All posts by Associate Editor

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

Derbydown and Louise Serio Dominate Brandywine Valley Summer Series

Leave a comment
Louise Serio and Rock On won the Green Hunter Circuit Championship at the Brandywine Valley Summer Series. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG.

Devon, PA – July 15, 2011 – Louise Serio and the riders at Derbydown had great success over the past two weeks during the Brandywine Valley Summer Series. Showcasing their mounts in the prestigious Dixon Oval at the Devon Show Grounds, riders consistently earned top placings and tricolor awards for their efforts.  Derbydown owner and founder Louise Serio led the way, claiming the Green Hunter Circuit Championship with Rock On after earning each week’s Overall Grand Champion Professional Hunter and Leading Hunter Rider Awards.

Rock On, owned by Jennifer Burger, and Louise Serio won the First Year Green Working Hunter Championship during both weeks of competition. During the second week, the impressive duo won four of the division’s classes. “Rock On was great; he’s so consistent,” said Serio. “He’s such a mellow horse, and I think these two weeks he’s been very consistent and he’s ridden very well. He’s a little lazy, but sometimes he can take over a little bit. I am very pleased with how he went this week.”

Serio also had great success with Burger’s second mount, Phillipa. The duo earned the reserve championship in the Second Year/High Performance Hunter division during the first week and received excellent ribbons in the First Year/High Performance Hunter division during the second week. For their efforts in the ring they were presented with the High Performance Hunter Circuit Championship. In the First Year Green Working Hunter division, Serio also received the reserve championship prize aboard Lisa Scott’s Head Over Heels during the first week.

Continue reading Derbydown and Louise Serio Dominate Brandywine Valley Summer Series →

JRPR, Seminars

Educational Seminars Presented by World Equestrian Brands on Leg Protection and the Influence of Tack on the Biomechanics of the Horse Wow Audiences

Leave a comment
Jen Wright of Happy Horse Tack Shop, Peter Menet of Amerigo Saddles, and Robin Moore of World Equestrian Brands, LLC, discuss proper saddle fit and its effects on a horse’s biomechanics during the seminar. (Photo courtesy of Nicole Musmanno)

Buena Vista, VA (July 14, 2011) – Professional trainers, amateur riders, Pony Club members, veterinarians, farriers, massage therapists and a variety of other equine enthusiasts recently had the chance to learn about leg protection and therapy practices, as well as the influence tack has on the biomechanics of the horse in sport, during seminars presented by World Equestrian Brands, LLC. The US distributor of Amerigo saddles and strap goods, Amerigo Vega saddles, Vespucci, E. A. Mattes and Equilibrium products, World Equestrian Brands is a strong believer in educating horse enthusiasts of all disciplines.

“Jen Wright, owner of Happy Horse Tack Shop, organized two great seminars, one held at CSU in Fort Collins and the other at Laura Backus’ Pendragon Stud Equestrian Center near Larkspur. The participants were able to listen to lectures and then go into the barn where we used ‘live models’ to demonstrate the basics of saddle fitting. We also had demo riders that were able to show that the right saddle does make a difference to both the horse and rider,” said Robin Moore, President of World Equestrian Brands. “None of the demo riders were pre-fit, so it was totally random and really proved the point. Also, we demoed the Equilibrium Massage Pad on the horses, and hands down, the equine response was a favorable horse smile!”

Alison Sherwood Bruce, Sales Director of Equilibrium Products, spoke about the latest technology in leg protection. “Equilibrium is serious about studying the effects of heat and weight on the horse, so there was in-depth discussion of having the right materials and the right boots for the different needs and levels of protection,” Moore said. “For example, you wouldn’t use a cross-country boot to school in dressage and vice versa. She also talked about the key points that should be met in boot design: light weight, flexibility, heat management, protection from penetration and concussion, and of course dealing with water on cross-country. It was a great presentation and Alison demonstrated the different materials and functions.”

Continue reading Educational Seminars Presented by World Equestrian Brands on Leg Protection and the Influence of Tack on the Biomechanics of the Horse Wow Audiences →

Awards, Community/Charity, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, USEF

USHJA Sportsmanship Award

Leave a comment

Dear NFJHA Members:
We are still taking nominations for the Youth Sportsman’s Award. The primary goals of the USEF Youth Sportsman’s Award are to identify potential future leaders in the equine industry and to recognize youth for their achievements.

Nominees must be age 17 or under as of December 1 of the current competition year, and active members in good standing with NFHJA, USEF, and USHJA. They are to demonstrate an ongoing commitment and dedication to the USEF and USHJA, by promoting the equestrian sport, exhibiting characteristics that exemplify positive sportsmanship principles and to serve as a role model for his or her peers. Nominees may participate at any level of competition, including local, state or national levels.

Please submit your nomination to info@nfhja.com and include a brief explanation of why you have chosen to nominate him or her.

