All posts by Associate Editor

Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Media/Radio/TV Sources, Publications/Media

Stable Scoop Episode 134 by Omega Alpha – Horse Husbands Round Three

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Warning: The Horse Husbands Episode is back! This episode consists of three horse husbands sitting around talking about their horse addicted wives. If you are a horse woman, be warned. If you are a horse husband, grab an adult beverage, sit back and relate. Listen in.

Stable Scoop Episode 134 – Show Notes and Links:

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Listen, Download or Subscribe:

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Breeds

U2 Joining in This Plight!

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The band U2 is joining in on this fight for our wild horses! Our wild horse herds are quickly dwindling and things need to step up!

This important Call to Action music video will be airing on networks around the planet in the weeks ahead!

Wild Horses & Renegades will have its official release May 7th-14th at the 34th International Wildlife Film Festival in Missoula Montana.
http://www.theamericanwildhorse.com/

Please watch; please share! Thank you from the bottom of my galloping heart!

Where the wild wind blows,

Sonya, aka Mustang Meg
www.mustangmeg.com
www.wildwindart.com
www.amillionvoicesformustangs.com

*Featured/Spotlights, Breeds, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Driving, Events

Morgan Pair Wins Little Everglades CAI

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Dade City, Florida – Morgans come from behind to take the lead, winning at Little Everglades International CAI in Dade City, Florida February 24-27, 2011.  With a strong showing of eight advanced pairs, the Morgans continue to put in a strong showing against larger equine competitors who dominate the sport of combined driving.  Standing in 6th place after the dressage and marathon, owner Alan Aulson drove his athletic Morgans with speed and confidence winning the cones competition, pushing him ahead to win the blue in the FEI Pairs Division.

Nordby Coalie’s Duke (Caduceus Falcon x Coal Creek Sabra’s Coalie), Nordby Coalie’s Coal Dust (Ortawn Captain Royal x Coal Creek Sabra’s Coalie), and Nordby Shadow’s Sam Spade (Ortawn Captain Royal x Ribbon Shadow SRD) are all registered black American Morgan Horses.  When driving a pair in competition you can alternate three horses in the three phases: dressage, marathon, and cones so all three horses competed.  The Morgans are owned by Maureen and Alan Aulson of Georgetown, MA; who are also the owners of the state of the art equine resort Black Equestrian Center in Bronson, Florida.

This is a very important year for the advanced pair drivers as they are all being observed at competitions by United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) officials who will select the best pairs to compete on the United States Team at the World’s Pairs Driving Championship to be held in Conty, France August 24-28, 2011.  Earlier this year, USEF held a week long Invitational Clinic at Black Prong Equestrian Center were all pairs, horses and ponies, schooled with the USEF driving coach, Michael Freund.  For more information on Team Black Prong visit www.blackprong.com/Team or contact BlackProngCenter@aol.com.

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, Phelps Media Group

Steffen Peters Dominates Grand Prix at World Dressage Masters Palm Beach

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Steffen Peters and Ravel. All photos: Susan J. Stickle for Phelps Media Group.

Wellington, FL – March 10, 2011 – Steffen Peters was in a league of his own at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center on the afternoon of March 10th, as he and Ravel thrilled the audience with a personal best performance in the Grand Prix test at the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach CDI5* presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach.

Riding Akiko Yamazaki’s 13 year old Dutch Warmblood gelding, the Olympic and World Equestrian Games medalist entered the arena last of 17 American, Canadian and European competitors. From beginning to end, the ride stood out for its power and harmony. Peters was rewarded with the win and the highest Grand Prix score of his FEI career, 80.872%. “It was just an amazing ride,” said Peters after the awards presentation. “It will, from now on, be the ride that I compare all the other rides to.”

It was a one-two finish for the United States at the WDM Palm Beach. Tina Konyot and her 13 year old Danish Warmblood stallion Calecto V placed second with 72.213% after a dynamic and harmonious test. “I try to improve every time we go out,” said Konyot. “This was one of my better Grand Prix tests, and it certainly was the right time to do it.”

