All posts by Associate Editor

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Training/Clinics

ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship Win Goes to Michael Murphy at Tournament of Champions

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ASPCA Maclay winner Michael Murphy on Winnetou (Owner Elizabeth Patz) Tournament of Champions at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center. Photo © 2010 Lindsay Y McCall/PMG.
ASPCA Maclay winner Michael Murphy on Winnetou (Owner Elizabeth Patz) Tournament of Champions at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center. Photo © 2010 Lindsay Y McCall/PMG.

Tampa, FL – April 8, 2010 – Riders brought forth their finest efforts in the equitation classes at the Tampa Equestrian Festival’s Tournament of Champions held at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center at the Florida State Fairgrounds. Earning the top accolade in the ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship class was Michael Murphy aboard Winnetou. Testing Robert McCune’s equitation course to first place in the Pessoa USEF Hunt Seat Medal was Shawn Casady riding Eastwood.

These outstanding riders exchanged placings in the equitation classes when Murphy won the ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship, while Casady rode into second place. Then, Casady earned the blue ribbon in the Pessoa USEF Hunt Seat Medal class and Murphy took home the second place prize.

Murphy has been riding Winnetou for approximately two weeks, since his prior equitation horse had sold. Elizabeth Patz, who also shows at Murphy family’s facility, owns Winnetou. “I am still figuring this horse out a little bit,” remarked Murphy. “He sometimes gets a little bunched up and compressed so I try to allow him to be soft. He is definitely learning to open up and not stay so tight.”

Continue reading ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship Win Goes to Michael Murphy at Tournament of Champions →

Contributors/Press, Rescue/Protection Sources

Leading Horse Slaughter Proponent Calls Undercover Video a Fabrication

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April 9, 2010 – CHICAGO (EWA) – The Canadian Horse Defence Coalition (CHDC) recently released hidden camera footage from an investigation that took place at the two largest horse slaughter plants in Canada, Bouvry Exports and Viande Richelieu.

So horrific are the conditions depicted at both plants that they have prompted Bill desBarres, Chairman of the Horse Welfare Alliance of Canada (HWAC) and a long time proponent of horse slaughter, to declare he believes the footage was fabricated by groups opposed to “any animal agriculture”.

Bill desBarres and his organization have repeatedly praised the CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) and its inspectors for their diligence in assuring that horses are treated humanely at the slaughter plants and his organization lists the CFIA as a “resource partner” on their web site. The Horse Welfare Alliance appears to be nothing more than a front for the horse slaughter industry.

Continue reading Leading Horse Slaughter Proponent Calls Undercover Video a Fabrication →

*Featured/Spotlights, Contributors/Press, Publications/Media

Eclipsed by Shadow | The Legend of the Great Horse ~ Book I of III, by John Royce

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The following excerpt is supplied for publication with permission by the publisher, Micron Press, and the author, John Royce, to HorsesintheSouth.com and AHorseBlog.com

Riding a horse is not a gentle hobby,

to be picked up and laid down like a game of solitaire.

It is a grand passion.

– Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

Mrs. Bridgestone pointed to a portrait of a magnificent horse, head bowed, carrying a haughty rider in white. “That painting shows the stallion Bucephalus, one of the eminent Great Horses of history. When he was first presented to King Philip of Macedonia, no rider could mount him. The king’s own son was a boy about your age, and he called out—”

“I’m almost thirteen,” Meagan interrupted.

“Really, dear? Splendid.” Mrs. Bridgestone smiled at Jennifer. “They grow so quickly, don’t they? It seems my grandniece went from diapers to driving in the space of an afternoon. Well, to continue, when the King’s son saw the wonderful stallion being led away to be banished, he cried out, ‘What an excellent horse they have lost for lack of skill!’ Naturally the king was annoyed with his son’s manners. To teach a lesson the King had the horse brought back for his son to try what the others had failed.

