverage also aired on the NBC Sports Network. The brothers have also added an additional horse show at the facility in early March, Deeridge Derby Weekend, which offers hunter-derby classes in addition to its show-jumping slate. PAGE 113

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At home with

AMANDA TODD MINIKUS BY SUE WEAKLEY MAJOR PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE KAMPER

A warm bonanza for horses and family.

BY BETSY LaBELLE WITH STEPHANIE PETERS MAJOR PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE KAMPER

e walks into the barn like a comfortable cowboy, his stride honed by many hours in the saddle and his good-guy white hat crinkled in all the right places. It’s a true horseman’s barn, designed for the comfort and safety of its valued residents, but, as he nears, something seems amiss. Instead of a crisp button-down shirt and starched Levis, his white shirt is made of a sports performance fabric and he is clad in breeches. That’s because he’s the self-proclaimed show jumping maverick, Todd Minikus. The two-time, bronze-medal-winning U.S. Pan American Team member earned more than 130 national and international grand-prix wins, represented the U.S. on many a Nations Cup team, served as an alternate for the Olympic Games show-jumping team, and was named equestrian of the year in 2014. He’s husband to fellow equestrian Amanda Minikus and dad to 8-year-old Colt and 6-year-old Langley. Todd’s barn and his home, set on 10 acres on the outskirts of Wellington, Florida, are his ranch and his personal bonanza.

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“The kids are on the patio and I’m training in the backyard, and they yell out...‘ Where’d you hide the remote...?’”

“It’s not like a typical Florida home—it’s more Colorado-style,” Amanda explains. “Todd would say if he could live anywhere, he’d live out West. He loves the Western theme.” They bought the property anticipating the South Florida horseshow circuit moving nearby but, when that failed to materialize, they decided to build a kid- and horse-friendly compound. Amanda would stay up until 2 or 3 a.m. looking at house plans, and when the right one was discovered, it evolved into the present home. “We always wanted to build something because we need a home, not only for us and our family, but we need a home for our horses,” she said. The barn was finished slightly before the house, and they moved in Thanksgiving Day in 2010. For the Minikus family, it’s a family affair as well as a partnership. Todd does most of the training but, when he is away at shows, Amanda takes over the care and riding of the horses left at home. “We definitely do this as a team,” she says. “When he’s at the show, I handle things at the farm and try to make it so everything works together. He can’t be at two places at once, so I help ride the horses here so that everything stays on track.” Meanwhile, she wrangles two kids and five dogs, including four Rhodesian ridgebacks and a token Jack Russell. “It’s nice because the kids can just come out and come see us and hang out,” Amanda adds. “Our daughter rides, but our son doesn’t have any interest right now. We want it to be their idea. Just because we do it doesn’t mean they have to love it.” Todd enjoys his home life as well. “When the kids are on the patio and I’m training the horses in the backyard, they yell out, ‘Dad, I need the TV changed’ or ‘Where’d you hide the remote?’ or something like that,” he explains, “that makes

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it great, as well as handy, that we’re right there with the kids.” The children ride their bikes on the property, so when the compound was designed, safety was a priority. The horses were also key in the design, with practicality, functionality, work flow, and their safety in mind. Crosshatch on the front of the stalls and spaces between the stall slats allow for optimal air flow. Todd and Amanda believe that in the barn, the horses come first. “They are the athletes, so we have to take care of them,” Amanda says. “If they’re not taken care of to the best of our ability and we don’t keep them in tip-top shape, then how can we then ask them to perform?” Todd and Amanda both take an active approach in the care of horses. “You can walk by the stalls and see in just as you’re walking by, and you’re able to see their legs,” Todd says. “You’d be surprised the stuff you notice. And the horses seem comfortable, and that’s important to me. I like the hands-on approach with the horses. Sitting in the house, you can hear if somebody’s banging or in trouble, and I like that feel.” The feel of the house is also a priority for Amanda. “Growing up, my mom made our home very special,” she says. “There was a lot of love in our home, and I was proud of our home. I wanted to try to accomplish the same thing for my kids and my family. I wanted it to be a place where they wanted to be. Decorating for me is a passion. I love it.” Todd enjoys the simple pleasures of farm life, and on his Mondays off, he can be found mowing the lawn. At the end of every day, he’s out grooming the arena—a chore he trusts to no one but himself. “I come home and I drag the ring

ROBERT HANSEN

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every night myself. That’s the most important thing, and that way I don’t have to grab anybody and shake ‘em for scalping the ring,” he laughs. “I can’t blame anybody but myself. It’s definitely like mowing grass. It’s a good way to take the 30 minutes to wind down. That’s the changeover from work to going into the house. It should be husband time, but it’s mostly dad time.” The couple has a comfortable routine. Todd and Amanda get up around 6 a.m. and make sure the kids are moving by 6:30. They cook the kids breakfast, and Amanda takes them to school while Todd starts taking care of the horses. “We’re on by eight, and it’s just getting them out and training them to get better at what they do,” Amanda says. “It’s explaining things

“Todd’s all about training the horses. There are no gimmicks or gadgets.”

that they might have questions on to help them understand. Todd’s all about training the horses. There are no gimmicks or gadgets.” On Mondays, the horses also seem to enjoy the day off, and if you come through the barn, most of them will be napping. “They enjoy the quiet,” she says. “They need a day off where they can do their own thing. They’re happy.” The same can be said for the Minikus family. Their home and barn are a hidden oasis for a high-performance show jumper who longs for the ranch life for his happy family. “It’s pretty simple,” he says. “It’s a lot of work, but it is simple. It’s comfortable for the horses and comfortable for my family.”

