HEROES WANTED! Volunteers Still Needed for 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

January 6, 2010 – Lexington, KY – The 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games needs Heroes! Thousands of volunteers are stilled needed to work hundreds of different jobs during the 16 days of the Games, which will be held for the first time in American from September 25-October 10, 2010 at the Kentucky Horse Park.

“We need volunteers who can lend their expertise to help make these Games a success, no matter their professional skill level,” said Melissa Gamble, Volunteer Manager for the World Games 2010 Foundation. “You might work as a ticket-taker, an usher, work at a visitor information desk, or help with transportation or event services, but each is a very important part of how these Games work every day.”

Volunteer positions for competition-specific duties are currently being selected, but thousands of General Volunteers are still needed. Volunteers can still register their interest at www.alltechfeigames.com/volunteer. Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=9690

Tags: equestrian community, equestrian competitions, equestrian disciplines, FEI, FEI World Equestrian Games, Kentucky Horse park, Volunteers

2009 AQHA Racing Champions Announcements Broadcast Live January 13

The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, January 6, 2010 – The American Quarter Horse Association will announce the 2009 AQHA Racing Champions awards Wednesday, January 13, live at 6 p.m. CST from Heritage Place in Oklahoma City. The show will broadcast free of charge on Q-Racing Video at www.aqharacing.com.

This year’s awards are wide open, with a number of legitimate contenders in many categories.

The freshman crop yielded several superstars competing now on the ballot for championship honors. The 2-year-old colt candidates are led by Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity (G1) winner Good Reason SA and two-time Grade 1 winner Tempting Dash, who was undefeated in four starts this year. The 2-year-old gelding division is led by Grade 1 winners Eye Got the Blues, First Klas Fred, Twin Spires and Zoomin with Ease. The fillies will provide strong competition for overall 2-year-old honors, led by All American Futurity (G1) winner Runnning Brook Gal. Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=9686

Tags: All American Futurity, American Quarter Horse Association, AQHA, equestrian competitions, Horse Racing

BLM Assault on Wild Horses Moves to Utah

Roundup in “Confusion Herd Management Area” Slated for Jan. 15

Agency Prohibits Public Comments, Provides No Documentation

With the massive Calico wild horse roundup under way, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is expanding its assault on America’s wild horses to Utah. On January 15, the BLM intends to begin the roundup of 200 horses in the Confusion Herd Management Area, leaving only 70-100 horses in the 235,000-acres public land area in Utah’s Confusion Mountains.

Click here to send a quick e-mail to President Obama and officials who can stop this!

The BLM’s website invites the public to view the wild horses living in Confusion, but warns “it is unlawful to chase and/or catch them. Foals, pregnant mares and older horses are easily hurt when pursued, so please allow them to live a free and unharassed life.”

Yet, in just 10 days, the BLM intends not only to harass, but to terrorize these horses, by stampeding them with helicopters into capture pens. The BLM knows that pregnant mares, young foals and older horses will be injured and/or killed, just as they have been in Calico. Please see IDA’s blog, which documents the BLM’s “euthanasia” by rifle of a mare, orphaning her foal and the death of a foal that collapsed during the BLM’s helicopter stampede. The blog also features a photo essay of the bittersweet story of the captured stallion Freedom, who scaled a six- foot fence and crashed through barbed wire to make his escape, forced to leave his family of eight mares and two colts behind. Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=9682

Tags: BLM, Bureau of Land Management, Confusion Herd Management Area, Equine Protection, Mustangs, Wild Horse roundup, wild horses

Small Equines a Big Hit during Small World Showcase at USET Holiday Gala Fundraiser

One of the small equines in the small world showcase at The USEF Holiday Gala, held at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in West Palm Beach, Florida.

