All posts by Associate Editor

Contributors/Press, Diana de Rosa

Tip of the Week – Horses May Benefit from Adult Derived Stem Cells

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Equine tendon, ligament, and joint injuries are some of the most frequently seen problems in clinical veterinary practice.  These lead to joint instability, degenerative joint disease, and reduced performance.

Osteoarthritis is one of the main causes of lameness in horses and involves the deterioration of joint cartilage leading to pain and inflammation. Conventional therapies involve intra-articular medications such as hyaluronic acid and/or steroids, rest, shockwave therapy, Polysulfated glycosaminoglycans, hyaluronic acid, IRAP and PRP.

Adult derived stem cells are a relatively new means of treating acute and chronic tendon injuries, suspensory and collateral ligament injuries and osteoarthritis in horses.  Adult derived stem cells are concentrated and autologous to the patients in which they are used.

Research is ongoing pertaining to how stem cells offer regeneration of injured tissues.  The process begins either by the collection and storage of umbilical cord blood in a foal or by harvesting 50 grams of adipose tissue (fat) or 20-40 cc of bone marrow from the sternum or hip under standing sedation in adults.

These samples are in turn sent overnight to commercial laboratories where they are processed for pleuripotent stem cells.  These initial cells are then cultured in a lab and expanded to produce 5 to 30 million cells for injection back into the patient depending on the injury being treated and patient’s age and relative health. Stem cells are injected back into an injured joint or ligament or tendon with ultrasound guidance when needed or after arthroscopy if appropriate.  Additional stem cells can be cryo-preserved dependent on the initial cell yield and used for subsequent regenerative therapy treatments. Get more info at www.alpinehospital.com.

This tip was brought to you by Chuck Maker, DVM (www.alpinehospital.com) and KAM Animal Services, home of KAM’s “Equine Learning Circle” FREE webinars, which take place monthly.  These webinars are an expansion of KAM’s weekly tips.  Go to www.kamanimalservices.com to sign up for the next webinar.  The FREE webinars will conclude with a question and answer session, so be ready with your questions.

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, FEI, Show Jumping, USEF

Beezie Madden and Coral Reef Via Volo Win the Longines International Grand Prix of Rotterdam

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Beezie Madden and Coral Reef Via Volo. Photo: Beatrice Scudo

Rotterdam, The Netherlands – Beezie Madden and Coral Reef Via Volo triumphed after a 10-rider jump off to win the Longines International Grand Prix of Rotterdam – the last day of the 2011 FEI Nations Cup Series.

In front of a sold-out arena, Madden edged out the Dutch rider Jeroen Dubbeldam, who ended up in second place on Bmc Van Grunsven Simon in a jump-off time of 39.11. Madden came in 0.8 seconds faster in a time of 38.31 seconds. German rider Carsten-Otton Nagel came in third on Corradina in a time of 40.33 seconds. Four riders jumped clear in the jump off.

“It was fantastic,” Madden said of her win on her 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare.

“The show grounds improved significantly and did great despite all the rain that has fallen today and over the past days,” she added. “Our horses became lighter, faster and more careful.”

Madden also won the overall Longines award for the leading rider – building on the strong form she has kept up throughout the summer, collecting top placings in both North America and Europe.

Sunday’s grand prix hosted 47 entries, with Madden returning after the U.S. Team’s disappointing Nations Cup performance on Friday to take the CSIO5* Grand Prix win.

Continue reading Beezie Madden and Coral Reef Via Volo Win the Longines International Grand Prix of Rotterdam →

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, FEI

Jubilant Germans Take Double Gold at HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships at Luhmühlen

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Germany claimed team gold and all three individual medals at the HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships - (from left) Sandra Auffarth (silver), Michael Jung (gold), Frank Ostholt (bronze). Photo: Kit Houghton/FEI.

Lausanne (SUI), 28 August 2011 – There were jubilant scenes as Michael Jung (GER) was crowned European Champion and his team deservedly took gold in a nail-biting finale to the HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships at Luhmühlen (GER).

Although a German victory had never been in doubt, the final score sheet was considerably re-arranged after the unfortunate Ingrid Klimke (GER), who had led the first two phases with such flamboyance, suffered the devastating experience of hitting six fences and dropping to 11th place.

The individual medals were still a German whitewash, though, as the hugely talented Sandra Auffarth jumped clear to take individual silver and Frank Ostholt moved up two places to achieve his first individual medal.