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GA L L ERY

C H A R L I E

L A N G T O N

A S HO RT INTERVIEW

How did you originally become involved with art and sculpture?

Charlie Langton (above) is a British artist who has a unique talent to represent horses. As John F.R. Warren, the racing manager to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, said, “I look critically at thousands of horses every year; my eye is fairly well tuned when it comes to looking at the ‘perfect athlete.’ For someone to actually create that absolute picture in art form to the detail it requires is a unique and extraordinary talent. A margin here, a margin there, makes the difference between someone who is simply an artist and someone who is different from the rest. Having watched Charlie unfold his talents over the last few years makes me think his work will be admired and coveted for generations.” 84 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | AP RI L / MAY | 2017

I was always drawing growing up and was lucky to go to schools that offered sculpture as part of the art courses. I really got into studying it properly during my time in Florence at the Charles Cecil studios, where I spent half my time in the sculpture studio. The remainder of my time was spent drawing and painting portraits. Sculpture became my preferred medium then, and I set about applying my studies to the equine form. What drew you to horses as subjects? Do you ride or have horses yourself?

I was very lucky to grow up around horses, and they were a source of fascination for me. I used to ride for fun and have recently started again. Anatomically they are an incredible feat of nature, and aesthetically they are a great vehicle for expression. My studio looks onto a paddock and has an adjoining stable. There is so much to learn about horsemanship. One thing I definitely have learned is not to measure up a horse with calipers. I learned this extremely painful lesson when measuring the three-time Breeder’s Cup winning filly, Goldikova. She didn’t like the look of them or me, and booted me across the yard when I attempted to measure her. I now use a measuring tape and a carrot.

My most recent commission (lower right) was a 20 percent-over-life-size sculpture of a mare and foal, which was commissioned to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s lifelong passion for the breeding of Thoroughbreds. The aim was to highlight the personal, private, and intimate moments she has with her horses when she visits them at Sandringham. It is the one thing that the queen does for her own enjoyment in a life of duty, and I needed to capture her passion and deep understanding of horses. It was a huge challenge and one that I loved every minute of sculpting. The queen unveiled it in Newmarket in 2016. Tell us about working with you on private equine commissions.

I like to spend at least a week with the horse I’m studying. I spend as much time observing the subject as possible to try and establish the unique characteristics and temperament, so I can establish a suitable pose. I’ll involve the owner as much as possible throughout the 10- to 12-month process for a life-size bronze. The best outcome is achieved by input from people who know the horse best. My goal is to make the work instantly recognizable as the horse, and at the same time impart my own observations. PAGE 113

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T H E F I N E S T H O M E S , FA R M S , A N D

RANCHES FROM E Q U E ST R I A N L I V I N G

EQ U E STR IAN EQLiving.com

PRO PERTI ES APRIL/MAY 2017

SKARA GLEN STABLES WE L L I NGTON, FLOR IDA PAG E 90

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

SKARA GLEN STABLES Wellington, Florida

ocated on 33 lush acres in the heart of Wellington, the Winter Equestrian & Polo Capital of the World, Skara Glen Stables is one of the finest equestrian estates in Southeastern United States. Offered for the first time, Skara Glen Stables is just minutes to all world-class equestrian venues including the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), International Polo Club (IPC) and the Global Dressage Festival (GDF). Skara Glen Stables is a special

property offering the astute equestrian the finest private grounds to train upon. There are five structures on the property including the Grand Prix Stables, The Ranch Stables, owner’s quarters, meeting retreat and tennis pavilion. There are 32 stalls in total. Access to the property is achieved through three separate gated entrances. The center aisle Grand Prix Stable with courtyard features 18 custom stalls with EBY wood, hand made brass horse water faucets and vaulted cypress ceilings with cupolas providing extra ventilation.

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The four wash bay stalls feature stainless steel storage cabinetry and temperature controlled water source with rear safety escape access. Hand made chandeliers and pillars light the Chicago brick aisles and breezeway leading to the tack room, office and custom three bedroom staff quarters. All windows, doors and stall shutters throughout the property are hurricane rated. The spectacular courtyard gazebo has extensive views of the 120’ x 270’ riding arena and Grand Prix grass field. The 14-stall center aisle Ranch Stable is situated on the north side of the