Continue reading Eclipsed by Shadow | The Legend of the Great Horse ~ Book I of III, by John Royce →

*Featured/Spotlights, Breeds, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Wild Horse Sources

New Foal! The First Freedom Fund Foal Has Arrived, by Ginger Kathrens

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Photos by Baerbel Stuetzle
Photos by Baerbel Stuetzle

Dear Fans of Cloud and Our Wild Horses,

Makendra and I had just landed in Columbus this morning to begin the Equine Affaire weekend when I got the message that I was “a grandmother!” Not of a two-legged, but of a newborn bay four-legged.

Baerbel Stuetzle, manager of the ranch at the base of Pryors where our Freedom Fund horses live, had left me this message: “The bay mare in Bo’s band (Chalupa) foaled this morning to a very strong baby — very healthy.” Baerbel couldn’t tell if it is a boy or girl yet, but the foal was about three hours old when she snapped these pictures. What’s your best guess?  Is it a boy or a girl?

The little one was born in the snow, but born with his or her family thanks to so many of you who donated to save them and keep the bands together.  Bet this little one doesn’t know he or she has thousands of grandparents all around the country!

Once we know the sex, we will let you know and we think it would be fun if you kids out there (anyone 16 or younger) submit a name for the baby and we will choose the winning entry. Sound like fun?

Best to you all.  Spring really has arrived!

Happy Trails!

Ginger

The Cloud Foundation

107 South 7th St

Colorado Springs, CO 80905

719-633-3842

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Art/Photography, Contributors/Press, Driving, JRPR

Equestrian Artist Moe Hahn Paints Chester Weber’s Four-In-Hand Horses during Live Oak Competition

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Equestrian artist Moe Hahn works on a painting of the combined driving horses that are part of Chester Weber’s famous and award-winning four-in-hand team.
Equestrian artist Moe Hahn works on a painting of the combined driving horses that are part of Chester Weber’s famous and award-winning four-in-hand team.

Ocala, FL (April 6, 2010) – Equestrian artist Moe Hahn has captured in action the beautiful bay horses that make up eight-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving Champion Chester Weber’s team. Hahn, who lives in Ocala, is a well-known artist who displays her work at the Ocala Breeders’ Feed & Supply Stores in Ocala, Florida.

“I am painting Team Weber from a photo that I took last year during the Live Oak competition. I love the ambience of Live Oak and this year was great because Chester stopped by my booth and signed the painting,” Hahn said. “I started the painting about one month ago and have a few more months before it will be finished.”

Hahn has completed a sister piece to the one she is working on now, also taken from a photo she took at Live Oak. “I have been a vendor at Live Oak for the last five years. It’s the only one I do all year,” Hahn said. “Both paintings were taken from photos I took at the Hilton’s Haven obstacle at Live Oak.”

Continue reading Equestrian Artist Moe Hahn Paints Chester Weber’s Four-In-Hand Horses during Live Oak Competition →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Disciplines, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Show Jumping, World Equestrian Games

Top Riders from around the World Set to Compete at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event

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Oliver Townend Could Make History by Winning the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY — Once again, the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, this year Presented by Bridgestone, will host a truly international event at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, April 22-25. The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, part of the HSBC FEI Classics Series, attracts many of the world’s best horses and riders as they vie for their share of $250,000 in prize money.

Enhancing this year’s schedule will be the official Kentucky Cup Dressage and Jumping Test Events for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG). The Games will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park, September 25-October 10, marking the first time that equestrian sport’s biggest event is being held outside Europe.

Continue reading Top Riders from around the World Set to Compete at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event →

Contributors/Press, Phelps Media Group

Animal Awareness Feature Articles: Eight Signs of Illness

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Animal Awareness is currently featuring the articles Eight Signs of Dog Illness and Eight Signs of Horse Illness, written by Jean-Pierre Hourdebaigt.
Animal Awareness is currently featuring the articles Eight Signs of Dog Illness and Eight Signs of Horse Illness, written by Jean-Pierre Hourdebaigt.

