Breeds, Contributors/Press, Racing

Ferdinand’s Star Retires to Old Friends

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GEORGETOWN, KY – DECEMBER 19, 2011 – Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Center in Georgetown, KY, has joined with Lexington’s Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center and CANTER Michigan to permanently retire two Thoroughbreds, Ferdinand’s Star and Mikethespike.

Michael Blowen, Old Friends founder and president, made the announcement today.

Ferdinand’s Star, a son of 1986 Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand out of the Dare to Command mare Rose and Betty, comes to Old Friends from The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center, an equine adoption and rehabilitation facility located at the Kentucky Horse Park.

The 16-year-old gelding is a testament to the versatility of the Thoroughbred as he has run the gamut of careers since making his first start on the racetrack in 1998.

Continue reading Ferdinand’s Star Retires to Old Friends →

Awards, Community/Charity, Equine Assisted Therapy, EQUUS Foundation, Events, USEF

Molly Sweeney Named Recipient of The EQUUS Foundation Humanitarian Award

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Molly Sweeney. Photo Courtesy of Sweeney Family.

Lexington, KY – Known as a visionary with an incredible passion for horses and learning, Molly Sweeney, of Hockley, TX, has been chosen as the 2011 recipient of The EQUUS Foundation Humanitarian Award for her local- and national-level volunteer work for over two decades in the equine assisted activities and therapies (EAA/T) field.

Sweeney recognized the importance of professional research to support the results from EAA/T. To that end, she gathered like-minded individuals with the intent to create a plan to promote research. It was under her leadership and dedication that the Horses and Humans Research Foundation (HHRF) was born. As a 501(c)3 non-profit, HHRF offers grants for scientific research on the therapeutic relationship between horses and humans.

“We are most pleased that Molly Sweeney has been selected to receive the Humanitarian Award for 2011 for her dedication and tireless work with equine assisted activities and therapies, and her leadership in establishing the Horses and Humans Research Foundation (HHRF),” said Jenny Belknap Kees, Chairman of the Board of The EQUUS Foundation. “HHRF’s work on validating the influence of horses on human health will transform the value and purpose of equines in our culture.”

Continue reading Molly Sweeney Named Recipient of The EQUUS Foundation Humanitarian Award →

Rescue/Protection Sources

Mystery Surrounding Abandoned Horses Finally Solved

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Chicago (EWA) – A six month investigation by the EWA and other animal investigation organizations has finally determined the predominant source of abandoned horses in the Southwestern US. The findings show that most or all of more than 5,000 horses a year are being abandoned after being rejected for slaughter at the Mexican border.

The investigation explains the source and reason for abandonments, most of which have been reported in the vast stretches of isolated land north of the Mexican border since 2009. Most of these horses could clearly be identified as domestic stock from such indications as nail holes in their hooves (where shoes had recently been removed) but no other clues to their source were found.

Until now articles about their discovery have speculated that they were abandoned by individual owners because they could no longer afford to feed them. The horse slaughter lobby has further suggested that this was made worse because individuals “no longer had a slaughter option”.

Continue reading Mystery Surrounding Abandoned Horses Finally Solved →

Competitions, Dressage, Events, FEI, FEI, USEF

Leibler and Watson 108 Second in Freestyle at FEI Young Rider World Cup Dressage Final

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Isabelle Leibler and Watson 108 National Young Rider Dressage Championships (SusanJStickle.com)

Lexington, KY – Isabelle Leibler and Watson 108 came in second in Sunday’s B Final in the Freestyle, representing the U.S. at the FEI Young Rider World Cup Dressage Final in Frankfurt, Germany.

Leibler (Greenwich, CT) scored 68.700 on the 14-year-old Westphalian gelding, just behind Simona Aeberhard, representing Switzerland.

Leibler and Watson 108 were invited to represent the U.S. at the 2011 Finals after posting the highest average in the FEI Young Rider Freestyle Test at CDI-Ys during the qualifying period. This pair landed in Germany after a strong 2011 campaign that included winning a team Bronze medal and two Gold medals, individual and freestyle, at the Adequan/FEI North American Junior and Young Riders Championships presented by Gotham North. Additionally, they were crowned National Young Rider Dressage Champions at the 2011 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Championships.