E Q U E S T R I A N P R O P E RT I E S PROPERTY HIGHLIGHTS: –33 Acre Equestrian Estate –Grand Prix & Ranch Barns with 32 Lucas Equine Stalls –9 Acre Bermuda Grass Jump Field – Large Riding Arena –1/2 Mile Gallop Track –16 Lush Paddocks with Water Drinkers –Drainage Infrastructure with Lift Stations –Custom U.S. Open Surface Tennis Pavilion –Access to all Equestrian & Polo Venues –Winter Equestrian Capital of the World

property featuring barrel ceilings above the stalls with cypress beams at the main entrance with extensive use of Chicago brick on the floors and archways. It includes a first floor bedroom suite with handmade tiles throughout and a spectacular second floor apartment with views of the courtyard, pond and paddocks. The octagonal owners quarters is beautifully finished with hand distressed Balinese teak ceilings. The meeting retreat overlooking the pond provides the perfect setting for impromptu gatherings. The property also features 16 lush

irrigated paddocks with mature shade trees and water drinkers adjacent to the 9-acre Bermuda grass jump field with ½ mile gallop track. Adjoining is the tennis pavilion and lighted hard court with U.S. Open playing surface. A drainage infrastructure has been incorporated throughout the property with strategically located lift stations and ponds. The equipment garage and shelter are conveniently positioned around the property. Price upon request.

DAVID WELLES, P.A. Founding Associate 561.313.9123 dwelles@equestriansir.com www.wellesrealestate.com

www.skaraglen.com

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E EQ Q U EUSETSRTI R A INA N P RPORPO E RT P E IRETS I E S

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN Connecting environmental health, horse health, and property aesthetics.

t the heart of today’s sustainability movement is the conviction that what is good for the environment is good for us too. For the equestrian community, we can extend this to include our horses as well. These principles increasingly guide horse-facility planning, design, and management—and for good reason. Whether motivated by protecting the environment, improving horse health, or enhancing overall farm aesthetics, the solutions to better design and management are often the same. E N V I RO N M E N TA L S T E WA RD S HI P

Collectively, farm owners are stewards of a vast amount of land, and with this comes the need to responsibly manage and conserve our equestrian landscapes. In North Carolina, for example, an

CLAY NELSON, principal of Sustainable Stables LLC, is an expert in the planning and design of sustainable equestrian facilities. He is also a professional scientist and researcher in environmental health and soil chemistry. Clay holds degrees in environmental biology from Dartmouth College and environmental health from Duke University. Rooted in the enjoyment horseback riding provides in getting outside and connecting with nature, he is passionate about assisting horse owners improve the stewardship of their land for the benefit of horses, communities, and the environment alike.

BY CLAY NELSON

estimated 53,000 equine-owning households comprise over two million acres of land. These numbers reflect only a fraction of the entire U.S. equestrian community. Horsekeeping practices present unique environmental and land stewardship challenges. By confining horses to smaller acreages of land than they would naturally travel in the wild, we put certain pressures on our land that we must, to the best of our ability, mitigate. Principle among these are the protection of soil and water resources on and adjacent to horse properties. Overstocked and overgrazed pastures, for example, lead to a variety of environmental problems including soil erosion, compaction, and overall loss of soil fertility. Erosion of valuable topsoil from pastures contributes to pollution of nearby streams and rivers. Not only does the soil itself directly impact water quality, but it carries with it nutrients that, when they exceed safe levels, can cause toxic algal blooms and the loss of oxygen in streams, rivers, and lakes—killing fish and other aquatic life. Environmental scientists contend that soil erosion is not just a problem of the past, famously resulting in the dust bowl of the 1930s,

but continues to be one of the most critical environmental concerns of today. Improper manure management also contributes to environmental pollution. Often manure is gathered and accumulated in the “pile out back.” When this pile is located near creeks, rivers, or poorly-vegetated drainage swales, it can leach nutrient pollution into surface waters. Don’t think your farm’s small manure pile can have much of an impact? When it comes to environmental stewardship, it is important to think in context of the cumulative impacts of all horse properties. For example, the approximately 82 million tons of manure produced from horses in the U.S. each year is enough to fill the Empire State Building 72 times over. It also contains 531,000 tons (or 1.06 trillion pounds) of nitrogen and phosphorous that, if not properly managed, can contribute to nutrient pollution of our lakes and rivers. It is hard to argue against the importance of proper manure storage and management in the context of these numbers. FINDING SUSTAINA BL E SOLUTIONS

Sustainable equine facility design and management practices intended to mitigate environmental impacts do more than help protect the health of our land, they also improve horse health and farm aesthetics. To protect water quality, for example, a successful strategy is to leave a vegetation buffer between pastures and surface waters. These riparian zones not only play a key role in absorbing soil and Continued on page 98

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E S S E N T I A L S | T R AV E L

J U P I T E R E Q U E S T R I A N E S TAT E

Situated on 50 acres of land in the gated community of Ranch Colony in Jupiter, Florida, the YZ Ranch is one of the most fantastic equestrian properties in all of South Florida. The main house consists of 5 bedrooms, 5 full baths, and 3 half baths overlooking a beautiful four acre private lake and a fully equipped eight stall stable. The main house is complete with a heated saltwater pool, a chef ’s kitchen, a 1.000-bottle wine room, a safe room, a ground floor master, and an observation lounge and terrace with incredible views of the property. All three structures, the main house, guest house, and barn with living quarters were built to exceed Miami/Dade hurricane specifications with impact glass, roll-up hurricane shutters and reinforced rebar concrete roofs, walls, and floors, and multiple generators. In addition to the eight stall stable, the equestrian facilities include a riding and jumping arena, eight turnout paddocks, and beautiful riding trails that wind through cypress and pine trees and pass by the internationally acclaimed Dye Preserve Golf Course on the western boundary of the property. Ranch Colony is surrounded by over 20,000 acres of nature preserves with plenty of access to riding trails, parks, and community trails for horseback riding enthusiasts. $19,900,000 | Web: 0076580 | jupiterequestrianestate.com