Continue reading Steffen Peters Dominates Grand Prix at World Dressage Masters Palm Beach →

Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Media/Radio/TV Sources

Dressage Radio Episode 94 – Great Partnerships with Hilda Gurney and Keen

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We celebrate another Great Partnership in our series this week, Hilda Gurney and Keen. We hear from one of Hilda’s students, Tracy Young, on How Mentors Influence a Rider’s Career and Silva Martin makes her debut on the show as my co-host. Join us right here…

Dressage Radio Episode 94 – Show Notes and Links:

  • Host: Chris Stafford
  • Co-host: Silva Martin
  • Photo Credit: Courtesy: H. Gurney on Keen
  • Guest: Hilda Gurney on her partner Keen
  • Guest: Tracy Young, on How Mentors Influence a Rider’s Career

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Breeds, Contributors/Press, Wild Horse Sources

Speak Out for Mustangs and Burros in Arizona

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Join us in Phoenix to represent the last of America’s wild horses and burros

The clock is winding down for the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board meeting in Phoenix. On March 10 and 11 (Thursday and Friday), The Cloud Foundation will be in leading the charge, along with friends of wild horses and burros from across the country. We are calling for an immediate halt to all BLM roundups that are destroying the last of America’s wild herds at enormous taxpayer expense. We urge you to join us on those two days at the Phoenix Sheraton Downtown Hotel (340 N. 3rd St). Even if you cannot come to the meeting itself, we urge you to come show your support at one or all of the events below:

Join me, Academy Award-winning author of Dances with Wolves, Michael Blake; wild horse philanthropist, Madeleine Pickens; R. T. Fitch of Habitat for Horses Advisory Council; Simone Netherlands of Respect4Horses; Laura Leigh of Grassroots Horse and others who will be voicing our support for our wild horses and burros at a Thursday Press Conference, March 10, 11:30 am to 12:30 in the Sheraton’s South Mountain Room. The BLM meeting will start at 1 pm.

Continue reading Speak Out for Mustangs and Burros in Arizona →

Associations/Breeds, Breeds, Contributors/Press, Racing, Racing Sources

Negative Equine Piroplasmosis Test Now a Requirement

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The American Quarter Horse Journal — Beginning July 1, 2011, all horses entering the grounds for any AQHA world championship show – in Oklahoma City, Amarillo or Houston – will be required to present a certificate of a negative blood test for equine piroplasmosis. The tests must have been completed within the previous six months and will cost exhibitors $30-$40 per horse.

Equine piroplasmosis is a disease of horses, donkeys, mules and zebras that is caused by two parasitic organisms, Theileria equi and Babesia caballi. Although, equine piroplasmosis is primarily transmitted to horses by ticks, this bloodborne disease has been spread mechanically from animal to animal by contaminated needles.

Currently, racetracks in 11 states have testing requirements for Equine Piroplasmosis and that number will increase. With the potential of an infected racehorse retiring to the show pen, the show industry is vulnerable.

“As the industry leader, AQHA needs to be vigilant and establish testing requirements to ensure any case of equine piroplasmosis can’t be traced back to an AQHA event,” said Tom Persechino, AQHA executive director of competition and breed integrity. “We’re encouraging all exhibitors to contact their veterinarians to schedule these tests. If the tests are completed around the second week of July, that horse will be eligible to show at the youth, select and open/amateur world without requiring another test.”

Continue reading Negative Equine Piroplasmosis Test Now a Requirement →

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, Phelps Media Group

Top International Judge Featured at Tonight’s Dressage under the Stars

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Marsha Kulak and last week's judges at Dressage under the Stars. Photo Credit: Top Shelf Dressage

Wellington, FL – March 9, 2011 – Tonight marks the sixth week for the exciting Dressage under the Stars, held at the world famous Players Club in Wellington, Florida.  Festivities begin tonight 7:00pm, with delicious drinks and fine dining available both patio-side, upstairs on the porch and as always inside the Players Club.  The beautiful event will continue for two more weeks and is held each Wednesday at the luxurious venue. This week’s performances will feature top international judge Anne Gribbons and choreographer Ruth Hogan-Poulsen.

