Category Archives: *Featured/Spotlights

Special features, spotlights, headlines

*Featured/Spotlights, Contributors/Press

Owner of HERDA-Affected Show Prospect Horse Finds New Purpose

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Almost two years after discovering her western pleasure show prospect has the devastating genetic defect HERDA, owner finds a new purpose.

There was so much to look forward to for Robin Davison.  She had just purchased a wonderful western pleasure show prospect in November of 2009 and was going to chase her dream of showing at the National Western Stock Show. Unfortunately a few months after a local trainer started the filly under saddle, she developed saddle sores that never healed.  In May 2010, A DNA test at the University of California, Davis confirmed that “Penelope” (registered name Quality Sensation) is affected with HERDA, or Hereditary Equine Regional Dermal Asthenia.  Her riding days were over and Robin’s dream was shattered.  After many months of research and digesting this horrible reality, Robin decided to find as many things to do with Penelope as her condition would permit.  They have attended local clinics, participating from the ground, and showed at some local shows in showmanship.  Penelope was even a 4-h project horse, placing reserve grand champion in showmanship at the local county fair.  Along the way, Robin found herself educating fellow horse owners about Penelope’s condition which resulted in a website, http://herdahorse.com/. Their story was covered in the December issue of EQUUS and due to such positive reader response a shorter version of this story is on their website.

Check out this great information that we all need to be aware of. This disease is on the rise.

http://www.equisearch.com/horses_care/case-report-hereditary-equine-regional
-dermal-asthenia-herda/

*Featured/Spotlights, Contributors/Press, Events, Products/Services

Free Gelding Surgery for Horses Offered at Kentucky Horse Park

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LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 5, 2012) – In an effort to help reduce the number of unwanted and inconvenient horses being bred in Kentucky, the Kentucky Horse Park is hosting its second Free Gelding Clinic on Saturday, March 10, 2012.

This free clinic is being provided by the Kentucky Horse Park in partnership with the Kentucky Horse Council’s Save Our Horses fund and the American Horse Council’s Unwanted Horse Coalition.

“The threats facing Kentucky’s horses can be overcome when horse owners take their responsibilities seriously and provide good stewardship, and when other good people make up their minds to get involved,” said John Nicholson, executive director of the Kentucky Horse Park. “This clinic is a great example of how horse owners can do the right thing for their animals in spite of a challenging economy, with the help of individuals and organizations that are willing to come alongside them with resources and expertise.”

Continue reading Free Gelding Surgery for Horses Offered at Kentucky Horse Park →

*Featured/Spotlights, Benefits, Competitions, Driving, Events, Fundraisers, Phelps Media Group

“Salute to Driving” Benefit to Support the USET Foundation

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The "Salute to Driving" will take place February 18-20, 2012. Photo By: Vicki Long.

Aiken, SC – January 4, 2012 – The Second Annual Salute to Driving fundraising event is pleased to announce that it will once again be held in Aiken, and Windsor SC, February 18-20, 2012, and will feature many exciting new additions. Last year’s debut event benefited this country’s High Performance Driving programs for the United States Equestrian Team Foundation, raising over $30,000. The exciting weekend event will feature a beautiful dinner and auction on Saturday evening, multiple driving clinics with some of the world’s top trainers, and a Combined Test Competition for any drivers Preliminary-Advanced on Monday. The Salute to Driving event is being held to help raise awareness and educate different audiences about the discipline of driving.

Salute to Driving will kick off its festivities on Saturday, February 18, 2012, with dressage clinics by Tjreed Velstra of The Netherlands and Hardy Zantke of California at Chateau Log and Courage to Lead Farms. Auditing these clinics is free, and Velstra will lead the USEF long listed drivers while Zantke teaches the developing drivers. Other special events include a hazard demonstration and clinic, harnessing demonstrations, and a carriage exhibit.

Continue reading “Salute to Driving” Benefit to Support the USET Foundation →

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Phelps Media Group

Billboard against Horse Slaughter… a Community to Be Proud Of

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Recently a billboard was put up in Palm Beach County regarding the issue of horse slaughter and specifically against horse slaughter. Pure Thoughts Inc. Horse Rescue stands against horse slaughter and always will; it is a horrific end for a horse’s life; our goal and mission has always been and always will be the welfare of the horses.