TODD PETER | 5 6 1 . 2 81 .0 03 1 todd.peter@sothebyshomes.com

FRANCES PET ER | 5 6 1 . 273.6 1 2 8 frances.peter@sothebyshomes.com FrancesandTodd.com

PALM BEACH BROKERAGE 340 Royal Poinciana Way, Palm Beach, FL 33480 Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered (or unregistered) service marks used with permission. Operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Real estate agents affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc.

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MARTHA W. JOLICOEUR SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Stables Way | Palm Beach Point East | $7,700,000 | Pristine 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. 2 bedroom Ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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.

3612 Aiken Court | Southfields | $5,900,000 | Perfectly located and designed, this pristine farm sits on 4+/- acres in a gated section of Southfields, close to WEF, IPC, and the Global show grounds. The gorgeous 4 bedroom & 4.5 bathroom home enjoys farm & pasture views from every room. With a guest cottage, pool, 12-stall barn, 8 paddocks, and an all weather ring, this property has it all.

Windsome Estates | Wellington | $3,600,000 | Long regarded as one of the most sought-after equestrian estates in Wellington, a portion of Windsome Estates has been developed into four of the finest 10-acre lots the area has to offer. Phase one has been completed, and site plans have been drawn up for a grand farm that can be ready for next season.

12963 Via Christina | 12542 Equine Lane | $3,072,000 -$1,500,000 Wellington Located within one of the premier guard gated equestrian communities, Grand Prix Farms provides a unique way of life with a luxurious ambiance. Build your own custom designed equestrian estate. Site ready to build with all underground utilities including drainage, city water & sewer, natural gas, phone, and cable with high speed internet.

MARTHA W. JOLICOEUR, P.A.

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BROKER ASSOCIATE 561.797.8040 | OC TOB ER/ N OVEMB ER | 2016 LIVING www.marthasproperties.com

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

MARTHASPROPERTIES.COM FARMS & ESTATES, WELLINGTON, FL PRICE REDUCED

Aero Club Estate | Wellington | $1,550,000 | If hopping on a jet in your own backyard sounds like a dream come true, it’s time that you make your move to this fabulous, beautifully renovated 3 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom home at Wellington Aero Club. The property offers the unique opportunity to build your own hangar for your jet, and features its own personal taxiway lot. Golf cart distance from the worldfamous equestrian showgrounds.

Saddle Trail | Wellington | $1,350,000 | This single-family home features marvelous renovations with land to spare for a barn and ring. The community offers miles of bridle paths to be enjoyed. This incredible 3 bedroom, 2 bath home features brand new kitchen and baths, impact glass, wood floors, and a stunning pool with built-in spa.

Palm Beach Polo & CC | East Lake Bungalow | $765,000 | Fully renovated East Lake Bungalow with water views is truly a must see property. Redone with impact glass, new HVAC, new flooring, custom built kitchen, and new baths. Cathedral wood ceilings, a warm neutral décor, and plenty of light, make this home irresistible. Perfect winter home, 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom bungalow with a 1 bedroom, bathroom guest cottage.

Luxury Home in Mizner Estates | Wellington | $3,200,000 | This secluded luxury home features an infinity edge pool that seamlessly blends with views of the lake, golf course, and wildlife-filled Big Blue Cypress Preserve. The 4 bedroom, 5.5 bath estate boasts his and her baths, a cozy office leading out to the backyard, and pocket glass sliders in the kitchen and family room allow for an outstanding indoor/outdoor living experience.

PROVIDING THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF PROFESSIONAL REAL ESTATE SERVICE

FOR THE GLOBAL EQUESTRIAN COMMUNITY

1111 LINCOLN RD, MIAMI BEACH, FL 33139. 305.695.6300 © 2017 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. ALL MATERIAL PRESENTED HEREIN IS INTENDED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. WHILE, THIS INFORMATION IS BELIEVED TO BE CORRECT, IT IS REPRESENTED SUBJECT TO ERRORS, OMISSIONS, CHANGES OR WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL PROPERTY INFORMATION, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO SQUARE FOOTAGE, ROOM COUNT, NUMBER OF BEDROOMS AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PROPERTY LISTINGS SHOULD BE VERIFIED BY YOUR OWN ATTORNEY, ARCHITECT OR ZONING EXPERT. IF YOUR PROPERTY IS CURRENTLY LISTED WITH ANOTHER REAL ESTATE BROKER, PLEASE DISREGARD THIS OFFER. IT IS NOT OUR INTENTION TO SOLICIT THE OFFERINGS OF OTHER REAL ESTATE BROKERS. WE COOPERATE WITH THEM FULLY. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY. OC TOB E R/NOVE MB E R | 20 1 6 | EQ L I V I NG .CO M | 9 5

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RobeRt Ross, P.A.

