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Breeds, Rescue/Protection Sources

Utah Legislator Introduces Resolution Opposing Dead Bill

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February 7, 2011 – Chicago (EWA) – On February 1st, Utah Senator David P. Hinkins introduced joint resolution S.J.R 11, titled “A Resolution Expressing Opposition to Federal Restoring Our Mustangs Act.”  The resolution expresses opposition to federal bills H.R. 1018 / S. 1579, known collectively as the ROAM Act. The only problem is that the ROAM Act was from the 111th Congress and no longer exists.

The ROAM act was passed by the House of Representatives on July 19, 2009 but was never taken up by the Senate and died with the end of the 111th Congress. Though initially popular among wild horse advocates, growing suspicion that ROAM could be used by the Obama Administration to implement its “Salazar Plan” caused it to lose support.

The “Salazar plan” would remove mustangs from their native habitats in the West, sterilize them, and leave them to die out on Midwestern feedlots. So intent is the Administration on this plan, that it rejected a private refuge plan offered by Madeleine Pickens, wife of oil billionaire T. Boone Pickens. That plan would have left the horses on a large tract of their native lands which the Pickenses had purchased.

Continue reading Utah Legislator Introduces Resolution Opposing Dead Bill →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, Phelps Media Group

World Dressage Masters Coming to Palm Beach

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Noreen O'Sullivan and John Flanagan will be the management team for the 2011 World Dressage Masters Palm Beach. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG.

Wellington, FL (February 8, 2011) – The World Dressage Masters Palm Beach presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach is set to take place at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center on March 9-11, 2011. The World Dressage Masters presented by Axel Johnson Group is the world’s richest dressage series, with 100,000 Euros in prize money offered at the Palm Beach event alone. It attracts many of the world’s top competitors, including Olympic and World Championship medalists.  Twenty of the world’s top ranked dressage pairs from Europe, the US, and Canada will be invited to compete in this prestigious event.

The American leg of the Masters, North America’s only CDI5* competition, was in danger of being cancelled for 2011, but thanks to the generous support of the Goodman family, International Polo Club Palm Beach and the show management team of Wellington Classic Dressage, the show will go on. Wellington Classic Dressage has entered into an agreement to host the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach for the next three years.

“On behalf of Wellington Classic Dressage, we are honored to have the opportunity to host this very prestigious event, with the help and support of our presenting sponsor International Polo Club Palm Beach and Akiko Yamazaki,” says Noreen O’Sullivan, show manager for Wellington Classic Dressage.

Continue reading World Dressage Masters Coming to Palm Beach →

Awards, Community/Charity, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, JRPR, Show Jumping

Week 4 of the Winter Equestrian Festival – Laura Kraut and Cedric Win The Sanctuary Peak Performance Award in Grand Prix

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Olympic stars Laura Kraut and Cedric won The Sanctuary Peak Performance Award during the fourth week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. (Photo courtesy of Sportfot)

Wellington, FL (February 8, 2011) – Winter Equestrian Festival veteran Laura Kraut, and her Gold Medal Olympic partner Cedric, not only cruised to victory in the $78,000 Adequan Grand Prix during the fourth week of WEF, but the pair also rode away with The Sanctuary Peak Performance Award. Sponsored by The Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Center, the award is presented to a horse with a successful performance due to their conditioning and fitness level.

Cedric, a 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Chambertin x Carolus Z and owned by Happy Hill Farm, proved he was fit and ready to be back in the winner’s circle when he bested 48 other entries to gallop away with the blue ribbon. Cedric, who competed with Kraut at the 2010 World Equestrian Games, recently enjoyed two months off and this class was his first return to the Grand Prix ring.

“Cedric is an amazing horse and The Sanctuary was thrilled to award Laura and Cedric with the Peak Performance Award. From his 2008 Olympic Gold Medal victory to his victory in this Grand Prix, Cedric has an extraordinary ability and is a great pleasure to watch. When he is galloping around the course it is easy to see that he is fit and well conditioned, which of course helps lead to his winning performance,” said Brenda McDuffee, General Manager of The Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Center. “We will be awarding six Peak Performance Awards during the Grand Prix’s at WEF and we want to congratulate Laura and Cedric on winning the first Peak Performance Award from The Sanctuary.”

Continue reading Week 4 of the Winter Equestrian Festival – Laura Kraut and Cedric Win The Sanctuary Peak Performance Award in Grand Prix →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, JRPR

2011 Dressage under the Stars Kicks Off Third Year

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Dressage under the Stars week one musical freestyle winner Chris Von Martels is joined by (l-r) Ted Rekal-Nuttall, Jane Savoie, Carole Grant, Tami Hoag, Rick Rockefeller-Silvia, and Juan Gonzalez. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)

Chris Von Martels Wins Dressage under the Stars Week 1

Wellington, FL (February 6, 2011) – For the third year in a row, Dressage under the Stars, held patio-side at The Players Club Bar & Grille, is the place to be on Wednesday nights in Wellington. This year will bring another eight weeks of exciting rider and horse combinations competing for weekly prizes and an opportunity for riders to return the final week to perform in the grand finale. Attendees were again guaranteed an enchanting night of FEI level musical freestyles, fine dining, cocktails, and new this year a VIP champagne tent.

