Breeds, Contributors/Press, Wild Horse Sources

Speak Out for Mustangs and Burros in Arizona

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Join us in Phoenix to represent the last of America’s wild horses and burros

The clock is winding down for the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board meeting in Phoenix. On March 10 and 11 (Thursday and Friday), The Cloud Foundation will be in leading the charge, along with friends of wild horses and burros from across the country. We are calling for an immediate halt to all BLM roundups that are destroying the last of America’s wild herds at enormous taxpayer expense. We urge you to join us on those two days at the Phoenix Sheraton Downtown Hotel (340 N. 3rd St). Even if you cannot come to the meeting itself, we urge you to come show your support at one or all of the events below:

Join me, Academy Award-winning author of Dances with Wolves, Michael Blake; wild horse philanthropist, Madeleine Pickens; R. T. Fitch of Habitat for Horses Advisory Council; Simone Netherlands of Respect4Horses; Laura Leigh of Grassroots Horse and others who will be voicing our support for our wild horses and burros at a Thursday Press Conference, March 10, 11:30 am to 12:30 in the Sheraton’s South Mountain Room. The BLM meeting will start at 1 pm.

Continue reading Speak Out for Mustangs and Burros in Arizona →

Associations/Breeds, Breeds, Contributors/Press, Racing, Racing Sources

Negative Equine Piroplasmosis Test Now a Requirement

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The American Quarter Horse Journal — Beginning July 1, 2011, all horses entering the grounds for any AQHA world championship show – in Oklahoma City, Amarillo or Houston – will be required to present a certificate of a negative blood test for equine piroplasmosis. The tests must have been completed within the previous six months and will cost exhibitors $30-$40 per horse.

Equine piroplasmosis is a disease of horses, donkeys, mules and zebras that is caused by two parasitic organisms, Theileria equi and Babesia caballi. Although, equine piroplasmosis is primarily transmitted to horses by ticks, this bloodborne disease has been spread mechanically from animal to animal by contaminated needles.

Currently, racetracks in 11 states have testing requirements for Equine Piroplasmosis and that number will increase. With the potential of an infected racehorse retiring to the show pen, the show industry is vulnerable.

“As the industry leader, AQHA needs to be vigilant and establish testing requirements to ensure any case of equine piroplasmosis can’t be traced back to an AQHA event,” said Tom Persechino, AQHA executive director of competition and breed integrity. “We’re encouraging all exhibitors to contact their veterinarians to schedule these tests. If the tests are completed around the second week of July, that horse will be eligible to show at the youth, select and open/amateur world without requiring another test.”

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*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, Phelps Media Group

Top International Judge Featured at Tonight’s Dressage under the Stars

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Marsha Kulak and last week's judges at Dressage under the Stars. Photo Credit: Top Shelf Dressage

Wellington, FL – March 9, 2011 – Tonight marks the sixth week for the exciting Dressage under the Stars, held at the world famous Players Club in Wellington, Florida.  Festivities begin tonight 7:00pm, with delicious drinks and fine dining available both patio-side, upstairs on the porch and as always inside the Players Club.  The beautiful event will continue for two more weeks and is held each Wednesday at the luxurious venue. This week’s performances will feature top international judge Anne Gribbons and choreographer Ruth Hogan-Poulsen.

Last week’s Dressage under the Stars was great event featuring three Eventing riders performing musical freestyles. Eventing riders do not usually perform freestyles, but their incredible efforts did not disappoint.  Last week’s Dressage under the Stars, sponsored by PRO aligned with the Derby Cross event held Saturday night, March 5, during Nations Cup week.  Riders from last week included Marsha Kulak, Sara Kozumplik and Ronald Zabala-Goetschel. Olympian Karen O’Connor served as one of the judges for the evening, alongside Mason Phelps, Jr.

“Tonight was a great event for our event riders,” noted O’Connor.  “The evening was very interesting, exciting and enthusiastic.  They do a wonderful job presenting different disciplines to the public and the music is just so much fun.”

Continue reading Top International Judge Featured at Tonight’s Dressage under the Stars →

*Featured/Spotlights, Awards, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, JRPR, Products/Services

International Dressage Rider Betsy Steiner Wins Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award at Palm Beach Dressage Derby

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Betsy Steiner, who competed Joli Burrell’s Fino at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby, rode away as the winner of the Premier Sportsmanship Award during the show. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)

Wellington, FL (March 9, 2011) – Dressage rider and trainer Betsy Steiner, who represented the United States at the World Equestrian Games in Sweden, competed Joli Burrell’s Fino at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby at White Fences in Wellington and said the secret to each and every ride she takes is the simple fact the she loves her horses and competing. In addition to enjoying her ride, Steiner was awarded the Premier Sportsmanship Award, sponsored by Premier Equestrian, a leading supplier of dressage arenas, horse jumps, arena footing and stable accessories.