West Palm Beach, FL (January 6, 2010) – A group of little equines put on a big show at the SUCCEED USET Holiday Gala Fundraiser in Wellington recently, treating spectators to a Small World Showcase featuring American Shetland Ponies and American Miniature Horses. The Holiday Gala, held at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, starred some of the biggest names in the equestrian world, offered fun demonstrations, team competitions, holiday surprises and silent and live auctions that raised money for the USET Foundation.

The Small World Showcase wowed the crowd with an array of Miniature Horses driving carriages, including United States National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving Champion Chester Weber who drove Santa Clause into the ring in a sleigh pulled by four perfectly matched miniature reindeer. The reindeer were actually Miniature Horses owned by Linda Kern of Caribbean Dreams Miniature Horses in Loxahatchee, Florida, and Santa Claus was none other than USEF President David O’Connor.

“The crowd was thrilled when Chester drove David O’Connor into the ring. Chester is always so supportive if the USET and it was great that he took time out of his busy schedule to attend the event. The Miniature Horses and Shetland Ponies that took part in the gala were the talk of the town, it was a great event,” said Johnny Robb, Director of Marketing for the American Shetland Pony Club and American Miniature Horse Registry (ASPC/AMHR). Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=9679

Tags: American Miniature Horses, Chester Weber, equestrian community, Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, Shetland pony, Small Equines, USET, USET Holiday Gala Fundraiser

North Florida Hunter Jumper Association 5 Week 2010 Jacksonville Winter Series

Classic Winner Wilhem Genn on HappyZ

The North Florida Hunter Jumper Association five week 2010 Jacksonville Winter Series will run from January 6^th – February 7^th, 2010.  This will be the 16^th year of the annual Winter Series, which has donated over $900,000 to local charities over the years, including the Clay County 4-H and has an annual economic impact of over $16 million to the surrounding community. 

The first week of competition, the Jacksonville Kick-Off, runs from January 6-10, 2010.  It is an “AA” nationally rated horse show and will feature a $10,000 Jumper Classic.

Perhaps the most exciting of the weeks is the second week of competition.  The Jacksonville International will be held from January 13-17, 2010.  It is an “AA” nationally rated horse show that also boasts the $125,000 Green Cove Springs CSI-W.  The $25,000 Welcome Class will be held on Friday, January 15^th and the $100,000 World Cup Qualifier Class will be held on Saturday, January 16^th.  These two classes will draw a large and very exciting field of national and international Olympic riders and their mounts.  A children’s carnival, rides, pony rides and a petting zoo will be offered to entertain the young and young at heart during the day.  Admission is free with a $5 donation for parking.  All proceeds from the day’s events will benefit the Clay County 4-H Foundation.

The Jacksonville Mid-Winter, January 20-24, 2010 follows with its own attractions, including “AA” nationally rated hunters and jumpers.  The highlight of the weekend will be the $5,000 Welcome Class to be held on the afternoon of Friday, January 22^nd in addition to the $25,000 Marco Family Foundation Grand Prix on Saturday, January 23^rd that will benefit Horses for Heroes and the Wounded Warriors Programs.  Cedar River Seafood will cater a reception for Exhibitors and Sponsors prior to the event.  A string of pearls generously donated by Beard’s Jewelry and cufflinks generously donated will be auctioned off to raise money for the worthy causes.  The $10,000 Jerry Parks Hunter Classic will be held the evening of Friday, January 22^nd.  This Hunter Derby type class is always spectacular to watch in the big covered ring under the lights!  

The Jacksonville Winter A to Z ~ January 27 – 31, 2010 features “AA” nationally rated hunters and jumpers, a $5,000 Welcome Classes to be held on the afternoon of Friday January 29^th in addition to a $25,000 Grand Prix to be held the evening of Saturday, January 30^th.  Exhibitors and sponsors will be treated to an Exhibitor Party on Saturday evening preceding the Grand Prix in addition to a Pizza Party Luncheon on Saturday during the day at the rings.