Ostholt’s wife, Sara, who was best of the fourth-placed Swedish team, also suffered a dramatic drop down the order. There had been a run of clear rounds as the higher-placed riders found the key to this technically-demanding track. Algotsson-Ostholt had her much-admired mare Wega jumping beautifully until a misunderstanding on the approach to the final double at fence 11. The mare hit the first part and then ran out at the second element. Eighteen penalties dropped her to 12th place but the team held onto fourth and, more importantly, earned their ticket to next year’s Olympics in London.

“It’s very disappointing for my wife,” Ostholt said. “I know how she’s feeling and feel very sorry for her. Most of the year she’s always been ahead of me. Normally her horse jumps so well so it was a real surprise. She’s completely devastated, but pleased that Sweden has qualified for the Olympics.”

Continue reading Jubilant Germans Take Double Gold at HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships at Luhmühlen →

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Events, USEF

Bronwyn Cordiak, Donna Tella and Furst Fiorano Storm to Impressive Victories

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Bronwyn Cordiak & Sarasanna GP. All photos: Chuck Swan/Swan Studios, LLC

Wayne, IL – As many people on the East Coast braced for Hurricane Irene, those at the Lamplight Equestrian Center enjoyed another day of sunshine and beautiful temperatures. Medals were awarded in the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals presented by Dressage Today 13 & under division and champions crowned in the Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championships 4- and 5-year-old divisions.

The USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals presented by Dressage Today kicked off competition in Ring 2, with 10 of the best 13-year-olds and under in the U.S. displaying their equitation expertise. The class began with all the competitors working around the ring together at the walk, trot and canter. Next the horse and rider combinations individually demonstrated a pre-selected pattern.

The pattern which asked for leg yield and three changes of lead through the trot on the diagonal was considered to be quite difficult by the competitors as well as judges Janet Foy, Christel Carlson and Michael Osinski.

Bronwyn Cordiak (Dallas, TX) rode Sarasanna GP to the victory scoring a 78%, demonstrating supreme equitation highlighted by a solid lower leg and soft rein contact. Cordiak’s victory was doubly impressive as the 9-year-old Hanoverian mare, owned by Grand Prix Equestrian, was borrowed for this competition.

Continue reading Bronwyn Cordiak, Donna Tella and Furst Fiorano Storm to Impressive Victories →

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

Hannah Sue Burnett Successfully Defends Her Lead on the Cross Country with Harbour Pilot in the Mandatory Outing for the 2011 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team

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Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot.

Richland, MI – Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot never flinched in the face of the pressure of leading the Mandatory Outing for the 2011 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team at the Richland Park CIC and Horse Trials. They added nothing to their dressage score on the cross country and successfully defended their lead.

“It was one of my best rounds ever, on any horse,” said Burnett. “I built on my speed as I went, I didn’t have the intention to run him really hard but it was at intermediate speed. I just picked up a good rhythm at the first fence and I built on it. All of the combinations rode like gymnastics. I picked up the speed at the last two fences.”

Harbour Pilot, an 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse and homebred of Jacqueline Mars, continues to live up to the expectation of all that have been involved in his career. Part of David and Karen O’Connor’s program since he was a born, he has been ridden by Burnett since last spring. Burnett serves as an assistant trainer in their program, and she rode Harbour Pilot to a second-place finish in the CCI2* at the Bromont CCI in June. Their performance earned them one of 15 spots on the USEF Short List for the Land Rover Eventing Team for the 2011 Pan American Games.

“He’s really grown up,” said Burnett. “After Bromont, he thought he was Superman. This is actually his first run since Bromont. He’s so good on the cross country so he doesn’t have to run a lot. I am so happy for Ms. Mars and the O’Connors as they produced him, it is nice that they can produce something of his quality.”

Continue reading Hannah Sue Burnett Successfully Defends Her Lead on the Cross Country with Harbour Pilot in the Mandatory Outing for the 2011 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping

Germany Wins Final Round and FEI Nations Cup 2011 Series

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The German team celebrate their double victory in Rotterdam (NED) tonight where they won the last leg of the FEI Nations Cup 2011 along with the series title - L to R - Carsten-Otto Nagel, Ludger Beerbaum, Otto Becker (Chef d'Equipe), Marco Kutscher and Thomas Voss. Photo: FEI/CHIO Rotterdam Press.

