All posts by Associate Editor

Equine Anhidrosis Can Be Treated and Spring Is the Perfect Time

Horses that don’t sweat – a condition called equine anhidrosis – run a serious health risk. Managing the symptoms is difficult for owners and trainers but now there’s an effective, natural alternative that can prevent and treat anhidrosis or non-sweating: an electrolyte-balancing patch marketed under the trade name “Equiwinner”.

Mesa, AZ (Mar. 15, 2011) – Horses that don’t sweat not only perform poorly, they risk succumbing to heat stroke and dying, in extreme cases. Anhidrosis, or this inability of horses to sweat, remains largely misunderstood. Current “cures” offer such inconsistent and unreliable success rates that owners, trainers and stable managers too often have no recourse but to manage their horses’ conditions.

There is now a better, more effective alternative to hosing horses down, relocating them to a more moderate clime and withdrawing them from work or competition which are time-consuming options at best and simply impossible for many owners at worst.

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Rodrigo Pessoa & Let’s Fly Soar to Victory in $231,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI 4*-W

Rodrigo Pessoa and Let's Fly won the $231,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI-W 4* Presented by Bainbridge Companies during week nine at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – March 12, 2010 – Saturday Night Lights at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival brought a crowd of over 4,200 spectators out to the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center this weekend to watch Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa and Let’s Fly jump to victory in the $231,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI 4*-W Presented by Bainbridge Companies. Pessoa earned the winning cut of prize money after an exciting jump-off of many of the top horses and riders in the world.

The FTI Winter Equestrian Festival’s ninth week of competition, sponsored by Bainbridge Companies, will conclude with the Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic on Sunday at 1 p.m. The 2011 WEF will continue through April 3 and award more than $6 million in prize money.

Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela designed tonight’s course for a field of 42 starters. Eight jumped clear in the first round to advance to the jump-off. Six of those eight were the top women riding for the United States followed up by two of the world’s best men from Great Britain and Brazil. The men were able to best the ladies tonight, taking the top two places with the only clear rounds over the short course.

Continue reading Rodrigo Pessoa & Let’s Fly Soar to Victory in $231,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI 4*-W

Gulf Coast Winter Classics Wraps with Circuit Awards, $25,000 Budweiser Grand Prix and a Bittersweet Farewell to Continental B

Wilhelm Genn & Happy Z. ©Flashpoint Photography

GULFPORT, MS — Mar. 14, 2011 — “I want to thank the exhibitors, trainers, owners and my staff for the best winter shows we have ever had in Gulfport. Both Janet McCarroll [Co-Chair of the Winter Classics] and I are thrilled that our shows went so well and were so well attended.  It’s always sad when all the horse trailers and campers start leaving after a circuit, but all good times must come to an end… until next year,” Bob Bell of The Classic Company said Sunday evening as crews began the task of packing up.

This was the most anticipated week; exhibitors were on pins and needles awaiting the announcements for this year’s Circuit Awards. Aiken, SC based Daniel Geitner was the first recipient, taking the Grand Champion title in both the High Performance Hunters with the Robin Hughes owned Living Color and the Green Conformation Grand Hunter with Allison Mills’ Stature. Via text Geitner said he was thrilled with the news and had enjoyed the weeks of competition in the Gulf greatly. Jordan Siegel of the Flower Mound, TX based Summer Hill Farm garnered two Circuit Awards, beginning with the 1st Year Green Working Hunters partnered with Cherry Stone for owner Fallon Bock and later in the Performance Working 3’6-3’9 Hunters piloting Jetset for owner Castle Point Farm, LLC. And Memphis, TN based pro Phoebe Sheets grabbed a pair of Circuit Awards as well, first in the Baby Green Hunters with Jean Tuttle’s Ring Ling and in the Performance Working 3’3 Hunters aboard Casino for owner Cheryl Rubenstein.

Continue reading Gulf Coast Winter Classics Wraps with Circuit Awards, $25,000 Budweiser Grand Prix and a Bittersweet Farewell to Continental B

Sons of the Wind Lusitanos to Perform at Dressage under the Stars

Vitor Silva from Sons of the Wind Lusitanos will be performing at Dressage under the Stars. Photo Courtesy of the Client.

Palm City, FL – March 14, 2011 – Sons of the Wind Lusitanos is pleased to announce that they will be competing at Dressage under the Stars on Wednesday, March 16, 2011. The beautiful event is held at the world famous Players Club in Wellington, Florida. The festivities begin at 7:00 p.m., with delicious drinks and fine dining available both patio-side, and the Lusitano/PRE competition will begin at 8 p.m.

Nationally renowned trainer Mr. Vitor J. Silva and his students, Emily Kannenstine and Leah Winston, who will be working for Sons of the Winds, will begin by competing in a dressage competition against a group of PRE horses, showcasing the talents of the different breeds. Midway through the evening, Mr. Silva and his riders will also be performing a rousing quadrille demonstration for guests to enjoy.

The Sons of the Wind and Mr. Silva are famous for exhilarating airs above the ground and their quadrilles have been featured at the Boston Portuguese Festival, Bear Spot Freestyle, PVDA “Ride for Life”, and many other locations. The Sons of the Wind School for the Equestrian Arts, based in Merrimac, Massachusetts and now for the winter Palm City, FL, were founded by Portuguese trainer Mr. Vitor Silva. With their dedication to classical training, these unique centers provide a venue for the starting and sales of the young Lusitanos, along with instruction to all levels of students by the Lusitano school masters developed by Mr. Silva for amateur enthusiasts, instructors and competitive riders from around the world.

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Eventing Radio Episode 125 by Bit of Britain – Red Hills Horse Trials Final Day

The final of coverage from the Red Hills Horse Trials in Tallahassee, Florida. Chris provides coverage today of the final day with many of the winners. Take a listen….

