Category Archives: Community/Charity

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Phelps Media Group

Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC, Hosts SPEAKS Program at the Kentucky Horse Park

1 Comment

Lexington, KY – June 2, 2010 – On Friday, May 21, 2010, third graders from Simmons Elementary School in Woodford County, Kentucky, had a chance of a lifetime. The young children visited the spectacular Kentucky Horse Park as part of the SPEAKS program. The acronym stands for Supporting and Promoting Equine Awareness in Kentucky Schools (SPEAKS) program. The SPEAKS program is a way to take equine education to the next level. Bobby Murphy, who has been the main component of spreading the SPEAKS vision, visited Simmons Elementary School in December 2009 and found that the program can be just as effective in the classroom as it could be at the Kentucky Horse Park.  Five months later he fulfilled his promise to bring the children to the Kentucky Horse Park for this wonderful opportunity.

Representatives from Young Professionals Committee of the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA), ambassadors from Just World International, and young riders from the Kentucky Spring Classic were present to teach the children many basics about the sport and what makes horses so important in their lives. Continue reading Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC, Hosts SPEAKS Program at the Kentucky Horse Park →

Community/Charity, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, HITS, Show Jumping

Margie Engle Wins the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix at HITS-on-the-Hudson I

Leave a comment

© ESI Photography. Margie Engle and Hidden Creek's Pamina L on course in Friday's $25,000 HITS Grand Prix

SAUGERTIES, NY (May 29, 2010) — Margie Engle and Hidden Creek’s Pamina L, owned by Hidden Creek Farm, won the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, in the first Pfizer Million Grand Prix qualifier at HITS Saugerties on Friday which doubled as a fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

“It was a very nice opening course,” said Engle, of West Palm Beach, Florida. “It was big enough, with some tight combinations.”

Engle and Hidden Creek’s Pamina L were one of 32 horse-and-rider teams to take the field on a course designed by International Course Designer Olaf Petersen, Jr. which saw an outstanding 10 riders return for the jump-off.

Continue reading Margie Engle Wins the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix at HITS-on-the-Hudson I →

*Featured/Spotlights, Breeds, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, JRPR

Miniature Therapy Horse Proves She Is Magic When She Is Named AARP’s “Most Heroic Pet in America”

1 Comment

Strebors Black Magic On Demand was recently named the “Most Heroic Pet in America” by the AARP. Magic has worked with over 4,000 people. (Photos courtesy of Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses)

Morton, Ill. (May 24, 2010) – Strebors Black Magic On Demand, a Miniature Horse registered with the American Miniature Horse Registry (AMHR), is spreading a special form of magic as a therapy horse. Known to her many fans as Magic, the black mini with blue eyes was recently named the “Most Heroic Pet in America” by the AARP (American Association of Retired Persons).

Magic, owned by Debbie and Jorge Garcia-Bengochea of Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses in High Springs, Florida, was featured in the 2010 May/June issue of AARP Magazine for her heroic efforts as a therapy mini. “I am so proud of her,” Debbie Garcia-Bengochea said. “She has worked with over 4,000 people, but the story that helped her win the ‘Most Heroic Pet’ title has to do with a woman who hadn’t talked in three years.”

Garcia-Bengochea said that in September of 2009, a reporter from the Ocala Star-Banner newspaper was taking photos of a Gentle Carousel visit at an assisted care facility. “A woman who had not spoken since she arrived at the assisted care facility three years earlier began talking to Magic. ‘Isn’t she beautiful’ were her first words and then ‘It’s a horse’,” Garcia-Bengochea said. “The activities director began to cry and told the woman she loved her.”

Continue reading Miniature Therapy Horse Proves She Is Magic When She Is Named AARP’s “Most Heroic Pet in America” →

Associations/Breeds, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Diana de Rosa, Equestrian Assistance, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

AHJF Embraces USHJA

Leave a comment

Two Organizations Now Become One

“Now is the right time,” commented Geoff Teall, a note of enthusiasm in his voice at the prospect of having the strength and programs of the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation (AHJF) now go to supporting the similar goals of the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) and its Foundation.

Since its inception in 1992, the AHJF has established itself by creating a new vision for the sport of hunters in the United States. Now after five years of growth, the USHJA has not only established these same goals but has the resources, staffing and vision to take them even further.

Continue reading AHJF Embraces USHJA →

Community/Charity, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Equine Assisted Therapy, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Western/Reining

Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center Prepares for Special Olympic State Equestrian Games

1 Comment
Thomas Mickel represented Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center aboard Belle in a Western Equitation class with the help of volunteer Jamie Miller during the Special Olympic Area Equestrian Games. Photo Courtesy of VTRC

 Loxahatchee, FL – May 18, 2010 – Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center (VTRC) is currently preparing to participate in the Special Olympic State Equestrian Games, which will be held May 21-22, 2010, in Tampa, Florida. Sixteen riders qualified for the Games after competing at the Area level March 27, 2010, in Ft. Pierce, FL.

During the Special Olympic State Equestrian Games riders will have the opportunity to compete in English and western equitation, trail ride competition, dressage, and pole bending. The riders representing VTRC range from needing full support with a leader and two sidewalks to independent riders who walk, trot, and canter on their own. They also have several riders competing in the training level dressage tests.

The qualified riders have been working on dressage test, equitation skills, pole bending, and barrel racing to prepare for the exciting competition. In addition to the 12 students traveling to the Games, six horses and 17 volunteers will be in Tampa for the event to support VTRC.

