Untacked

c h r o n o f h o r s e . c o m ja n ua r y/ f e b r ua r y 2 015 55 generations of great horses and horsemen have heard their footsteps echo on the unique brick floors of the iconic stone stable. e facility that earned an official designation as an olympic training center became the uset's home in 1961. But it had quite a history long before that. e iconic stable dates from 1916, when it was an integral element of hamilton farm, a private estate and working farm whose 5,000 acres once rambled across three new Jersey coun- ties. Construction of the stable, which also has room to store carriages, cost what was then the sensational sum of $250,000. Adjusting the figure for inflation, that would be roughly $5.5 million today. e three-story fireproofed build- ing constructed of stucco over brick is now the headquarters of the uset foundation, the fundraising organiza- tion that is the successor of the uset, while nine u.s. equestrian federation employees also occupy offices there. gladstone, the village that is part of the borough of peapack and gladstone, is the mailing address for the foundation. much of the property, however, actually lies in adjoining Bedminster township. e loca- tion of both is the heart of the somerset hills, a region of tree-lined vistas comprised of several well-to-do towns where riding is a favorite sport and hobby. shoppers don't raise an eyebrow when someone wearing breeches and boots walks past in the super- market. longtime residents of the area, whether they ride or not, are well aware of the stable designed by new York architect william weissenberger Jr. standing tall as a majestic landmark from another era, it is associated with names that bring instant recognition, from Bertalan de némethy and Jack le goff to william steinkraus, george mor- ris, frank Chapot, Jimmy wofford and mike plumb, among so many others. e stellar horses housed in the stable over the years included jumpers sinjon, untouchable, sloopy and steinkraus' gold- medal mount snowbound, as well as even- ters foster and markham. dressage horses Keen, Brentina and ravel are among the equine "guests" who have come for stays during training or com- petition. today the polished brass finials, herringbone-pattern terrazzo brick floors (please pick out your horse's hooves in his stall) and 54 varnished hardwood 12' x 12' stalls on two levels continue to inspire wonder in first-time visitors. And what once was called the sand ring has been updated and is set for another footing refurbishment, while the adjacent indoor ring also had a major facelift and is a popular spot for clinics, training and the warm-up for competitions held in the outdoor arena. no expense Spared even with the additions and improve- ments, the original master of hamilton farm, James Cox Brady, would have no problem recognizing his creation today. with its balconies, octagonal foyer and exquisite trophy room boasting a ceiling of stained glass, the stable's unique silhouette and much of the interior are the same, though it still seems more at home in the early 20th Century than in the 21st. historian Barry omson called the building "the most lavish structure of its kind in this country," and that assessment likely applied to the rest of the world as well at the time. e hamilton farm founder is not to be confused (as people often do) with the famous James Buchanan Brady, aka dia- As this poster from 1976 can attest, Gladstone has long been a place where the public can experience horse sport and see the biggest stars of the U.S. Equestrian Team in action. PHoTo CourTeSy of uSeT founDaTIon gladstone: e word doesn't need any further elab- oration in the horse world. when heard, it instantly brings to mind eques- trian excellence, based on a foundation of classical training that brought the u.s. equestrian team into such prominence that it was universally admired.

• Cover