Eventing Radio Episode 125 by Bit of Britain – Show Notes and Links:

  • Show Host: Chris Stafford
  • Photo Credit: USEventing.com
  • Thank You: Thank you to the organizers of the Red Hills Horse Trials for inviting us to cover the event live and taking such good care of us.
  • News: The Eventing Radio Show and HORSES IN THE MORNING live from Rolex Kentucky 3DE: April 27 – May 1, 2011

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AQHA: Digital Rule Book Now Available

The 2011 AQHA Official Handbook of Rules and Regulations is available for download on the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

The AQHA Official Handbook of Rules and Regulations is now available at the touch of a button.

At the 2011 AQHA Convention, March 4-7 in Grapevine, Texas, AQHA announced the release of a digital version of the AQHA Official Handbook. The AQHA 2011 Rules digital tool is available through iTunes to download to the iPhone, iPad or iPod touch and is free for everyone.

The digital handbook is a useful tool for any AQHA member. For instance, if you are at a show and forget your AQHA Handbook, all the information you need is on your device. You’ll find everything from proper attire to reining patterns, registration requirements, color and marking definitions, and more. AQHA will soon add additional features, with the possibility of including access to records, show dates and other important AQHA announcements.

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Gulf Coast Finale – Updates and Reminders

I want to thank all the exhibitors, trainers, owners and my staff for the best winter shows we have ever had in Gulfport.   Both Janet McCarroll and I are thrilled that our shows went so well and were so well attended.  It’s always sad when all the horse trailers and campers start leaving after a circuit but all good times must come to an end.   We look forward to six weeks of fun on the Gulf next year.  The Harrison County Equestrian Center will start building the 500 new permanent stalls around April 1st.  I will keep you all up on the progress.

We had a great circuit and I would love to list the 45 Grand Champions but I am afraid it would make for such a long message, that no one would read the whole thing.  They will be listed in an ad we are making for the Chronicle of the Horse along with some great pictures of our five winners our Grand Prix events.  I will say that Lincoln Case was selected by the staff as the winner of the 2011 Gulf Coast Sportsmanship Award.  Congrats to Lincoln and thanks for the support for 13 years.

Today we also had a tribute to Continental B, a wonderful horse who was a great supporter of our events.  It was a great few minutes between rounds of our Grand Prix to remember the history of CB.  He looked great covered in all his champion ribbons and everyone ringside took the moment to remember all the classes he won.  We were proud to have the tribute at our show in Gulfport and that he will be taking it easy from now on in a pasture.

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National Federations Request More Time for Consultation on Restructuring

Lausanne (SUI), 14 March 2011 – Following requests from National Federations, the FEI Bureau has agreed to extend the period of consultation on new FEI Statutes that would allow for restructuring of the current FEI governance model. The vote on restructuring had originally been scheduled to take place at an Extraordinary General Assembly at the FEI’s new headquarters in Lausanne (SUI) on 6 May 2011.

The consultation process, which started on 18 January, sought input from the National Federations and the Bureau on the restructuring proposal. Following this input, a first draft of the revised Statutes was sent to the National Federations on 11 February, with a deadline of 25 March for receipt of further comments.

However, a number of National Federations have requested an extended timeframe for the consultative process and the Bureau has acceded to this request.

The Extraordinary General Assembly will still take place on 6 May as scheduled and the agenda will include a vote on statutory changes relating to FEI Development, a session on the format of an annual Sports Forum, and a debate on the restructuring process, ensuring the input of National Federations.

The official opening of the new FEI Headquarters in Lausanne will also take place on 6 May after the Extraordinary General Assembly.

Media contact:

Malina Gueorguiev

Manager Press Relations

malina.gueorguiev@fei.org

+41 78 750 61 33

Japan Equine Relief

The WHIA is collecting supplies and cash for equine businesses in Japan following the massive earthquake. We are working with the U.S. state department and Japanese associations. Details will follow soon!

Executive Director Catherine Masters lived in Japan for five years and her heart is broken by the horrible natural disaster in Japan. She is asking all of the WHIA members to help her raise money and supplies for the victims and the horses.

As soon as we are confident that our money and supplies will get to the proper authorities, we will contact you again. As you know, the breeders, the riding clubs and the horse owners will need everything. CASH is probably the best thing we can send. Due to massive destruction it may take us a little while to get the proper channels working with us.

Thanks for helping us ahead of time!

Catherine Masters
1962 Graduate of Yamato High School

Women’s Horse Industry | P.O. Box 724 | Madison | TN | 37116

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Tip of the Week – Your Horse Has Been Diagnosed with Founder – Call 911 Now!

If you have ever owned a horse diagnosed with laminitis, founder, navicular syndrome or any other type of hoof problem you know how devastating it can be.  Even with advances in modern technology some horses are still diagnosed incorrectly and inadequately leaving the owner helpless and the horse in pain.

Most diagnosed cases start out with strict regimens of prescription medications including steroids, pain killers and other anti-inflammatory medications.  This is then followed by costly farrier bills, stall rest, more vet bills and a horse still in pain.

Preventing hoof problems in a horse is a great stress on a horse owner and with all of the different variables to consider from footing, shoeing, conditioning, diet and nutrition, to genetics, even the best cared for equines on the planet could still be plagued.

So what do you do if your horse is having lameness issues or has been diagnosed with a hoof condition such as navicular?   Get your facts and know your options.  Prescription medications have long lists of side effects. Prescribing a medication like a steroid to “see how your horse looks” after a certain period may do more harm than good.  This is not a good way to try to diagnose a hoof condition and could even make the situation worse.

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