The Premier Sportsmanship Award is awarded to a rider who displays a high level of sportsmanship during a show and Steiner thanked Premier for the award. “The award really encourages riders and it makes you feel good about coming to the show and doing well,” she said.

Steiner added that she was really pleased with Fino’s performance at the show. “He was a great boy and I was really happy with him. It was the first time I’ve had him in the ring since June and he really came through for me,” she said, adding that she competed Fino in the FEI Test of Choice Prix St. Georges class.

When asked how she maintains a great level of sportsmanship, Steiner said she loves competing. “I love all of the horses I compete and Fino just happens to be one of the best,” Steiner said.

Continue reading International Dressage Rider Betsy Steiner Wins Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award at Palm Beach Dressage Derby →

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, Phelps Media Group, Polo

Challenge of the Americas This Saturday, March 12 at International Polo Club

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Challenge of the Americas. Photo Credit: Susan J. Stickle

Wellington, FL – March 9, 2011 – The Tenth Annual Challenge of the Americas competition and gala is set for this Saturday, March 12, 2011 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, FL. Beginning at 5:15 pm at the Nespresso Lodge, the 2011 Challenge of the Americas (COTA) will be presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC) and will benefit Play for P.I.N.K., a partner of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

This equestrian evening features musical team quadrilles performed by the “who’s who” of top riders in the United States, Canada, Latin America, and Europe. COTA will be an exciting evening to benefit an incredible cause. In addition to the team quadrille dressage challenge the evening’s events will feature a special polo match.

COTA Chairmen Mary Ross, along with Georgette Escobar and the Challenge Committee are proud to present an International Musical Grand Prix Dressage Quadrille Team Challenge and Polo Extravaganza. The Challenge Gala, an elegant evening of dinner and dancing, will get underway immediately following the “The Challenge of the Americas” competition. An awards presentation will be featured and guests will have the chance to meet and socialize with riders and judges.

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Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Publications/Media

NO SECRET SO CLOSE excerpt #9, by Claire Dorotik

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NO SECRET SO CLOSE is the story of a the most unthinkable betrayal humanly possible — at only 24 years old, Claire Dorotik’s father has been murdered, her mother arrested, and now, in a sinister twist of fate, Claire’s mother points the finger at Claire, accusing her of killing her own father. Battling the feelings of loss, abandonment, terror, and dissociation, and also learning about them, Claire struggles to stay in her master’s program for psychotherapy. However, when Claire’s brothers also betray her and side with her mother, Claire is left all alone to care for the 18 horses she and her mother owned. As the story unfolds, what is revealed is the horses’ amazing capacity for empathy in the face of human trauma, and the almost psychic ability to provide the author with what had been taken from her. Arising from these horrifying circumstances, the most unthinkable heroes — the horses — show Claire that life is still worth living.

Excerpt #9 from NO SECRET SO CLOSE:

Just then, the comforting sound of horses rustling in their stalls was broken by Alex’s voice. “Claire what are you doing up here?”

I didn’t bother to turn my head. “Feeding the horses.” I pulled the first pieces off of the bale and tossed them in the cart.

“Well, we need you to help make fliers.” He positioned himself between me and  the hay cart, more or less blocking me as I tried to work.

Continue reading NO SECRET SO CLOSE excerpt #9, by Claire Dorotik →

Contributors/Press, Publications/Media

What Horses Really Want, by Claire Dorotik M.A.

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Love, understanding, trust. These are the words we hear to describe what people look for in relationships, and while they may guide our actions with one another, do they apply to our relationships with horses?

The question we are really asking here, is: do horses crave the same things that people do? In essence, do the needs of horses align with those of people? While the answer to this question may be obvious, it is worth asking nonetheless. Clearly, horses’ needs are very different from those of people. Not bestowed with the comforts of an insulated world, the equine species lives at the center of what we consider our most primitive need — safety. While we have easily surpassed the hyper-vigilant state that is horses’ everyday experience, for them, life is still a minefield of scary objects. And yet we have even brought them into our world — away from the only safety they know — to face what, to us, is not scary, but to them, often overwhelming. To be sure, we ask them to walk down our streets, live in our building, and even wear the clothes we make for them.

So in hoisting them fully out of their familiarity, how often do we consider what they really want? The answer, unfortunately, is not much. Watching any person, new to horses, approach a horse for the first time is a lesson in just how frequently our understanding horses’ needs become enmeshed with our own. While the intentions are good, for sure, people give them what they would want. Applying affection first, people fail to consider that horses, who are driven by the unending need for safety, do not find safety in affection.

Continue reading What Horses Really Want, by Claire Dorotik M.A. →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Callan Solem Pilots Two Mounts to Top Twelve Placings in $50,000 Ring Power Grand Prix at HITS Ocala

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Callan Solem showed Magic Cruise to an eighth place finish in the $50,000 Ring Power Grand Prix at HITS Ocala. Photo By: Alyson Sanderford/PMG.