You may visit http://www.ushja.org/content/awards/youth/youth-sportsman.aspx to learn more.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

NFHJA
PO Box 24031
Jacksonville, FL 32241-4031
904-866-496-1626 (fax)
info@nfhja.com

Breeds, Training/Clinics, Webinars

“Keuring 101” Webinar a Success

Leave a comment

North American Department – KWPN (July 2011) – The idea for this unique event began in the autumn of 2010, following an analysis of the North American- KWPN keurings in general and the education seminars for our members specifically.  “How to reach more people with a minimum of expense for them and for us?” was the question kicked around by the seminar presenters and the Board of Directors.  “Everyone is always looking for more information, but the ‘How to get it to them?’” had been an ongoing dilemma.

Enter technology, our computers and a KWPN-NA Education Committee.  The first topic was easily selected with the keuring deadlines looming. A quick visit to the lists of questions the office receives gave an instant outline for content.  ‘Do I need to braid a foal?’ ‘How do I ride the IBOP test?’ ‘What is the Jury looking for in a jumper foal?’  ‘How is the DG Bar Cup (dressage horses) ridden?’  ‘How is a jumper scored in the Iron Spring Farm Cup?’ These provided a sampling of topics attendees wished to visit.

Registration for this unique event filled to the maximum capacity of one hundred in just a week – with a waiting-list beyond that.  The Board of Directors, Member’s Committee, and Keuring Hosts were each given a test-run for timing, questions, and familiarization with the software program.  For the real deal on June 28th, there were some technical glitches plus still more unanswered questions and requests for another go from those who couldn’t make it.  A re-run was quickly scheduled for July 6th, to include a longer session with interactive questions taking place.  The initial webinar stayed within its one-hour commitment, where the looser format ran almost 2 hours.

Attendees signed in from coast to coast and border to border of the USA and Canada.  Over 50% were non-members and had not been to a keuring; providing an opportunity for us to meet and welcome new keuring entrants, spectators, members and breeders.

Topics for future webinars are welcomed by the Education Committee at: kwpnna.webinar@gmail.com.

KWPN-NA
www.kwpn-na.org

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Events, Hunter/Equitation

John French Leads an Impressive Group of Hunters at the Colorado Summer Circuit

Leave a comment
John French and Crown Affair won the $1,000 Open Hunter Classic Sponsored by Horse Connection. Photo credit: Flying Horse Photography

Parker, CO — While the Grand Prix horses are always a big draw at any hunter/jumper show, the hunters are getting a lot of attention during the Colorado Summer Circuit. Show manager Pat Boyle not only has great prize money in every division, but he’s created a wonderful, lush platform for the course designers to develop classes that show off the athletic ability and beauty of some of the nation’s finest hunters.

Last week John French and Yellow Dog Farm’s Crown Affair won three of four over fences classes in the High Performance Hunter division and also took home the blue ribbon in the $1,000 Open Hunter Classic sponsored by Horse Connection. Crown Affair, a Holsteiner stallion by Cor de la Bryere out of a Capitol I mare, is always a favorite in the Derby classes. “We’re preparing for the Derby Finals in Kentucky,” French explained. “He’s on his farewell tour and will retire at the Hampton Classic.” Although his show schedule is winding down, the handsome bay stallion will continue his already successful breeding career. With Crown Affair’s incredible performances, French said, “It’s hard when he goes so well. Does he really want to retire? I was so proud of how he went this week.”

French also praised the courses. He said, “The jumps were amazing with so much greenery and brush, plus a few natural jumps. It makes the horses jump their best. I was really happy that we came.”

Continue reading John French Leads an Impressive Group of Hunters at the Colorado Summer Circuit →

Contributors/Press

Understanding Equine (Agricultural) Land Use in Kentucky

Leave a comment

The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a largely agricultural state.  We are the “Horse Capital of the World”, the largest beef producing state east of the Mississippi River, a significant producer of poultry, and much of the fruits and vegetables that Kentuckians consume are grown in state.  This pride and ownership in creating quality agricultural products is evidenced in the Kentucky Proud program and the many agricultural events held throughout the state.  Because of our strong agricultural focus, most rural areas have agriculturally friendly planning and zoning regulations.  However, like much of the Unites States, Kentucky farms are impacted by urban sprawl.

What Is Agricultural Land Use?
While it may be tempting to think, this is an agricultural activity and I’m not subject to any state or local regulation; that is not a productive line of thought.  Kentucky state statute does not make any zoning exemptions for agricultural land use; it simply defines agricultural land use.

Kentucky revised statute KRS 100.111 defines agricultural (in terms of planning and zoning) use as land of at least 5 contiguous acres in the production of agricultural crops including pasture.  This definition of agricultural use encompasses most properties owned and used by recreational horse owners.

The statute also defines the following equine activities (which may be associated with horse farms) as agricultural use regardless of the size of the tract of land: riding lessons, rides, training, projects for educational purposes, boarding and related care, and shows with youth and amateur programs with 70 or fewer participants.

