All posts by Associate Editor

Contributors/Press, Equine Assisted Therapy, Phelps Media Group

Lauren Hough Donates “Randy” to Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center

1 Comment
Randy is the newest addition to the incredible group of horses at Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center. Photo Courtesy of the VTRC.

Loxahatchee, FL – October 21, 2010 – Recently, international grand prix rider Lauren Hough donated the mount Aspirant “Randy” to the Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center (VTRC). After suffering some health issues, Randy was unable hold up to the rigors of life as a show horse. Hough has always been a supporter of the work at VTRC and felt that Randy’s gentle nature would make him perfect for a new career helping those with disabilities.

“I have always been a big fan of their program; I think they do a fantastic job there,” said Hough. “Randy has a super character and was not able to stay sound enough for the show ring so it seemed like a perfect match.”

Randy is a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding who has become the perfect horse for therapy. His gentle nature and “knowing” sense combined with his incredible movement that is therapeutic for many riders have made him very successful. While his manner outside of the ring is sometimes playful, he always knows how to be very careful with his riders.

Continue reading Lauren Hough Donates “Randy” to Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center →

Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Events, FEI, World Equestrian Games

Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games by the Numbers

Leave a comment

October 19, 2010 – LEXINGTON, KY – In addition to an incredible host city and state, the world’s best athletes, and the friendliest volunteer workforce in the world, it took a lot to stage the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Here’s a look at the 16 days of September 25 through October 10, by the numbers:

507,022 attendees
16,800 feet of bike barricade
8 miles of linear fencing
396 temporary structures
70 temporary power generators
59 miles of electrical cable
20,000 temporary seats
more than 11,000 signs placed around the park
500 flags
30,000 feet of extension cord
632 athletes
752 horses
58 countries
Continue reading Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games by the Numbers →

Championships, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Maclay, Phelps Media Group

2010 ASPCA Maclay National Finalists Announced

Leave a comment

Syracuse, NY – October 19, 2010 – The National Horse Show Association of America is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2010 ASPCA Maclay National Championships. Attached is the list of riders who have qualified to compete in the Finals on November 7, 2010, at the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament featuring the 127th National Horse Show. For more information, please visit www.syarcuseinvitational.com or www.nhs.org.

Region 1: 37 qualified
Region 2: 31 qualified
Region 3: 20 qualified
Region 4: 17 qualified
Region 5: 14 qualified
Region 6: 5 qualified
Region 7: 9 qualified
Region 8: 18 qualified

Continue reading 2010 ASPCA Maclay National Finalists Announced →

*Featured/Spotlights, Awards, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Events, FEI, Show Jumping, World Equestrian Games

Eric Lamaze Named as Owner of the Year

1 Comment
(L-R): Christian Baillet, Chairman of the JOC and Sven Holmberg, First Vice-President of the FEI, presenting Owner of the Year award to Eric Lamaze

19 October 2010 – For the second year running, Eric Lamaze and John Fleischhacker, joint-owners of the 14 year old bay stallion Hickstead, have been awarded the prestigious title of “Owner of the Year” by the Jumping Owners Club. Hickstead and Canadian rider Eric Lamaze continued their superb form to maintain their position as the most successful horse and rider combination in 2009.

Christian Baillet, Chairman of the Jumping Owners Club, and FEI First Vice President Sven Holmberg presented the award to Eric Lamaze. The ceremony took place during the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington (KY), USA.

Formed in 2005 and supported by Rolex, the Jumping Owners Club is an exclusive organisation of international owners which works towards growing the popularity of the sport around the world. It is the only body which represents the views and opinions of the owners, and works closely alongside the FEI in building the profile and inclusiveness of Jumping.

Continue reading Eric Lamaze Named as Owner of the Year →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Diana de Rosa, Disciplines, Driving, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

WEG Comes to WIHS

1 Comment
Chester Weber. Photos by Diana De Rosa.

World Equestrian Games Riders and Drivers to Attend 52nd Annual Washington International Horse Show

October 18, 2010 – The finest riders and drivers in the world assembled at the historic 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) last month in Kentucky. The Washington International Horse Show is pleased to welcome a number of these great horsemen and horsewomen October 26-31 at Verizon Center in Washington, DC.

Chester Weber, Ocala, FL, winner of the WEG Team Silver Medal for four-in-hand driving will bring his brilliant team of four to WIHS on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings for an exciting exhibition. Olympic Gold Medalist McLain Ward, Brewster, NY, the highest placed show jumper at WEG with a 7th individually, will be competing in the $100,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix Saturday night and other jumper classes throughout the week. He is a past winner of this highlight event. Also on hand will be show jumping superstar Rodrigo Pessoa, Brazil, who made it to the elite Final Four at WEG, and Venezuelan Pablo Barrios, whose performance at WEG advanced him into the select individual competition.

Continue reading WEG Comes to WIHS →

Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, More/Other

ACTHA Double Down Bucks Day

1 Comment

Something to Smile About

November 13th – 14th, 2010

Prizes, food, awards – All Disciplines Welcome!

Southern Comfort I – AM Ride

Southern Comfort II – PM Ride

Florida Horse Park – Ocala – CTC

11008 S. Hwy. 475 Ocala, FL  34480

www.flhorsepark.com for directions

ACTHA has 2 Rides in 1 day – November 13th

Go to www.actha.us to sign up under both dates for the 13th!

Arrive Friday – leave Sunday.

