Category Archives: Equestrian Assistance

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Equestrian Assistance, Events, Symposiums, USEF

Riders4helmets to Host Helmet Safety Symposium Presented by SUCCEED

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Aurora, OH – Riders4Helmets, the helmet awareness campaign founded by Jeri Bryant and equine health product SUCCEED Digestive Conditioning Program, will be hosting a “by invitation only” Helmet Safety Symposium. The event will take place January 8, 2011, at the White Horse Tavern, Wellington, FL, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The symposium is sponsored by Troxel Helmets, Charles Owen Helmets, Tipperary Helmets and Samshield Helmets.

The Helmet Safety Symposium has been organized to bring together representatives from various corners of the equestrian world to discuss the importance of wearing helmets, rider safety and to improve helmet designs, rules and more. The event will provide a series of panel discussions throughout the day. Many in attendance will also sit on the panels, including leading equestrians, representatives from the helmet safety testing authorities, helmet manufacturers, equestrian organizations including USEF and the FEI, and neurosurgeons. The chair of the meeting will be Dr. Craig Ferrell, physician to the United States Equestrian Team.

“We are very excited to be part of the Riders4Helmets campaign and to see it continue to expand,” said Lyndsey White, representative from Freedom Health, LLC, makers of SUCCEED and co-manager of the Riders4Helmets campaign. “Since Courtney King Dye’s tragic accident earlier this year, awareness of the importance of helmet safety has grown to the point where we can now bring together different individuals, corporations and organizations all in one place to discuss the issues and, hopefully, being to change things for the better.”

Continue reading Riders4helmets to Host Helmet Safety Symposium Presented by SUCCEED →

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Driving, Endurance Riding, Equestrian Assistance, EQUUS Foundation, Eventing/H.T., Events, Para-Equestrian, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping, USEF, Vaulting, Western/Reining

The EQUUS Foundation and the USEF Launch America’s Favorite Equestrian

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WESTPORT, CT – December 17, 2010 – America’s Favorite Equestrian is an interactive fundraising effort presented jointly in partnership by The EQUUS Foundation and The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) to raise funds to advance the equestrian sport on an annual basis.

Using mobile texting, you can vote to select America’s Favorite Equestrians and support The EQUUS Foundation with a $5 gift. 100% of all donations will be used to support charitable causes. A minimum of $10,000 in “sport welfare” grants will be awarded, with an additional $5,000 grant awarded to the equestrian discipline generating the most votes.

The objective is for the America’s Favorite Equestrians to be an ongoing program with all equestrian disciplines/breeds represented and the winners recognized in a permanent “Hall of Fame”. The original intent was to launch the inaugural program in conjunction with the World Equestrian Games, which is why initially the eight disciplines of dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, jumping, para-dressage, reining, and vaulting were selected. The affiliates of the United States Equestrian Federation representing these disciplines selected the equestrians.  But, there were some logistics involved in establishing the mobile texting system and developing the website, which delayed the launch until December.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=12751

Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Equestrian Assistance, Equine Assisted Therapy, Phelps Media Group

Georgina Bloomberg’s Rider’s Closet at Pegasus Helps Riders in Need

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Personal collection photo. TylerMarie Hylick of Glen Mills, Pa., proudly models some of the apparel she recently received from The Rider's Closet.

North Salem, NY – December 14, 2010 – Georgina Bloomberg’s charitable venture, The Rider’s Closet, is in the business of giving and receiving, not just during the holidays, but all year long. From therapeutic riding centers to pony clubs to collegiate equestrian teams, Bloomberg’s apparel exchange program has made a real difference for hundreds of equestrians who want to participate in competitive, scholastic or therapeutic riding but are unable to afford the gear.

