All posts by Associate Editor

Breeds, Contributors/Press, Racing

Old Friends, The National Museum of Racing & Hall of Fame, and Nick Ryan’s Saloon to Present “Hall of Fame Day at Old Friends”

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GEORGETOWN, KY – OCTOBER 6, 2011 – Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Farm in Georgetown, KY, has partnered with the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and Lexington’s Nick Ryan’s Saloon to proudly present “Hall of Fame Day at Old Friends” on Monday October 17, 2011.

The event will kick off at 3pm at Old Friends, 1841 Paynes Depot Road in Georgetown, with an observance for the three great Thoroughbred Champions who have been laid to rest at the farm’s official Hall of Fame Cemetery: Skip Away, Noor, and Precisionist.

The afternoon will be highlighted by tours of the farm and visits with many of the stars of the turf now retired at Old Friends.

Hall of Fame Day continues with an evening soiree (6pm) at Nick Ryan’s Saloon, located at 157 West Jefferson Street in Lexington.

Tickets to Nick Ryan’s are $50 and include a BBQ buffet, drinks, live music, and many special guests; reservations can be made by calling (502) 863-1775.

“We’re flattered that the National Racing Hall of Fame has honored Old Friends by designated us as the official cemetery for Hall of Famer’s whose final resting spots may be in jeopardy,” said Old Friends founder, Michael Blowen. “We’re grateful to Nick Ryan’s for their participation and support and we welcome everyone to the event, especially members of the Hall of Fame.”

Continue reading Old Friends, The National Museum of Racing & Hall of Fame, and Nick Ryan’s Saloon to Present “Hall of Fame Day at Old Friends” →

FEI

2012 FEI Equine Prohibited Substance List in Effect from 1 January

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Lausanne (SUI), 5 October 2011 – The FEI, following approval by the FEI Bureau, has announced a small number of changes to its 2011 Equine Prohibited Substance List.

These changes, which will be included in the 2012 List and will come into effect on 1 January, are summarised here and below:

•    There are two additions to the Prohibited List: Magnesium Sulphate injections and any use of ACTH.
•    17-Alpha-Hydroxy Progesterone is also being named on the List given similar biological effects to substances already on the List.
•    Valerenic acid has been moved from the Banned Substance category to the Controlled Medications category on the List.

“We are constantly reviewing our Prohibited Lists in line with the latest scientific evidence,” said Graeme Cooke, Director of the FEI Veterinary Department.

“National Federations are now familiarising themselves and their athletes with these changes well in advance of the 2012 Equine Prohibited Substances List coming into force on 1 January 2012.

Continue reading 2012 FEI Equine Prohibited Substance List in Effect from 1 January →

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group

Lene Bruheim and Pristine Park Win Children’s Hunter Classic at GSEC Fall Classic

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Lene Bruheim and Pristine Park won the Children's Hunter Classic at the GSEC Fall Classic for Nordic Lights Farm. Photo Courtesy of the Client

Katy, TX – October 5, 2011 – It was a great week for the horses of Nordic Lights Farm during the GSEC Fall Classic, held at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, TX, from September 28 – October 2, 2011. Junior rider Lene Bruheim competed aboard Elisabeth Bruheim’s Pristine Park for the first time and the duo proved very successful. They were the winners of the Children’s Hunter Classic, as well as the Children’s Equitation Over Fences for Nordic Lights Farm.

After winning the first round of the Children’s Hunter Classic, Lene and Pristine Park returned to the ring and laid down a beautiful trip that received the highest score of the day and eventually garnered them the blue ribbon prize. The pair also went on to receive the top call in the Children’s Equitation Over Fences for their impressive partnership.

“Pristine Park was awesome to ride this weekend,” commented Lene. “He was a touch fresh the first day, but amazing the second day. I couldn’t ask for a more willing horse to mount, and I really started to get the hang of his ride by the Children’s Hunter Classic.”

During the GSEC Fall Classic, Lene trained with professional rider Shannon Slyfield, who has ridden Pristine Park to many excellent ribbons. This week, Slyfield and Pristine Park took home a third and fifth place award in the Performance Working 3’3″ Hunter division.

Nordic Lights Farm is a 70-acre establishment located in Tomball, TX, and was founded in 2007 by the Bruheim family to help further the equestrian goals of 18-year-old Eirin Bruheim and 16-year-old Lene Bruheim. Both girls have worked their way up through the ranks and are currently competing at the top levels in the hunter and jumper divisions aboard their incredible string of horses.