Wellington, FL – April 7, 2010 – Animal Awareness is pleased to announce that it is currently featuring the free articles Eight Signs of Dog Illness and Eight Signs of Horse Illness. The articles can be found on the Animal Awareness website at http://www.animalawareness.com/canineeightsigns.html and http://www.animalawareness.com/eightsignshorseillness.html. Animal Awareness Founder and Licensed Massage Therapist Jean-Pierre Hourdebaigt is the author of both articles.

Animal Awareness is an exciting new website for animal lovers that promotes home care health programs. Eight Signs of Dog Illness and Eight Signs of Horse Illness each discuss what signs to look for in an ill animal, and what massage strategies can be used for prevention and early detection. After reading the extensive free article, an individual can purchase one of the recommended mini-DVDs for additional visual guidance.

Hourdebaigt suggests that a good prevention measure is having an animal receive a physical exam periodically. Daily home care including massage, stretching and hydrotherapy modalities will help your animal live a long and happy life.

Continue reading Animal Awareness Feature Articles: Eight Signs of Illness →

*Featured/Spotlights, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, FEI, Revolution Sports, Show Jumping, World Equestrian Games

Edwina Alexander Diary for HorsesintheSouth.com & AHorseBlog.com

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EdwinaAlexanderEdwina Alexander is writing a diary for HorsesintheSouth.com as she prepares for the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Final in Geneva from 14-18 April 2010. Here is Edwina’s first entry.

Could you describe a typical training day?

I normally wake up at 7.00am and I am in the stables by 8.00am ready to ride the horses. Every day is a little bit different but on average I ride between 6 to 8 horses each day, and I will keep riding until 1.00pm. I’ll start riding again between 2.00pm-4.00pm. I then spend some time in the office in the afternoon catching up with emails, organising travel arrangements for upcoming shows, sending videos to clients. I feel more relaxed if I know exactly what’s going on!

How have you been keeping busy since your Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping series win in Vigo?

I kept Socrates (Cevo Socrates) and Itot (Cevo Itot Du Château) busy in the lead up to Gothenburg, where they both jumped well. Since Gothenburg they have both had a break from showing which has included one easy day during the week, some hacking in the woods, dressage and a bit of a lunge in the afternoon. I have been to Australia since Gothenburg but they have both been kept active with some small jumps work.

Continue reading Edwina Alexander Diary for HorsesintheSouth.com & AHorseBlog.com →

*Featured/Spotlights, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, FEI, Revolution Sports, World Equestrian Games

Isabell Werth Interview for HorsesintheSouth.com & AHorseBlog.com

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Isabell Werth is writing a diary for HorsesintheSouth.com as she prepares for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games from 25 September-10 October. Here is Isabell’s first entry.

Could you describe a typical training day?

Since my son Frederik’s birth last year the day now starts with him! I then start with the horses at around 9.00am and I can ride about seven horses per day. The rest of the day is now usually based around the stable business and Frederik.

How many horses do you have at the moment?

At the moment we have around about 40 horses under the saddle, so my whole team is very busy!

Continue reading Isabell Werth Interview for HorsesintheSouth.com & AHorseBlog.com →

*Featured/Spotlights

Rare Equine Amputee, Molly the Pony, Coming to Kentucky Horse Park

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John+Nicholson+and+Molly4croppedLEXINGTON, KY (April 7, 2010) A rare equine amputee, Molly the Pony, is coming to the Kentucky Horse Park.  She was made famous by a CBS News story, after having been rescued by Kaye and Glenn Harris during Hurricane Katrina. Unfortunately, several months later she was attacked by another animal who was rescued after Katrina and who was also experiencing emotional trauma, a pit bull.  Although Molly’s other numerous wounds healed, her leg did not make it. Her rescuer and now owner Kaye Harris went to bat for Molly, requesting amputation and prosthesis at Louisiana State University.

Successful amputations and prosthetic legs for horses are extremely rare and there were obstacles to overcome, but Molly has adapted well to her new limb and now she visits anyone who could use her quiet wisdom and inspiration.  She has impacted and inspired many people of all ages and abilities. A children’s book was written about her and her story has traveled around the world.

Continue reading Rare Equine Amputee, Molly the Pony, Coming to Kentucky Horse Park →