All posts by Associate Editor

Contributors/Press, Equine Assisted Therapy, Publications/Media

A Few Good Movies, by Claire Dorotik

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For most people, equine therapy is pretty fascinating to watch. However, without a visual account of just what happens between a horse and a human, the general public is at a loss to fully understand just how our beloved equine friends can really help people better understand themselves. Sometimes words just don’t describe the magic between people and horses. Yet clearly, judging by the success of movies such as “Seabiscuit”, people are truly amazed by horses, and all the while, profoundly affected by this admiration. So, in honoring the way in which an observable accounting of equine therapy can reveal more fully what it is, I have compiled a list of great equine-therapy related movies.

1.       “Seabiscuit” Portraying the life of the famous racehorse, Seabiscuit, this movie also demonstrates the way in which the courageous character of a horse can uplift a down and out nation.
http://www.seabiscuitmovie.com/

Continue reading A Few Good Movies, by Claire Dorotik →

Jane Savoie

Motivation from Moshi 85, by Jane Savoie

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Sometimes things don’t turn out the way you think they will. The disappointment can be tough to deal with. When I first heard I was moving to America, I thought I’d be in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade someday. But instead I’m headed to another dressage show. I could be upset, but it wouldn’t help. I just have to find a way to let go of my previous expectations, and find my joy in where I am right now.

Have you ever spent a lot of time and effort working on something that didn’t pan out the way you thought it would? Hurts… doesn’t it… but that’s just part of life. We can plan, direct, effort, and push, and still not end up where we thought we should. So what do you do about it?

There is a time for wallowing in the disappointment and allowing yourself to feel the feelings. Let them be. No matter how much it hurts, let the feelings come. Don’t resist. Give the feelings a chance to be expressed and released. But also, don’t stay there. Look at the elements of what you were trying to achieve, and then make a new plan.

Continue reading Motivation from Moshi 85, by Jane Savoie →

Community/Charity, Dressage, USEF

The Dressage Foundation Awards $10,000 to U.S. Dressage Instructors

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Sara Schmitt and Kaboom. Photo: Pics of You.

The Dressage Foundation has announced that a total of $10,000 has been awarded to U.S. dressage instructors through the Major Anders Lindgren Scholarship program. Due to the recent restructuring of the scholarship guidelines, to provide up to three scholarships per year for the recipients to train in the United States, interest was very high. This year, the Selection Committee chose the following recipients:

Sarah Geikie (CT) was awarded the $6,000 Lindgren Scholarship. Sarah has been a professional dressage trainer for 30 years. She is a popular clinician across the country, an FEI dressage judge, a competitor, and a USDF Certified Instructor through 4th Level. She is also an Examiner and faculty member for the Instructor Certification Program. Sarah will use the scholarship funds to train with Kathy Connelly.

Sara Schmitt (NJ) is the recipient of a $2,000 Lindgren Scholarship. She has been instructing for 25 years, from Training Level through Grand Prix. Sara is the resident trainer at Hawk Hollow Ranch in Bedminster, NJ, and is also an active competitor. She plans to train with Belinda Nairn-Wertman in early 2012.

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Championships, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Maclay, National Horse Show, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Hunter and ASPCA Maclay Judges Announced for 2012 Alltech National Horse Show

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Phillip DeVita. Photos © Kenneth Kraus

Lexington, Kentucky – January 2, 2012 – The Alltech National Horse Show, 129th edition, scheduled for the Alltech Arena in Lexington, Kentucky on October 31 through November 4, 2012, today announced the line-up of judges for the Hunter divisions and the ASPCA Maclay National Championship for this year’s event.

The debut of the Alltech National Horse Show last November closed with great excitement, receiving unanimous and rave reviews from the equestrian community. More than 560 horses and 350 riders from nine countries, including nine Olympic veterans competed in 2011 and this year’s event should prove to be even more successful.

Invited to judge the highly competitive hunter divisions for the 2012 edition are Phillip J. DeVita, Jr. from Apopka, Florida and Jimmy Torano, from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Both DeVita and Torano are two of the most popular and highly rated hunter judges in the United States, having officiated at most of the top ranked shows in the nation.

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Community/Charity, EQUUS Foundation, Phelps Media Group

The Gift of Time! EQUUS Foundation Announces Its CHAMPIONS Program

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WESTPORT, CT – January 1, 2012 – The EQUUS Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of its CHAMPIONS program – an incentive-based equine service volunteer program to recognize and reward individuals and organizations on the carrots4acause network.

To become a CHAMPION, an individual must volunteer for an organization or organizations on the carrots4acuse network and log at least 24 volunteer hours from January 1st to December 31st. The volunteer hours will be verified by the organization and The EQUUS Foundation.

carrots4acause is a free way for individuals to align their passion for horses with real needs and for organizations to access those individuals who may be able to help them with their volunteer requirements and wish-list items of needed products and services.

Why the name, carrots4acause? All horses love carrots, and the carrot is a universal symbol of enticement and reward.

Continue reading The Gift of Time! EQUUS Foundation Announces Its CHAMPIONS Program →

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Phelps Media Group

Billboard against Horse Slaughter… a Community to Be Proud Of

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Recently a billboard was put up in Palm Beach County regarding the issue of horse slaughter and specifically against horse slaughter. Pure Thoughts Inc. Horse Rescue stands against horse slaughter and always will; it is a horrific end for a horse’s life; our goal and mission has always been and always will be the welfare of the horses.