Last week’s Dressage under the Stars was great event featuring three Eventing riders performing musical freestyles. Eventing riders do not usually perform freestyles, but their incredible efforts did not disappoint.  Last week’s Dressage under the Stars, sponsored by PRO aligned with the Derby Cross event held Saturday night, March 5, during Nations Cup week.  Riders from last week included Marsha Kulak, Sara Kozumplik and Ronald Zabala-Goetschel. Olympian Karen O’Connor served as one of the judges for the evening, alongside Mason Phelps, Jr.

“Tonight was a great event for our event riders,” noted O’Connor.  “The evening was very interesting, exciting and enthusiastic.  They do a wonderful job presenting different disciplines to the public and the music is just so much fun.”

Continue reading Top International Judge Featured at Tonight’s Dressage under the Stars →

*Featured/Spotlights, Awards, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, JRPR, Products/Services

International Dressage Rider Betsy Steiner Wins Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award at Palm Beach Dressage Derby

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Betsy Steiner, who competed Joli Burrell’s Fino at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby, rode away as the winner of the Premier Sportsmanship Award during the show. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)

Wellington, FL (March 9, 2011) – Dressage rider and trainer Betsy Steiner, who represented the United States at the World Equestrian Games in Sweden, competed Joli Burrell’s Fino at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby at White Fences in Wellington and said the secret to each and every ride she takes is the simple fact the she loves her horses and competing. In addition to enjoying her ride, Steiner was awarded the Premier Sportsmanship Award, sponsored by Premier Equestrian, a leading supplier of dressage arenas, horse jumps, arena footing and stable accessories.

The Premier Sportsmanship Award is awarded to a rider who displays a high level of sportsmanship during a show and Steiner thanked Premier for the award. “The award really encourages riders and it makes you feel good about coming to the show and doing well,” she said.

Steiner added that she was really pleased with Fino’s performance at the show. “He was a great boy and I was really happy with him. It was the first time I’ve had him in the ring since June and he really came through for me,” she said, adding that she competed Fino in the FEI Test of Choice Prix St. Georges class.

When asked how she maintains a great level of sportsmanship, Steiner said she loves competing. “I love all of the horses I compete and Fino just happens to be one of the best,” Steiner said.

Continue reading International Dressage Rider Betsy Steiner Wins Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award at Palm Beach Dressage Derby →

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, Phelps Media Group, Polo

Challenge of the Americas This Saturday, March 12 at International Polo Club

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Challenge of the Americas. Photo Credit: Susan J. Stickle

Wellington, FL – March 9, 2011 – The Tenth Annual Challenge of the Americas competition and gala is set for this Saturday, March 12, 2011 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, FL. Beginning at 5:15 pm at the Nespresso Lodge, the 2011 Challenge of the Americas (COTA) will be presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC) and will benefit Play for P.I.N.K., a partner of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

This equestrian evening features musical team quadrilles performed by the “who’s who” of top riders in the United States, Canada, Latin America, and Europe. COTA will be an exciting evening to benefit an incredible cause. In addition to the team quadrille dressage challenge the evening’s events will feature a special polo match.

COTA Chairmen Mary Ross, along with Georgette Escobar and the Challenge Committee are proud to present an International Musical Grand Prix Dressage Quadrille Team Challenge and Polo Extravaganza. The Challenge Gala, an elegant evening of dinner and dancing, will get underway immediately following the “The Challenge of the Americas” competition. An awards presentation will be featured and guests will have the chance to meet and socialize with riders and judges.

Continue reading Challenge of the Americas This Saturday, March 12 at International Polo Club →