Liz Olsezewski, founder of Horses Healing Hearts USA, a nonprofit in Lake Worth, Fla., which works with children of alcoholics and addicts, recently contacted The Rider’s Closet for a shipment of much-needed boots and clothing. After receiving the items, Olsezewski wrote a heartfelt thank-you letter that was signed by her riders. She noted that they “feel like true equestrians now and are feeling very proud.” This sentiment is echoed again and again in riders’ notes of appreciation to Bloomberg and The Rider’s Closet volunteers.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=12721

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Equestrian Assistance, Eventing/H.T., Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Ken and Arle Adams Make Record-Breaking $5 Million Gift to USET Foundation

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George Morris, Jane Forbes Clark, Arle Adams, Ken Adams. Photo By: Kenneth Kraus/ PhelpsSports.com.

Gladstone, New Jersey – November 10, 2010 – The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is honored to announce a $5 million endowment bequest from Ken and Arle Adams of Wellington, Florida. This gift will mark the creation of the Ken and Arle Adams International Competition and Training Grant Fund. Providing an annual grant, the fund will add supplemental funding to the three Olympic disciplines’ High Performance programs: dressage, eventing, and show jumping. These funds further augment the international competition and training plans that repeatedly generate Olympic and World Championship medal winning performances. Grants of such generous nature are what allow the United States of America to remain at the top of the international equestrian sport.

“This extraordinary gift will be the largest gift ever made to the USET Foundation, and the Foundation is so grateful to Ken and Arle for their generosity. Leaving a dynamic legacy that will forever bear their name, the Adams’ gift will be a determining factor in this country’s ability to medal consistently in international championships in the future,” remarked Jane Forbes Clark, USET Foundation President and CEO.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=12536

Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Equestrian Assistance, Racing Sources, Training/Clinics, Western/Reining

Curb Your Enthusiasm

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Dennis Moreland shows the one-buckle leather curb strap commonly used on snaffle bits.

Curb straps and chains are an integral part of the bridle.

Curb straps or chains send very important signals to the horse. When a rider picks up on the reins, a shank bit will begin to rotate in the horse’s mouth. Then the curb will come up against the horse’s chin and stop the bit action. It says “Whoa.”

Whatever kind of curb you use, it’s important to have it adjusted correctly. If you’re using a curb chain, make sure the links are laying flat. And you’ll want to adjust it so you can get a couple of fingers underneath it. If it’s too loose, the bit shanks will be able to come all the way back before the curb ever touches the horse. And if it’s too tight, it can pull the bit shanks forward.

  1. There are a variety of curbs on the market. The most popular is a two-buckle curb chain with leather on each side. A basic curb chain has stainless-steel buckles and a stainless-steel chain. It’s a good all-around piece of tack and is very easy on the horse.
  2. The “dog chain curb” is also very popular. It’s a small chain with nylon tie strings. It is more severe than the flat curb chain. You’ll fasten these onto the bit with bowline knots, just like you use to tie a rope halter. There is a safety issue with these curb chains; when you put one on your bridle, be sure to check it the first few times you ride. Once the knots are pulled down good, they will be set, but sometimes they’ll slip at first.
  3. The two-buckle leather curb strap is very mild, and a lot of times, people use these on young horses who are just being introduced to a shank bit.
  4. The one-buckle leather curb strap is used on snaffle bits. It actually doesn’t have any curb action and never touches the horse’s chin. Its only purpose is to keep the snaffle-bit rings from being pulled through the horse’s mouth. Make sure the curb strap is put on the bit below the reins. (Note the pieces of garden hose on the reins. I use these as martingale stops.)

By Dennis Moreland in America’s Horse

American Quarter Horse Association
1600 Quarter Horse Drive
Amarillo, TX 79104

Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Equestrian Aid Found., Equestrian Assistance, Events, Fundraisers

Making Strides in the Ride for Hope!

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The summer season came to a close with several terrific fundraisers. It was great to see so many people with a passion to help others in need.

“Back Where It All Began” held during the Hampton Classic Horse Show turned out to be a fun-filled, elegant event. Special thanks to the event chairman Stephanie Riggio for creating a successful evening.