Pure Thoughts did not have any prior notice of this billboard (we found out through the newspaper), nor did we contribute financially. Every penny we raise goes directly to the care of the horses at the rescue and we struggle daily to keep the rescue operating. Although a billboard for the rescue could help raise funds, increase adoptions and encourage volunteers, it is just not a luxury we can afford.

As a result of this billboard being put up in Palm Beach County there have been derogative and disparaging remarks posted on various pages in the Facebook community regarding the Wellington Equestrian Community, the Equestrian Show Community and even the Polo Community, as well as the Palm Beach community, stating everything from ignorance of horse slaughter to ambivalence of horse welfare. Pure Thoughts does not appreciate, condone or stand by any of these comments made. They are clearly from people who do not know this community and its dedication to the horses and their welfare. Although we have done our best to retort to all comments made we do not have the time to go in search of every uneducated post so we want to make it clear that not only do we stand by our community and all it entails during show season and all year long, we are PROUD to be a part of it.

Continue reading Billboard against Horse Slaughter… a Community to Be Proud Of →

Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, Training/Clinics, USEF

Equestrian Sport Productions to Host USEF Young Rider Forum at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center on January 6

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Wellington, FL – January 2, 2012 – Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) announces that the USEF Young Rider Forum will be held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) on Friday, January 6 at 5 p.m. The USEF Young Rider Forum is held in conjunction with the 2012 George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session presented by USHJA and Adequan, which will be held at the PBIEC on January 3-7. The USEF Young Rider Forum is open to all junior and young riders (under 25), their trainers, and families.

The USEF Young Rider Forum will discuss topics and facilitate information regarding the Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Series during the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival and the 2012 USEF Show Jumping European Young Rider Tour.

The Forum will include information on the changes to this year’s Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Series, such as the new FEI rules that the classes will run under, and the details regarding selection for the team for the 2012 USEF Show Jumping European Young Rider Tour.

Continue reading Equestrian Sport Productions to Host USEF Young Rider Forum at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center on January 6 →

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Dressage, JRPR, Products/Services

Custom Saddlery Believes in Magic – Steffen Peters and Weltino’s Magic to Be Exact!

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Custom Saddlery is proud to believe in the magic of dressage rider Steffen Peters and his equine partner Weltino’s Magic. (Photo courtesy of Sheryl Ross)

Aiken, SC (January 2, 2012) – Pan Am Gold Medal winning horse Weltino’s Magic, owned by Jen Hlavacek and ridden by Steffen Peters, has a motto designed to remind people that they can achieve the highest goals they set for themselves. Magic’s motto is, “I Believe in Magic,” and his fans around the world have embraced the saying. The staff at Custom Saddlery, the saddle company that endorses Peters and his magical equine partner, is thrilled to embrace the magic of Peters and Weltino’s Magic.

“Custom Saddlery has sponsored Steffen Peters on a variety of horses over the years. Steffen now rides predominantly in our Icon Flight Saddle and we are currently in the process of making a new saddle for Weltino’s Magic. We could not ask for a higher profile or more accomplished rider then Steffen. He is a true ambassador for the sport and for Custom Saddlery. We are proud and honored to have him ride in our saddles,” said Graham Newell, Professional Saddle Fitter for Custom Saddlery.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Breeds, Wild Horse Sources

Help Protect the Pryor Wild Horses

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BLM Now Accepting Email Comments

2-year-old Adelina, granddaughter of Blue Sioux & Red Raven

Dear Cloud Friends;
The Billings BLM has decided to accept emails (BLM_MT_Billings_FO@blm.gov) and faxes (406-896-5281) for comments on their Preliminary Environmental Assessment (PEA) which calls for the permanent removal of 30 young horses (ages 1-3 years) from the Pryor Wild Horse Range during 2012. Comments are due by close of business (4:30 pm MST) January 6th.

The removal will bring the herd to the “Appropriate” Management Level of 120. This drastic plan is completely unacceptable and dangerous for the future survival of the Pryor Wild Horse Herd.

The herd currently numbers only 150 adults (one year and older), the bare minimum to maintain genetic viability.

In 2011, mortality equaled births which is exactly what BLM states as their goal for the herd.

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Community/Charity, Dressage, Phelps Media Group, Products/Services

Newly Focused Preserving Wellington Announces Facebook Contest

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Wellington, FL – December 28, 2011 – Preserving Wellington is a newly focused organization concerned with the preservation and conservation of the gifts nature has provided for the city of Wellington. Their main focus encompasses preserving the character of Wellington’s equestrian community.

Preserving Wellington would like to encourage an open and civil forum via their Facebook Page and Twitter Account. It is important that the citizens within Wellington, as well as those who are seasonal, have a voice when it comes to preserving Wellington and the equestrian community that is its jewel.

To show the community’s support of the equestrian aspects of Wellington, Preserving Wellington is pleased to announce its “Favorite Wellington Equestrian Moment Contest.” Each friend of the Preserving Wellington Facebook Page can submit one photograph of his or her favorite moment. The moment must relate to the equestrian industry in Wellington, FL. Along with each photograph, there must also be a short summary of the memory and why it is meaningful. The winner of the contest will receive a donated $100 Gift Certificate to the Player’s Club Bar and Restaurant located at 13410 South Shore Blvd, Wellington, FL. This contest will run from December 28, 2011 until January 15, 2012. The winner will be announced January 31, 2012.

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