All posts by Associate Editor

Competitions, Events

ABC-36 WTVQ to Broadcast and Sponsor 2010 International Equestrian Festival

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April 15, 2010 – Lexington, KY – ABC 36 WTVQ-DT has announced a partnership with Horse Capital Productions to be the Official Local Media Partner for the 2010 International Equestrian Festival (IEF), held this fall in the city’s centrally-located convention center beside the iconic Rupp Arena. The sponsorship by ABC-36 of the multi-million dollar festival comes in anticipation of the television network’s new schedule to include equestrian-related news and special interest programming.

“This is such a synergistic sponsorship for our equestrian festival,” commented Anne Buchanan, CEO of Horse Capital Productions. “ABC-36 has always done a tremendous job of providing full coverage of our area’s events and their interest in highlighting the horse industry to the general public made this a natural fit for us.”

“The entertainment and international line-up that the IEF will be showcasing is very exciting,” said Rebecca Price, ABC-36 Marketing Director. “We will be there in full force with a whole new way to get the community involved on screen and in person. This event exemplifies the innovativeness and forward-thinking approach to building excitement around horse sports and that is paramount in our community, especially during 2010. It’s great to know that the IEF is an event for our audience too.”

Continue reading ABC-36 WTVQ to Broadcast and Sponsor 2010 International Equestrian Festival →

Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Polo

Wellington Welcomes Gay Polo, but Not Gay Rights

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April 15, 2010 – (Wellington, Florida) – On April 3, the Village of Wellington played host to the world’s first international gay polo tournament.  Two days later, Village Attorney Jeffrey Kurtz rejected a local gay rights group’s request to revise the Village’s employment policies to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

“The people who bring their horses — and their dollars — to Wellington are extremely gay friendly,” said Rand Hoch, President of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council.

The Council is a local non-profit organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.

“Gay men and lesbians have long been a very visible part of Wellington’s equestrian community,” said Jamie Todd Foreman, an openly gay attorney who lives in nearby Lake Worth.

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Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Jane Savoie, Training/Clinics

How to Fix a Head Tilt, by Jane Savoie

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When your horse tilts his head, it’s often a sign that he isn’t “through”. So, if you’re tracking right and his right ear is lower than his left ear with his mouth going to the left, you’ll need to supple the left side of his poll. (Supple the right side of his poll if he tilts the other way with his left ear lower.)

Remember, you can’t use your connecting aids successfully if he’s locked anywhere including the poll. (Suppleness comes before Connection on the training scale.)

Continue reading How to Fix a Head Tilt, by Jane Savoie →

*Featured/Spotlights, Contributors/Press, FEI

Riders Warned of a Two-Year Ban for Doping Positives

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Geneva (SUI), 13 April 2010 – “If your horse is found to have a banned substance in its system, you are looking at a two-year suspension,” FEI Veterinary Director Graeme Cooke warned riders competing at this week’s Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Final.

The warning came at the riders’ briefing before the start of five days of competition in Geneva (SUI) as part of the FEI’s drive to raise awareness of the Clean Sport Campaign.

The Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping and Driving Finals are the first major competitions since the new Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations and Veterinary Regulations came into effect on 5 April 2010.

Riders were provided with Clean Sport Information packs containing an updated Athlete’s Guide and a brochure outlining How Testing Works, both of which are also available online at www.feicleansport.org. These publications have been sent to all National Federations for distribution to stakeholders.

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Events, Racing

Dedication of Kentucky Derby Winner Alysheba’s New Memorial Statue

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WHO:  The Kentucky Horse Park and the family of Clarence Scharbauer

WHAT:  Dedication and unveiling of new Alysheba statue at his gravesite

WHEN:  Friday, April 16, 2pm

WHERE:  Hall of Champions, Kentucky Horse Park

WHY:  Clarence Scharbauer III, whose family raced Horse of the Year and Kentucky Derby winner Alysheba, has commissioned a bronze statue for Alysheba’s grave, created by sculptor Shelley Hunter.  Before coming to the Kentucky Horse Park, Alysheba spent the previous eight years of his life in the royal stables of His Majesty King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia.  Known on the track as “America’s horse,” he was sent to the Kentucky Horse Park as a gift from His Majesty to the American people in October 2008.

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Associations/Breeds, Contributors/Press, Racing Sources

American Quarter Horse Foundation Receives Record $3 Million Gift

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Hall of Fame Member Anne Windfohr Marion and The Burnett Foundation dedicated to preserving American Quarter Horse history.

America’s Horse, April 12, 2010 – The American Quarter Horse Foundation announced during the 2010 Convention it had received an unprecedented gift of $3 million to the Foundation’s operating endowment from Hall of Fame member Anne Marion and The Burnett Foundation.

“It is an honor to receive such a gift,” AQHA Executive Vice President Don Treadway Jr. said of the donation. “It has made a huge impact on meeting the $10 million goal established for the Foundation operating endowment. We are so thankful for the gifts we receive from our members, and this one is incredibly special. Ms. Marion, her family and the Four Sixes Ranch have been extremely influential to our Association and the integrity of our horse. I cannot say enough to express how honored we are by their gift.”

