*Featured/Spotlights, Art/Photography, Breeds, Events, Training/Clinics

Lusitanos on Focus – Equine Photography Workshop in Portugal

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Internationally acclaimed equestrian photographer Paula da Silva teaches international equine photography workshop in Portugal, in May 2011

The internationally acclaimed equestrian photographer Paula da Silva is going to teach an international equine photography workshop from 30th April to 4th May 2011, in Portugal.

This year’s theme will be the Lusitano horse and Portuguese equestrian traditions. The participants of the workshop will get to visit some of the most charismatic places related to the Lusitano horse, where they will be able to photograph several aspects of Lusitano horse breeding, High School work, etc.

Registrations close in the end of January. For more information, please visit the website www.lusitanosonfocus.com and the Facebook page “Lusitanos on Focus” (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lusitanos-on-Focus/100736449986516).

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation

Asta Torokvei Takes Top Honors in the Beval Palm Beach Adult Medal

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Asta Torokvei and Riverdale are the winners of the Beval Palm Beach Adult Medal during the second week of the 2011 FTI WEF. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 23, 2011 – Week Two of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, which runs from January 12 through April 3, came to a successful close today. While many hunter and jumper divisions finished the week, so did numerous equitation classes. The Beval Palm Beach Adult Medal was among those equitation classes awarding riders today.

Canadian rider Asta Torokvei, aboard Nancy Torokvei’s entry, Riverdale, was the winner of the Beval Palm Beach Adult Medal on Sunday during the second week of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. The pair topped a field of ten adult amateur riders for the equitation win.

Torokvei, who has been showing Riverdale for her mother, hopes to give Riverdale more experience in the ring before her mother begins showing him. “I’ve been showing him just one day a week in the equitation so that he can get in the ring and see the jumps,” said Torokvei.

Continue reading Asta Torokvei Takes Top Honors in the Beval Palm Beach Adult Medal →

Community/Charity, Contributors/Press

Take the Reins with Rate My Horse PRO Trial Membership

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Virginia Beach, Virginia (January 24, 2011) – It’s time to take the reins and rate your horse professionals. Rate My Horse PRO is offering a 24-Hour No Risk Trial Membership. This limited time offer is to celebrate the site’s upcoming Grand Launch when ratings go live.

Beginning Monday, January 24, 2011 guests can register for full site access to add and rate their PROs. If new members are not happy with what their $5 identity verification fee provides, they have the opportunity to cancel within 24 hours of registering and receive a full refund. Rate My Horse PRO Media Relations Coordinator Debbie Hanson says, “We have had many requests for a trial period. We’re proud to be able to extend this limited time offer without compromising the validity of the ratings or the security of our members.”

The $5 fee members pay is for identity verification. Rate My Horse PRO is the first company to introduce this feature to the online ratings world. The process ensures the validity of the ratings by prohibiting users from being able to manipulate the ratings. It is also one of several security features in place to protect the site’s professional members who are being rated.

Continue reading Take the Reins with Rate My Horse PRO Trial Membership →

*Featured/Spotlights, Breeds, Contributors/Press, Racing

Jade Hunter, Sire of Azeri, Euthanized

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Jade Hunter at Old Friends. Photo by Rick Capone

GEORGETOWN, KY – JANUARY 24, 2011 – Jade Hunter, multiple GR1 winner and sire of Horse of the Year Azeri, was humanely euthanized Sunday afternoon (January 23) at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute due to complications from colic.

The 27-year-old stallion had been pensioned at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Georgetown, KY, since 2009.

“Jade Hunter was a very proud and confident stallion with an intelligence that matched his beauty,” said Old Friends president and founder Michael Blowen. “It’s very hard on all his caretakers to lose him and Polish Navy [who died Jan. 6] so close together.”

Bred in Kentucky, Jade Hunter (Mr. Prospector-Jadana (IRE), by Pharly) was bought for $700,000 by Sheikh Mohammed’s Darley Stud at the 1985 Keeneland yearling sale and raced in both Europe and North America.

Continue reading Jade Hunter, Sire of Azeri, Euthanized →

*Featured/Spotlights, Contributors/Press, Diana de Rosa

Tip of the Week – Get Joints

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If the joints don’t move well, the body doesn’t move well.  The ability to flex, extend and rotate the joints in the horse’s legs and spine sets the parameters for that athlete’s ability.

Many things contribute to joint problems such as nutritional imbalances, GI problems, trauma (acute or chronic), genetic pre-disposition, conformation, poor shoeing/trimming, metabolic disorders, normal “wear and tear,” and infections (systemic or in the joint).

A simple sprained fetlock as a yearling that isn’t treated appropriately can start the cartilage deterioration that will progress into arthritis and cause lameness a few years later.

Aggressive effective treatment of all joint injuries and continual preventative care are key to long term joint health, especially in the equine athlete.

Continue reading Tip of the Week – Get Joints →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Show Jumping

Ben Maher and Oscar Triumph in $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival

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Ben Maher (GBR) and Oscar won the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic during week two at the 2011 FTI WEF. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 23, 2011 – The second week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), sponsored by Equine Couture/Tuff Rider, concluded on Sunday with the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic. In a fantastic display of speed and power, Great Britain’s Ben Maher and Oscar, owned by Lindsay Cook, were able to top the field for an exciting victory. The class was held in the International Arena of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), which will host 12 consecutive weeks of competition for the 2011 FTI WEF running through April 3, 2011.

