All posts by Associate Editor

Neville Bardos and Sjoerd Named 2011 Horses of the Year by the USEF

Horse of the Year Neville Bardos (Photo Courtesy of USEA)

Cincinnati, OH – For the first time ever, the USEF crowned two horses with its highest honor, one from an International Discipline and one from a National Discipline. Neville Bardos and Sjoerd were named 2011 Horses of the Year at tonight’s USEF annual Horse of the Year celebration. Honored for their accomplishments in 2011 their roads through the last 12 months, while both exceptional, have been very different.

Videos of all of the Horses of Honor are available here: http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/USEFAnnualMeeting2012.

Neville Bardos – Eventing

He shouldn’t have lived. But he did. He shouldn’t have returned to his life as an event horse. But he returned better than ever. Trapped in a burning barn for 45 minutes, Neville Bardos made a miraculous recovery from injuries sustained in a fire that claimed the lives of six other horses at his rider Boyd Martin’s barn in West Grove, PA. The now 13-year-old Australian Thoroughbred gelding won the USEF National CCI3* championship in 2009 and was 10th at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games – leading the U.S. effort. But his life changed dramatically in the early hours of Memorial Day in 2011. Martin pulled him out of the burning barn to safety. Neville Bardos was left with horrific injuries due to massive amounts of smoke inhalation and the subsequent damage to his throat.

Continue reading Neville Bardos and Sjoerd Named 2011 Horses of the Year by the USEF

Lusitano Stallion Batistuta V.O. Is Two-for-Two after Winning Interagro Lusitano High Score Award at the Wellington Classic Dressage Holiday Challenge

Carmen Franco and the Lusitano stallion Batistuta V.O. won the High Point Lusitano Award at the Wellington Classic Holiday Challenge. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)

Wellington, FL (January 12, 2012) – Nan Sexton’s handsome Lusitano Batistuta V.O. rode into the winner’s circle at the Wellington Classic Holiday Challenge, winning the USEF First/Second Level Test of Choice class with a 70.968%. Ridden by trainer Carmen Franco, the stallion’s score also helped him win the High Score Lusitano Award, sponsored by Interagro Lusitanos, the largest breeder and exporter of Lusitano horses in the world. The Holiday Challenge was the second show of Batistuta’s career, and the second time for the brilliant buckskin to earn the Lusitano High Score.

The High Score Lusitano Award, which is sponsored by Interagro Lusitanos of Brazil, recognizes the highest scoring Lusitano at select dressage shows on the Florida circuit and highlights the dynamic and competitive Lusitano breed. “I do enjoy the Lusitano breed,” said Franco, who trains for Sexton’s Southgate Farm. “This was Batistuta’s second show and there is no way to describe him except to say he is awesome. He’s a very talented and athletic horse with great gaits. He is only six years old, but he is a fun horse to ride and he has lots of positive energy. I think that the future will take him to the FEI level.”

Continue reading Lusitano Stallion Batistuta V.O. Is Two-for-Two after Winning Interagro Lusitano High Score Award at the Wellington Classic Dressage Holiday Challenge

EquestrianCoach.com’s Bernie Traurig, Judge of the College Preparatory Invitational, to Speak at 5:00 on January 14

Wellington, FL – January 12, 2012 – The legendary Bernie Traurig will speak at the College Preparatory Invitational (CPI) to present his educational online program: EquestrianCoach.com. The presentation will be held in the Special Events Pavilion at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center at 5:00 pm on Saturday, January 14, 2012.

EquestrianCoach.com is offering a special rate for colleges, universities, schools and youth organizations that provide riding programs or equine degree programs. Participating programs will earn free subscriptions for coaches to use as curriculum.

According to Shelby French, CEO of United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) and former Director of Riding at Sweet Briar College, “What Bernie is offering through his equine educational program is something you should seriously explore to enhance the program of teaching and training at your college. This is a truly amazing educational opportunity and one that I hope you will spend some time investigating and imagining the many ways that you can utilize it in your curriculum.”

Continue reading EquestrianCoach.com’s Bernie Traurig, Judge of the College Preparatory Invitational, to Speak at 5:00 on January 14

Round 1 of $30,000 WEF Challenge Cup Series Goes to McLain Ward and Oh’ D Eole at WEF

Castle Rock and Louise Serio Sweep CWD Performance Working Hunter 3’6″ Championship

McLain Ward with Oh D'Eole. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 12, 2012 – Olympic gold medalist McLain Ward (USA) was able to beat a field of 39 competitors to take the first round victory in the $30,000 WEF Challenge Cup Series at the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival. He and Oh’ D Eole triumphed in the jump-off over Charlie Jayne (USA) on Chill R Z and Darragh Kerins (IRL) with Hot Wheels. Today’s grand prix marked the start of an exciting show jumping season, where riders will compete over 12 weeks to win bonus money in the $100,000 FTI Consulting Rider Challenge.

The first week of the FTI WEF runs through Sunday, January 15, and is sponsored by Surpass. The 2012 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit. The highlight jumper class in week one is the $30,000 Surpass Grand Prix on Saturday, January 14, at 7 p.m.

Continue reading Round 1 of $30,000 WEF Challenge Cup Series Goes to McLain Ward and Oh’ D Eole at WEF

Kentucky Equine Survey

Urgent: Need Participation from KY Horsemen

Dear Kentucky Horsemen (and women):
For the first time in 35 years, Kentucky will do a full, statewide survey of ALL BREEDS AND DISCIPLINES OF HORSES, PONIES, MULES, and DONKEYS.  Getting accurate figures for our horse community is critical to developing plans to improve the industry, access more trails and equine facilities, assess equine business opportunities, and get public officials’ attention.