Continue reading Understanding Equine (Agricultural) Land Use in Kentucky →

Contributors/Press

KnowMycotoxins.com: Alltech Debuts New Site with Expanded Resources for Today’s Ag Professionals

Leave a comment

July 13, 2011 – [Lexington, KENTUCKY] – Alltech’s KnowMycotoxins.com now offers a fresh take on conquering the challenge of mycotoxins. The Web site features a new home page and refreshed content reflecting the interests of its key audience.

KnowMycotoxins.com now has mycotoxin information segmented by animal species, enabling it to become an even more user-friendly resource for time-strapped industry professionals.

Toxins are naturally produced by all types of molds and fungi. Hundreds of these mycotoxins exist, and contamination of natural materials with multiple toxins, either from one or several fungi, is common. Animals are consistently exposed to multiple toxins and interaction between toxins makes diagnosis difficult.

Originally launched in 2007, the Web site includes up-to-date information on mycotoxin regulations and provides visitors with the opportunity to ask specific questions to world-renown mycotoxin specialists. Additionally, KnowMycotoxins.com delivers mycotoxin training and features an interactive series of videos where specialists show the different mycotoxins hotspots at the farm level. These videos are also available on their YouTube Channel “Know Mycotoxins Videos“.

KnowMycotoxins.com, the first mycotoxin information Web site, is available in six languages (English, Portuguese, Chinese, Spanish, Russian and Hungarian) and has established itself as a reliable educational source of information about mycotoxins.

This Web site, with Alltech’s support, aims to educate the various market segments in the animal feed industry that are continuously challenged on how to overcome the repercussions of mycotoxins in animal feed.

For further information, please visit KnowMycotoxins.com.

Kentucky Horse Council | 1500 Bull Lea Road | Ste. 214C | Lexington | KY | 40511

Competitions, Dressage, Driving, Events, Jennifer Wood, Show Jumping, USEF

Chester Weber and Four-In-Hand Team Capture First Place in Driving Phase at Aachen CHIO

Leave a comment

Aachen, Germany – Team USA notched another win today at the World Equestrian Festival CHIO in Aachen, Germany. Chester Weber and his four-in-hand team won the second dressage test in driving.

Weber handled the reins of Jane Clark’s team – Para, Senate, Splash, and Uniek – in the dressage test, which was a rating competition for team classification. Weber competed as an individual for the United States, and he was given scores of 193, 203, 194, 196, and 193 from the judges. He and his team received a total score of 34.69 for victory and the Prize of Martello Immobilienmanagement GmbH & Co. KG.

“It was spectacular,” said Ed Young, U.S. Driving Chef d’Equipe. “He drove a wonderful test. It really was flawless, and it went beautifully.”

Weber will compete tomorrow in the obstacles phase.

Continue reading Chester Weber and Four-In-Hand Team Capture First Place in Driving Phase at Aachen CHIO →

Awards, Events, FEI

HSBC Continues Its Support of FEI’s Rising Star Award

Leave a comment

Lausanne (SUI), 15 July 2011 – HSBC is for the third consecutive year supporting the Rising Star category of the awards scheme organised by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the governing body of equestrian sport.

The HSBC Rising Star category of the FEI Awards rewards an equestrian athlete aged between 14 and 21 who demonstrates outstanding sporting talent and commitment in any of the FEI-regulated disciplines (Jumping, Dressage and Para-Equestrian Dressage, Eventing, Driving and Para-Equestrian Driving, Endurance, Vaulting and Reining).

HSBC is a platinum partner of the FEI in the discipline of Eventing. It is title sponsor of the FEI Classics series, which unites the five elite-level competitions staged between April to October, and the FEI European Eventing Championships, which will this year take place in Luhmühlen (GER) from 25 to 28 August.

In addition, HSBC is committed to the development of sport through investment in youth and education in local communities around the world. It supports junior and young rider schemes in the hope that participants will go on to represent their countries at the highest level.

Continue reading HSBC Continues Its Support of FEI’s Rising Star Award →

Competitions, Dressage, Events

It’s Full Speed Ahead at Dressage at Devon

Leave a comment

Devon, PA (July 15, 2011) – The year-long planning is coming together for Dressage at Devon (www.dressageatdevon.com) taking place September 27 – October 2, 2011 at the Devon Horse Show grounds (http://www.thedevonhorseshow.org/).

The prize list is now available at http://dressageatdevon.org/cms/2011pdf/2011DADPrizeList.pdf.  The closing date is August 18.  A list of local accommodations is also available on the site.

For riders (and their horses) new footing has been added to the Gold Ring, matching it to the high standards set last year in the Dixon Oval.

And this year, Dressage with the Experts, a favorite among exhibitors and spectators alike will include commentary from Sara Schmitt, Kem Barbosa, Natalie Lamping, Kathy Connelly, and Johanna Gwinn as well as interviews with dressage professionals.  This list promises to grow between now and the show dates.  This is, of course, in addition to the educational forums that have always been a mainstay of the show.

Continue reading It’s Full Speed Ahead at Dressage at Devon →