New Rules and Criteria for USDF Freestyles! by Ruth Hogan Poulsen

Quick tips and facts about the new Freestyle requirements!

1.  There is a maximum time limit but NO minimum time.  Maximum time limit for all USDF freestyles is 5 minutes.  Your time begins when your horse moves off after the entry salute and ends at the final salute.

2.  One point will be deducted from the total artistic score for exceeding the time limit.

3. Movements done above your level will be penalized by a four point deduction from the technical score for each “clearly forbidden” movement done.

4.  The rider must enter the arena within 45 seconds of the signal from the judge and within 20 seconds of the start of the music or will be eliminated.

5.  Halt and salute are now judged at the beginning and end of a freestyle.  The halt with a salute must be facing “c”.

Continue reading New Rules and Criteria for USDF Freestyles! by Ruth Hogan Poulsen

Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Had Economic Impact of More Than $201 Million

Report: Visitors to event came from 63 countries, all 50 states

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 27, 2011) – The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games held in 2010 at the Kentucky Horse Park had an economic impact of $201.5 million, Governor Steve Beshear announced today.

“The World Equestrian Games were indeed a success and this report illustrates the positive result that our local and state governments, our sponsors, the many volunteers, the business community and the citizens of the Commonwealth working together can have,” Gov. Beshear said. “It also underscores the important role of the Kentucky Horse Park and the legacy the games will have for future years.”

Gov. Beshear, First Lady Jane Beshear, Alltech founder Dr. Pearse Lyons, Tourism, Arts and Heritage Secretary Marcheta Sparrow and Kentucky Horse Park Executive Director John Nicholson participated in the announcement today at the Kentucky Horse Park.

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GAO Study Wastes Time and Tax Dollars

Washington, D.C. (June 27, 2011) – After almost two years and tens of thousands of tax dollars, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released its report, HORSE WELFARE:  Action Needed to Address Unintended Consequences from Cessation of Domestic Slaughter with two conflicting conclusions: restore horse slaughter or ban horse slaughter.  Really?

The GAO was given the responsibility of assessing horse welfare from 2007 forward following the closure of the last three foreign-owned horse slaughter plants in the U.S.  However, and vital to understanding horse welfare, the GAO was not asked to consider the impact slaughter had on America’s horses while plants were operating in the U.S. or what it would be like for the horses if restored. In the end, one of two contradictory recommendations was to ban slaughter in the U.S. and the export of horses for the same purposes (what the Animal Welfare Institute has said for years).

In addition to this being the best alternative for the horses, this will also virtually eliminate any regulatory burden whatsoever to the USDA.  In this time of economic strife, it is ludicrous to expend taxpayer dollars to benefit a few foreign investors (whether the plants are located in the U.S. or abroad).  The only way to stop the abuse inflicted on American horses by the slaughter industry is for Congress to pass the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, banning horse slaughter domestically and prohibiting the export of horses to Mexico and Canada.

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Tip of the Week – You Can Lead a Horse to Water But…

Does your horse continually fall short of obtaining good health and optimum performance? Have you reached beyond all means to find answers, yet battle consistent immune, digestive problems and more?  Have you peered over the stall or gazed toward the horizon of the pasture at a horse wondering what else can I do?  These questions are even more difficult as the spirit of the horse ceases to give up.

The answer might be right there on the ranch or at the boarding facility.  The discovery may bring forth a simple solution or a costly one, but the impact can be huge.

Horse owners and feed companies spend copious amounts of time dissecting such a small portion of the horse’s diet.  Supplements, grain mixes, etc. compared to the amount of hay they should eat or larger yet, the volume of water they should drink per day may never be addressed.  At times these nutrients may never flow into the topic of conversation when discussing a horse’s health.

For your knowledge, a horse consumes 1.5% – 2% of their body weight in dry matter.  Dry matter would include hay, grain mixes, pellets and supplements.  When combined, these would total close to 20 pounds for a 1000 pound horse. Water requirements for this same horse exceeds by four times the amount of dry matter.  Optimum consumption of water would be close to 90 pounds. This number does not take into consideration the loss of water through sweat, breathing, digestive or elimination processes.  In fact, it has been researched that dehydration may be known as the new “silent killer.”

Continue reading Tip of the Week – You Can Lead a Horse to Water But…

Atlanta Summer Classic Highlights 2011

Thank you to all the exhibitors that made such a wonderful two weeks in Conyers this year.  We had two sold out shows, great weather and wonderful competition.

On Tuesday we offered two USHJA Clinics free of charge.

