All posts by Associate Editor

Events, Training/Clinics

Great New Clinic – Exclusive Equine Behavior

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Denver, CO – Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute is proud to host a unique clinic with incredible insights into equine behavior with world renowned equine specialist Anna Twinney on October 1-2, 2011 in Littleton, Colorado. Through hands-on and lecture, participants will build their understanding of equine behavior and learn how to develop a two way communication system with an equine partner.

Anna Twinney will share the intricacies of the Language of Equus, and how to create a Genuine Trust-Based Partnership with horses. Horsemanship is more than training; it’s about understanding the horse and communicating in the horse’s own language.

According to International Equine Behaviorist and Natural Horsemanship Clinician, Anna Twinney, “The most important element to building a true, trust-based partnership with your horse is a solid foundation of communication and allowing them a voice. What many do not realize is there’s so much more to the silent language of Equus than simple body language and physical cues.  This 2-day clinic is an introduction to the power, the subtleties and the effect this ancient communication system can have on your training, your relationship and even your life with the horses.”

This two day Exclusive Equine Behavior Clinic is October 1-2, 2011 in Littleton, Colorado.  The clinic cost is $300.

Continue reading Great New Clinic – Exclusive Equine Behavior →

Community/Charity, Dressage, FEI

Exquis Nadine Retires

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Exquis Nadine, the 16 year old mare ridden to great success by The Netherlands' Hans Peter Minderhoud, was retired on the final afternoon of the FEI European Dressage Championships 2011 in Rotterdam (NED) last Sunday. Photo: FEI/Peter Nixon.

Lausanne (SUI), 26 August 2011 – There was an emotional moment for Dutch rider, Hans Peter Minderhoud, on the final afternoon of the FEI European Dressage Championships 2011 in Rotterdam (NED) last Sunday when the great mare, Exquis Nadine, was officially retired.

The 16 year old Dutch warmblood, by Partout x Roemer, was bred by GC Vervoorn at Brakel in The Netherlands and descends from a very distinguished dam bloodline.  During her highly successful career, she won team gold at the FEI European Championships 2007 in Turin (ITA) and team silver at the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong.  She was reserve for the 2009 European Championships and won team gold at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, USA last year.

Last week Exquis Nadine was part of the bronze-medal-winning Dutch side in Rotterdam, and on Sunday the chestnut mare said goodbye with a lovely performance that earned eleventh place in the hotly-contested Freestyle to Music finale.  Tears trickled down Hans Peter’s face as he rode her past the grandstand and acknowledged the crowd’s applause on behalf of his great chestnut mare.

“After the ride I felt quite bad,” he said. “She gave everything in the Freestyle, but there was no better moment for her to retire.”

SPECIAL HORSE
“I want everyone to remember a special horse, not one that goes on and on until she has nothing left,” Hans Peter continued. “She will slow down over the winter months and we will put her in foal in the spring – I know this is the right thing to do, because I’ve noticed over the last year or so that when I’m riding her past the fields it’s hard to get her to concentrate because she’s looking at the foals, I think she would love to have one, and it’s time for her to have another life. She has been doing Grand Prix for five years now.”

Continue reading Exquis Nadine Retires →

Community/Charity, Equestrian Assistance

From Equisearch: Hurricane Irene — Equine Emergency Evacuation Kit

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Hurricane Irene as of Aug. 26, 2011 - 5pm
Hurricane Irene as of Aug. 26, 2011 - 5pm

Be prepared for Hurricane Irene with an Equine Emergency Evacuation Kit so you can move your horses to safety in an emergency.

With Hurricane Irene rapidly approaching the East Coast of the United States, horse owners must be prepared to evacuate their horses in the event of an emergency.
From the editors of EQUUS magazine, you can download your own Equine Emergency Evacuation Kit. By taking a few preventative measures now, you’ll be ready at a moment’s notice. Find out what you should pack for documentation, feed and water, tack, first aid, and more

Download your own copy of the Equine Emergency Evacuation Kit from Equisearch so you don’t waste those precious moments of time during an actual evacuation.

Follow Hurricane Irene at NOAAWatch.gov

The above is from an email announcement from the Equisearch team.

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, Pan American Games, USEF

Hannah Burnett & Harbour Pilot Cruise to Lead at USEF Pan American Games Mandatory Outing

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Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot (Photo: Stockimageservices .com)

Richland, Michigan – When Hannah Sue Burnett rode Harbour Pilot into the dressage ring as the first of the 14 riders contesting the USEF Pan American Games Mandatory Outing for the 2011 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team she set a mark that couldn’t be beat. The Mandatory Outing is being held as part of the Richland Park Horse Trials and CIC3*.