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HOMES FOR HORSES

EquEstrian Way | sAddle tRAil | Offered at

$2,900,000

8-Stall Barn | 3 Wash Stalls | Sand Ring | 2-Bedroom / 1-Bath Barn Apartment

southfiElds | Wellington, Fl | Offered at

$5,900,000

aPPaloosa trail | sAddle tRAil | Offered at

$5,795,000

Grand Prix VillaGE | Wellington, Fl | Call for price!

96 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | OC TOB ER/ N OVEMB ER | 2016

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

Saddle tRail | rolling rock & Wellington trace 3 Adjoining Parcels Available Together Or As: A. 2.17 Acres W/House, 4-Stall Barn & Paddocks for $1,050,000. B. 4.74 Acres W/House, 4-Stall Barn, Paddocks & 3 Arenas for $2,200,000. C. 4.89 Acres W/+30-Stall Barn, 4 Arenas & Paddocks for $2,750,000. D. 2.32 Acres, +30-Stall Barn, Covered Arena & Paddocks for $1,600,000.

dRaft HoRSe | Paddock Park ii | Offered at

$1,245,000

Well Designed & Fully Appointed Dressage Farm Located At The End Of A Cul-De-Sac

oCean BReeze | Palm Beach Point | Offered at

$1,165,000

Very Private Location | 5+ Acres | Cul-De-Sac Location Close to WEF

Roan CouRt | Paddock Park | Offered at

$1,595,000

Homeland | Wellington, Fl | Offered at

$2,850,000

OC TOB E R/NOVE MB E R | 20 1 6 | EQ L I V I NG .CO M | 9 7

Two Adjoining 5-Acre Farms | Pine-Shaded Paddocks | 12-Stall Barn | Riding Trails

E EQ Q U EUSETSRTI R A INA N P RPORPO E RT P E IRETS I E S

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN Continued from page 92

nutrient runoff from pastures and provide habitat for wildlife, but they also create a functional, aestheticallypleasing landscape feature on the farm. Maintaining a healthy stand of pasture grasses, whose roots help anchor soil in place, is also important. It is often said that horse property owners are, by necessity, grass farmers, but it may be more appropriate to consider them soil scientists, for cultivating healthy soil is the foundation of healthy pastures. Grasses rely on more than just complex chemical interactions with soil to thrive. They also rely on an amazing diversity of bacteria, fungi, worms, and other life to function properly. A single spoonful of healthy soil can contain over a billion bacteria. In fact, there is no environment on Earth that is more biologically diverse. Sustainable pasture management on horse farms, therefore, must consider more than just application of chemical fertilizers to maintain nutrient levels and lime to manage soil pH. Rather, pasture management should seek to promote the incredible biodiversity found in soils. To this end, maintaining organic matter is critical, as is minimizing soil compaction, a common but often overlooked problem on many horse farms. Horses are heavy animals, and their weight is concentrated on a very small surface area of hoof. Unsurprisingly, repeated driving of a half-ton of pressure on soils can lead to compaction, which degrades soil quality. Fortunately for horse facility owners, a single horse produces about 50 pounds of high-quality, organic soil amendment every day, which is made better and safer through composting. Composted manure is superior to raw manure in adding organic material to soil, improving the

A well-designed composting system can provide an attractive addition to the farm landscape.

effectiveness of fertilizer application (in addition to providing nutrients itself), improving soil drainage and porosity, buffering soil pH, and mitigating soil compaction. The high heat generated during the composting process also kills parasites in manure, making it safer to apply to pastures. The aesthetic design of many modern composting systems can also provide an attractive addition to the farm landscape. Not surprisingly, research is increasingly showing that grasses grown in healthy soils are better for our horses. When grasses are grown in nutrient poor or otherwise stressed soils, they respond by increasing the concentration of sugars in the edible portions. The increased sugar intake that occurs when horses graze on these stressed grasses pre-disposes them to dangerous health risks such as obesity, insulin-resistance, and laminitis. With respect to aesthetics, no one will argue that a healthy stand of grasses looks nicer than overgrazed, bare pastures. Another aspect of pasture management gaining increased attention relates to the type of grasses being grown on horse pastures, which are often seeded as a monoculture of a single or few modern, improved (i.e. non-native) grasses. While

such grasses have proven successful in increasing meat or milk production in cattle, they have contributed to a variety of health problems in horses, which evolved to graze on a mix of highfiber, low-sugar grasses and forage, not the sugar-rich grasses common to todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pastures. Seeding pastures in native grasses, which are naturally lower in sugar, is an enticing solution from both an environmental and horse health perspective. Native grasses, however, do not withstand grazing pressure as well as modern improved grasses and require about four times the pasture acreage per horse, a solution that is not feasible for most horse farms. Nonetheless, increasing plant diversity in pastures to include a variety of horse-safe grasses, herbs, and legumes is to the mutual benefit of horses and their environment, and should be considered on farms with the acreage to support it. Native grasses, however, can play an environmentally beneficial role on your farm in areas outside the pasture, including in riparian zones previously discussed or seeded in vegetated drainage swalesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; low-lying areas on your farm that capture and convey water runoff. The deep roots of some native grasses keep soil in place and the grasses themselves help slow down surface water flow, further reducing erosion and capturing nutrients and other potential water pollutants before they reach water bodies. The above illustrations are just a few of the many examples of how equine facility design and management practices intended to protect the environment also benefit horse health and property aesthetics. Continued efforts to improve our understanding of these relationships will help advance sustainable solutions to horsekeeping for the benefit of all. PAGE 113

