All posts by Associate Editor

Newman’s Own Foundation Awards $25,000 Grant to The EQUUS Foundation

WESTPORT, CT – May 10, 2010 – The EQUUS Foundation received a $25,000 grant from Newman’s Own Foundation to support its mission to educate the public about horses; provide financial support through the award of grants; offer insight on management and financial practices of the charities through a thorough review of their operations; and provide a network of interested individuals for volunteer recruitment.

“We are so grateful to Newman’s Own Foundation for their generosity, especially now in these difficult times for charities,” said Jenny Belknap, EQUUS Board Chairman. “This grant will help us build a more sustainable environment for horses and for the people whose lives they are benefiting, and enhance the ability of charities across America focused on equestrian and horse-related issues to accomplish their missions. What a majority of the general public is not aware of is in providing horses with homes and useful lives, people benefit, especially children.”

Continue reading Newman’s Own Foundation Awards $25,000 Grant to The EQUUS Foundation

Adequan U.S. Reining Team to Be Selected at Battle in the Saddle

Top American reining riders will compete to represent host nation in September

Oklahoma City, May 10, 2010 – The U.S. Equestrian Federation National Open Reining Championship and official United States Equestrian Team Selection Trial for the Adequan U.S. Reining Team will take place July 10 at Battle in the Saddle at Sate Fair Park in Oklahoma City.

The Battle in the Saddle special reining event will decide who qualifies to represent the United States in competition at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, which is being held outside of Europe for the first time. AQHA is the official reining breed sponsor of the World Equestrian Games.

“AQHA is very proud to have Battle in the Saddle be such an important part of the World Equestrian Games and host the reining team selection trials for the United States,” said Don Treadway Jr., AQHA executive vice president. “This will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for horse enthusiasts and Oklahoma City residents to see the horses and riders selected for the 2010 Games. Oklahoma City is in the heart of the U.S., and we invite everyone to come out, cheer on Team U.S.A., and show their pride in red, white and blue.”

Continue reading Adequan U.S. Reining Team to Be Selected at Battle in the Saddle

Six-Time Olympian Robert Dover Charms Standing Room Only Crowd at Sho Clothes Shop Talk

Six-time Olympic Dressage rider Robert Dover spoke at a recent “Shop Talk” at Sho Clothes dressage boutique in Wellington. Dover is the new coach for the Canadian Dressage Team.

Wellington, FL (May 10, 2010) – It was standing room only at Sho Clothes dressage boutique’s recent “Shop Talk,” thanks to an energetic crowd eager to hear six-time Olympic Dressage rider Robert Dover speak. Dover, the new coach for the Canadian Dressage team, has earned more honors than any other US Dressage rider, competing in six consecutive Olympics as well as representing the United States in four World Championships and seven World Cups.

Dover, who served as the Captain for the US Equestrian Team during all six of his Olympic experiences, charmed the audience during “Shop Talk.” The monthly get together for equestrians is presented by Sho Clothes at their Wellington boutique in association with the Gold Coast Dressage Association.

“This was our final ‘Shop Talk’ until the fall and having Robert speak was a great way to end our season. In addition to being one of the best dressage riders of our generation, Robert is a wonderful speaker and it was a treat for everyone,” said Betsy Rebar Sell, who co-owns Sho Clothes with Michele Hundt.

Continue reading Six-Time Olympian Robert Dover Charms Standing Room Only Crowd at Sho Clothes Shop Talk

AQHA and Working Ranch Cowboys Association Create Ranch Rodeo Awards

America’s Horse, May 6, 2010 – The American Quarter Horse Association has teamed with the Working Ranch Cowboys Association to recognize top horses at WRCA rodeos across the nation.

To honor the contributions ranch horses have made to the heritage of the American Quarter Horse, AQHA is proud to sponsor a special recognition award to the top horse at every WRCA sanctioned rodeo. The special achievement by these top horses will be placed on the horse’s permanent AQHA record.

Since the earliest days of chuck wagons and roundups, the working ranch horse has earned a spot in the history of the American West. No other animal has contributed more to that history than the American Quarter Horse.

Continue reading AQHA and Working Ranch Cowboys Association Create Ranch Rodeo Awards

Tennessee Horse Slaughter Bill Criticized by Willie Nelson Fails in House Panel

May 4, 2010 – NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A horse slaughter bill that was criticized by Willie Nelson has failed this session of the Tennessee General Assembly.

The measure sponsored by Republican Rep. Frank Niceley of Strawberry Plains was unanimously sent to a summer study committee by the House Finance Committee on Tuesday. The companion bill has been withdrawn from consideration in the Senate.

Niceley’s proposal stated that the slaughtering of horses is “best addressed by proper state regulations and inspection and not by banning the humane slaughter of surplus domestic horses at the federal level.”