The series concludes with the fifth week, the Jacksonville National that runs from February 3 – 7, 2010.  It also features “AA” rated hunters and jumpers.  The final $5,000 Welcome Class will be held on the afternoon of Friday, February 5^th and the final Grand Prix will be held on the evening of Saturday, February 6^th.

All events are held at the Clay County Fairgrounds on SR 16 W in Green Cove Springs, FL.  Each week of competition draws approximately 550 to 600 horses, which is the full capacity of the show grounds.  Our exhibitor base draws heavily from North Florida and South Georgia and the entire East Coast.  It includes international riders from approximately 25 states, three provinces of Canada, New Zealand, Brazil, Columbia, Ireland and Mexico.  We are very proud to be chosen one of the only 12 shows in America to host a World Cup Qualifier.

Sponsors are in front of a very qualified audience for each of the five weeks and are in very good company.  Some of our sponsors include, but are not limited to the following:  Glen Kernan Golf & Country Club, Hodges Boulevard Development Group, Inc., Ring Power, John Deere, Mac Paper Company, Greene Hazel & Associates, the Marco Family, SKANSKA USA Building, Inc., Arlington Toyota, Auld & White Constructors, Inc., The Gift Horse, Pat’s Nursery, Ronnie’s Wings, Top of the Reef, Rick Baker’s RV Sales, Clay County Tourist Development Council, The Bruning Foundation, SunBelt Springs Water, Woody’s BBQ, Bridlebourne Stables, Baptist Primary Care, James D. Hinson Electrical Company, Jerry Parks Insurance, Diamond D Trailer Sales, Corrigan Trailer Sales, Canadian National Railroad, Six Mile Marina, Club Continental & Cedar River Seafood.

Please visit http://www.nfhja.com/ or http://www.classiccompany.com/ for further information.

2010 Jacksonville Winter Series
Clay County Fairgrounds, Green Cove Springs, Florida
January 6 – February 7, 2010

See some photos by Teri Rehkopf, HorsesintheSouth.com from the 2009 series:

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Tags: $100k World Cup Qualifier Class, 2010 Jacksonville Winter Series, Clay County Fairgrounds, CSI*3, FEI, Grand Prix jumpers and riders, Horses for Heroes, North Florida Hunter-Jumper Association, Show Jumping, Wounded Warriors Programs

2010 United States Eventing Association Ocala Eventing Clinics Announced

January 05 2010 – Mark your calendars now for the 2010 United States Eventing Association (USEA) Ocala Eventing Clinics, which will run February 1-3, 2010. The USEA has an exciting schedule planned for all eventing enthusiasts.

The clinics will once again be held at Betsy Watkins’ beautiful Longwood Farm South located in Ocala, FL.

On Monday, Lauren Hough will be covering show jumping, and Tuesday will feature Linda Zang’s dressage presentation. The Young Event Horse Judging Seminar and Competition will be conducted on Wednesday.

In addition, Zang will be available for private lessons on Monday (all day) and Wednesday (afternoon) and Mark Phillips will conduct a cross-country clinic on February 3, 2010 (morning). Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=9673

Tags: Clinics, cross country, dressage, equestrian competitions, equestrian disciplines, Eventing, Show Jumping, United States Eventing Association, USEA

Kentucky Horse Council Works to Demystify Green Horse Farming

January 05 2010 – If spreading manure and draining waste water onto plants is your idea of going green you may be in for a big surprise. As large scale agriculture production facilities alter their management strategies to become more environmentally conscientious the spotlight transitions to the small farmer.

In an effort to provide up-to-date information on green equine initiatives, the Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) recently added a Going Green page to the Farm & Business segment of their website. The page includes links to information and articles featuring green horse farming techniques and tactics.