98 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | OC AP RI TOB L / MAY ER/ N2017 OVEMB ER | 2016

E S S E N T I A L S | T R AV E L

CASA FARM 2905 Old Frankfort Pike, Lexington, Kentucky www.2905oldfrankfortpike.com Casa Farm was originally claimed by Isaac Shelby (Kentucky’s first Governor) for his Father because of the abundance of dependable water, rich Maury soils and proximity to Camp Lexington at McConnell Springs! In 1788 the main house, one of Kentucky’s first brick homes, was constructed for Major Henry Payne. The residence has 4560 sq. ft. and was completely renovated in 2005, with all paved roads, barns renovated, new roofs and new fencing! The barns host 92 stalls and all utilities on the farm are underground. The aesthetic result is spectacular west orientated panoramas of rolling bluegrass hills and unobstructed views of flat

bottom lands. The varied topography of this farm has contributed to the conditioning of many successful racehorses. Several Kentucky Derby winners been foaled and raised on this ground. The present owner has raised and campaigned many notable stakes winners! The farm has 4,213 feet of road frontage with two historic and abundant springs as well as Towne Branch Creek. The farm presently has Kentucky American water lines to all paddocks, fields and barns. It has been a continuously operating Thoroughbred operation since 1820. The farm is offered as an exclusive listing of Offutt Realty, Inc. and can be seen by appointment only!

“Listing and Selling distinctive properties throughout the Bluegrass” Greg Martelli, Associate Broker, (859-338-4292) OC TOB E R/NOVE MB E R | 20 1 6 | EQ L I V I NG .CO M Jane Allen Offutt, Principal Broker, (859-421-5222) | janeallen@offuttrealty.com

| 99

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WHITE OAK An unparalleled equestrian estate in the heart of Northern California’s Wine Country

hite Oak is an incomparable equestrian estate bordering Sonoma County’s premier polo fields, located in the Valley of the Moon. The property overlooks breathtaking views of the pristine polo fields, surrounding hills and mountain ranges. Just a stone’s throw away from some of Sonoma Valley’s most famed vineyards, the setting is magical. Situated amongst rolling pastures of a remarkable equestrian facility, the estate offers a grand main residence overlooking a serene pond, generous guest house, gorgeous pool and spa, stoneclad pool house and caretaker’s cottage. Reminiscent of a traditional farmhouse, the main residence maintains timeless aspects such as field stone chimneys, cedar shingles, a traditional gabled roof and dormer windows that capture the essence of the original development of the traditional farm buildings that were first on the property. 10 0 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V IN G | OC AP RI TOB L / MAY ER/ N| OVEMB 2017 ER | 2016

Featuring the crème de la crème of equestrian facilities to include: two barns to collectively board twenty-plus horses, a 65-foot round lunging hall constructed of pine and cedar shingles, lighted outdoor arena, jumping arena, turn-out paddock and multiple pastures. Each barn includes tie stalls, hot/cold showers, heat lamps throughout and cushioned rubber matting flooring. A hot walker accommodates four to five horses at a time with three tie stalls in close proximity. A custom, hollowed out rock serves as a water trough, with the water remaining cool all hours of the day. The immaculately landscaped grounds include a perennial walk with a variety of gardens and native plantings, such as lavender, roses and azaleas. An assortment of trees decorate the grounds, not limited to olive, elm, maple, sycamore and redwood as well as pear, nectarine, persimmon, peach and apple. Please visit www.568WhiteOak.com to view additional photography and a film of the property.

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

CALIFORNIA WINE COUNTRY EQUESTRIAN ESTATE

Sonoma County, California | Offered at $17,000,000 | 568WhiteOak.com

CH UCK L A M P 415.298.6687 | CHARLES.LAMP@SOTHEBYSHOMES.COM | CAL BRE 858966

WINE COUNTRY BROKERAGE | 25 EAST NAPA STREET SONOMA, CA

95476 | 707.939.2288 | SOTHEBYSHOMES.COM/NORCAL

Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered (or unregistered) service marks used with permission. Operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Real estate agents affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc.

OC TOB E R/NOVE MB E R | 2016 | EQ L I V I NG .CO M | 1 0 1

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

Bald Rock Estates Sapphire, NC

An Exquisite Equestrian Estate

Situated on 10.37± acres, this exquisite mountain estate features a 4-stall barn, pasture, grotto-style pool, and one of the area’s most spectacular views. The Bald Rock subdivision offers riding trails which join the trails into Pisgah National Forest. This special home offers 5 bedrooms, 6½ baths, paneled great room with extensive beamwork and a massive stone fireplace. A chef ’s kitchen features top of the line appliances. The huge covered porch is ideal for entertaining, offering an outdoor kitchen with gas range and grill, a fireplace, and breathtaking mountain views.