Rotterdam (NED), 26 August 2011 – Germany did the double when winning both the last leg of the series, and the overall FEI Nations Cup 2011 title, at the thrilling finale in Rotterdam, The Netherlands this evening. Birthday boy, Ludger Beerbaum, was the hero of the day, but it was a desperate fight to the very end, with a strong challenge from the impressive British that was only settled by a third-round jump-off against the clock.

The Dutch hosts, who headed the leaderboard throughout the closing stages of the eight-leg tournament, had seemed likely to clinch the honours in front of their home crowd following a great run of form.  But yesterday German Chef d’Equipe, Otto Becker, warned that his side would pounce if the opportunity arose, and today, when it did, they seized it and held on tight.

It was a sad day for the USA however.  Despite their best efforts they could only manage sixth place, one spot behind the Belgians who were also lying in the relegation danger-zone.  And although Belgium collected 17 faults in a high-scoring competition, the 18 collected by the Americans was simply too much, and they now join the long-resigned Danish side in the Promotional League for 2012.

LYING LAST
The Danes were already lying last at the end of the first round with 21 faults on the board.  But the big surprise was the 16 faults collected by the Dutch who were positioned seventh of the eight competing nations at the halfway stage.  Irish chances were hampered by the elimination of Alexander Butler when his grey, Will Wimble, slammed on the brakes at the 4-metre-wide open water at fence eight and they were carrying 14 faults, while the Belgians appeared to be seriously compromised when racking up 12-first round faults – 2010 world champion Philippe Le Jeune (Vigo d’Arsouilles), 2006 world champion Jos Lansink (Cavalor Valentina Van’T Heike) and Gregory Wathalet (Copin van de Broy) each coming home with single errors while young Nicola Philippaerts (Carlo VHPZ) had the discount score of nine.

Continue reading Germany Wins Final Round and FEI Nations Cup 2011 Series →

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Jennifer Ward, Show Jumping

Hayley Alfonso and Lennox Put Manitoba on the Map

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Hayley Alfonso and Lennox won the $31,000 CSI2* Eunice Krausert Memorial Grand Prix on August 24 at the Rocky Mountain Classic II in Calgary, AB. Photo - Cansport

Calgary, Alberta – Hayley Alfonso of St. Andrews, MB, posted the only clear round to win the $31,000 CSI2* Eunice Krausert Memorial Grand Prix held August 24 at the Rocky Mountain Classic II in Calgary, AB.

From a starting field of 26 entries, only Alfonso riding Lennox 157 produced a clear round over the tough track set by German course designer Anne Kathrin Guenther.

Three other riders managed clear rounds but fell victim to the clock, incurring one fault for exceeding the 86-second time allowed.  Tracy Epp of Langley, BC, stopped the clock in 87.06 seconds riding Santee to place second while Beda Wachter of Innisfail, AB, took third place with a time of 87.93 seconds riding WH Carthago Sun III, his 10-year-old Canadian Warmblood stallion.  Lisa Carlsen of Spruce Grove, AB, came through the timers in 88.84 seconds with Cuba Libre to place fourth.  With the fastest four fault effort, Marshall Whyte of Cochrane, AB, rounded out the top five aboard Quinlan, the 11-year-old Hannoverian gelding he rode to victory one week earlier in the $31,000 CSI2* Laramide Oil and Gas Grand Prix.

Having competed in the grand prix events held during the Rocky Mountain Classic I one week earlier, Alfonso was surprised by the size of the course for the $31,000 CSI2* Eunice Krausert Memorial Grand Prix.

Continue reading Hayley Alfonso and Lennox Put Manitoba on the Map →

Community/Charity, Media/Radio/TV Sources, WHIN

Speaking of Horses TV Partners with WHIN

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The Women’s Horse Industry Network is pleased to announce a partnership with Speaking of Horses TV. Speaking of Horses TV CEO Wayne Williams has long been a supporter of the WHIN and WHIN’s CEO Catherine Masters has been a longtime supporter of Speaking of Horses.

They will both use their talents to develop and promote the equine industry on television. Williams is currently putting together a pilot using some of the exhibitors at the upcoming 3rd Annual Business Networking Expo being held in Nashville, Tennessee in October. The pilot is for a new program that is being pitched to HRTV. Williams already has one program on the network that will begin airing in the Fall.  Plans are to show the pilot at the event in Nashville. Williams will also be an exhibitor at the event in Nashville and the host of the WHINNY awards.