Chris Von Martels stole the show with his winning performance on Don Darveen, a warmblood gelding by Donnerhall. Von Martels performed to music that included the Black Eyed Peas for a fun hip-hop combination musical freestyle. Don Darveen’s owner, Regina Sacha-Ujczo, drove all the way from Orlando to come see her horse perform.

Von Martels’ prizes included a custom Quantum Saddle, presented by Quantum Limited’s North American Representative Ted Rekal-Nuttall, 500 dollars cash, and VIP passes to the table service sponsorship tent. All competitors received a rider care package from The Wellington Institute, an American Express Gift Card donated by Jill Hoag of Keyes Company and a bundle of organic carrots for their horses.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13200

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Show Jumping

Laura Kraut and Cedric Jump Clear to Win $78,000 Adequan Grand Prix, CSI 2*

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Laura Kraut and Cedric won the $78,000 Adequan Grand Prix, CSI 2* during week four at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – February 6, 2011 – The 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) concluded its fourth week of competition on Sunday afternoon with the $78,000 Adequan Grand Prix, CSI 2* held in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. In a talent packed class, Laura Kraut (USA) and Happy Hill Farm’s Cedric jumped to victory over 48 starters.

This week’s course designer in the International Arena was Richard Jeffery of Great Britain. At the halfway point in the class, nine had jumped clear over the first round course. Seven more clear rounds followed to leave 16 horse and rider combinations to jump-off. The countries of the United States, Mexico, Great Britain, Ireland and Canada were all represented in today’s jump-off, but the United States reigned supreme as Olympic gold medalists Laura Kraut and Cedric took the win.

Of the 16 entries in the jump-off, just two were able to clear the course. Nick Skelton (GBR) and Unique, owned by Beverly Widdowson, were first to jump clear and clocked in at 51.02 seconds to finish in second place. Kraut and Cedric went last, and stopped the clock in 45.11 seconds for the win.

Continue reading Laura Kraut and Cedric Jump Clear to Win $78,000 Adequan Grand Prix, CSI 2* →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Show Jumping

Women Win for the Third Year in Nespresso Battle of the Sexes

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Ashlee Bond and Chivas Z were victorious in the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic during week 4 at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photos © Sportfot

Ashlee Bond and Chivas Z Find Key to Win the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic

Wellington, FL – February 5, 2011 – The women have dominated the Nespresso Battle of the Sexes for three years now with another exciting win in Saturday evening’s dynamic competition. The women’s team, captained by Katie Prudent, and including riders Georgina Bloomberg, Ashlee Bond, Brianne Goutal, Lauren Hough, Maggie Jayne, Reed Kessler, Candice King, Laura Kraut, Christine McCrea, Catherine Pasmore, and Nicole Simpson, swept the three phase competition with 37 points over the men’s score of 25 to win their third title.

The evening’s attendance was approximately 6,500 people for the class at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Equestrian Sport Productions CEO Mark Bellissimo stated, “This was a great event and we’re very thankful to the riders and their owners for supporting this class with their time and their horses. Special classes like this really grow our spectator base, which is one of our biggest goals at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival.”

Continue reading Women Win for the Third Year in Nespresso Battle of the Sexes →

Contributors/Press, Diana de Rosa, Training/Clinics

Tip of the Week – When Does Training Really Begin?

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What was your attitude when you woke up and thought about training your horse today? Did you think about how excited you were? Or did it raise feelings of nervousness, fear, anxiety, intimidation, or anger.

Did you ever think that from THAT very moment you might have already started training your horse?

Imagine having those same feelings when you approached your horse’s stall.  Your body language reveals your thoughts, feelings, and attitude, which affect how you present yourself to your horse. Horses are master interpreters of body language.

Now as you approach your horse’s stall, your horse will respond to your physical “presentation.” Are you weak, aggressive, distracted, enthusiastic? Are you dreading that a consistent problem will re-occur?  If you seem small in presence, not stature, he may be pushy or completely ignore you, because he doesn’t see you as a leader.  If you seem overly strong in presence not strength, he may avoid you and go to the back of his stall. He may even get fearful, defensive or aggressive. Does he look forward to coming out or see you as a walking feed cart? By your presence, he will know what kind of leader you plan to be, if at all. It all started with the attitude you projected when you approached his stall.