“Generations of horsemen having employed an array of land and stable management practices may find themselves struggling with how best to identify and utilize greener strategies. Through the Kentucky Horse Council website, those individuals can network to learn about green horse farming in the Commonwealth and around the world,” observed KHC Board President Madelyn Millard. Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=9670

Tags: agriculture, Environmentalism, equestrian community, Going Green, Horse Care, Kentucky Horse Council, KHC, Manure, USEF

Dates and Locations Announced for 2010 Eventing High Performance Training Sessions

January 4, 2010 Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has announced the following dates, locations and details for the 2010 Eventing High Performance Training Sessions. Training sessions are for A and B listed riders unless otherwise noted.

DATE                           LOCATION

January 24-25                El Campeon Farm Training Session, Thousand Oaks, CA
•    Mark Phillips

February 4-5                  Ocala Training Session, Ocala FL (Location TBD)
•    Mark Phillips

February 6-8                  Three Runs Plantation Training Session, Aiken, SC
•    Feb 6: A listed riders only (12 noon) with Mark Phillips
•    Feb 7-8: Oded Shimoni and Mark Phillips
Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=9663

Tags: 2010 Eventing High Performance Training Sessions, equestrian disciplines, Eventing, Horse Training, United States Equestrian Federation, USEF

New Officers and Regional Directors for USDF

December 18, 2009 – The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) elected a new President and Treasurer for three-year terms. George Williams, Delaware, OH, who was Vice President of the federation for nine years and a United States high performance rider, takes the helm as President from Dr. Samuel Barish. Steve Schubert, Mathuen, MA, replaces Barb Tuohino Funk as Treasurer. Mr. Williams also appointed Melissa Creswick, Clovis, CA, as interim Vice President for a one year term.

George Williams is currently a member of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Dressage Committee and Chairman of the USEF High Performance Committee. As a prominent figure in international dressage, his career highlights with Chuck and Joann Smith’s mare Rocher include: unprecedented three-time Dressage at Devon Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle winner; 2005 USEF/Collecting Gaits Farm National Grand Prix Champion; team bronze at CHIO Aachen; fifth at the 2003 World Cup in Sweden; USDF Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle Horse of the Year; and The Chronicle of the Horse’s Dressage Horse of the Year.

Born and raised in a horse family in New Hampshire, he traveled to Germany to the Reitinstitut von Neindorff, and earned his German Bronze Rider Medal. He was a rider/trainer for The Tempel Lipizzans in Wadsworth, IL and in 1988, he was promoted to director of their program. From the summer of 2000 until spring of 2009, Mr. Williams rode and trained for the Smiths at Gypsy Woods Farm in Ohio. He currently trains for Elizabeth Juliano’s Havensafe Farm, of Middlefield, OH; and Wellington, FL. He also teaches and coaches with Williams Dressage LLC. Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=9660

Tags: dressage, equestrian disciplines, United States Dressage Federation, United States Equestrian Federation, USDF, USEF

Dressage Legend Jessica Ransehousen Named 2009 USEF Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient

December 31 2009 – Lexington, KY – For more than five decades, the name of Jessica Newberry Ransehousen has been synonymous with the United States dressage program. And, after a lifetime spent as a high performance international medalist, lead dressage coach for the U.S. program, highly-skilled dressage judge and widely-respected ambassador for the sport of dressage, the United States Equestrian Federation is proud to announce that living legend Jessica Ransehousen has been selected to receive the USEF’s highest individual honor – the USEF Lifetime Achievement Award and the Jimmy A. Williams Trophy.

From her start as a dressage rider, Ransehousen has known the taste of success. In 1956 and 1957, she earned the title of the United States Equestrian Team’s National Dressage Champion. But, this was only the beginning for this multi-talented equestrian.

To close out the 1950s, Ransehousen made her Pan American Games debut and assisted the U.S. team to a Silver medal in Chicago. The very next year, she made her Olympic Games debut in Rome, Italy, as a member of the U.S. Olympic Team. Four years later, she returned to Olympic competition in Tokyo, Japan. Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=9657

Tags: dressage, equestrian community, equestrian disciplines, Jessica Ransehousen, Jimmy A. Williams Trophy, United States Equestrian Federation, USEF, USEF Lifetime Achievement Award