Williams and his production crew will tape all of the events at The 3rd Annual Business Networking Expo, including the 1st Annual WHINNY awards and produce a one hour special that will be broadcast on a delayed basis. The show will air on HRTV’s “Where in the Horse World Are We”. Broadcast dates will be posted on the WHIN’s website as soon as they are available.

“As a former TV producer, I know the value of getting the Women’s Horse Industry and its members on television. It’s the very best way to market their products and services and Wayne and I are working hard to make that happen. Wayne is a super capable broadcaster, someone who really cares about the equine industry and I am very pleased to partner with him and his company. It will be great to shine the light on so many wonderful people in the horse world,” states Masters.

Continue reading Speaking of Horses TV Partners with WHIN →

Championships, Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, FEI

German “Dream Team” Enjoys Golden Day at HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships

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Ingrid Klimke and FRH Butts Abraxxas jump out of the HSBC water complex on their way to a superb clear that put them on top in the individual standings and Germany at the head of the teams after the Cross Country. Photo: Kate Houghton/FEI.

Lausanne (SUI), 27 August 2011 – An inspired German team rode like true champions across country at a rain-soaked HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships at Luhmühlen (GER) today and, with a massive 42.3-penalty lead over Great Britain, they now have the treasured gold medal well in their sights.

France have risen to bronze medal position, thanks to superb rounds by Donatien Schauly and Nicolas Touzaint, and have overtaken the Swedes, whose Sara Algotsson-Ostholt on the lovely grey mare Wega is in individual bronze position after a faultless performance.

German team members Ingrid Klimke, Michael Jung and Sandra Auffarth flew through the testing conditions and all finished on their Dressage scores to lie in individual first, second and fourth positions.

The top three teams each had a rider eliminated, and the Germans were under immediate pressure when their pathfinder Andreas Dibowski suffered a surprise fall at the big spread at fence 22.

“A bit of pressure makes you stronger, and the crowd was a fantastic help,” said Klimke. “It has been a dream of a day. My horse kept his rhythm all the time. It was really enjoyable.”

Sandra Auffarth (GER), who has been the discovery of the championships, looked foot-perfect on her athletic Opgun Louvo, and world champion Michael Jung (GER), the last rider on course, had perhaps the class round of the day. He rides La Biosthetique Sam with the lightest of touches, and said that his practising at water jumps had paid off handsomely.

Continue reading German “Dream Team” Enjoys Golden Day at HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships →

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Jennifer Wood, Show Jumping

Amanda Steege Takes Top Two Spots in $25,000 New England Hunter Derby Final at Fieldstone Summer Showcase

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Amanda Steege and Duval. All photos © Anne Gittins Photography and © Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Halifax, MA – August 26, 2011 – The Fieldstone Summer Showcase had a full day of competition in the Grand Prix Field today and it was Amanda Steege of Bedminster, NJ, who rode to a one-two finish in the $25,000 New England Hunter Derby Final. Steege rode Duval, owned by Randi Vladimer of Malvern, PA, to victory. Majestic, owned by Tony Arena of Fairport, NY, and Steege were second. Olympian Leslie Howard of Fairfield, CT, took the top prize in the $7,500 Herb Chambers Companies Speed Stake on Goed Zo, owned by the 73 West Group of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Fieldstone Summer Showcase features top hunter/jumper competition at their beautiful facility in Halifax, MA.

UPDATE: Today marked the fourth day of competition for the Fieldstone Summer Showcase, which will now run through Saturday, August 27. The MHJ Finals will run at the same times and in the same rings but now on Saturday instead of Sunday. The $25,000 Herb Chambers Companies Grand Prix start time has been moved to 9 a.m. on Saturday, August 27.

There were 45 entries in the $25,000 New England Hunter Derby Final, and they competed through two rounds to find the winner. The top 12 scoring horses from the first round returned for a handy round, which included a trot jump, hand gallop, and walking over a log. The courses were designed by Nathan Panetta.

“I thought they were fun courses,” Steege said. “I loved that the jumps were mostly off your eye and off the gallop. It really let you show off on a horse that had a pretty canter who perked his ears and looked for the jump. I liked doing the natural jumps in the first round. The way that they used them was really appropriate for this level of a class because it definitely was somewhat challenging without feeling trappy or so different that the horses didn’t want to participate. I have to commend the course designer for that.”

Continue reading Amanda Steege Takes Top Two Spots in $25,000 New England Hunter Derby Final at Fieldstone Summer Showcase →