Category Archives: Community/Charity

Chicago Equestrians for a Cause to Host $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Presented by CN

Chicago Equestrians for a Cause Logo. Photo © Chicago Equestrians for a Cause.

Chicago, Illinois – July 16, 2010 – Chicago Equestrians for a Cause is pleased to announce the return of the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby (Chicago Hunter Derby) Presented By CN to Annali Farm in Antioch, IL, on August 29, 2010. The net proceeds generated by this prestigious competition will benefit Children’s Memorial Hospital of Chicago, IL, as well as the United States Hunter Jumper Association Foundation (USHJA Foundation).

Unique in nature, the Chicago Hunter Derby will feature a vintage hunt course set out on Annali Farm’s beautifully landscaped steeplechase course in-field. The course will be co-designed by Jimmy Torano and Bobby Murphy, and will welcome the nation’s top equestrians as they vie for top honors in this prestigious event.

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A Month Long Editorial, Based on Weather & Photos of a Hawk in Our Birdbath

One of our resident hawks taking a bath in our birdbath during the heatwave.
One of our resident hawks taking a bath in our birdbath during the heatwave.

As I was going to post a new editorial back on June 15th about not having any rain and  it being 100 degrees in the shade and bam, we start getting almost daily thunderstorms!  We had been averaging 110 heat index at the first of June, which was very oppressive to go outside to do work, much less ride. I was having to water my garden twice a day which was taking up to 2 hrs or more a day, hence I got behind in web work.  My beans (or so I thought) and tomatoes are mostly done until I plant again in August, so I should have a reprieve in the harvesting soon. We have a small pool which has been invaluable to being out in this heat.

I’m in the AC a large part of the day, so my body isn’t accustomed to the heat like it is. I go out in the evening to work usually, but that is when my husband, Jerry, goes to our J-30 sailboat so I don’t have his help then… bummer.  My son is here and he is in charge of cleaning paddocks, feeding horses when Jerry isn’t around, watering other plants around house and doing horse’s feet when I haven’t, plus he is my associate editor so he is kept busy much of the day adding articles. This leaves me to the other yard work that I may want done that my husband doesn’t think is necessary (he hates it, other than mowing with the riding mower). Both of them get bothered by flies more than I do – I have darker skin and I guess it helps in repelling them.  I did have to spray myself and horses a lot at the beginning of June when the yellow flies were so bad, but they have died off or it’s because we got the fly predators and stepped up using the Natural Pet Vet Bug Check (HorsesintheSouth is an affiliate). The flies aren’t as bad now and I can deal with a couple of yellow flies landing on me as I harvest the garden.

Since the week-long rains at the end of June, I’ve had a second blooming of beans – these are the ones that weren’t doing as well as they were in a shadier area, but that is what probably helped them to reproduce being out of the blaring sun. And, I have a whole bunch of cherry tomatoes blooming and some volunteer tomato plants from last year’s cherry tomatoes that had been plowed under but came back up in different places, are producing. They are so good. I leave them in a bowl next to where I make my yerba-mate tea in the morning and I end up eating a handful while I wait for the tea to steep.

Now my website design work for the redesign for the SuncoastBedding.com site is getting in full swing, so another thing to keep me from riding or working on my own website. It never ends, does it?  Plus the grass keeps growing more from all of the rain. I use our weed-whipper and push mower which ends up ‘killing’ my arm the next day.  Even using the riding mower gets my left arm that had the shoulder replacement. If I would just do this stuff every day, my muscles wouldn’t atrophy so soon, lol.

I got some cool pictures of our resident hawk taking a bath in our birdbath, plus my husband, Jerry, did a video and put it on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHVy0ov1kao (there are evidently a lot of YouTube videos of hawks taking baths…;P). These pictures were taken with my Sony digital camera with a 70-250 macro lens through my husband’s office window through the screen, but I think they still turned out really cool.

We aren’t sure if these are 2 different hawks taking a bath as in the blog gallery, you can see 1 of the hawks ‘screaming’ for the other one maybe? In the gallery you will see a hawk standing on our grapevine pole and we aren’t sure if that is a different hawk or the 1st hawk (if there is 2 of them – can anyone tell by their feathers?)

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Anyway, I will be offering a summer/July 4th birthday (mine :D) special for advertising on our website/newsletter and I have a new sales person, Linda Bourdow to assist me. You may contact her at mktg@horsesinthesouth.com.

Watch for the July newsletter – it’s coming too. We are using a new Email Service Provider (ESP), so I still have to finish designing it; I may just send out something now and let my programmer finish the design. We are using MailChimp and is isn’t as easy to use as Constant Contact (requires that you know some html and design), but it isn’t blocked by spam filters as easily as CC is. Info is on our Sales/Special page. As usual you will get a killer deal.