A Pony Model Clinic with Bibby Hill and a Water Clinic with Wilhelm Genn.  Thanks Bibby and Wilhelm for donation of their time, I know the exhibitors and trainers alike enjoyed the clinic.

Thursday after the show, Practical Horseman sponsored a “Just Ask the Judges” clinic with Betty Oare, Scott Fitton and Barry Lobel.  It was a great experience with good questions.  I am sure Classic Co will pair with Practical Horseman again for another “Just Ask” clinic.

Friday the show offered the Atlanta Cup Equitation Challenge.  The class was won by Taylor Adams. This class was open to Jr Hunters.

Friday also offered the USHJA National Hunter Classic; this week was won by Julie Curtin aboard Vince, owned by Greg Burrow.

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Atlanta Summer Classics Finale Packed with Big Awards

Samuel Parot and Costa Real Win Outback Steakhouse Gamblers Choice; Taylor Ann Adams Named Grand Puba Junior Champion; Wilhelm Genn and Happy Z Triumphant in $35,000 Outback Steakhouse Grand Prix

Wilhelm Genn & Happy Z. All photos © Flashpoint Photography

Conyers, GA — June 26, 2011 — The Atlanta Summer Classics wrapped up competition at the Georgia International Horse Park, awarding nearly $300,000 in prize money and raising thousands for local charities over the two week run. “We’ve had some of the best riders in our sport joining us; it’s been a remarkable series and I couldn’t be happier,” Bob Bell, President of Classic Company, said.

Starting off the finale week was a couple of highly anticipated clinics on Tuesday, beginning with a member of the $1 million dollar club, famed Grand Prix pro Wilhelm Genn, sharing his secrets of mastering water jumps. Sponsored by the United States Hunter Jumper Association, Genn used the covered arena to set a mini course of six jumps, two with water hazards and utilized approximately ten horses to demonstrate proper and improper approaches. Speaking over a wireless microphone to riders and trainers for nearly two hours, Genn answered questions and provided helpful tips to “boost a horse’s confidence” when confronting water obstacles. Following was a very informative Pony Model Clinic with one of the foremost experts in this area, Bibby Farmer from Ocala, FL. She carefully explained to the young exhibitors not only what judges look for, but how to get the best from their ponies. Covering all the essentials from the pony’s stance to where the exhibitors’ attentions need to be when a judge is walking about them. On Thursday evening it was the judges who found themselves in the proverbial hot seats for an open forum called Just Ask the Judges, sponsored by Practical Horseman magazine. Three of the most respected names in judging, Betty Oare, Scott Fitton, and Barry Lobel, fielded questions from exhibitors and provided insight on scoring in the Hunter/Jumper disciplines. The panel also shared several of what they referred to as Judges’ Pet Peeves, which included overly short releases, especially in the Equitation divisions. All the experts agreed a restrictive release interferes with the horse’s jumping style, but pointed out that that doesn’t imply they want to see the opposite extreme with the infamous overdone throwing of the arms release.  Another peeve they described was the exaggerated tour taken upon entering the ring, stating that if a rider needs to show their mount the ring and/or the fences then the rider appears unprepared. Questions were asked on a wide range of subjects and guests left the forum armed with a lot of valuable information. “The clinics were a giant success and we [Classic Company] will be introducing more of these throughout out show schedule,” Bell commented.

Continue reading Atlanta Summer Classics Finale Packed with Big Awards

Holmes and Gideon Win $25,000 Grand Prix at Plymouth Rock Hunter Jumper Classic

Gideon and John Holmes won the $25,000 Grand Prix at the Plymouth Rock Hunter Jumper Classic. Photo © Tony DeCosta

Halifax, MA – June 25, 2011 – The Plymouth Rock Hunter Jumper Classic concluded its main competition today and hosted the $25,000 Grand Prix in the lush grass of the Grand Prix Field hosted by Fieldstone Equestrian and Show Facility in Halifax, Massachusetts.

Michael Nielson of Diamond Bar, CA, was the course designer of the Grand Prix which saw four horse and rider combinations jump the first round clear to advance to a thrilling jump-off. Only two of the four in the jump-off were able to go double clear, and Gideon and Holmes had the fastest time of 38.528 seconds to earn them the win in Gideon’s second career grand prix.

Holmes imported Gideon, a 10-year-old KWPN gelding by Hamlet, as a 6-year-old stallion. After not having much success, it was decided he would excel better as a gelding, which has proven true as Gideon primarily shows in the High Amateurs and does quite well. However, when the opportunity arises, Holmes “tries to put him in some of the smaller 1.40m or 1.45m grand prixs like the one today at Fieldstone.”

