Category Archives: Contributors/Press

Blog writers, press releases and contributors

How Do You Make 2000 Horses Disappear? Let BLM Manage Them.

July 27, 2010 – CHICAGO, (EWA) – As controversy swirls over the aggressive removal of horses from the range by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), a more fundamental question has arisen over what is happening to the horses it already has in holding. Over the past several years, equine advocates have been scrutinizing the BLM’s horse population counts. Once again, the numbers don’t add up to their claims.

The BLM doesn’t make it easy to track horses being removed from the range or residing in short and long term holding. The taxpayers who pay for the removals and the subsequent care are not allowed to view the horses under the well worn excuse that they are being held on “private property”. Consequently, there are no checks and balances to verify information being reported.

It also raises a salient question. With 262 million mostly vacant acres under its control, why on earth is a federal agency such as the BLM wasting taxpayer’s money to lease private property?

Continue reading How Do You Make 2000 Horses Disappear? Let BLM Manage Them.

Ward Is In! McLain Ward & Goldika 559 Won the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix at HITS-on-the-Hudson IV to Earn a Spot in the Pfizer Million Eligible Rider Rankings

© ESI Photography. McLain Ward and Goldika 559 in the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS Saugerties.

SAUGERTIES, NY (July 27, 2010) — Olympic Gold Medalist McLain Ward and Goldika 559 won the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, on Sunday, marking the third Grand Prix victory for the duo this year in the Strongid® C 2X Stadium at HITS Saugerties.

Ward, of Brewster, New York and 18-year-old mare Goldika 559, owned by McLain Ward & Blue Chip Bloodstock, were one of 27 horse-and-rider combinations to take the field on a course designed by International Course Designer Florencio Hernandez of Mexico City, Mexico, which saw just four pairs advance to the jump-off.

Hernandez’s first-round course proved challenging, as the first six competitors pairs failed to go clean, with a majority of faults coming in the two double combinations. The time allowed, at 83 seconds, was tight as well and caused many to incur time faults over the course.

Continue reading Ward Is In! McLain Ward & Goldika 559 Won the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix at HITS-on-the-Hudson IV to Earn a Spot in the Pfizer Million Eligible Rider Rankings

Legendary American Gold Cup Returns to Ohio as Part of Cleveland Autumn Jumper Series

In addition to $75,000 in prize money, the American Gold Cup CSI 2*-W, is an all-important World Cup Qualifier

Moreland Hills, Ohio – July 26, 2010 – Stadium Jumping, Inc, the nation’s oldest and most respected horse show production company, is pleased to announce the return of the famed American Gold Cup to the Metroparks Polo Field in Moreland Hills, Ohio, just outside of Cleveland.

The American Gold Cup will be the grand finale following two weeks of show jumping in the beautiful Chagrin Valley at this year’s Cleveland Autumn Jumper Series.

The prize list for the two weeks of action is available at www.stadiumjumping.com.

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Hollywood Star Robert Duvall Endorses 2010 FEI Awards

Robert Duvall, The Road film photocall, Toronto International Film Festival, Toronto, Canada, 13 September 2009 (photo: Canadian Press/Rex Features)

27 July 2010 – American actor and director Robert Duvall has given his support to the annual awards organised by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the governing body of horse sport. The FEI launched the “Oscars of the equestrian world” last year to reward outstanding dedication to horse sport in five categories. Calls for nominations for the 2010 awards opened on July 16.

Hollywood legend Duvall is best known for his roles in The Apostle, Apocalypse Now, The Godfather and Tender Mercies. His performances have earned him an Academy Award, a BAFTA, two Emmys and four Golden Globe Awards.

Commenting on the 2010 FEI Awards, Duvall said:

“The FEI Awards give you the opportunity to nominate and celebrate those individuals who, without asking for recognition, should be thanked and acknowledged for their own contribution to equestrian sport around the world. As someone with a passion for horses, I urge you to nominate anyone you feel is worthy of the awards and help them to walk the red carpet at the 2010 FEI Awards in Taiwan.”

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Join Congressmen Riding to Rescue of Wild Horses & Burros!

Adelina, granddaughter of Red Raven & Blue Sioux - June 2010

New Letter Calling on Salazar to Stop the Roundups

Wild horse and burro champions, Congressman Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) and Congressman Nick Rahall (D-WV), are currently circulating a letter that will be sent to Secretary Salazar with a cc to BLM Director, Bob Abbey.

Please take time today to ask your Congress person to sign on to this letter and show their support for protecting wild horses and burros on our public lands. Take this opportunity to contact your Congress person – the public’s voices must be heard and Secretary Salazar needs to place an immediate moratorium on roundups and removals of our wild horses! However, please do not contact Congressman Grijalva or Rahall or the House Natural Resources Committee (except to send letters or emails of support).

Find your Congress person’s contact information at www.votesmart.org. Currently this letter is only being circulated in the House but ask your Senators to start a letter on the Senate side as well.

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Meydan FEI Nations Cup 2010 – Preview Round 7, Hickstead

THE HEAT IS ON AT HICKSTEAD

Hickstead (GBR), 27 July 2010 – The pressure is intense ahead of this Friday’s seventh leg of the 2010 Meydan FEI Nations Cup series in Hickstead.  The Sussex venue has staged the British Nations Cup since taking on the mantle of the Royal International Horse Show in 1992, but the atmosphere is expected to be more highly-charged than ever before as the top show jumping nations in the world battle it out for the right to remain amongst the elite in their sport.