It’s weird, but we are actually cooler here than in the northern states with them being in the triple digits (bummer for the Queen of England’s visit to the UN since she was last here in 1957).  But, it’s starting to heat up again and will be in the usual mid-nineties this week, sigh…

If you are a Farmville addict like I have become, join me at http://www.facebook.com/TeriRehkopf.HorsesintheSouth, then request to be my neighbor on FV. Also be sure to join my Fan page at http://www.facebook.com/HorsesintheSouth. The TeriRehkopf.HorsesintheSouth FB account is a 2nd FB account. My 1st account is already almost at the 5,000 FB friends limit, so I had to start a new account to accept new friends and add new FV neighbors as this one is at the 300 neighbors limit.  Geesh, Farmville is such a ‘time-suction’, but it is also very ‘feng shui’ like. I love their graphics. If only web design was this easy!  I swear I going to write a blog about my journey to the addiction on Farmville and seeing so many horse people Facebook friends being in the same boat as me or worse!  When I get to this, I’ll post some hints on how to get leveled-up. I love the horses that FV adds for us horse fanatics. They really have recognized our market in that respect 😀

From the North American Riders Group: Resolution of the McLain Ward/Sapphire World Cup Elimination Dispute Is Good for Our Sport!

July 5, 2010 – The North American Riders Group believes to advance the sport of show jumping, all decisions related to its future must put the sport itself above all else. This is an example of that.

McLain, the USEF and the FEI could have continued a prolonged legal battle, but the additional gains on either side would have been for personal gain or pride. Instead, a positive resolution has been forged that publicly recognizes the decision was INCORRECT and, importantly, has resulted in a revised protocol for hypersensitivity.

Details of the revised protocol will be issued before the Aachen CHIO, but from what we understand already they will require more checks and balances which should eliminate any misuse of the protocol either by mistake or abuse of power.

Everyone in show jumping should benefit from this resolution.

We applaud those involved for this resolution while we still recognize that McLain can’t get back the World Cup he lost in Geneva!

For more information, please visit www.narg.org.

National Equine Resource Network (NERN) Launches, Prepares to Assist Struggling Equine Welfare Organizations

Horse rescues & sanctuaries are struggling with high costs, low donations and a never-ending supply of horses. A new organization brings them hope…

Encinitas, CA (PRWEB) June 8, 2010 — Each year, more than 100,000 American horses cross the borders into Canada and Mexico where they are sold for slaughter. Countless thousands are seized by animal control officers in cases of abandonment, abuse or neglect, while an untold number of horses suffer silently in barns and backyards around the country. It seems an unfair fate for the animal that has, throughout history, given so much to mankind. Fields were plowed, battles were won, new frontiers were discovered and nations were built – all on the back of a horse.

Over the last decade, hope for a brighter future has blossomed in the widespread emergence of equine welfare organizations. While these organizations have begun to provide a safety net for America’s horses, the need for them is increasing exponentially. Rising costs of fuel and hay, coupled with an economic downturn, has thrust more equines than ever into at-risk situations. At the same time, feeling the economic pinch, Americans have decreased their charitable giving and equine welfare organizations are seeing fewer, smaller donations. The result is an industry that is financially struggling and has reached or is nearing capacity, in a climate where the need for these organizations is urgent and continuing to grow. Now, more than ever, the equine welfare industry needs to thrive.

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McLain Ward & Vocas Win the $25k Fairfield Grand Prix to Benefit The EQUUS Foundation

Vocas, owned by Louisburg Farm and ridden by McLain Ward, winner of the $25,000 Fairfield Grand Prix and the Callari Cup presented by Wells Fargo Advisors. Photo courtesy of Reflections Photography.

WESTPORT, CT – June 29, 2010 – McLain Ward, aboard Vocas, owned by Louisburg Farm, emerged victorious over a field of 27 competitors at the $25,000 Grand Prix on Saturday, June 26, 2010, the culminating event of the Fairfield County Hunt Club June Benefit Horse Show held in Westport, Connecticut.

Urged on by spectators and over 350 guests at The EQUUS Foundation Grand Prix Benefit Luncheon, Ward and Vocas claimed victory in an exciting jump off. Ward also placed 4th aboard Esplanade 7 owned by Louisburg Farm, and 12th aboard Miel D’Amuray owned by Gabby Slome. George N. Venizelos representing Wells Fargo Advisors was on hand to present the well-earned blue ribbon, along with Jonathan Moffly of Moffly Media, Show Co-Chairs, Alison Ashman and Catherine Herman, Jenny Belknap Kees, Chairman of the Board of The EQUUS Foundation, and Lynn Coakley, President of The EQUUS Foundation.

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AQHA Launches Full Circle

Formerly known as Greener Pastures, the program serves to reunite horses and previous owners.