Continue reading Leibler and Watson 108 Second in Freestyle at FEI Young Rider World Cup Dressage Final →

Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Events, Products/Services, Webinars

Don’t Miss This Tonight! Equestrian Professional’s Next Webinar – Rethinking the Horse Business 2012 – How the Economy, the Horse Industry and the Internet Are Affecting Horse Business Owners

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Topic: Rethinking The Horse Business 2012 – The Economy, The Horse Industry and The Internet
Date: December 19th 2011
Time: 5:00 Pacific 7:00 Central 8:00 Eastern
Place: On your computer or phone
Speaker: Elisabeth McMillan and guests

Rethinking the Horse Business provides vital information for horse professionals about the state of the economy and the equestrian marketplace.

It is the only event in the world geared solely towards helping horse professionals i.e. horse trainers, stable operators, riding instructors, breeders, and professional riders navigate the current economy and identify the best paths for success.

Find out key economic indicators of how the horse industry is fairing. The seminar features information from equestrian associations and companies around the globe. Opinions from industry leaders and influencers. Plus, survey results from hundreds of horse business owners including professional riders, instructors, horse trainers, breeders, and stable operators.

Continue reading Don’t Miss This Tonight! Equestrian Professional’s Next Webinar – Rethinking the Horse Business 2012 – How the Economy, the Horse Industry and the Internet Are Affecting Horse Business Owners →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Events, Para-Equestrian

United States Para-Equestrian Dressage Team Brings Home the Gold at 2011 Melbourne CPEDI3* in Australia

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The Gold United States Para-Equestrian Team (Left to Right: USEF Director Pam Lane, Chef d'equipe Missy Ransehousen, Rebecca Hart, Erin Alberda, Mary Jordan, and in front is Donna Ponessa) Photos © 2011 Lindsay Y McCall

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia – December 16, 2011 – When the United States Para-Equestrian Team flew Down Under for the 2011 Melbourne CPEDI3* (held at Werribee Park National Equestrian Center), they were prepared to give it their all.  This competition was not just about top scores but it was an opportunity to earn team spots for the 2012 Paralympics held in London, England. With outstanding performances each day, the United States Para-Equestrian Dressage Team captured their third Team Gold within a four-month period. The impressive Gold Para-Equestrian Dressage Team consisted of Donna Ponessa for Grade Ia (New Windsor, NY), Rebecca Hart for Grade II (Unionville, PA), Erin Alberda for Grade III (Woodinville, WA), Mary Jordan for Grade IV (Wells, ME), and Chef d’equipe Missy Ransehousen. From December 9-11, 2011 teams from Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and the United States challenged themselves under F.E.I. international judges Mr. Kjell Myhre (NOR), Dr. Ulf Wilken (SWE), Ms. Jan Geary (AUS), Ms. Sue Cunningham (AUS), and Ms. Wendy Barker (AUS).

Continue reading United States Para-Equestrian Dressage Team Brings Home the Gold at 2011 Melbourne CPEDI3* in Australia →

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

Maher Produces the X-Factor at Olympia

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Great Britain’s Ben Maher and Tripple X on their way to victory in the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping 2011/2012 qualifier at Olympia in London today. Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton.

Olympia, London (GBR), 18 December 2011 – Great Britain’s Ben Maher produced a stunning performance from the nine-year-old Tripple X to win the seventh leg of the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping 2011/2012 series at Olympia in London, Great Britain this evening.  In yet another of this season’s super-exciting showdowns, the 28 year old rider effortlessly surpassed the seemingly impossible target set by three-time Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping champion Marcus Ehning from Germany in an 11-horse jump-off against the clock.

And, in a truly international line-up, Ireland’s Dermott Lennon slotted into third ahead of America’s Laura Kraut, while reigning European champion Rolf-Goran Bengtsson from Sweden finished fifth and Spain’s Manuel Anon filled sixth spot.  “It’s the biggest win of my career, and the perfect end to a roller-coaster year,” said Maher who was additionally pleased because he bred the winning horse himself.  “Some people breed hundreds of horses each year, and I breed just three, so I know I’m really lucky to not only ride, but to have bred one as good as this!” he pointed out.

The Grand Hall at Olympia is always a challenging venue, with the buzz of the crowd creating an electrified atmosphere and the relatively narrow confines of the arena placing extra pressure on horses and riders.  And Bob Ellis, the man who will design the courses for next summer’s London Olympic Games, tested them truly this afternoon, with a course that required their full attention.

