European Para Equestrian Championship is held only every four years. It will be the highest-level equestrian championship ever staged in Norway and The Norwegian Equestrian Federation (NRYF) is honoured to host this event.
This is an important equestrian event, but not least an important sports event for the disabled. It is the first time Norway is hosting a European Championship in a summer sport for the disabled.
There are also non-Europeans participating, as it is an open event and a qualification for next year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Kentucky. Next year’s WEG will be historical in two respects: it will be the first time WEG is held in the United States, and the first time Para Equestrian Dressage is one of the disciplines.
FEI’s European & Open Para Equestrian Championship are held at Epona Riding Centre, near Kristiansand, on the south coast of Norway and 11.6km from Kjevik Airport.
Princess Märtha Louise will officially open the event on Thursday 20 August.
The Norwegian Equestrian Federation and Epona Riding Centre look forward to welcoming local and international media to view the performance of these top international competitors.
American wild horses are in serious danger. The BLM has scheduled another mustang round up to begin September 1 in the Pryor Mountains of Montana. Please send the e-mail below to President Obama, Vice President Biden, and your two U.S. Senators.
On July 17, the House of Representatives passed the “Restore Our American Mustangs” (ROAM) Act, H.R. 1018, legislation that protects wild horses and burros from commercial sale and slaughter. The ROAM Act would allow horses to occupy lands they formerly roamed freely. The bill also implements far-reaching and humane solutions to manage the horses in new ways, saving millions of tax dollars.
Congressman Jim Moran, Virginia Democrat, said, “horses are an inspiration, a symbol of America and the wide-open spaces that dominate so much of the country. The House has voted three times on this issue, and it’s past time it becomes law.”
However, The ROAM Act is only a romantic notion until passed by the Senate and signed by the President. Please use the form on this page to contact President Obama, Interior Secretary Salazar, and your two Senators immediately.
Cloud’s Herd Is At Risk
In a chilling irony, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the government agency entrusted to protect wild horses, is planning to capture and place in holding pens half of the Pryor Mountain horses, better known as Cloud’s herd. Only 190 horses (one year and older) remain of the herd led by the much-celebrated and near-mythical wild mustang stallion of the Pryor Mountains. An estimated 150 – 200 adult horses are needed to ensure the long-term survival of the herd. This round up strikes at the heart of America’s grandeur and heroic adventure. Wild horses remain fixed in people’s minds as an emblem of true freedom.
The removed horses will be placed in jeopardy. Any horses over 10 years of age can be bought directly by killer buyers and transported to slaughterhouses in Canada or Mexico. Younger horses not adopted would be put into government holding with 33,000 others who the BLM have removed from the wild. The BLM proposes killing the healthy wild horses as a solution to the rising cost of keeping horses in long-and short-term pens. We must act now!
The BLM could trap and pen Cloud and his herd as soon as September 1. Don’t let this happen! Cloud and his herd, like all wild horses on our public lands, deserve our fierce protection.
(Important Note: Some Senators no longer accept e-mail and only accept comments via webforms at their web sites. You might get a reply after sending this message saying that your Senator only accepts webform comments. If so, please consider visiting his/her website and making your views known with the Senator’s webform! Thanks!)
Smokey Mountain Original ~ The Gallop in the Glen Returns for Fall 2009
Corryton, TN-August 12, 2009-Once voted one of the 5 best horse shows, the original Gallop in the Glen is returning to the New Market, TN area for two weeks of USEF A rated hunter-jumper action. Show dates for 2009 are September 23-27 and September 30- October 4th.
The show debuted in 2004 under the guidance of Kim Burnett Mitchell along with great assistance from her husband Dennis and show manager Patrick Rodes of Argyle, TX. Set at the picturesque River Glen Equestrian facility in New Market, TN at the base of the Smokey Mountains, the show gained accolades for its aesthetic appeal as well as being a glamorous throw back to horse shows of yesteryear with its sumptuous parties and charitable giving. “We raised thousands of dollars for the Baptist Hospital and several East Tennessee charities. Thanks in large part to the support of the community. Our first year the title sponsor, Pilot Corp. really got the ball rolling and the event took on a life of its own. ” Kim shared some of the history. “Sadly changes occurred at the hospital, sponsor dollars, and the worsening economy that had a trickledown effect to the show. But I have never been able to walk away from the idea of bringing it back to life.” She admits that even after giving the dates away, she attended the new show as a competitor each year, but always left longing to recreate the magic of the Gallop events.
As the saying goes, careful what you wish for. Mitchell, teamed again with Patrick Rodes, managed to reacquire the dates and USEF rating back under The Gallop in the Glen name just in time to dub 2009 the “rebuilding year”. Kim explained, “We didn’t quite get the agreement sealed in time to go back to a lot of our past community sponsors or to target a local charity, but so many of the local farms- Icon Sporthorses, Paige Farms, and GK Performance Horses have rallied around us and been more than generous to give us a wonderful start back.” Kim went on to explain the huge success of The Gallop in the Glen was always “folks working together for the betterment of the industry and the community.” Could be the laid back demeanor of everyone connected to the show or the effects of living under the majestic Smokey Mountains, but whatever the cause of the “good vibes” (as Kim describes), people have never forgotten The Gallop in the Glen event. Mitchell said for years she’s encountered exhibitors across the country that still asked about the show and remembered it fondly. “If that’s not a sign to return, I’m not sure what is.” giggled Kim.