Video

Shown By Appointment Only Offered at $3,600,000. MLS 3234296

Art Fisher, Listing Broker Fisher Realty 10 Park Place West | Brevard, NC 28712 (828) 883-9895 ArtFisher@FisherRealtyNC.com FisherRealtyNC.com 10 2 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V IN G | OC TOB ER/ N OVEMB ER | 2016

Knight and Itzkovitz scan countless videos and look up bloodlines, pre-purchases, and show records to scan for any problems. And once a horse is purchased, the really hard work begins. “Horses are the easy part of the industry,” continues Knight. “You’ve got to figure out what you can fix, what you can develop. Some traits won’t change. You go abroad, roll the dice, and hope it will flush out into what you hoped it would be.” Plus, it would appear that the Europeans have wised up to the import craze. “In the case of some breeders,” Knight explains, “they are breeding hundreds of horses a year. A horse that’s worth $10,000 to the Germans is worth $20,000 to us. But they’re getting slick to that. They’re watching videos on YouTube; they’re figuring out what we’re doing over here. They’re coming to Florida. They’re not stupid.” When asked what he would do if he didn’t have his role at Halcyon, Itzkovitz bites his lip. “I think what I pursued my degree in,” he says. “Urban planning.” But he doesn’t look convinced. Finding and developing top show horses is his deepest passion and his joy. It sounds like this 28-year-old is keeping his eyes on the prize, and in this case, it’s the horse.

a situation U.S.-based scouts are eager to take advantage of. Knight is one of the first to admit that she travels for the quality. “The Europeans just have a stronger history of horsemanship,” she explains. “They’ve got more horseflesh than we do, top bloodlines, a bigger variety, top breeding programs. Everyone’s importing from Europe because you can get a better price.” Itzkovitz estimates that he spends about six weeks of the year on buying trips, mostly to Germany, Holland, and France, although there are great horses coming out of other countries as well. Although his nomadic lifestyle can sound glamorous, it very rarely is. Itzkovitz is constantly in situations where cancelled flights or quarantine issues see him having to catch up on sleep on airport floors. There’s also a tremendous amount of research that goes into the horses that Cyran visits. With the help of European friends keeping an ear to the ground,

THE BOOK

Summer Festival Canadian rider reserve champion while competing on horses he’d brought over from Europe. During the fall show season, five of the eight horses competing in the big equitation classes were all mounts he’d personally helped scout and train. “I’d say we watch 20 to 30 horse videos a day together,” Knight says. “Cyran will stay up until two in the morning watching more. He never gets tired of it. He really knows what to look for in this market now. If the horses aren’t suitable for the job they were doing, he can get them repurposed, fixed, and get them confident.” Susi Stone, co-owner of Connecticut’s White Bridge Farm, echoes the optimism that makes Itzkovitz such a successful equine scout. “Once the horses land at the airport, spend time in quarantine, and then arrive at White Bridge,” says Stone, “Cyran’s job is to identify the gaps in each horse’s training and develop the horse to utilize its athletic ability while maximizing its ‘ridability’ for a wide range of prospective buyers.” That variance in ability is another factor that makes Itzkovitz’s job a challenge. The riding community he grew up with in Europe is nothing like the buying market in the United States. “In Europe, the model is tuned more towards the development, training, and sale of horses,” Itzkovitz explains, “while the American model prioritizes teaching and coaching—it’s the client at the center. And, of course, riding is much less expensive in Europe and thus accessible to a larger population, whereas in America, it is an extremely expensive pursuit. I don’t think I would have been able to ride if I grew up here.”

“Oh, yeah,” laughs Knight, when asked about the difference between U.S. and European markets. “In Germany, you see horses everywhere. Everyone is walking around in riding clothes. Every fourth person has a horse in their backyard. In Europe, it’s one of the top sports after soccer. It’s part of their culture. Here, it’s so much more exclusive.” The deeper history of horsemanship in Europe and more accessible prices for land have resulted in a flooded market—

THE BOOK LLC

THE LONG GAME

Continued from page 26

PEOPLE

COURTNEY MAUM is the author of the

novel, I Am Having So Much Fun Here Without You, the chapbook Notes from Mexico, and a forthcoming novel, Touch. She’s recently gotten back in the saddle after a 27-year break and is currently trying to learn polo. In addition to writing fiction and screenplays, she works as a product namer for M·A·C cosmetics from her home in Litchfield County, Connecticut.

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Chef PATRICE PERRON of LA CUISINE in Ocala, Florida, shares one of his favorite recipes.

