Lausanne (SUI), 1 May 2012 – The inaugural FEI Sports Forum opened in Lausanne (SUI) on 30 April in the presence of more than 280 delegates representing 39 National Federations (NFs), Event Organisers, International Riders, Owners and OrganisersClubs, members of the FEI Technical Committees, veterinarians, sponsors, and media.
“This day marks a new beginning for the International Equestrian Federation,” FEI President HRH Princess Haya said in her opening address. “As of today, the men and women who compete in horse sport will play a direct role in its governance.
“The ideas that we share over the next three days will shape the future of our sport. For the first time, you will have an opportunity to influence the rule-making process long before proposed changes are submitted to the FEI General Assembly.
“As the world governing body of equestrian sport, the FEI should constantly strive to make improvements by clarifying roles, rules and procedures. But those decisions cannot be made behind closed doors by a select few. They should be discussed openly, honestly and with full transparency by those who will be most affected by the outcomes.
Bruce Ekstrom judging the horses and riders during the April 1st Special Olympics held at Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center in Loxahatchee, Florida. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)
Loxahatchee, FL (April 30, 2012) – When Bruce Ekstrom of Tuigpaarden Farm received the call from Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center asking him to judge the Special Olympics, the accomplished horseman wasted no time in reorganizing his schedule and changing his flights so that he could adjudicate the event. The decorated trainer has racked up wins across the country and can normally be found at one of his two training centers either in Shelbyville, Kentucky or Ocala, Florida, but Ekstrom admits there is no place he’d rather be than supporting therapeutic riding centers like Vinceremos. The opportunity to act as a judge for the Special Olympics was not something he was willing to let pass by.
The Special Olympics took place in the Vinceremos covered arena on Sunday, April 1st, and included riders ranging in all age groups and backgrounds. “I had a phenomenal time as the judge for the Special Olympics,” said Ekstrom. “These programs are so important to our community and to the people who participate in them. The value of equestrian therapy in settings such as Vinceremos is immeasurable, and I am always ready to lend support and promote these events, be it any chance I get! The facility is beautiful, the staff is amazing with their knowledge, and then add to this the kind, wonderful horses. I believe it to be a very positive situation for all involved.”
01 May 2012 – In 2001, Rolex created the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing. This prize is awarded to any rider who wins each of the Rolex Grand Slam Events, namely the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials and the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials consecutively.
Following the cancellation of the 2012 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials due to adverse weather conditions, Rolex and the organisers of the three Rolex Grand Slam events wish to clarify the eligibility of a rider claiming the Rolex Grand Slam prize of $350,000. To confirm, the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing prize will be awarded to any rider who wins all three events consecutively.
Lexington, KY, April 30, 2012 – Livestock Investigation Training for Kentucky county and state officials returns to Morehead State University on May 16-18, 2012. Developed by the Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) in partnership with the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association (KCA) with input from experienced enforcement officers, veterinarians, and livestock producers, the three day course is tailored to the needs of the Commonwealth.
Throughout the Level I training, attendees learn how to handle horses and cattle, access body condition score in both species, identify situations that need intervention, and apply Kentucky statutes to animal cases. Attendees practice handling and evaluating live horses and cattle as well as examining Kentucky statutes and enforcement procedures.
Lausanne (SUI), 30 April 2012 – FEI President, HRH Princess Haya, announced today that the Saudi Equestrian Fund will finance the revitalisation of the FEI Nations Cup series. Announcing the agreement at the opening of the FEI Sports Forum in Lausanne (SUI) today, Princess Haya informed delegates that the Saudi Equestrian Fund will provide full financial support for the 2012 series and has also agreed to a five-year title sponsorship commencing in 2013, once the remodelling process has been finalised. The announcement was greeted with spontaneous applause from the 250 delegates attending the Sports Forum.
The Saudi Equestrian Fund was created by King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz by royal decree in November 2009 to give the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia a lasting legacy in equestrianism through sport and cultural events.
On Thursday, April 26, the Obama Administration announced its plans to withdraw a Department of Labor (DOL) proposed child labor rule applicable to agriculture. The proposed rule would have severely limited the ability of young people to work on farms and ranches. The AHC along with other agricultural organizations had opposed the rule and is pleased the administration responded to the concerns of the agricultural community.
The proposed rule would have placed new limitations on the ability of young people to work for pay on farms or ranches not owned solely by their parents and would have effectively barred workers under 16 from working in most capacities in agriculture, especially around livestock, such as horses.
In November 2011, the AHC submitted comments opposing the rule.
