All posts by Associate Editor

Premier Equestrian Congratulates Walter Zettl on Induction into Hall of Fame

Premier Equestrian, LLC is pleased to congratulate classical dressage master Walter Zettl on his induction into the Toronto CADORA Dressage Association Hall of Fame. Zettl has been a long-time advisor to Premier Equestrian. (Photo courtesy of Walter Zettl, photo credit Christine Derksen)

Sandy, UT (January 7, 2011) – Premier Equestrian, LLC, a leading supplier of dressage arenas, horse jumps, and stable accessories, is pleased to congratulate classical dressage master Walter Zettl on his induction into the Toronto CADORA Dressage Association Hall of Fame. Zettl has been a long-time advisor to Premier Equestrian and is also the technical advisor for Dressage Today Magazine.

“Walter is one of the true classical dressage masters left on the planet and we are so happy that he was recognized for being a contributor to the evolution of the sport of dressage,” said Heidi Zorn, President of Premier Equestrian. “Walter has lived in Canada since 1981 and has had a big impact on the Canadian dressage community. He has also had a big impact on our company and has advised and directed Premier on our products over the years.”

Zettl, who is now in his 80s, has spent years on the forefront of the dressage world, from coaching Olympic riders to teaching, training, offering clinics, writing books and producing DVDs. “It wasn’t a surprise to his family, friends or students when he was inducted into the Toronto CADORA Dressage Association Hall of Fame,” Zorn said. “Zettl’s ‘Matter of Trust’ DVD series was produced by Dancing Deer Productions and distributed by Premier.  The DVD covers classical dressage techniques from Training level to Grand Prix, and we were very pleased to have been part of it. Getting to know Walter, and understand his true passion for dressage and horses, has been a real blessing.”

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Chester Weber Donates “Two Days of Training” at Upcoming “Salute to Driving” USET Fund Raising for the Driving Discipline

Chester Weber will donate “Two Days of Training” during the silent auction at the upcoming Salute to Driving USET fund Raising for the Driving Discipline. He is shown here at the 7th US National Championship at the Kentucky Cup. (Photo courtesy of My Elizabeth Weber)

Ocala, FL (January 7, 2010) – Combined Driver Chester Weber, the eight-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving Champion, will donate a package for “Two Days of Training” during the silent auction at the upcoming Salute to Driving USET Fund Raising for the Driving Discipline. Weber will give the winner of the silent auction two days of training with either his or her own horses or with Weber’s horses.

The Salute to Driving USET Fund Raising for the Driving Discipline is a weekend for all levels to learn and have fun. The event includes two days of Advanced/FEI level and ADS Lower level clinics, a benefit party, Combined Test, plus other various activities to help educate equine enthusiasts from other disciplines. Salute to Driving will be held on Chateau Log Farm and Courage to Lead Farm in Windsor, South Carolina and the Country Dinner Benefit will be held at Trout Walk Farm in Aiken, South Carolina. The event will take place February 19-21, 2011.

“I am really looking forward to the Salute to Driving weekend and especially offering a package for ‘Two Days of Training’ at the silent auction. I believe the USET is a very worthy cause and the money raised during this weekend will go toward sending the US driving athletes to international competitions,” Weber said. “During the weekend there will be developing drivers clinics given by Larry Poulin and a two-day advanced long listed drivers clinic with Michael Freund, so it should be a fantastic experience for everyone involved.”

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IHSA’s Bob Cacchione Selected as USEF/EQUUS Foundation Humanitarian Award Recipient

WELLINGTON, FL – January 9, 2011 – Bob Cacchione, Executive Director of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA), will be honored as the recipient of The EQUUS Foundation Humanitarian Award presented by The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). The presentation will take place on January 21, 2011, at the USEF Pegasus Awards Dinner during the Federation’s Annual Meeting in Lexington, KY.

The EQUUS Foundation Humanitarian Award is a celebration of the humanitarian achievements made by a member of the equestrian world.  Specifically, the goal of this humanitarian honor is to spotlight and exalt the selfless dedication one individual or a group of individuals has made, whether on a regional or national scale. From improving the health and welfare of the horse to promoting and expanding the general public’s appreciation and respect of the diverse roles of horses, the recipient of this award will be someone who has devoted considerable personal time to making the lives and quality of life of our equine partners paramount.

“I am totally overwhelmed with this honor; especially being recognized by my peers,” said Cacchione. “To be acknowledged for what I have tried to do for the youth of the equestrian world with the creation and development of the IHSA is just incredibly meaningful.”