Continue reading Tip of the Week – When Does Training Really Begin? →

Awards, Breeds, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, USEF

Connemaras Honored with Special USEF Awards

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Donna Miller and ArdCeltic Art. Photo courtesy Donna Miller.

Lexington, KY – Each year at the United States Equestrian Federation Horse of the Year awards dinner, two Connemara Ponies are honored with special awards from the American Connemara Pony Society for excellence in USEF eventing and hunter competitions.

The McKenna Trophy is awarded in memory of Joan McKenna, and is presented to the high scoring purebred or halfbred Connemara competing in USEF eventing competitions at the Preliminary level or above. This year the McKenna Trophy was presented to ArdCeltic Art owned by Donna Miller of Alpharetta, GA. In 2010, ArdCeltic Art successfully competed at the Preliminary level with his owner, and also won in his debut in Intermediate with Clark Montgomery in the irons.

The Clifden Trophy, donated by D. J. Moore and Laura Balding, is given to the high scoring purebred or halfbred Connemara competing in USEF Pony Hunter divisions. The trophy was awarded again this year to Micaela Kennedy’s First Kiss. First Kiss was shown throughout 2010 with much success by Will Kennedy, Ashley Foster, Brianna Sims, Taylor Curry, Emily Hartley and Matthew Sassmannhausen.

Congratulations to both Connemaras on these outstanding achievements! For more information regarding the Clifden and McKenna trophies, please visit www.acps.org or contact Mary Vance at mvance@usef.org or (859) 225-6951.

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Equestrian Assistance, Eventing/H.T., FEI, USEA, USEF

USEF Helmet Rule Update: Executive Committee to Consider Changes Defining Application to Breed Competitions

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Steffen Peters wore a helmet during the Dressage Freestyle at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Photo by Shannon Brinkman/USEF Archive

Lexington, KY – The Executive Committee of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) will meet to consider Extraordinary Rule Changes to clearly define the implementation of the Federation’s new helmet rule to breed competitions that offer dressage classes. The committee will meet later this month to discuss the changes, which will clarify the rule in the Andalusian, Arabian, Friesian and Morgan divisions of USEF Licensed Competitions.

To review the latest memo regarding the use of protective headgear for dressage, visit: http://www.usef.org/documents/disciplines/dressage/HelmetMemo.pdf.

To reiterate the existing guidelines, please refer to the press release below, regarding the new helmet rules for dressage and eventing. To link directly to this press release online (for inclusion in an article), visit: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=6569&star=true.

Lexington, KY – January 25, 2011 – The Board of Directors during this year’s United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Annual Meeting approved new helmet rules for riders in both eventing and dressage – just two weeks after dozens of stakeholders in equestrian sport met with the goal of improving rider safety across disciplines.

Continue reading USEF Helmet Rule Update: Executive Committee to Consider Changes Defining Application to Breed Competitions →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Driving, Events, FEI, FEI

Dutch Driver IJsbrand Chardon Has Won Four-In-Hand FEI World Cup Driving Qualifier in Bordeaux

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Chardon went for it all the way in Bordeaux. Photo: FEI/Rinaldo de Craen

CHARDON IN TOP FORM IN BORDEAUX by Cindy Timmer

Dutch driver IJsbrand Chardon won last night’s FEI World Cup qualifier in Bordeaux in breath taking style. Wild card driver Chardon stayed ahead of Tomas Eriksson in second guaranteeing the Swede the sixth and last starting place for the Final in Leipzig. Werner Ulrich knocked two balls down in the winning round to finish third.

The atmosphere was superb on Saturday evening in the Palais des Expositions in Bordeaux. The drivers put on a perfect show, cheered on by the many enthusiastic spectators and the great music.

Second wild card for Coudry

As in Geneva, French four-in-hand driver Thibault Coudry had been given a wild card to compete in front of his home crowd in Bordeaux. The 30-year old farmer and truck driver drove a good round with his team of Polish warmblood horses and a French trotter. But the competition in Bordeaux was too strong this year for the 2010 winner of the French World Cup leg who ended in fourth.

Battle for Leipzig

Dutch driver Theo Timmerman, Sweden’s Fredrik Persson and Tomas Eriksson and Switzerland’s Daniel Würgler all had a last chance in Bordeaux to claim the sixth and last starting place for the Final in Leipzig. Würgler knocked three cones down in the course, designed by German course designer Falk Böhnisch, to lose his chance for Leipzig. Despite the use of one of Boyd Exell’s top horses Pascal in he lead of his team, Fredrik Persson could not manage to qualify for the Winning Round. By coming sixth, Persson also knew his chances for a starting place in the Leipzig line-up were gone. Timmerman had improved his team compared to the warm-up round, but he finished fifth despite his efforts.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13193