Continue reading Maher Produces the X-Factor at Olympia →

Competitions, Dressage, Events, FEI, FEI, USEF

Leibler and Watson 108 Continue on to Freestyle at the FEI Young Rider World Cup Dressage Final in Germany

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Isabelle Leibler and Watson 108 National Young Rider Dressage Championships (SusanJStickle.com)

Lexington, KY – Isabelle Leibler and Watson 108 performed flawlessly Friday while representing the U.S. at the FEI Young Rider World Cup Dressage Final Grand Prix, and are moving forward to the B Final on Sunday in the Freestyle.

“We were mistake free and I finished the first day very proud of myself and of Watson for staying focused throughout the exciting distractions,” Leibler said. “The competition has been absolutely amazing so far. It is like nothing I have ever seen before: big, bright, and electric.”

Leibler (Greenwich, CT) and the 14-year-old Westphalian gelding were invited to represent the U.S. at the 2011 Finals after posting the highest average in the FEI Young Rider Freestyle Test at CDI-Ys during the qualifying period. This pair landed in Germany after a strong 2011 campaign that included winning a team Bronze medal and two Gold medals, individual and freestyle, at the Adequan/FEI North American Junior and Young Riders Championships presented by Gotham North. Additionally, they were crowned National Young Rider Dressage Champions at the 2011 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Championships.

Continue reading Leibler and Watson 108 Continue on to Freestyle at the FEI Young Rider World Cup Dressage Final in Germany →

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

Truppa Tops the Line-Up in Frankfurt

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Valentina Truppa pictured with Lisa Wells from Reem Acra after her victory, riding Eremo Del Castegn. Photo: FEI/Karl-Heinz Freiler.

Frankfurt (GER), 18 December 2011 – Valentina Truppa won the fifth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage 2011/2012 series in Frankfurt, Germany today with a great performance from Eremo Del Castegno.  The 25 year old rider from Monferrato in Northern Italy, a prolific winner already in her career, pinned Germany’s Monica Theodorescu and Dorothee Schneider into second and third places respectively, while Sweden’s Patrik Kittel finished fourth ahead of The Netherlands’ Hans Peter Minderhoud in fifth.

It was a disappointing day for German super-star Isabell Werth who threw down the gauntlet with victory in yesterday’s preliminary Grand Prix, but who had to settle for sixth place this time around in the Grand Prix Freestyle to Music.  While her flamboyant nine-year-old, Don Johnson, showed flashes of brilliance, the accumulation of mistakes during their lively test proved too expensive.

Today’s result has boosted Truppa to runner-up spot on the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Western European League 2011/2012 leaderboard which is now headed by Kittel, but it is very tight at the top.  Just three marks separate the three leading riders going into the next leg of the series at Mechelen in Belgium after Christmas.

Continue reading Truppa Tops the Line-Up in Frankfurt →

*Featured/Spotlights, Awards, Driving, Events, JRPR, USEF

Cast Your Vote for Chester Weber and Help Him Make History as the First Combined Driver to Win Equestrian of the Year!

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Combined Driver Chester Weber has been named a USEF Equestrian of Honor and is in the running for the 2011 Equestrian of the Year title. (Photo courtesy of My Elisabeth Weber)

Ocala, FL (December 17, 2011) – United States Combined Driver Chester Weber, the eight-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Champion, has been named a USEF Equestrian of Honor. One of eight equestrians in the country to receive the prestigious honor, voting is now underway to select one of the eight to become the 2011 USEF Equestrian of the Year – the most esteemed and sought after award in the country. The Equestrian of the Year is selected by the votes of the USEF general membership, the USEF Board of Directors and the Media. Weber’s fans are encouraged to go to the USEF website and cast their votes and name Weber the 2011 USEF Equestrian of the Year!  Although Chester has been nominated for the 2011 USEF Equestrian of the Year in the past, he would be the first combined driver to win the prestigious title.  The winner will be announced at the end of the 2011 competition year and is announced when the horse world meets at the United States Equestrian Federation’s annual Pegasus Awards Ceremony in January.

Weber’s stellar show record, along with his upstanding character and desire to support and give back to the equestrian community, helped him win the 2011 Equestrian of Honor title. Each of the eight USEF Equestrians of Honor were awarded a unique competitive trophy and Weber won the 2011 Becky Grand Hart Trophy, representing the best competitor of any horse or pony breed in international driving, endurance, reining, vaulting or Para-equestrian competitions.

Continue reading Cast Your Vote for Chester Weber and Help Him Make History as the First Combined Driver to Win Equestrian of the Year! →

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