More than 1,200 eventers joined us at the competitors’ party during the American Eventing Championships at Chattahoochee Hills in Fairburn, Ga. Great food, dancing and an auction completed the party.

The “Play It Forward” poker tournament in Las Vegas was great fun as the competition moved from the reining ring to the poker table. Special thanks to Mandi Brumley of Brumley Management Group and all our friends at the High Roller Reining Classic.

Continue reading Making Strides in the Ride for Hope! →

Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Equestrian Assistance, Events, Fundraisers, Phelps Media Group, World Equestrian Games

USET Foundation Hosts Gold Medal Club Receptions at 2010 WEG

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Jack Wetzel, Jacqueline Ohrstrom and Bruce Duchossois at the USET Foundation's Gold Medal Club Receptions.

Gladstone, NJ – October 26, 2010 – During the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG), the United States Equestrian Team Foundation hosted two Gold Medal Club Receptions. The events were held to thank Gold Medal Club donors and to honor the United States Equestrian Teams that were competing in eight different disciplines at WEG. The first reception was held on September 29 and the second reception was held on October 7, hosted by R. Bruce Duchossois and Jack Wetzel.

The Gold Medal Club Receptions were held at the beautiful Spindletop Hall in Lexington, Kentucky, located across the street from the Kentucky Horse Park. Spindletop Hall sits on 62-acres of Kentucky bluegrass and the mansion features matching, winding staircases in the foyer, spacious windows, and hand carved ceilings and walls. Over 200 guests attended each of the receptions, mingling with the many athletes who were also in attendance.

Continue reading USET Foundation Hosts Gold Medal Club Receptions at 2010 WEG →

Contributors/Press, Equine Assisted Therapy, Phelps Media Group

Lauren Hough Donates “Randy” to Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center

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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 →

Awards, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, EQUUS Foundation, Events, Phelps Media Group

Nominations Now Open for The USEF/EQUUS Foundation Humanitarian Award

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WESTPORT, CT – September 10, 2010 – Nominations are now open for the Second Annual USEF/The EQUUS Foundation Humanitarian Award.

In 2009, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and the The EQUUS Foundation jointly established the Humanitarian Award to celebrate the humanitarian achievements made by a member of the equestrian community. 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 role of horses not just in equestrian sports but also as aides to the general public, the recipient of this award will be someone who has devoted considerable personal time to making the quality of life of our equine partners paramount.

The award will be presented at the 2011 USEF Pegasus Awards Dinner during the Federation’s Annual Meeting in January. The recipient of the Humanitarian Award will receive a $5,000 grant from The EQUUS Foundation to be awarded to the equestrian or horse-related charity of his or her choice.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=12085

Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Equestrian Assistance, Eventing/H.T., FEI

FEI Eventing Committee Evaluates Potential of Air Vests in Overall Rider Safety

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8 September 2010 – Following a meeting of the FEI Eventing Committee evaluating the potential of air vests in overall rider safety on the Cross-Country phase, the Committee has recommended National Federations and riders to keep themselves informed of all the latest developments and to consider the potential benefits of their use.

The Eventing Committee will continue to monitor the evolution of this equipment, for which there are currently no internationally recognised industry standards. As part of its FEI Eventing Risk Management Policy and Action Plan, the Eventing Committee is fully committed to continuing the collection of data on all aspects of safety in the sport. Specific data on air vests will need to be evaluated in detail before any further advice on their use is issued.

“There is no doubt that air vests represent an important development in rider protection, but protective clothing is not the magic solution to rider safety. It needs to be considered in combination with active measures such as correct training, responsible riding, course design and fence construction,” Giuseppe Della Chiesa, Chair of the FEI Eventing Committee, said.

Media Contact:

Grania Willis
FEI Director Press Relations
Tel: +41 787 506 142
Email: grania.willis@fei.org