Riding Jacqueline Mars’ 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, Burnett put in what is now becoming trademark for the 25 year old ride: a very polished effort. Burnett and Harbour Pilot scored 44.6 to leave them two points clear of Kristin Schmolze and Ballylaffin Bracken, whom she owns with her parents Bill and Janet. Shannon Lilly lies 1/10th of a point behind Schmolze on The Lilley Group’s Ballygowan Pizzaz.

“It was one of his best tests,” said Burnett. “It could have had a little more flash – if I had to be picky. But his trot work was good and I think his canter work was great. The turn on the haunches was good, which I was pleased about because I struggle with that.”

Burnett was sixth at the 2011 Rolex Kentucky CCI4* presented by Bridgestone and was then second with Harbour Pilot in the CCI2* at Bromont in June. ‘William’ has been extremely competitive as he has risen through the levels; Burnett has ridden him since April of 2010.

Continue reading Hannah Burnett & Harbour Pilot Cruise to Lead at USEF Pan American Games Mandatory Outing →

Conferences, Rescue/Protection Sources

International Equine Conference on Equine Welfare and Food Safety

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Chicago (EWA) – A coalition of animal welfare groups including the Equine Welfare Alliance (EWA) and the Animal Law Coalition has announced the first International Equine Conference (IEC) to be held September 26-28 at the Marriott Residence Inn, Old Town Alexandria, Va.

The three day event will feature renowned experts on the welfare and preservation of both domestic and wild equines, legislators and medical experts. Presentations will address many aspects of the field ranging from horse slaughter to wild equine preservation and will include related human and animal health concerns.

“Few subjects have been clouded by so much misinformation as these,” says John Holland of the Equine Welfare Alliance. “We intend to provide a forum where attendees can get a documented, factual understanding of these complex issues.”

Among the many distinguished speakers will be Madeleine Pickens of Saving America’s Mustangs, Senator Mary Landrieu, Congressman Jim Moran, State Senator Dave Wanzenried, Paula Bacon the former mayor of Kaufman, TX, Ann Marini, Ph.D., M.D., Ginger Kathrens of The Cloud Foundation, Michael Blowen of Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Facility, Keith Dane with The Humane Society of the U.S., Lonita Stewart with Canadian Horse Defence Coalition, Katie Fite with Western Watersheds Project and authors Deanne Stillman and Alex Brown. A complete list of the presenters can be viewed at http://www.equinewelfarealliance.org/Int_l_Equine_Conference.html.

Continue reading International Equine Conference on Equine Welfare and Food Safety →

Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Driving, Events, FEI, USEF

Dancer, Wrigley-Miller, and Yoder in Fifth Place at Their First FEI World Pair Driving Championship

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Joe Yoder at the 2011 FEI World Driving Pair Championship. Photo: Marie de Ronde

Yoder Drives to Sixth in Dressage

Lexington, KY – At the 2011 FEI World Pair Driving Championship in Conty, France, American Joe Yoder drove to sixth place Friday in the dressage and the American team – all three drivers making their International Championship debut – sits in fifth place heading into Saturday’s marathon.

Led by Chef d’Equipe Chester Weber and Coach Michael Freund, the U.S. is being represented by Yoder, the 2011 USEF National Pair Driving Champion, and Katherin Dancer and Misdee Wrigley-Miller. The trio drove at Reisenbeck CAI in July and earned valuable international experience as they represent their country this week.

Thursday morning marked the beginning of the dressage competition phase and it was Wrigley-Miller drawn as the first and only U.S. competitor on opening day. Wrigley-Miller is in the top half of the pack of 69 drivers, in 20th place on a score of 52.86.

The pressure then passed to Dancer and Yoder on Friday. Dancer is in 34th individually with a score of 58.88. Yoder’s impressive sixth-place mark of 44.03 means the team sits in fifth with 96.9 penalties. Germany leads with 84.1 over Switzerland, The Netherlands, and France. The top two scores from each phase count for the Team Classification.

Individually, German Driver Carola Deiner leads with a score of 35.58.

Continue reading Dancer, Wrigley-Miller, and Yoder in Fifth Place at Their First FEI World Pair Driving Championship →

Breeds, Wild Horse Sources

Help Protect Cloud and His Herd

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Submit a response letter to BLM scoping notice

Lynx, in Cloud's band, could be removed next year as a yearling.

Dear Friends of Cloud, his family, and herd;
The time is rapidly drawing to a close for you to be submit your letter to help prevent another removal in Cloud’s herd in 2012. I know you all care deeply for Cloud and his family, just as I do, and it is of vital importance that we all stand together to help the Pryor herd. It is therefore of the upmost importance that you submit a letter in your own writing to the BLM Billings Field Office postmarked by August 30th.