Pure Thoughts did not have any prior notice of this billboard (we found out through the newspaper), nor did we contribute financially. Every penny we raise goes directly to the care of the horses at the rescue and we struggle daily to keep the rescue operating. Although a billboard for the rescue could help raise funds, increase adoptions and encourage volunteers, it is just not a luxury we can afford.

As a result of this billboard being put up in Palm Beach County there have been derogative and disparaging remarks posted on various pages in the Facebook community regarding the Wellington Equestrian Community, the Equestrian Show Community and even the Polo Community, as well as the Palm Beach community, stating everything from ignorance of horse slaughter to ambivalence of horse welfare. Pure Thoughts does not appreciate, condone or stand by any of these comments made. They are clearly from people who do not know this community and its dedication to the horses and their welfare. Although we have done our best to retort to all comments made we do not have the time to go in search of every uneducated post so we want to make it clear that not only do we stand by our community and all it entails during show season and all year long, we are PROUD to be a part of it.

Continue reading Billboard against Horse Slaughter… a Community to Be Proud Of →

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Dressage, JRPR, Products/Services

Custom Saddlery Believes in Magic – Steffen Peters and Weltino’s Magic to Be Exact!

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Custom Saddlery is proud to believe in the magic of dressage rider Steffen Peters and his equine partner Weltino’s Magic. (Photo courtesy of Sheryl Ross)

Aiken, SC (January 2, 2012) – Pan Am Gold Medal winning horse Weltino’s Magic, owned by Jen Hlavacek and ridden by Steffen Peters, has a motto designed to remind people that they can achieve the highest goals they set for themselves. Magic’s motto is, “I Believe in Magic,” and his fans around the world have embraced the saying. The staff at Custom Saddlery, the saddle company that endorses Peters and his magical equine partner, is thrilled to embrace the magic of Peters and Weltino’s Magic.

“Custom Saddlery has sponsored Steffen Peters on a variety of horses over the years. Steffen now rides predominantly in our Icon Flight Saddle and we are currently in the process of making a new saddle for Weltino’s Magic. We could not ask for a higher profile or more accomplished rider then Steffen. He is a true ambassador for the sport and for Custom Saddlery. We are proud and honored to have him ride in our saddles,” said Graham Newell, Professional Saddle Fitter for Custom Saddlery.

Continue reading Custom Saddlery Believes in Magic – Steffen Peters and Weltino’s Magic to Be Exact! →

*Featured/Spotlights, Breeds, Wild Horse Sources

Help Protect the Pryor Wild Horses

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BLM Now Accepting Email Comments

2-year-old Adelina, granddaughter of Blue Sioux & Red Raven

Dear Cloud Friends;
The Billings BLM has decided to accept emails (BLM_MT_Billings_FO@blm.gov) and faxes (406-896-5281) for comments on their Preliminary Environmental Assessment (PEA) which calls for the permanent removal of 30 young horses (ages 1-3 years) from the Pryor Wild Horse Range during 2012. Comments are due by close of business (4:30 pm MST) January 6th.

The removal will bring the herd to the “Appropriate” Management Level of 120. This drastic plan is completely unacceptable and dangerous for the future survival of the Pryor Wild Horse Herd.

The herd currently numbers only 150 adults (one year and older), the bare minimum to maintain genetic viability.

In 2011, mortality equaled births which is exactly what BLM states as their goal for the herd.

Continue reading Help Protect the Pryor Wild Horses →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Olympic Games, Revolution Sports, Show Jumping

Saudi Equestrian Qualify for the London 2012 Olympic Games

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From left to right: Abdullah Sharbatly aboard Jalla de Gaverie; Ashraf (Sharbatly's groom); Badr Alfayes; Ramzy Al Duhami; HH Prince Faisal; and Kamal Bahamdan aboard Delphi at the CSI-W4* Doha (QAT). Photo credit: Saudi Equestrian

1 January 2012 – Saudi Arabia’s equestrian Show Jumping team, Saudi Equestrian, gained official qualification to the London 2012 Olympic Games (27 July – 12 August) at the CSI-W4* Doha (QAT) on Friday 30 December 2011. 15 teams, each with four riders, are now qualified in the equestrian team Show Jumping competition, which takes place over three days from Saturday 4 to Monday 6 August at the World Heritage Site of Greenwich Park.

The Saudi team secured its place in the Olympics during the Group F (Africa and Middle East Region) FEI Select Olympic Qualification event held in the Qatari capital of Doha (December 27-30, 2011).