Showing over a course set by Luc Musette of Belgium, 13 of the original 31 entries were able to jump clear in the first round to advance to the jump-off. Six of those horse and rider combinations finished double clear, and it was the fastest jump-off round of Ben Maher and Oscar in 38.723 seconds that earned the victory.

Continue reading Ben Maher and Oscar Triumph in $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival →

Breeds, Contributors/Press, Phelps Media Group, Racing

NEW Thoroughbred Retirement Program Opens in South Florida

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Wellington, FL – The Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (FHBPA), with the support of Gulfstream Park, Calder Race Course, and the South Florida jockey colony, recognizing the need for a South Florida based Thoroughbred retirement program, has formed TRAC, a retirement, retraining and placement group dedicated to horses that end their racing careers at one of the two race tracks.

TRAC (Thoroughbred Retirement and Adoptive Care) also has strong support from professional jockeys who race in Florida and throughout the United States, industry professionals, businesses and horse lovers. Horses entering the TRAC program receive hands-on care, professional retraining and the chance for a second career. The program strives to find suitable adopters and homes for every horse. Many retired Thoroughbreds move on to second careers in the show world as hunters, jumpers, eventers or dressage horses. Some achieve success on the polo field, on trails, in therapeutic riding programs or simply as loving companions.

“Our efforts depend on a strong alliance between race tracks, industry officials, horsemen, owners, trainers, jockeys and fans,” said Phil Combest, TRAC Advisory Committee member, race horse owner and FHBPA official. “The racing industry is demonstrating its support through purse contributions and annual donations. But we need everyone’s to make sure all our retired horses receive basic care, retraining, and veterinary care,” continued Combest.

Continue reading NEW Thoroughbred Retirement Program Opens in South Florida →

*Featured/Spotlights, Art/Photography, Classic Company, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Kelley Farmer and Rosalynn Win $20,000 USHJA Hunter Derby

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Kelley Farmer & Rosalynn ©Flashpoint Photography

Wilhelm Genn and Happy Z Take $25,000 National Grand Prix

Green Cove Springs, FL – January 23, 2010 — Kelley Farmer, who hails from Keswick, VA, partnered with Rosalynn to capture the top spot of North Florida’s Inaugural $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby sponsored by Jerry Parks Insurance, Great American Insurance Group and The Bruning Foundation, held Saturday under the lights of the covered arena at the Clay County Agricultural Center in Green Cove Springs, FL.

The evening was kicked off in the “Marques at Green Cove Springs”, the stylish and inviting VIP tent adjacent to the arena, with a delicious dinner provided by Carrabba’s Italian Grill and a very special Live Auction to benefit HOPE Therapeutic Riding Center. “While we raised a lot of money for HOPE, the generous bidders were big winners too. They got some outstanding deals on an array of items- like the Sea World Aquatic package and the Golf World getaway,” Tony Weight, President of North Florida Hunter Jumper Association, said.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13035

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Jennifer Wood, Show Jumping

Nick Skelton and Big Star Light Up Saturday Night with Victory in $40,000 Equine Couture/Tuff Rider Grand Prix, CSI 2*

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Nick Skelton and Big Star won the $40,000 Equine Couture/Tuff Rider Grand Prix, CSI 2* during the second week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 22, 2011 – Nick Skelton (GBR) notched his third major victory of the circuit tonight with Big Star, owned by Beverly and Gary Widdowson, in the $40,000 Equine Couture/Tuff Rider Grand Prix, CSI2*. Tonight’s class was the first of 11 events in the “Saturday Night Lights” series at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). A crowd of 3,800 spectators were there to enjoy world-class show jumping and all that the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center has to offer.

The second week of the FTI WEF concludes with tomorrow’s competition. The 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition through April 3, 2011, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.

This week’s course designer in the International Arena is Luc Musette of Belgium. There were 37 entries in tonight’s grand prix, but only three were able to go clear in the first round to advance to the jump-off.

Skelton noted, “It wasn’t overly big, but it was quite tricky. He did a very good job; he is a very good course builder.”

Continue reading Nick Skelton and Big Star Light Up Saturday Night with Victory in $40,000 Equine Couture/Tuff Rider Grand Prix, CSI 2* →

Breeds, Contributors/Press, Wild Horse Sources

Madeleine Pickens Responds to BLM’s 1/21/11 Announcement Regarding Saving America’s Mustangs Eco-Sanctuary Plan

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On behalf of America’s wild horses, American taxpayers, and my Saving America’s Mustang Foundation, I would like to express my deep disappointment in the BLM’s late Friday (January 21st) evening press release announcing its rejection of my proposal to create an eco-sanctuary for wild horses in Nevada.

Not even one month ago, on January 4, 2011 in Las Vegas, BLM director Bob Abbey stated publicly that my idea “has merit and deserves serious consideration.” Today, he has rejected the project, notifying the media, but providing my foundation with no explanation, despite our three years of hard work on the plan.

My eco-sanctuary proposal offers a cost-effective solution to the problem of the BLM’s roundup and warehousing of as many as 40,000 wild horses in off-the-range holding facilities. It is exactly the kind of public/private partnership solution that Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has stated is essential to reform of the wild horse and burro program.

So imagine my astonishment when I read in the news release that my plan didn’t save money.  During our three years of work, BLM officials at every level acknowledged in meetings with me that the eco-sanctuary plan saves the taxpayers money.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13031

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