Showing first over the shortened course on his other mount Zilano M, Holmes had the advantage of previewing the course when he returned with Gideon three horses later. Holmes said his plan for the jump-off was “made a little easier having the luxury of riding another of my horses earlier in the jump-off. So I got to see the turns and I knew there was a flat out open run from the first to the second fences of the jump-off and I went for it with Gideon. With Gideon, I had the opportunity to slice back to the third jump because he is a more experienced horse. After that I just kept running and the jumps just kept coming up right on target even when I was leaving strides out.”

Continue reading Holmes and Gideon Win $25,000 Grand Prix at Plymouth Rock Hunter Jumper Classic

Huckleberry Finn and Sarah Tyndall Capture Victory in $10,000 3’3″ Hunter Derby at Plymouth Rock Hunter Jumper Classic

Sarah Tyndall and Huckleberry Finn won the $10,000 3'3” Hunter Derby at the Plymouth Rock Hunter Jumper Classic. Photos copyright Tony DeCosta

Halifax, MA – June 24, 2011 – The Plymouth Rock Hunter Jumper Classic held their $10,000 3’3″ Hunter Derby today and it was Sarah Tyndall and Huckleberry Finn, owned by Susan Huyett of Concord, MA, who excelled through two rounds for the win. The Plymouth Rock Hunter Jumper Classic runs through Saturday, June 25, 2011, and is hosted by Fieldstone Equestrian in Halifax, Massachusetts.

The “AA” rated show features exciting competitions for hunters and jumpers including tomorrow’s highlight class, the $25,000 Grand Prix.

In the first round of the $10,000 3’3″ Hunter Derby, Tyndall and Huckleberry Finn went third and received scores of 83 and 84 from the two sets of judges, plus coordinating bonus points of three and three for a total of 173. After the rest of the entries finished, they stood on top of the standings with a four point margin.

Tyndall described her round, “My first round was pretty good. I thought I was a little deep to one oxer and we had a quite a rub. On the way to the coop, there was some standing water and he actually leapt over it. I kept cantering to the next jump and luckily it worked out. It was a bonus jump!”

Coming into the second round, Tyndall admitted that she was nervous, with all of her students from Stoneymeade Farm (Acton, MA) watching and cheering her on. Tyndall said, “All of my kids were here watching me and putting the pressure on! I just wanted to go in there and have fun, and we did.”

Continue reading Huckleberry Finn and Sarah Tyndall Capture Victory in $10,000 3’3″ Hunter Derby at Plymouth Rock Hunter Jumper Classic

Wyoming, Its Wild Horses, and the BLM

One band was urged on by their stallion

A Note from Lauryn

Dear Wild Horse and Burro Supporters;
Rock Springs, Wyoming, is not exactly what I would call ‘close’ to Colorado Springs. Nevertheless, our new intern, Erin Clifford from Michigan, and I hopped in the car and started up I-25 northbound, picking up our fellow wild horse advocate friend, Rachel Reeves, along the way.

When we finally pulled up the drive to the BLM office the first thing I noticed was my tax dollars at work: a shiny new building complete with landscaping and the works.

Our little group of advocates joined together outside the building, which included our carload, a few other superb advocates from Northern Colorado, and two delightful women who came all the way from California! We totaled ten people, but our signs and presence were enough to frustrate the folks inside.

During the meeting itself we were surrounded by a lot of ranchers, most of who belonged to the Rock Springs Grazing Association – the largest grazing association in the country. Each of them gave a sentence or two on the plusses of helicopter roundups and how necessary they were, same ole, same ole. We had some great points brought up by each of the wild horse advocates who spoke. Trying to explain the issues we have with helicopter use during roundups in only three minutes is no small feat!

Continue reading Wyoming, Its Wild Horses, and the BLM

Women’s Horse Industry Opens U.K. Branch

The Women’s Horse Industry Network is pleased to announce that memberships are now open to women working in the equine industry in the United Kingdom.

The Women’s Horse Industry Network is a membership based business networking group with over 750 members worldwide.  Members are located in the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom and New Zealand and offer every equine product or service available. “If you can’t find what you want in our membership, more than likely, it doesn’t exist,” states Debby Lening, VP of WHIN Global.

“We have had a lot of requests to open a chapter in the United Kingdom and we feel that now is the time to do it. We have some members already and they want to start meeting one another and having more opportunities to do business with one another. We are hoping that by opening this branch, it will make doing these things a lot easier,” states WHIN’s Global Director, Catherine Masters.

Michelle Girling of Tuffa International Footwear is the acting branch director. She can be reached at michelleg@tuffaboots.com.

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