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Jumping Radio Show Episode 44 by Back on Track – Welly World with Brianne Goutal


Brianne Goutal tells us what it’s like to be back in Welly World for the Winter Equestrian Festival. Take a listen right here…

Jumping Radio Episode 44 – Show Notes and Links:

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Tip of the Week – Finding Your Way Out of the Supplement Jungle

Not a day goes by that a trainer is not being asked by a client about the importance of supplements for his or her horse.

As equine nutritionists, we are often asked to have a look at this bucket or that pail and are requested to comment on supplement brands, ingredients, dosage or to make a recommendation on which supplement one should feed that will keep the horse healthy, sound and strong.

There also is the matter of those nasty health issues one likes to prevent, like colic, laminitis, inflammation and all those other types of problems.  Their hope is to overcome these with not only proper feed and hay, but also with the right balanced nutrient approach and appropriate supplementation that focuses on the individual horse.

There are surely enough products out there that promise to do that job, but is the trainer now responsible to educate his or her client about the “right” feed and supplement program for his client’s horse(s)?  After all, the trainer’s clients may think that because he is the person working and training the horse, he should know!

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Dressage Radio Episode 85 by Back on Track – Do Young Riders Specialize Too Early?

Debbie McDonald and Lendon Gray discuss young riders’ careers in dressage, their opportunities for riding different horses, spending time with horses out of the barn, and the importance of horsemanship in the sport. A fascinating conversation with two great horsewomen, so take a listen…

Dressage Radio Episode 85 – Show Notes and Links:

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Eventing Radio Episode 113 – Show Notes and Links

The 2010 USEA Groom of the Year recipient, Elizabeth Crowder, tell us how she earned her stripes. We hear tributes to Rebecca Broussard from Karen O’Connor and Jo Whitehouse. Plus the news of this week and more with co-host Kerry Millikin, all right here…

Eventing Radio Episode 113 – Show Notes and Links:

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USEF Announces the 2010 USEF Horse of the Year Candidates; Voting Now Open!

Ravel, Horse of the Year in 2009. Photo by Shannon Brinkman/USEF

Lexington, KY – December 21 – To reach the highest level of excellence in equestrian sport takes talent, perseverance, a tremendous spirit and often, unwavering courage. In 2010, five horses have shown the world those qualities and more. And on January 22, the United States Equestrian Federation will bestow just one of them with the prestigious title of Horse of the Year, the highest honor the USEF awards a horse.

The five champions have earned their place on the elite list as USEF Horses of Honor, and each will be recognized at the USEF Horse of the Year Awards gala and dinner in January — part of the USEF Annual Meeting — at the Downtown Hyatt Regency in Lexington, KY.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=12911

USEF Announces the 2010 Equestrian of the Year Nominees; Voting Now Open!

Steffen Peters, Equestrian of the Year in 2009. Shannon Brinkman/USEF

Lexington, KY – December 21, 2010 – And the winner is: up to you! Voting begins today for the coveted 2010 USEF Equestrian of the Year, which, following decades of tradition comes at the end of the 2010 competition year and is announced when the horse world meets at the United States Equestrian Federation’s annual Pegasus Awards celebration in January.

Known as the USEF Equestrians of Honor, eight stars of equestrian sport — across breed and discipline — each recently received a unique competitive trophy. These honors will be presented during the celebrated Pegasus Awards on January 22 at the Downtown Hyatt Regency in Lexington.

But now it is time to pick just of these Equestrians of Honor to win the distinguished grand prize: the 2010 USEF Equestrian of the Year. Here are the nominees, and the distinctive honors they have achieved:

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52 Weeks in the Pursuit of Excellence

With every eye on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, 2010 was the Year of the Horse in the United States as the world arrived on our doorstep in Lexington, KY, for 16 days of competition, demonstration and fun. It took years of planning and didn’t kick off until the end of the ninth month of the year.

Here is how 2010 unfolded before, during and after the Equestrian Event that stopped the American Equestrian community in its tracks. Anyone who makes a life with horses knows it’s not only about the few days a year when the world is watching – it is about every day of every year.

January: 2010 began with honoring the champions from the previous year at the 2010 USEF Annual Meeting. Dressage superstar Steffen Peters repeated as Equestrian of the Year. It was a monumental task to get him from a horse show in California to Louisville, but it was all worth it when he was there, in person, to accept his Dressage award. The night before, his beloved horse, Ravel, was honored as the Farnam/Platform USEF Horse of the Year after storming through 2009 winning on both sides of this country (including the Rolex/FEI World Cup Final) and sweeping the CHIO Aachen in Germany – a first for an American combination. Owner Akiko Yamazaki was on hand to collect the award honoring America’s champion of 2009. Find the details here: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=5264&star=true and http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=5265&star=true. There would be even bigger plans for this pair in 2010.

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