Media Contact: Mason Phelps
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389  fax 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com

Rescue/Protection Sources

Equine Instructors Face Off against Medical Experts over Horse Meat

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October 4, 2011 – Chicago (EWA) – In a press release today titled “Equine Scientists Debunk Horsemeat Health Risk Claims”, United Horsemen (UH), an extremist pro horse slaughter group, cited a letter from four equine instructors ostensibly written to the Journal of Food and Chemical Toxicology complaining about the accuracy of the landmark study that found that the meat derived from horses administered the carcinogen phenylbutazone (PBZ/bute) is being shipped to the European Union for human consumption.

In an embarrassing attempt to discredit the peer reviewed paper, Association of phenylbutazone usage with horses bought for slaughter: A public health risk, the instructors cherry picked facts to make their case, but merely succeeded in demonstrating the risk of offering a professional opinion outside of one’s area of expertise.

None of the authors of the UH letter are medical doctors and they provided no information that is contrary to the mandate by the EU and FDA banning Phenylbutazone in all food producing animals, including horses.

The letter begins by stating the paper’s authors did not cite the levels of Phenylbutazone (PZB, bute) in the study horses. But there are no acceptable levels. One only needs to prove the administration of bute at any time in the horse’s life to make the horse ineligible for human consumption. The paper by Drs. Marini (PhD/MD neurology), Dodman (PhD/DVM) and Blondeau (PhD in neuroscience), did exactly that. The study proved without doubt, through tracing race track drug records, that horses given bute are making their way into the food supply.

Continue reading Equine Instructors Face Off against Medical Experts over Horse Meat →

Events, Olympic Games, Show Jumping, USEF

USEF Names Date and Location for USEF Show Jumping National Championship and Selection Trials for the U.S. Show Jumping Team for the 2012 Olympic Games

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Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has determined the date and location for the USEF Selection Trials for the U.S. Show Jumping Team for the 2012 Olympic Games. The competition will be hosted by Equestrian Sport Productions at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Florida from March 21-24, 2012. This competition will also serve as the 2012 USEF Show Jumping National Championship. It will consist of four rounds over three days of jumping.

“We were fortunate that we had very strong bids from both Equestrian Sport Productions and Tom Struzzieri at HITS from which to choose,” said John Long, CEO of the USEF. “We are looking forward to working with Mark Bellisimo, Michael Stone and their entire team at Equestrian Sport Productions again in 2012.”

More information about the competition will be available in January.

For more information regarding the USEF High Performance Jumping Programs, please contact Lizzy Chesson at lchesson@usef.org.

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Jennifer Wood

Eight Championships Awarded in Pro & Future Hunters at 2011 Capital Challenge Horse Show

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Rosalynn and Hunt Tosh. Photos © Parker/Russell - The Book LLC and Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Upper Marlboro, MD – October 4, 2011 – Eight championships were awarded today at the Capital Challenge Horse Show, honoring the best hunters in the country. Sandy Ferrell piloted Showman, owned by Krista and Alexa Weisman, to the championship in the $9,000 Second Year Green Working Hunters. In the $10,000 High Performance Hunters, Hunt Tosh and Dr. Betsee Parker’s Rosalynn earned the top tricolor. Along with those two rated divisions, championships were given in five Future Hunter divisions and the Performance Hunters 3’6”. The Capital Challenge Horse Show, held at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD, runs through Sunday, October 9.

The professional hunters will wrap up their divisions tomorrow. The highlight classes of the week for the professional hunter riders are the $15,000 WCHR Professional Challenge on Wednesday, October 5, and the $7,500 WCHR Professional Finals, presented by the John R. Ingram Fund, for the top six hunter riders in the country on Friday, October 7.

Ferrell and Showman won the Second Year Green Hunter championship, but they are no strangers to the winner’s circle at Capital Challenge. Two years ago, they swept the Future Hunter awards with a division tricolor, the North American Championship class victory, and the Grand Future Hunter Championship. Last year he was reserve champion in the First Year Green Hunters.

This week, Ferrell and Showman, a nine-year-old Westphalian gelding by Showstar, won three out of the four over fences classes and were third in the under saddle. The reserve championship went to Taken, ridden by Kelley Farmer for Nancy Amling. They were second in the handy hunter and third, third, and fourth in the other jumping classes.

Continue reading Eight Championships Awarded in Pro & Future Hunters at 2011 Capital Challenge Horse Show →

Competitions, Events, Pan American Games, Show Jumping, USEF

Changes to the US Show Jumping Team for the 2011 Pan American Games

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The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) recommended to the USOC the following changes to the entry for the U.S. Show Jumping Team for the 2011 Pan American Games Team.