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Contributors/Press, Events, Phelps Media Group

Two Local Charlotte Colts to Be Chosen to Star in Cavalia

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Cavalia, the incredible equestrian odyssey.
Cavalia, the incredible equestrian odyssey.

Is Your Colt Ready to Be a Mane Attraction?

WHAT:
Cavalia – the spectacular equestrian odyssey – conducts search for two local Charlotte colts to join the production. The two chosen colts will star in the opening scene of Cavalia for the entire run of the show in Charlotte. The colts will live the celebrity life on-site at the Cavalia stables with the other stars of the show.

The show opens with the entrance of the colts on stage. They discover their surroundings, play with each other and with the toys lingering on stage, then the artists make their entrance and the colts “greet” them.

WHEN:
The search starts Friday, April 9, 2010.
The search closes Friday, April 16, 2010.
Finalists will be chosen and notified the week of April 19, 2010.
The winner will be announced Thursday, April 22, 2010.

Continue reading Two Local Charlotte Colts to Be Chosen to Star in Cavalia →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Racing

Grand National, England

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Fourteen times Champion jockey Tony McCoy won the Grand National at Aintree on Saturday, the world’s most famous steeplechase. After fourteen attempts dating back to 1995, an emotional McCoy couldn’t hide his joy when winning the race which had eluded him for so long. Victory prevailed riding the Jonjo O’Neill trained 10/1 joint favourite ‘Don’t Push It’, a 10 year old bay gelding by ‘Old Vic’. For millionaire owner J P McManus, this win was also long overdue after 33 attempts since his first as an owner in 1982.

A maximum field of forty runners lined up to tackle the awesome Aintree course. The four and a half mile race with 30 fences has a total prize fund of 925,000 pounds and is arguably the toughest test of horse and jockey in the world. An estimated 100 million pounds is wagered on the race each year with this year’s outcome costing the bookmakers an estimated 50 million pounds.

Runner up Black Apalachi was prominent throughout but McCoy was always stalking him on the second circuit before jumping the last together and pulling clear to win by five lengths.

LYNN LAWSON
12TH APRIL, ’10

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*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Driving, JRPR

Chester Weber’s Equine Teammate, Rolex W, Paints “Moneigh” to Be Displayed in Kentucky during Rolex Three-Day Event

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Rolex W, a member of Chester Weber’s eight-time National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving team, paints a “Moneigh” for Mary Simons of the ReRun Thoroughbred organization. (Photo courtesy of ReRun, Inc)
Rolex W, a member of Chester Weber’s eight-time National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving team, paints a “Moneigh” for Mary Simons of the ReRun Thoroughbred organization. (Photo courtesy of ReRun, Inc)

Ocala, FL (April 12, 2010) – Rolex W, one of Chester Weber’s distinguished and award-winning equine teammates, has lent his artistic horse skills to the ReRun Thoroughbred Charity Moneigh collection. Rolex not only painted a Moneigh with his nose, but due to his name and his fame, the painting will be on display in a Lexington art gallery during the Rolex Three-Day Event.

“We are honoring Rolex W in April during the Rolex Three-Day Event at the Kentucky Horse Park,” said Mary Simons, of the ReRun Organization. “Rolex’s painting will be on display at Your Frame of Mind Galleries in the Lexington Convention Center in April. Also, his other painting will be auctioned off in our semi-annual eBay auction beginning April 25.”

Weber, the eight-time National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving Champion, lent the artistic skills of Rolex to the charity organization. Rolex helped the ReRun Thoroughbred charity by painting masterpieces known as “Moneighs.” The name Moneigh is derived from the name of the famous artist and the sound a horse makes.

Continue reading Chester Weber’s Equine Teammate, Rolex W, Paints “Moneigh” to Be Displayed in Kentucky during Rolex Three-Day Event →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Training/Clinics

ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship Win Goes to Michael Murphy at Tournament of Champions

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ASPCA Maclay winner Michael Murphy on Winnetou (Owner Elizabeth Patz) Tournament of Champions at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center. Photo © 2010 Lindsay Y McCall/PMG.
ASPCA Maclay winner Michael Murphy on Winnetou (Owner Elizabeth Patz) Tournament of Champions at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center. Photo © 2010 Lindsay Y McCall/PMG.

Tampa, FL – April 8, 2010 – Riders brought forth their finest efforts in the equitation classes at the Tampa Equestrian Festival’s Tournament of Champions held at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center at the Florida State Fairgrounds. Earning the top accolade in the ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship class was Michael Murphy aboard Winnetou. Testing Robert McCune’s equitation course to first place in the Pessoa USEF Hunt Seat Medal was Shawn Casady riding Eastwood.

These outstanding riders exchanged placings in the equitation classes when Murphy won the ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship, while Casady rode into second place. Then, Casady earned the blue ribbon in the Pessoa USEF Hunt Seat Medal class and Murphy took home the second place prize.

Murphy has been riding Winnetou for approximately two weeks, since his prior equitation horse had sold. Elizabeth Patz, who also shows at Murphy family’s facility, owns Winnetou. “I am still figuring this horse out a little bit,” remarked Murphy. “He sometimes gets a little bunched up and compressed so I try to allow him to be soft. He is definitely learning to open up and not stay so tight.”

Continue reading ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship Win Goes to Michael Murphy at Tournament of Champions →