We’ve written our letter, which you can read here. I encourage you to take a look at it, and use it to help you with your own letter if you haven’t written yours already. You can also read over some talking points to help you get started. A reminder that BLM is not accepting emailed comments (we crashed their server last time!), so you can mail them yourself to the address below or you can email them to us at info@thecloudfoundation.org and we will mail them for you. You can also fax your comments to (406) 896-5281. Although we are all frustrated that this unique little herd is continually being threatened, please remember to be polite.

I hope you will all take a moment to help Cloud and the Pryor herd. Thanks so much!

Happy Trails!
Ginger

You can mail your letters to:
Jim Sparks, Field Manager
BLM Billings Field Office
5001 Southgate Drive
Billings, MT 59101

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

Record-breaking Germans Lead the Field at HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships

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Germany’s Ingrid Klimke and FRH Butts Abraxxas lead the individual standings at the HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships and Germany is on top in the teams after the Dressage. Photo: Peter Nixon/FEI.

Lausanne (SUI), 26 August 2011 – Outstanding performances by Germany’s Ingrid Klimke and Michael Jung have put the home side into a fabulously strong position before tomorrow’s Cross Country phase at the HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships at Luhmühlen (GER).

The host nation, bidding for a first European team gold since 1973, is now more than 20 penalties ahead of defending champions Great Britain as the first team to score under 100 in the Dressage at European level. The Italians, who won silver in 2009, hold a fractional advantage in third over Sweden, who last won gold back in 1993.

Klimke is no stranger to brilliance in the Dressage arena, but even she was overwhelmed by FRH Butts Abraxxas’s mark of 30.0, which included six 10s: three for the entry and halt; two for her final halt and one, from Ground Jury member Christoph Hess, for her riding.

“Hans Melzer [German team trainer] told me I should do a 29, so he put me under pressure,” Klimke revealed.

The ever-smiling Klimke also admitted to despondency after her fall at Badminton (GBR) in April, in which she suffered a knee injury which kept her out of the saddle for 12 weeks.

“I was very depressed about it all because I just love to ride,” she said. “But then Abraxxas was in good shape at Aachen and Malmö and now I’m just thankful to be here.

Continue reading Record-breaking Germans Lead the Field at HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships →

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

2012 George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session Presented by USEF

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2011 George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session. Photo: USEF Archives.

Lexington, KY – The sixth annual George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session presented by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) will take place January 3-7, 2012, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL.

An opportunity not to be missed, Morris, the legendary horseman and Chef d’Equipe of the U.S. Show Jumping Team, will again lead top young riders in a comprehensive program including mounted sessions, with other experts teaching stable management, veterinary care and nutrition. Riders will assume sole responsibility for their horses during the Training Session, the goal being to develop a pipeline of young “horsemasters” for future U.S. Equestrian Teams.

The invitation system for the participants will be announced in September, but auditing of the mounted and educational sessions is free and open to the public; however, a donation to The USET Foundation will be greatly appreciated.

More information will be available at www.USEF.org.

For additional information on the 2012 George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session, contact Lizzy Chesson at lchesson@usef.org.

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

Amanda Steege and Bavarian Rule in the $10,000 Fieldstone 2’9″ Hunter Derby Final at Fieldstone Summer Showcase

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Amanda Steege and Bavarian won the $10,000 Fieldstone 2'9” Hunter Derby Final. Photo © Anne Gittins Photography

Halifax, MA – August 25, 2011 – The Fieldstone Summer Showcase hosted two hunter derbies today on the beautiful grass Grand Prix Field. Amanda Steege of Bedminster, NJ, rode Bavarian, owned by Lise Revers of Weston, MA, to victory in the $10,000 Fieldstone 2’9” Hunter Derby Final. In the $10,000 Pony Hunter Derby Final, Jordyn Freeman of Long Meadow, MA, took the top two places on Blueberry Hill and Head’s Up. The Fieldstone Summer Showcase features top hunter/jumper competition at their beautiful facility in Halifax, MA.

Today marked the third 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 noon on Saturday, August 27 (from 3 p.m.). The $7,500 Herb Chambers Companies Speed Stake has been moved to Friday, August 26, at approximately 11 a.m. (from Saturday).

Professional rider Amanda Steege had a brand-new ride on Bavarian, who was only purchased three weeks ago by Revers. Revers trains with Lindsey Moore, who had Steege compete today on the 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding. “My dad has been helping Lindsey Moore. I got lucky!” Steege said with a smile.

The new pairing practiced yesterday and entered the ring together for the first time in the derby. They had a solid score of 84 in the first round, and with a handy hunter score of 86, they moved into the lead with a total of 170. Second place in the class went to Socrates, ridden by Kristen Bumpus and owned by Jackie Arakelian of Winchester, MA.

Continue reading Amanda Steege and Bavarian Rule in the $10,000 Fieldstone 2’9″ Hunter Derby Final at Fieldstone Summer Showcase →