Happy Hill Farm’s Cedric, currently based in Europe with his rider, U.S. Team veteran Laura Kraut, is no longer available to represent the United States at the 2011 Pan American Games due to European Union quarantine regulations, transportation and logistics issues.

“I am greatly disappointed that Cedric and I will not be able to represent the United States in the 2011 Pan American Games. After learning about the quarantine restrictions this week, we determined it was not possible to attend.  I have had the honor and privilege of representing our country throughout my career, and I regret that we will miss this important event.”

Kraut and Cedric will be replaced with the Traveling Reserve Kent Farrington (Chicago, IL) and RCG Farm’s Uceko. Mario Deslauriers (New York, NY) and Jane Forbes Clark’s Urico will now serve as the Traveling Reserve.

The Pan American Games are set to begin on October 16 in Guadalajara, Mexico. More information about the event http://www.guadalajara2011.org.mx/ENG/01_inicio/ and follow the U.S. Riders on the USEF Network here http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2011PanAmGames/.

Classic Company, Classic Company, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

2011 Atlanta Fall Classic

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Just a reminder, the Atlanta Fall Classic (November 9-20) is just around the corner. The prize lists have been mailed and are posted online. The highlights of the show include the National Classic Equitation Finals sponsored by Equestrian Travel.

A list of those qualified is posted on the www.ClassicCompany.com home page. The Classic Company Horse of the Year standings sponsored by EMO are also posted on our home page. Both Atlanta fall events will add points for the standings.

The show will also have our National Hunter Jumper finals which is our double money classic, and a $25,000 Welcome along with the weekly Grand Prix class.

This year the annual $25,000 Barry Lane Memorial class will be divided into a $10,000 class and a $15,000 class. This was changed due to USEF rules and hoops.

If you have any questions, please call our office at 843-768-5503.

See you at the rings,
Bob Bell
The Classic Company, Ltd.
www.ClassicCompany.com
Phone/FAX:  (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311  Johns Island  SC 29457

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

Randolph College Pledges Continued Support of USEF National Junior Jumper Championships and Pessoa/USEF National Hunter Seat Medal Finals

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Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce that Randolph College of Lynchburg, VA, has signed on again this year as the title sponsor of the USEF National Junior Jumper Championships, as well as presenting sponsor of the Pessoa/USEF National Hunter Seat Medal Finals.

“Randolph College is excited to sponsor high caliber events such as the USEF National Junior Jumper Championships and the Pessoa/USEF National Hunter Seat Medal Finals,” shared Tamara Wenning, Interim Director of Riding at the school. “At Randolph College, our riding program is structured to provide the serious rider with everything they need to succeed, including access to first-rate facilities. Whether they are in the classroom or in the ring, Randolph College students receive the highest caliber instruction and individualized attention.”

The Randolph Riding Center boasts some of the best views in all of Central Virginia, located at the foothills of the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains. The stable provides more than 40 spacious stalls, complete with wash stalls and six turnout paddocks for private boarders. The 100-acre facility caters to all levels of riders, as the Center features a jumping amphitheatre, 250′ x 150′ schooling ring, Hunter and cross-country jumps. The Claire Noyes Cox Indoor Arena (120′ x 300′) hosts riding competitions and sports an impressive lounge and viewing area. The Center features more than 30 quality school horses that are available to riders of all levels. The equestrian program at Randolph College offers weekly training for college credit, special coaching and clinics.

Continue reading Randolph College Pledges Continued Support of USEF National Junior Jumper Championships and Pessoa/USEF National Hunter Seat Medal Finals →

Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Events, USEF

Changes to the 2011 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for Boekelo CCI3*

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The following changes have been made to the 2011 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for the Boekelo CCI3* running in The Netherlands, October 5-9, 2011.

Michael Pollard (Dalton, GA) was added to the entry last week on DV8, an 11-year-old New Zealand Thoroughbred gelding owned by Carl Bouckaert, Nathalie Pollard and Michael Pollard.

In addition, Ali Slusher has withdrawn Last Call and Jules Stiller has withdrawn Charlie Weld leaving the following athlete/horse combinations contesting the CCI3*.

Boyd Martin/Otis Barbotiere
Boyd Martin/Remington XXV
Michael Pollard/ DV8
Tamra Smith/Mar de Amor

Three of these combinations will represent the U.S. in the Nations Cup – the team will be declared after Wednesday’s Horse Inspection.

Follow the event here: http://www.military-boekelo.nl/EN/Home/tabid/128/Default.aspx.

And follow the U.S. Eventers in Europe here: http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/EventersinEurope/.