This survey is being done by the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville, in partnership with the Kentucky Horse Council and the National Agricultural Statistics Service.  To read more about the study, go to http://www2.ca.uky.edu/equine/kyequinesurvey.

WE NEED YOUR PARTICIPATION.

Continue reading Kentucky Equine Survey

The Equine Practice Rounds – Barns, by Geoff Tucker, DVM

A farm I visited in NY

I am so lucky to get to go to barns all over this country that inspire you to dream big. While many are beyond our means, most are variations of the same theme. A pole barn with box stalls on each side of an aisle. Some farms only have a 3 sided shed and some places have more mud than dry spots.

The most memorable barn I have ever visited wasn’t a barn at all. The call came to me early in my career as a vet. The request was for routine vaccinations and a Coggins test and to look at a few things. I obtained her address but this was before GPS guidance so I wrote down the directions as best as I could. This usually involved things like, “Turn left at the Shell station on route 14 and go about 3 miles. We’re on the right side with our number on the mail box. The horses are in the barn in the back.” That is if I was lucky.

This horse owner’s directions were a little more challenging. “Head out of town about 5 miles and look for a break in the woods on the left hand side. Follow the trail back to the abandoned double wide mobile home. I’ll meet ‘cha there.” She added, “Bo’s really a good boy, but he don’t like vets.”

Continue reading The Equine Practice Rounds – Barns, by Geoff Tucker, DVM

In Memoriam: Hans-Heinrich Isenbart (GER)

Hans-Heinrich Isenbart (GER), “the voice of equestrian sport” in Germany, passed away at the age of 88.

Lausanne (SUI), 12 January 2012 – Hans-Heinrich Isenbart (GER), who will be remembered by many as “the voice of equestrian sport” in Germany, passed away on 25 December 2011 at the age of 88.

He was born on 5 February 1923 in Vienna (AUT) into a family that had a passion for horses going back generations. As a young man he had wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and become an army officer, but his Jewish origins meant that career was denied to him in the Germany of the 1930s and 40s. He later studied law and passed his exams to become a riding instructor.

After World War II, he worked as a journalist for German broadcaster NDR, covering political and economic issues, and later took over sport coordination at ARD in Munich, where he remained until his retirement in 1987.

Continue reading In Memoriam: Hans-Heinrich Isenbart (GER)

2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival Competition Begins with Great Expectations

Cian O’Connor and Everything Capture First G&C Farm 1.45m Jumper Victory

Cian O'Connor (IRL) and Everything won the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers on the opening day of the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 11, 2012 – The FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) kicked off competition today with hunter/jumper classes in 10 rings. In the International Arena, Olympian Cian O’Connor (IRL) scored the first win of the season with Everything, owned by Abdulla Humaid Al Muhairi, in the G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers.

The first week of the FTI WEF runs through Sunday, January 15, and is sponsored by Surpass. The 2012 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit. The highlight jumper class in week one is the $30,000 Surpass Grand Prix on Saturday, January 14, at 7 p.m.

This week’s course designer in the International Arena is Steve Stephens of Palmetto, FL. The G&C Farm 1.45m class was a time first round format and welcomed 19 entries. O’Connor and his first mount, Blue Loyd owned by Ashkirk Ltd and O’Connor, were neat around the course to finish in sixth place.

Continue reading 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival Competition Begins with Great Expectations

Sophie & Katherine Make Horse Jump Out of Cupcakes and Bake One Ton Creation

DC CUPCAKES: ONE TON CUPCAKE Premieres Monday, January 16 at 10 PM (ET/PT) on TLC

Sophie and Katherine build the Cupcake Jump at the Washington International Horse Show. Shawn McMillen Photography

Sophie and Katherine, the sisters who own Georgetown Cupcake, have a huge order from the Washington International Horse Show to make a full-sized horse jump out of cupcakes. Horses jumping over cupcakes? Why yes! The country’s leading indoor metropolitan horse show is just a few blocks away from Sophie and Katherine’s Georgetown Cupcake shop. A special jump made from the now famous sweets was a surprise addition to an exciting evening of world-class show jumping competition. Tune in to see if any of the horses, riders or fans got to eat one!

At the same time, the sisters attempt to break the world record for largest cupcake. With the help of Mommy and Sophie’s nuclear engineer husband Steve, they set out to bake a one ton cupcake, first finding an oven huge enough for all 2000 pounds of homemade batter, and then baking it to perfection.

Continue reading Sophie & Katherine Make Horse Jump Out of Cupcakes and Bake One Ton Creation

Equine Law 101 Appeals to All Levels of the Equestrian Industry

Krysia Carmel Nelson, a nationally recognized expert in equine law and a lifelong equestrian, will teach Equine Law 101: Business Essentials for Horsemen on Monday afternoons during circuit. Photo By: The Book LLC

Wellington, FL – January 11, 2012 – Noted equine attorney, Krysia Carmel Nelson, will teach a 10-week introductory business law course on Monday afternoons during the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. “Equine Law 101 – Business Essentials for Horsemen” has been approved for college credit and promises to attract the best and brightest college and high school equestrians, as well aspiring and emerging industry professionals.

“I came up with the idea for this course because I was excited by the prospect of bringing together bright students who have some background in the horse industry and teaching them basic business law concepts,” says Nelson. “Equestrians get a lot more exposure to the ‘real’ world of business than they might think – in my experience, even more than the average law student. This kind of exposure gives them a real world context for learning things about business that are generally thought to be difficult and complex.”

Continue reading Equine Law 101 Appeals to All Levels of the Equestrian Industry