Continue reading Tennessee Horse Slaughter Bill Criticized by Willie Nelson Fails in House Panel

Edwina Alexander – Rolex Diary

Edwina Alexander is writing a diary for horsesinthesouth.com as she prepares for the 2010 Global Champions Tour (GCT) and the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG). Here is Edwina’s second entry.

The last month

The last month has been a real rollercoaster with quite a few shows and then the Rolex FEI World Cup Final. Overall, I’m feeling pretty good in myself and I’m trying to get as much rest as possible, but not doing too much isn’t the easiest thing in the world at the moment! I was up at 4am last Wednesday morning to go to Copenhagen for a photo shoot and got back home at about 1am the following morning. I was then up very early to jump five horses ahead of the four-day show in Mannheim, so I haven’t had as much rest as I would have hoped for!

Continue reading Edwina Alexander – Rolex Diary

2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Receives Entries from 60 Countries

May 7, 2010 – LEXINGTON, KY – The World Games 2010 Foundation is pleased to announce that 60 National Federations have submitted entries in principle for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. They are:

Argentina                                France                                     Norway
Australia                                 Germany                                 Paraguay
Austria                                                Great Britain                          Poland
Belgium                                   Greece                                    Portugal
Bermuda                                 Guatemala                              Qatar
Brazil                                       Hungary                                  Russia
Bahrain                                   India                                        Saudi Arabia
Continue reading 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Receives Entries from 60 Countries

HSBC FEI World Cup Eventing Goes Worldwide

6 May 2010 – HSBC FEI World Cup Eventing takes place at opposite ends of the globe this weekend (7-9 May), with the third and fourth events in the 2010 series taking place at Sydney (AUS) and Marbach (GER).

A new reciprocal arrangement between the organisers of last month’s Kihikihi CIC***-W (NZL) and Sydney has meant that Australian and New Zealand riders have received funding to travel across the Tasman Sea to compete in these events.

As a result, two New Zealanders, Clarke Johnstone, currently lying equal fifth in the HSBC FEI World Cup Eventing standings, and Jenna Mahoney, ninth, will be contesting Sydney. Blair Richardson, the third Kiwi entered, already lives in Australia.

Continue reading HSBC FEI World Cup Eventing Goes Worldwide

The United States Para-Equestrian Association Joins Phelps Media Group, Inc.

Logo of the United States Para-Equestrian Association. Photo © 2010 Logo created by Deb Phillips at MagnumCreative.com.

Thousand Oaks, California – May 4, 2010 – Phelps Media Group, Inc. International (PMG), a leading public relations firm specializing in the equestrian industry, is pleased to announce that the United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA) has joined the expanding list of clients. The USPEA includes every equestrian discipline that is practiced by athletes with physical disabilities specifically dressage.  Each rider or driver competes under the eighth discipline, the Para-Equestrian discipline, of the United States Equestrian Federation.  This year at the 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games the Para-Equestrian discipline will make history.  The USEF High Performance Para-Equestrian Dressage team will compete as an FEI sport for the first time at the 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games held in Lexington, KY.

The USPEA provides programs, clinics, and competition opportunities for athletes with physical disabilities.  Riders compete under the USEF rules during their competitions and many of the athletes compete at the highest level of their sport.

Continue reading The United States Para-Equestrian Association Joins Phelps Media Group, Inc.

Canadian Four-In-Hand Driver Deb Laderoute Wins Arenus’s EQUILITE Performance & Conditioning Award at Live Oak Competition

Deb Laderoute, a Four-In-Hand Combined Driver from Canada, won Arenus’s EQUILITE Performance & Conditioning Award at the 2010 Live Oak International Competition. (Photo courtesy of PicsofYou.com)

Ocala, FL (May 4, 2010)  – Four-In-Hand Combined Driver Deb Laderoute, who will represent Canada in the 2010 World Equestrian Games, drove away with Arenus’s EQUILITE Performance & Conditioning Award during the recent Live Oak International Competition in Ocala, Florida. Laderoute and her team were awarded EQUILITE brand products from award sponsor Arenus, makers of animal health products and supplement blends including STEADFAST joint health, ASSURE digestive aid and SORE NO-MORE liniment.

“All of the teams competing at Live Oak were amazing, but our team of judges picked Deb because they thought her team was exceptional,” said Arenus representative Stacey Small, creator of the EQUILITE line of products.  “It was a very exciting competition, and awarding Deb with a tote bag filled with our award-winning natural animal health and herbal blend products was just the icing on the cake.”

Continue reading Canadian Four-In-Hand Driver Deb Laderoute Wins Arenus’s EQUILITE Performance & Conditioning Award at Live Oak Competition