This season’s Meydan FEI Nations Cup series has turned into an epic battle, because four of the 10 competing countries will be relegated to the Promotional League following the last leg in Dublin next week.  After six of the eight competitions have been completed it could hardly be a closer-fought affair, and this Friday’s penultimate clash will be pivotal in deciding who stays in and who goes out.  One country that is definitely destined to say farewell to superleague jumping in 2011 however is Poland.  With no points accumulated after six courageous competitive efforts, and now unable to field a team, they have withdrawn from both Hickstead and the final leg in Dublin.

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Congratulations to Julie Chapman, Winner of the 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival Artist Contest

"Morning Colors," oil on canvas, by artist Julie Chapman. Photograph is © Julie T. Chapman, and is protected by U.S. copyright laws.

Wellington, FL – July 26, 2010 – Equestrian Sport Productions congratulates the winner of the 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) Artist Contest, Julie Chapman, of Huson, MT. This year’s contest received a record number of entries, and the panel was delighted to review numerous pieces of outstanding artwork.

Chapman, of Huson, MT, began her artistic endeavors when she was a child, and has always been enthralled with horses. “I’ve been drawing since I was old enough to hold a pencil – and it was horses that I drew first and always, as I’ve had a love affair with all things equine my entire life,” Chapman noted of her passion for horses and equestrian sports.

Chapman’s beautiful use of oils and portrayal of colors eventually won the panel’s vote. These skills earned Chapman several prizes, including $500 in prize money, a complimentary 10’x10′ vendor space for two weeks during the 2011 FTI WEF, an e-blast announcing her as the winner, a featured article in the 2011 FTI WEF program guide, and a one week art show in the foyer of the International Club at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. “I’m delighted!” Chapman exclaimed of her success in the competition. Chapman will be available for consultations during the 2011 FTI WEF, exact dates to be determined.

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Busting WEG Myths – Hotels and Parking

Greetings from Lexington, Kentucky!

I’ve been traveling a lot recently and have been part of numerous conversations about the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. While in Aachen, Germany last week, I had the opportunity to talk about Games planning. I heard from quite a few people who said they wanted to attend, but were hesitant because of rumors that hotels are sold out. Not so! There are plenty of rooms available with an assortment of rates. Click on the image of the map attached. This is an interactive tool – simply drag your mouse over the cities listed to find out which hotels still have space, as well as rates, proximity to the Kentucky Horse Park and availability of shuttle service. It’s easy to make reservations using the Games website at www.alltechfeigames.com. Look for the “accommodations” tab on the lower right side of the home page.

Here in the States, there’s another rumor going around that parking and transportation will be a problem. Nothing of the sort! There are three easy ways to get to the Kentucky Horse Park: LexTran city buses will be leaving downtown throughout the day with an incredibly low round trip rate of $2; Select hotels are offering shuttle service for $15 round trip; and if you want the convenience of driving to the Park, parking is available within walking distance for only $20. There really is a price and level of convenience for everyone.

With only 63 days till opening ceremonies, make your reservations now as tickets are going fast. For direct links to ticketing, as well as hospitality, visit www.USEF.org/WEG/tickets/.

Please share this message with your colleagues and friends.

See you in September!

John Long

Chairman, World Games 2010 Foundation
CEO, United States Equestrian Federation

Charleston Summer Classics Finale of Champions

Jennifer Munday & Samaritan ©Flashpoint Photography

Johns Island, SC — July 26, 2010 — The Charleston Summer Classics’ final week of competition at Mullet Hall Equestrian Center on Johns Island, SC found most attendees weren’t so anxious to head home, but rather thinking of extending their stay at nearby Kiawah Island and Seabrook Island beach resorts.

Sunny skies and ocean breezes provided another perfect backdrop last week for not only competition in the arenas, but at area golf courses and nearby beaches as well. “We really have been fortunate with the weather here. With classes starting at 7:30 each morning many of the families have been able to hit the beaches by early afternoon and enjoy all this area offers,” Bob Bell of Classic Company said.

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Shawna Harding and Rigo Win U.S. Developing Horse Championships

Shawna Harding and Rigo celebrate Developing Horse Championship with victory gallop. © 2010 Ken Braddick

WAYNE, Illinois, July 25 — Shawna Harding on Rigo, a nine-year-old gelding, won the U.S. Developing Horse championship sponsored by the Dutta Corp. and Performance Sales International Sunday, the first national title for the rider.

Shawna of Aiken, South Carolina, and the black Hanoverian by Rotspon and owned by Tonya Rowe, received a score of 73.238 per cent in the championship competition and 69.386 per cent in the qualifying test for a combined score of 71.697 per cent.

Kassandra Barteau of Maple Park, Illinois, on GP Delano, moved up to finish as reserve champion on scores of 66.404 per cent in the qualifying test that had tied them in third place and 69.143 per cent in the championship class for a final result of 68.047 per cent. Anna Whitfield-Watkins of Fort Davis, Texas, on Cipriani, was third with scores of 68.246 per cent in the qualifying and 67.919 per cent in the championship for a combined total of 67.870 per cent.

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