Along with a $25,000 Show Jumping Grand Prix each week, several new and old traditions are planned for this years’ revival event, from increasing prize money awarded to several more social gatherings each week. “I’m so excited about the improvements we have been able to accomplish at the facility and we have a lot of fun activities planned for everyone! Oh-and the Annual Kimberden Shrimp Boil is on again, with great food and music.” Kim shared. Something special for the younger set will be the Judy’s Tack Shop sponsored dinner and Horseless Horse Show. “The list just goes on and on. And we have a couple of surprises up our sleeve too!” a laughing Kim added. Plans are under way for the return of the “Unrated Ring” as well. “We’re going to enlarge the class offerings here and with NO USEF membership or fees required this is a great opportunity for beginner riders to enjoy the experience of an A rated show.” Kim said.
New this season will be the $25,000 Icon Sporthorse Challenge Cup, a rider bonus comprised of 4 classes held through the 2 week series for children and adult riders – the top 8 horse/rider combinations will take a cut of the big prize money. Rhonda Goble and Icon Sporthorses are sponsoring this new venture. “We [Rhonda and Kim] really want to reward our competitors who give it their all.” a smiling Kim said.
Photo: Kelsey Vann (left) is now the proud owner of a buckskin yearling American Shetland Pony named Captivating Carl EGF. Vann won the pony in the ASPC Youth Essay Contest at the American Shetland Congress Show. Jackie Tyler (right) of Emerald Glenn Farm in Woodville, Wisconsin, donated the pony for the essay contest. (Photo by Washburn Photography)
Cloverdale, IN (August 10, 2009) – Eleven-year-old Kelsey Vann had always dreamed of owning her own American Shetland Pony, and Vann’s dream came true at the 121st Shetland Pony Congress Show when she wrote the winning essay for the American Shetland Pony Congress Youth Essay Contest. Vann’s essay earned her the title of “owner” of an adorable Classic Shetland yearling gelding named Captivating Carl EGF, donated by Jackie Tyler of Emerald Glenn Farm.
“We were all moved to tears at how excited Kelsey was when she found out she won,” said Tyler, whose Emerald Glenn Farm is in Woodville, Wisconsin. “After the award presentation Kelsey led her new pony all around the show grounds, talking and petting and playing with him. He nuzzled her like she’d had him his whole life. It made my day and the whole experience was very moving.”
Vann, who lives in Hot Springs, Arkansas, will enter the sixth grade this year as the happy owner of a new pony. “I’m really proud of her. She’s been entering the youth essay contest for several years and she finally succeeded,” said Carmen Vann, Kelsey’s mother.
Tyler said she was pleased to donate the pony to the ASPC youth contest. “The folks at the American Shetland Pony Club are so loving and dedicated to these kids and I really think our youth program ranks among the best,” Tyler said. “I’ve had Shetlands for 50 years and there wasn’t a youth program when I was young. I think the ASPC can really be proud of this effort.”
Tyler added this was her first time to donate a pony to the program, and she did so in an effort to help the club’s youth and act as a mentor. “The impact my pony mentors made on me as a child is something that makes me a better person today,” Tyler said. “With that in mind I asked to sign up as a donor.
Vann has been showing ponies at Congress for six years, but has always showed them for other people. “Kelsey has always wanted to show her own pony,” her mother said. “And now she will be able to.”
The ASPC Congress show was held at the Crossroads Arena in Cloverdale, Indiana, and over 500 ponies turned out to compete for National Championship titles in classes such as driving, halter, jumping, youth and costume classes. The show was sponsored by a variety of company’s that support small equines, including Farnam’s Platform Feed, Vetrolin and Radon Horse Blankets.
“Congress was once again a huge success and a wonderful celebration of the breed. Kelsey was thrilled to be the youth essay winner which just made the week all that much nicer,” said Johnny Robb, Director of Marketing for the American Shetland Pony Club and American Miniature Horse Registry (ASPC/AMHR).
For more information on the Shetland Pony Congress, visit their website at www.shetlandminiature.com or call (309) 263-4044.
The American Shetland Pony Club, the American Show Pony Registry and The American Miniature Horse Registry are non-profit organizations established to preserve and refine the bloodlines of these small equines and promote the enjoyment of small equines. Recognized as the oldest and most versatile registry in the United States, the American Shetland Pony Club offer a variety of programs for Shetland Pony and Miniature Horse enthusiasts of all ages. Visit their website at www.shetlandminiature.com or 81-B East Queenwood Road, Morton, IL 61550.
For more information contact the:
American Shetland Pony Club
American Miniature Horse Registry
Johnny Robb, Director of Marketing minipony@earthlink.net
On Wednesday, August 19th, NYRA and B95.5 will present Women’s Day at Saratoga Race Course.
This is VERY exciting, for those of us who work in racing are being given a booth, so that we may meet women and girls and talk to them about careers in the sport.
This is GREAT news–hooray for NYRA’s insightfulness!
Listen, here’s the deal. We’ll be there at the Women in Racing table–actually, we ARE the Women in Racing table…and it would be great if you women who work in racing–in any capacity–can join us. Whether you can give an hour or the entire seven hours–please come and share about your job and your passion for your vocation. Women and girls need us to encourage them to join us as professionals in this sport.
We’ll make a nametag for you, and have a great time.
Please let me know if you can join us–the more, the merrier.
And those of you who happen to be males–please stop by the booth, we’d love to chat with you.
Thanks, everyone…have a glorious day.
May the Horse be with you,
Marion
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