Miniature therapy horses Mozart and Cloudburst went to visit a young man named Joseph with Pompe disease who was in the hospital participating in a painful clinical trial. The trial could one day help young children. Joseph had dreamed of meeting a real horse but had never seen one in person before that day. When Mozart saw Joseph he walked over on his own and gently put his head in the young man’s lap. They stayed there together and after a few minutes Mozart just closed his eyes, ignoring everything going on around them. He refused to move away from Joseph, something he had never done before, except to walk along with him next to the wheelchair. He stayed with his head resting in Joseph’s lap for over a half hour until it was time for the young man to return to his room.
Healthy Horse Boutique, a one stop shop for healthy products for horses and the people who love them, has chosen Kim Schmittendorf as the winner for its $200 “Tell Us Your Thoughts” Shopping Spree. Kim used her shopping spree money to purchase from HHB’s online store web site: www.healthyhorseboutique.com.
Congratulations to Kim Schmittendorf for her Body Butter Testimonial.
Kim is new to HHB and so she poked around the site to find a product she liked. Kim chose HHB’s Body Butter and then to enter the contest she wrote her comment on HHB’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/healthyhorse.
“I bought the Body Butter to use on my hands. They are extremely dry, especially around my nail area. I put the Body Butter on at night and overnight it made a difference! I use it nightly now and don’t have any cracking or splitting of my nail anymore either!”
Dr. Cesar Parra and Van the Man competing at the Global Dressage Festival Nations Cup National Show. (Photo courtesy of SusanJStickle.com)
Wellington, FL (April 25, 2012) – Dr. Cesar Parra and his team at Piaffe Performance have found great success at the winter circuit dressage shows held at the Global Dressage Festival, giving Parra high hopes for the future with his horses and team. The Global Dressage Festival, a brand new world-class facility in Wellington offering more than $275,000 in prize money, has thrilled dressage riders around the world with a 2012 circuit complete with international and national shows.
Para competed Van The Man, a ten-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Michael and Sarah Davis, at the Global Dressage Festival Nations Cup National Show, ending with a score of 72.447% in the FEI Grand Prix and a 73.322% in the Olympic Grand Prix Special. “I am very pleased with Van the Man’s performance in the FEI Grand Prix and the Olympic Grand Prix Special. I am looking for Van The Man to build more confidence and continue to become increasingly comfortable in the ring,” Parra said. “His raw talent is incredible, scoring over 72% in Germany. Through each show he is evolving into the magnificent horse we envisioned when he came to our barn earlier this year.”
April 20, 2012 — Lexington, KY — There’s still time to submit proposals for the first round of USA Equestrian Trust grants in 2012. IRS-registered equine non-profit organizations are invited to apply by going to the web site at http://www.trusthorses.org/grant/request.html to fill out the online grant application. The deadline is May 7 at 5 PM ET.
In 2011, the Trust granted nearly $200,000 to help fund 10 projects. Past recipients of grants include those doing equine health research, land conservation, and educational programs. The Trust welcomes applications for need-based projects and encourages applicants to detail those in their applications.
Funding available for grants includes approximately $70,000 reserved for Hunter and Jumper non-profit programs and activities in California and Nevada. Applicants for this fund should make clear their intention to apply for grants available from this specific reserve.
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01 May 2012 – In 2001, Rolex created the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing. This prize is awarded to any rider who wins each of the Rolex Grand Slam Events, namely the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials and the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials consecutively.
Lexington, KY, April 30, 2012 – Livestock Investigation Training for Kentucky county and state officials returns to Morehead State University on May 16-18, 2012. Developed by the Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) in partnership with the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association (KCA) with input from experienced enforcement officers, veterinarians, and livestock producers, the three day course is tailored to the needs of the Commonwealth.
Lausanne (SUI), 30 April 2012 – FEI President, HRH Princess Haya, announced today that the Saudi Equestrian Fund will finance the revitalisation of the FEI Nations Cup series. Announcing the agreement at the opening of the FEI Sports Forum in Lausanne (SUI) today, Princess Haya informed delegates that the Saudi Equestrian Fund will provide full financial support for the 2012 series and has also agreed to a five-year title sponsorship commencing in 2013, once the remodelling process has been finalised. The announcement was greeted with spontaneous applause from the 250 delegates attending the Sports Forum.
On Thursday, April 26, the Obama Administration announced its plans to withdraw a Department of Labor (DOL) proposed child labor rule applicable to agriculture. The proposed rule would have severely limited the ability of young people to work on farms and ranches. The AHC along with other agricultural organizations had opposed the rule and is pleased the administration responded to the concerns of the agricultural community.
April 20, 2012 — Lexington, KY — There’s still time to submit proposals for the first round of USA Equestrian Trust grants in 2012. IRS-registered equine non-profit organizations are invited to apply by going to the web site at 