News of officially qualifying for the Olympics follows earlier success in Doha: The Saudi Equestrian team claimed the coveted Nations Cup and Abdullah Sharbatly won the Grand Prix.

Continue reading Saudi Equestrian Qualify for the London 2012 Olympic Games →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Driving, Events, FEI, FEI

Fourth-in-a-Row Win for Boyd Exell

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Boyd Exell (AUS), winner of the sixth FEI World Cup Driving 2011/2012 qualifier held in Mechelen (BEL) this weekend. ©Rinaldo de Craen/FEI

Mechelen (BEL), 31 December 2011 – Boyd Exell proved to be of a different class again in the sixth leg of the FEI World Cup Driving in Mechelen, Belgium. Exell remained untouched throughout the competition and stayed far ahead of his rivals Tomas Eriksson (SWE) and IJsbrand Chardon (NED). Mechelen is Boyd’s fourth consecutive win of the season after his victories at Stockholm, Budapest and Geneva. With only the Final in Bordeaux left for the triple FEI World Cup winner, Boyd can relax and enjoy his well-deserved holiday in his home country Australia for the next few weeks.

Exciting until the last moment

It was one of the best FEI World Cup Driving competitions ever in the Nekkerhal, which remained exciting until the very last moment. No less than eight drivers battled for a place on the podium. Second starter Georg von Stein drove a fast clear round, which more experienced indoor drivers like Koos de Ronde and Jozsef Dobrovitz were unable to beat. Tomas Eriksson was the first to beat Von Stein’s time and secured his place for the winning round. IJsbrand Chardon caused even more excitement by knocking a ball off the first obstacle, but finished only 0.48 seconds behind Eriksson and also qualified for the winning round. Boyd Exell finished the job without any hesitation and took the lead.

Continue reading Fourth-in-a-Row Win for Boyd Exell →

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

Wathelet Wins on Home Turf at Mechelen

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Gregory Wathelet and Copin van de Broy pictured receiving the winner’s prize of a Rolex watch from Mr Philippe De Baets, Managing Director, Rolex Benelux. Photo: FEI/Dirk Caremans.

Mechelen (BEL), 30 December 2011 – Gregory Wathelet scooped the honours for the host nation when coming out on top at the eighth leg of the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping 2011/2012 series at Mechelen in Belgium this afternoon.  And he did it in style, throwing down an impossible target when first to go with Copin van de Broy in the eight-horse jump-off, and sitting back to watch the rest line up behind him.

It was 2009 individual European Champion, Kevin Staut from France, who filled runner-up spot with the grey mare, Silvana HDC, while Belgium was prominently placed once more when Rick Hemeryck and Quarco de Kerambars finished third.  Germany’s Hans-Dieter Dreher (Magnus Romeo) slotted into fourth, while the fifth-place result for Denis Lynch (Abbervail van het Dingeshof) has promoted the Irishman to second spot on the Western European League leaderboard as 2011 draws to a close with reigning European Champion, Sweden’s Rolf-Goran Bengtsson, still at the head of affairs.

Continue reading Wathelet Wins on Home Turf at Mechelen →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Jacksonville Winter Series, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

SBS Farms Celebrates Phenomenal Year in 2011 and Prepares for 2012

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Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy won the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby of Devon for the second year in a row. SBS Farms, Inc. looks forward to another successful 2012 year. Photo By: Jessica Nemzoff

Buffalo, NY – December 29, 2011 – SBS Farms, Inc. had a remarkable show season in 2011, taking home top honors at the most prestigious events in the nation. Trainer Susie Schoellkopf and professional rider Jennifer Alfano are now gearing up for the 2012 show season, where they will showcase both their skills and those of their students in the hunter and jumper rings.

The first stop for SBS Farms will be during the last week of the Jacksonville Winter Series, held at the Clay County Fairgrounds in Green Cove Springs, FL. Alfano plans on showing Helen Lenahan’s Sting in the Derby at Jacksonville where he will make his comeback. Shortly after, SBS plans on making its mark in Ocala, competing in their Winter Series beginning in early February 2012. To end their winter calendar, Alfano plans on competing in the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at WEF.

If SBS Farms’ 2011 year is any indication of what 2012 holds, only success can be foreseen. Jersey Boy was recently awarded the USEF 2011 High Performance Working Hunter National Horse of the Year Award, ending with a total of 52,791 points accumulated during 16 competitions.

Continue reading SBS Farms Celebrates Phenomenal Year in 2011 and Prepares for 2012 →