Wellington FL – March 8, 2011 – Aiming for the HITS Million Dollar event in Saugerties, NY, Callan Solem finished in the top twelve with her two mounts, during Sunday’s difficult $50,000 Ring Power Grand Prix at HITS Ocala, Week IV. Showing in her first ever Sunday Grand Prix, Magic Cruise had a great inaugural round, guided by Solem!

The rider also competed aboard her more experienced partner VDL Torlando. Placing in the top twelve was no easy task during the event, with only two horses advancing to the jump-off.

Callan and Magic Cruise finished in eighth place, after earning a fast four fault score, while VDL Torlando took home the ribbon for eleventh, after incurring four faults as well.

“Magic Cruise was so good,” commented Solem. “I love her! She is such a good girl! She really likes the ring in Ocala and she really enjoyed herself. I am excited for having taken that step forward with her and also really excited about the rest of the year!”

Solem added, “VDL Torlando is so fit and he is so ready to show. That horse loves showing more than any horse I have ever met. He feels like King Kong! It’s like he can jump anything.”

Continue reading Callan Solem Pilots Two Mounts to Top Twelve Placings in $50,000 Ring Power Grand Prix at HITS Ocala →

Disciplines, Events, Media/Radio/TV Sources, More/Other, Training/Clinics, Western/Reining

Trey Young Joins HRTV’s Equestrian Programming on Tuesday, March 8

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ARCADIA, CA — HRTV (R) has treated equestrian fans to some of the sport’s greatest trainers and clinicians over the past year, and it will introduce another talented trainer, Trey Young, in his first television series ever — “Trey Young, An American Horseman” — to its viewers, beginning on Tuesday, March 8. The first in a series of Young’s valuable lessons will debut at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT. Shows highlighting Young’s expertise will continue on successive Tuesdays throughout March. An accomplished, relatively new face on the training scene, Young will be welcomed to HRTV from the family’s 3-Y Ranch in Crawfordville, FL, exhibiting a “natural horsemanship” style that encourages and fosters success for both the rider and horse. In the premiere weekly installment, viewers are introduced to Young as he begins training a precocious 2-year-old for its first-ever trail ride. In a later show, Young urges, but patiently guides, a 2-year-old through water on its first trail ride. In the weeks ahead, Young takes horses through an obstacle course, consisting of sinkholes, tunnels, and cowboy curtains. In addition, future episodes will feature Trey prepping a young equine protégé on the art of “Cutting.” “Team Roping” will also comprise a show, as Young and longtime friend, J. D. Elliott, demonstrate legal catches and conclude by “scoring a few steers.”

About HRTV

HRTV is a 24-hour, television-based multimedia network dedicated to horseracing which features racing action from the world’s greatest racetracks. HRTV also features other forms of equestrian competition, as well as original programming and award-winning documentaries covering a variety of racing and general equestrian topics. The live stream of HRTV is available on a subscription basis to high-speed Internet users worldwide at www.hrtvlive.com. The HRTV television network is presently available via cable, telco video and satellite in approximately 19 million U.S. homes. This is a new series starting Tuesday, produced and directed by an Ocala company. Brenden Martin and Jason Fugazy’s 26-part series on HRTV starts Tuesday night and features a real, authentic cowboy whose unique style of training has caught the attention of a national following.

For more information, contact Jason Gazy, equineHBTV@gmail.com, or the following: Brenden Martin brendenmartin4@gmail.com, waterlightmultimedia.com; Jason Fugazy fugazyprostudios.com, fugazyproductions@gmail.com; BUDDY MARTIN, Martin Multi Media, buddyshow@aol.com.

Awards, Breeds, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Events, Racing Sources

2010 Don Burt Professional Horseman and Horsewoman of the Year

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The American Quarter Horse Journal — The Most Valuable Professional and the Don Burt Professional Horseman and Horsewoman of the Year awards were presented tonight during the 2011 AQHA Convention Awards Banquet. The awards were presented by AQHA Corporate Partner Professional’s Choice.

Wanda Lounder

The Most Valuable Professional or “MVP” of 2010 is Wanda Lounder. Wanda serves as the Maine Quarter Horse Association second vice president as well as the youth co-adviser. She leads with the goals of “bringing the youth in, not as competitors, but as an organization.” Under her leadership, local youth involvement has grown. In a traditionally individualistic sport, Wanda encourages teamwork, saying she wants “the youth not only to compete and grow as competitors, but to grow as a team, as well.”

When financial uncertainty jeopardized the local futurities, Wanda stepped up again. Her business, Double L Equestrian Center, sponsored several events, such as the hunter under saddle futurity and non-pro green horse trail futurity, and also small-fry classes. Wanda always makes sure the small-fries are recognized with ribbons and even high-point small-fry trophies.

Continue reading 2010 Don Burt Professional Horseman and Horsewoman of the Year →

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