Continue reading Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center Prepares for Special Olympic State Equestrian Games →

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Equestrian Assistance, Equine Assisted Therapy, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Products/Services, Show Jumping

Pegasus Therapeutic Riding’s Pegasus Farm Chapter Announces New Home for The Rider’s Closet

Leave a comment
Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Collaborates with Georgina Bloomberg's The Rider's Closet. Photo is taken of the new location of The Rider's Closet. Photo © 2010

Brewster, New York – May 18, 2010 – Pegasus Therapeutic Riding’s Pegasus Farm chapter announced today that The Rider’s Closet program, developed by Georgina Bloomberg, will now be based out of Pegasus Therapeutic Riding’s Pegasus Farm chapter in Brewster, NY. The program originated four years ago, when Bloomberg wanted to donate her lightly used show clothing to a good cause, but was not sure where to start. The Rider’s Closet began as an endeavor to provide a place where all equestrians could donate their clothing so that other riders who may not be able to purchase their own riding attire and equipment could take advantage of these otherwise expensive items that had been outgrown, but were still in good condition.

Thus far, The Rider’s Closet has already proven to be of great value to a variety of programs, including, but not limited to a number of intercollegiate riding teams.  While The Rider’s Closet has been growing, so has Bloomberg’s equestrian career. Over the last few years, the demand has risen, and with Bloomberg traveling to various equestrian competitions around the world, she wanted to move The Rider’s Closet from a home-based operation, to a new home where it could get more attention. “I’m really excited about this move,” said Bloomberg. “It is a great situation for both the Rider’s Closet and the Pegasus Therapeutic Riding program. They have a first class program, one that I’ve been really impressed with over the years. I think the move will benefit a lot of equestrians on a number of different levels.”

Continue reading Pegasus Therapeutic Riding’s Pegasus Farm Chapter Announces New Home for The Rider’s Closet →

Art/Photography, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Events, Show Jumping

Chubby the Horse Goes to the Horse and Hounds for His 21st Birthday

Leave a comment
Chubby

Chubby the Horse’s Birthday party occurred here at the Horse and Hounds in Ocala today. Chuck Waters wanted to buy Chubby a beer for his 21st birthday so he planned a little surprise birthday party for Chubby at the local watering hole. Chubby enjoyed his bucket of Killian’s Red and his special birthday cake. Chubby and Chuckie have been together for 17 years, longer than any of the other 5000 or so horses Chuckie has owned over the years!

Susan Benson

Somerset SportArt for Waterworks Farm

[nggallery id=18]

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, FEI, Para-Equestrian, Phelps Media Group, World Equestrian Games

The United States Para-Equestrian Association Hosts First Ever Para-Webathon for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

Leave a comment

Susan Treabass is the co-host of the 2010 Para-Equestrian Webathon on June 8, 2010. Photo © 2010 Scott Stanley.

Thousand Oaks, CA – May 10, 2010 – The United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA) would like to invite everyone to the First Ever Para-Webathon.  The event is scheduled for June 8, 2010, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.  The First Ever Para-Webathon will be broadcasted from the studios of Alltech and will be hosted by the 2010 Radio Show announcers Glenn the Geek, Samantha Clark, and Para-Equestrian Susan Treabass.  The 2010 Radio show is the unofficial podcast about the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. The purpose of the Webathon is to reach out to all equestrian enthusiasts and the entire nation to help raise capital for the United States Para-Dressage team, which will be competing at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

Presented by The Horse Radio Network, the 2010 Radio Show, Alltech, and the USPEA, the live Webathon will bring the Para-Equestrian discipline to the forefront of everyone’s minds.  During the Webathon, many of the inspirational athlete’s stories will be highlighted.  This exciting event will assist the Para-Equestrian Athletes in raising awareness and funds for this intriguing discipline.  In the past, costs have ranged around $20,000 per competitor, and this Webathon will be an important asset to the Para-Equestrians.

Continue reading The United States Para-Equestrian Association Hosts First Ever Para-Webathon for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games →

Art/Photography, Associations/Breeds, Breeds, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Events, Racing Sources

Artist Wayne Baize Creates Signature Painting for 2010 America’s Horse in Art

Leave a comment

America’s Horse, May 11, 2010 – America’s Horse in Art returns to the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum in August, and a painting by renowned western artist Wayne Baize will be the signature piece for the third annual art show.

The public is invited to the America’s Horse in Art opening, which will take place Saturday, August 14. Many of the talented artists will be at the opening and available to discuss the inspiration for their art work. The opening will be 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum and will feature live music, hors d’oeuvres and cocktails.

America’s Horse in Art: The Horse That Settled the West show and sale will continue through November 13 in the Scharbauer Gallery in the museum.

Continue reading Artist Wayne Baize Creates Signature Painting for 2010 America’s Horse in Art →

Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Equestrian Assistance, WHIN

Women’s Horse Industry Association to Raise Money for Middle Tennessee Horses and Owners Who Were Affected by the Recent Flood

Leave a comment

The Women’s Horse Industry Association, the largest business networking group in the world for women in the horse industry, is bringing together all of their contacts both in the horse industry and in the music industry to raise funds for the horses and owners who were affected by the recent flood in Middle Tennessee.

“A great number of horse and farm owners in Middle Tennessee have lost everything including their barns, their tack, their feed, their bedding and in some cases, even their horses. We have a huge network of women and manufacturers around the country who want to help these horses and owners. We also know that there are a lot of country music stars living in Middle Tennessee who would like to help. So, we are setting up a coalition to bring everyone together to raise the funds to help these horses and owners,” states Catherine Masters, Executive Director.

The association which is based in Nashville, Tennessee will be working with rescue groups around the country, manufacturers, horse industry suppliers and entertainers to give support for those in need.

Continue reading Women’s Horse Industry Association to Raise Money for Middle Tennessee Horses and Owners Who Were Affected by the Recent Flood →