America’s Horse, June 21, 2010 – American Quarter Horse owners love their horses – past, present and future – and many want to keep track of those horses even after they are sold.

The American Quarter Horse Association developed the Full Circle program to reunite breeders and previous owners with horses they remember well. Through the free Full Circle program, AQHA members will be able to indicate on a horse’s registration certificate that if the horse ever becomes unwanted, unusable or simply ready for retirement, the member will – if possible – assist in providing or finding a suitable home.

Originally dubbed Greener Pastures, the program has been renamed Full Circle and enhanced. The Full Circle name more accurately reflects goal of the program when horses that were once sold by their original owner come full circle back to them, often times after lengthy careers enriching lives of multiple riders. Even in the program’s short existence, AQHA has received success stories from customers who have been reunited with horses they once owned. To read more about Full Circle, visit http://www.aqha.com/fullcircle.

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The United States Para-Equestrian Association Thanks Everyone for a Successful Para-Webathon

Logos of the USPEA, 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, Horse Radio Network, and Kentucky Performance Products. Logos property of their respective owners.

Thousand Oaks, CA – June 14, 2010 – The United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA) would like to thank everyone involved with the Para-Webathon, which occurred on June 8, 2010 at 7:00 PM.  Broadcasted from the studios of Alltech, the Para-Webathon was presented by the USPEA and Horse Radio Network.  For two hours supporters for the United States Para-Equestrian Team were able to call or click to donate to the Para-Equestrians. The Para-Webathon was a very successful event bringing in $10,000 to support the organization.  The USPEA will be using this money for the 10 riders that will travel to Lexington, Kentucky, for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.  The Para-Webathon would not have achieved its success without the volunteers, equestrians, Alltech, Horse Radio Network, and Kentucky Performance Products.

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The United States Para-Equestrian Association Announces 501(c)(3) Status

Para-Equestrians at CDI at Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, Illinois. Photo ©2010 C Mike Tomlinson DVM.

Thousands Oaks, CA – June 7, 2010 – The United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA) would like to announce that it is now a 501(c)(3) public charitable organization.  The USPEA provides programs, clinics, and competition opportunities for athletes with physical disabilities.  Riders compete under the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) rules during their competitions and many of the athletes compete at the highest level of their sport. Becoming a 501(c)(3) was a momentous occasion for the USPEA. This status will encourage donors, supporters, and equestrian enthusiasts to supply funding for the United States Para-Equestrians.

The show season of 2010 is going to be exciting for the USPEA as it will be the first year that the Para-Dressage discipline will compete on the world stage at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, KY.  As the number of Para-Equestrian participants expands and more of the public becomes aware of this unique equestrian discipline, the Para-Equestrians will continue to need more support.  The USPEA would like to see this type of benefaction continue through the World Games, the 2012 London Olympics, and beyond.

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Horse Radio Network: Tune In Tonight & Support ParaEquestrian Team

*****Please Tune In Tonight to This Live Video Event and Donate*****

Please Support These Incredible Para-Equestrians on Their Journey to the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

Date:  June 8, 2010

Time:  7:00 – 9:00 PM Eastern

Where: http://www.horseradionetwork.com/para-webathon

Why:  The Horse Radio Network (HRN) and the United States Para Equestrian Association (USPEA) will host the first ever Para-Webathon on June 8, 2010 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM (Eastern) via multiple websites.  The purpose is to raise money and awareness for the United States Para-Equestrian athletes who are aiming to compete in the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.  All monies will be channeled through the United States Para Equestrian Association to offset the costs of the 10 United States Para-Athletes and their horses.

The Para-Webathon will be a live video event streaming to websites all over the horse world using web video technology that is viewed just like on television. You can watch this event on our website at www.horseradionetwork.com.  The call-in number and website address to make donations will be on the website.

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Para-Webathon – Help Support the ParaEquestrian Team

Horse Radio Network Hosts Two Hour Live Web Televised Event to Raise Money for Para-Equestrians on their Journey to the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

Watch it live Tuesday, June 8, 2010 at 7 PM Eastern at www.horseradionetwork.com.

The Horse Radio Network (HRN) and the United States Para Equestrian Association (USPEA) will host the first ever Para-Webathon on June 8, 2010 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM (Eastern) via multiple websites.  The purpose is to raise money and awareness for the United States Para-Equestrian athletes who are aiming to compete in the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.  All monies will be channeled through the United States Para Equestrian Association to offset the costs of the 10 United States Para-Athletes and their horses.

The Para-Webathon will be a live video event streaming to websites all over the horse world using web video technology that is viewed just like a telethon. The Horse Radio Network website will be just one online destination where the show can be watched.  The call-in number to make donations will be on the websites, including HRN at www.horseradionetwork.com, that carry the live show.

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