TR UN CO TES SE ORI R H O FAV

FRENCH TOAST—SERVED AT LA CUISINE’S SUNDAY BRUNCH Ingredients 6 thick Brioche slices or French bread 2 eggs ¼ cup milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon Grand Marnier or orange-blossom water 1 pinch of salt 1 tablespoon of butter Preparation 1. Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C). 2. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla extract, salt, and Grand Marnier or orange-blossom water. 3. Place bread slices in egg mixture and soak, turning to coat, until bread is completely saturated. 4. Melt butter in a cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, cook bread in hot butter until golden, about three minutes per side. 4. Transfer toasted bread to a baking sheet and bake in oven until outside is crisp and slightly puffed, about 12 to 15 minutes. Tip: This recipe is better when the bread is dry. French toast originally was the meal of the poor, and people would use their stale bread this way. 10 6 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V IN G | AP RI L / MAY | 2017

Patrice Perron, executive chef and proprietor at La Cuisine, was born and raised in Lyon, a city known around the world as the French capital of gastronomy. The Perron family embraced its love of good food and good wine, making it a part of the family’s rich heritage and tradition. Perron’s father loved taking the family to the finest restaurants in town: La Tour Rose, Paul Bocuse, and Orsy. “As a child, I had no idea I was experiencing some of the finest food in the world,” he laughs. Things got serious once he started working at Daniel & Denise, a world-renowned, traditional French restaurant in Lyon. Under the direct tutelage of chef Josef Viola—a master chef who in 2004 was awarded the Meilleur Ouvrier de France by a board of examiners, including world-famous chefs Joel Robuchon, Alain Ducasse, and Paul Bocuse—Perron began to thrive, and Viola became his mentor. “Viola was fascinated that my wife and I wanted to come to America to start a French restaurant, and he helped me a lot just by encouraging me to do so,” Perron fondly recalls. Perron and his wife, Elodie, have been awarded three Golden Spoon Awards from Florida Trend magazine, six years in a row. PAGE 113

PHOTO: KRISTIN LEE PHOTOGRAPHY

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EQ B A R N D O G S

MEET SIMON had two Jack Russells, a father and daughter named Half Halt and Pirouette. Both of them lived to be 19 years old. When the first one died, I was heartbroken. When Pirouette died, I was completely crushed, and I said, “That’s it! I’m not having another dog,” and for the next four and a half years, there wasn’t even a thought of having a dog. Then slowly I started looking at the internet and talking to my family and [husband] Robert. I said, “You know, I really don’t want a dog. If I did—but I don’t—I would consider—but I’m not—the possibility of a PBGV, a petit basset griffon Vendeen,” because they looked goofy, and one had won the Westminster Dog Show that year. I thought, “Oh it’s such a cool-looking dog, it’s completely disheveled looking.” I liked that, and I liked that it doesn’t shed, too. Then Robert went up to New Jersey to give a clinic. While he was there, without my having any idea, he looked at PBGVs at two breeders. Later, he told me that the dogs were so untrainable that you had to sign your life away to have one—you had to promise that the dog would never be off a leash, and no matter what, you couldn’t give it back. He said that he would rather shoot himself in the foot than have one of those dogs. Then, he found a breeder that my assistant trainer had a dog from—it was a Schnoodle, a poodle and schnauzer cross. 11 4 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V IN G | AP RI L / MAY | 2017

explains how he got his SCHNOODLE against his will. I’m not having a dog, I’m not ready for a dog, I don’t want a dog. Take it back! I’m not having a dog.” He said, “I’m already in the garage. Just come out to the garage.” So I walked out to the garage, and he got out of the car and said, “Close your eyes.” And I said, “I don’t care what it looks like, you’re taking that dog back! I’m not having a dog.” He said, “Now, put out your hands in front of you.” And I said again, “Listen, it could be the cutest thing in the world, but I’m not having—I don’t want a dog!” And I had my hands out and I felt it going into my hands, and I said, “I’m sorry, but I’m not ready for a (opens eyes)—OKAY, I’LL TAKE IT!” I was so nervous. Within three hours of giving him milk and everything, he completely owned the house—and us. He was so cute and didn’t shed, so I thought, “Well, let’s put him on the bed for just a minute.” And then, of course, Robert’s falling off one side of the bed and I’m off the other, and Simon’s sprawled out in the middle on the pillows, pretty much owning the whole bed. He goes where we go, but honestly, I don’t bring him to the barn that much because he doesn’t know that horses can be dangerous, or that cars can be dangerous, because I walk him on a leash. So, I always worry a little about him while I’m teaching and riding. But I will tell you this: he loves to run with the other dogs. He’s crazed, running around, and then I have to pick burrs out of his hair for the next six hours. GEORGE KAMPER

ROBERT DOVER

ROBERT DOVER is the most honored dressage rider in the U.S. He competed in every Olympics between 1984 and 2004, winning four team bronze medals. He founded the Equestrian Aid Foundation and is chef d’equipe for the U.S. national dressage team.

So, he went to that breeder who had about 20 puppies from different litters. He sent their pictures to our friends— like 15 different people—and they all picked the same dog as the one that he should get me. On my birthday, Robert had gone off ostensibly to get my present. Three hours later when he didn’t come home, I got it in my head that he was getting me a dog. So I called him and I said, “Robert, you went and got me a damn dog, didn’t you?

Hermès Arpège dressage saddle extra-deep seat

UNEE BB, JESSICA VON BREDOW-WERNDL AND THEIR HERMÈS ARPÈGE SADDLE, THREE MAKE A PAIR.