When the heart of the fall season is upon us at the Florida Horse Park & Greenway Trails that can mean only one thing – focus shifts to the Parks trails & obstacles course for two major fall rides in one (1) day!

Yes, we have 2 rides going on in one day – you read it right. This is the 1st time ever ACTHA is doing this. We will be making ACTHA history on this day! So every ACTHA member will want to mark this on his or her calendar.  Come join us in one the most beautiful places to ride.

November 13th (Saturday) Ride 1 day of obstacles, starting at 9:00 AM

November 14th (Sunday) Professional Clinics, starting at 10:00 AM

Pack your bags, load your horse in the trailer, and head our way!  Come spend the weekend at the Florida Horse Park, Rent an Electric Hook-up space and receive a stall (with initial bedding included) for your horse, all for $43.00 per night.

The best little vacation around.

Call Pam at (352) 459-4178 or E-Mail: majesticpam@yahoo.com

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, FEI, FEI

Reem Acra Brings a Fresh New Look to FEI World Cup Dressage

Leave a comment

by Louise Parkes

There is a new spring in the step of the FEI World Cup Dressage Western European League as it begins its second quarter-century with the 2010/2011 opening leg at Odense, Denmark later this week. The recent announcement of a three-year sponsorship deal with fashion designer Reem Acra, who puts her name to both the Western European season and the overall series final, hails the blossoming of a fresh era in the history of this sport which has enjoyed astronomic growth in popularity in recent times.

Largely responsible for the upsurge of interest in top-class dressage has been a single horse-and-rider combination who won their way into the hearts of horse-lovers all around the world over the last 18 months during a sensational record-breaking spree.  The Netherlands’ Edward Gal and the fabulous black stallion Moorlands Totilas have, in terms of competitiveness, appeal and pure ability, raised the bar beyond all expectations and transformed the once-demure dressage world into a showcase of extreme excitement.  It was confirmed last week that the stallion has been sold however, and so his partnership with Gal is ended.  But their legacy is a raised profile for the sport on which they have left an indelible impression.

Continue reading Reem Acra Brings a Fresh New Look to FEI World Cup Dressage →

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

Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping 2010/2011

Leave a comment
Germany's Christian Ahlmann is presented with his Rolex watch by Anthony Schaub from Rolex. Photo: FEI/Roger Svalsrod.

AHLMANN WINS AS GERMAN RIDERS DOMINATE OPENING ROLEX LEG AT OSLO by Louise Parkes

Oslo (NOR) 17 October 2010 – Christian Ahlmann won the opening leg of the 2010/2011 Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Western European League series at Oslo in Norway this afternoon where German riders scooped the top three places.  And Ahlmann’s victory was all-the-more creditable for the fact that the 36 year old rider suffered the tragic loss of one of his top horses, the nine year old stallion Calvados Z, earlier in the day.

“For sure today it wasn’t easy for me to ride and to concentrate on my job,” Ahlmann said after completing his victory gallop with his 10 year old stallion Taloubet Z, “but Taloubet really did his very best for me.”  It was the German master, Ludger Beerbaum, who slotted into second place ahead of Lars Nieberg in third. The first non-German in the line-up was fourth-placed Frenchman Kevin Staut, who headed Holland’s Leon Thijssen in fifth place.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=12368

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

Calling All Charities! The Great Charity Challenge Is Back and Bigger Than Ever in 2011

Leave a comment

Wellington, FL – October 15, 2010 – Equestrian Sport Productions and the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) are offering the chance of a lifetime to charities serving Palm Beach County. The FTI WEF will once again host the Great Charity Challenge on the evening of Saturday, February 19, and this year the goal is to raise a tremendous amount of $1 million, all of which will be donated to charity.

The Great Charity Challenge (GCC) is an exhilarating pro/am relay style jumping competition that will take place under the lights in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center to benefit 30 non-profit charities. 2010 was the event’s inaugural year, and over $560,000 was raised and donated to 24 charities that were randomly selected to participate in the event.

Teams, which are generously sponsored by families and individuals, consist of two junior/amateur riders and are anchored by one Olympic or world-class rider. Each equestrian team is assigned a charity to represent, and the charity matched with the winning team of riders will win over $100,000!

Continue reading Calling All Charities! The Great Charity Challenge Is Back and Bigger Than Ever in 2011 →

Contributors/Press, Events, FEI, World Equestrian Games

FEI Announces All Equine Samples from Alltech FEI WEG Negative for Prohibited Substances

1 Comment

15 October 2010 – The FEI has announced today that all blood and urine samples taken from horses competing at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games were negative for all prohibited substances.

Under FEI Veterinary Regulations, samples from a minimum of 5% of competing horses are tested, but almost 11% of the 752 horses competing in Kentucky were tested. A total of 140 samples were taken from 82 horses, with blood being taken from all 82, plus urine where possible. All individual medal horses were tested, as well as one member of each medal winning team. Random samples were also taken throughout the 16-day event.

“This is a great success for everyone involved in equestrian sport and is the best possible endorsement of the FEI’s Clean Sport Campaign,” FEI President HRH Princess Haya said. “It also proves the value of the FEI’s educational programme, as athletes and their supporters now have the knowledge to make a clear distinction between the use of routine, legitimate medication and deliberate doping to affect a horse’s performance. Everyone has a role to play in maintaining this clean record going forward.”

Continue reading FEI Announces All Equine Samples from Alltech FEI WEG Negative for Prohibited Substances →