Tag Archives: equestrian community

Chester Weber and Charles Owen Team Up to Put Helmet Safety in the Spotlight

Chester Weber wears a helmet cam on his Charles Owen helmet. Weber uses the helmet cam as a training tool and is a strong proponent of wearing a helmet for safety. (Photo courtesy of PicsofYou.com)

Ocala, FL (April 27, 2010) – Helmets are the center stage topic in equestrian safety right now, and USEF Safety Committee member Chester Weber has turned his Charles Owen helmet into a box office hit! Safety really is a movie, thanks to a camera installed on Weber’s Charles Owen helmet.

Combined Driver Weber, the eight-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Champion, uses his helmet camera as a training tool. “The helmet cam is a way to record the driver’s-eye view of a four-in-hand team. I use it as a training tool at home,” Weber said. “The helmet cam makes safety fun and acts as a training tool that can enhance future performances.”

When it comes to safety, Weber has always put his money where his mouth is. He and his team are long-time users of Charles Owen helmets, which provide safety and offer unparalleled comfort. “The importance of wearing helmets is in the spotlight right now, and as a driver I certainly recommend wearing helmets, especially in the marathon,” Weber said.

Continue reading Chester Weber and Charles Owen Team Up to Put Helmet Safety in the Spotlight

Hollywood Documentary on John Henry Set to Debut

Photo (c) PixbySteve.com

Kentucky Horse Park Chosen for Theatrical Debut of Tribute to Two-Time Horse of the Year

LOS ANGELES (April 21, 2010) Open Sky Entertainment, in cooperation with Launchpad Releasing, is rolling out their new documentary film entitled “JOHN HENRY: A STEEL DRIVING RACEHORSE.”

The film about one of the most successful and beloved horses in U.S. horseracing history will make its theatrical debut on May 2nd at the Kentucky Horse Park.  The film will simultaneously be available to purchase on DVD at the film’s official Web site, www.johnhenrymovie.com, as well as several other major online retailers and retail chains to be announced.

There will be two shows in the theatre at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, one at 6pm and one 8pm on Sunday, May 2.  There will be special DVD give-aways at both shows.  Space is limited so the public is encouraged to immediately reserve tickets at tickets@johnhenrymovie.com.

Continue reading Hollywood Documentary on John Henry Set to Debut

ABC-36 WTVQ to Broadcast and Sponsor 2010 International Equestrian Festival

April 15, 2010 – Lexington, KY – ABC 36 WTVQ-DT has announced a partnership with Horse Capital Productions to be the Official Local Media Partner for the 2010 International Equestrian Festival (IEF), held this fall in the city’s centrally-located convention center beside the iconic Rupp Arena. The sponsorship by ABC-36 of the multi-million dollar festival comes in anticipation of the television network’s new schedule to include equestrian-related news and special interest programming.

“This is such a synergistic sponsorship for our equestrian festival,” commented Anne Buchanan, CEO of Horse Capital Productions. “ABC-36 has always done a tremendous job of providing full coverage of our area’s events and their interest in highlighting the horse industry to the general public made this a natural fit for us.”

“The entertainment and international line-up that the IEF will be showcasing is very exciting,” said Rebecca Price, ABC-36 Marketing Director. “We will be there in full force with a whole new way to get the community involved on screen and in person. This event exemplifies the innovativeness and forward-thinking approach to building excitement around horse sports and that is paramount in our community, especially during 2010. It’s great to know that the IEF is an event for our audience too.”

Continue reading ABC-36 WTVQ to Broadcast and Sponsor 2010 International Equestrian Festival

Wellington Welcomes Gay Polo, but Not Gay Rights

April 15, 2010 – (Wellington, Florida) – On April 3, the Village of Wellington played host to the world’s first international gay polo tournament.  Two days later, Village Attorney Jeffrey Kurtz rejected a local gay rights group’s request to revise the Village’s employment policies to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

“The people who bring their horses — and their dollars — to Wellington are extremely gay friendly,” said Rand Hoch, President of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council.

The Council is a local non-profit organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.

“Gay men and lesbians have long been a very visible part of Wellington’s equestrian community,” said Jamie Todd Foreman, an openly gay attorney who lives in nearby Lake Worth.

Continue reading Wellington Welcomes Gay Polo, but Not Gay Rights

Dedication of Kentucky Derby Winner Alysheba’s New Memorial Statue

WHO:  The Kentucky Horse Park and the family of Clarence Scharbauer

WHAT:  Dedication and unveiling of new Alysheba statue at his gravesite

WHEN:  Friday, April 16, 2pm

WHERE:  Hall of Champions, Kentucky Horse Park

WHY:  Clarence Scharbauer III, whose family raced Horse of the Year and Kentucky Derby winner Alysheba, has commissioned a bronze statue for Alysheba’s grave, created by sculptor Shelley Hunter.  Before coming to the Kentucky Horse Park, Alysheba spent the previous eight years of his life in the royal stables of His Majesty King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia.  Known on the track as “America’s horse,” he was sent to the Kentucky Horse Park as a gift from His Majesty to the American people in October 2008.

Continue reading Dedication of Kentucky Derby Winner Alysheba’s New Memorial Statue

American Quarter Horse Foundation Receives Record $3 Million Gift

Hall of Fame Member Anne Windfohr Marion and The Burnett Foundation dedicated to preserving American Quarter Horse history.

America’s Horse, April 12, 2010 – The American Quarter Horse Foundation announced during the 2010 Convention it had received an unprecedented gift of $3 million to the Foundation’s operating endowment from Hall of Fame member Anne Marion and The Burnett Foundation.

“It is an honor to receive such a gift,” AQHA Executive Vice President Don Treadway Jr. said of the donation. “It has made a huge impact on meeting the $10 million goal established for the Foundation operating endowment. We are so thankful for the gifts we receive from our members, and this one is incredibly special. Ms. Marion, her family and the Four Sixes Ranch have been extremely influential to our Association and the integrity of our horse. I cannot say enough to express how honored we are by their gift.”

Continue reading American Quarter Horse Foundation Receives Record $3 Million Gift

Chester Weber’s Equine Teammate, Rolex W, Paints “Moneigh” to Be Displayed in Kentucky during Rolex Three-Day Event

Rolex W, a member of Chester Weber’s eight-time National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving team, paints a “Moneigh” for Mary Simons of the ReRun Thoroughbred organization. (Photo courtesy of ReRun, Inc)
Rolex W, a member of Chester Weber’s eight-time National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving team, paints a “Moneigh” for Mary Simons of the ReRun Thoroughbred organization. (Photo courtesy of ReRun, Inc)

Ocala, FL (April 12, 2010) – Rolex W, one of Chester Weber’s distinguished and award-winning equine teammates, has lent his artistic horse skills to the ReRun Thoroughbred Charity Moneigh collection. Rolex not only painted a Moneigh with his nose, but due to his name and his fame, the painting will be on display in a Lexington art gallery during the Rolex Three-Day Event.

“We are honoring Rolex W in April during the Rolex Three-Day Event at the Kentucky Horse Park,” said Mary Simons, of the ReRun Organization. “Rolex’s painting will be on display at Your Frame of Mind Galleries in the Lexington Convention Center in April. Also, his other painting will be auctioned off in our semi-annual eBay auction beginning April 25.”

Weber, the eight-time National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving Champion, lent the artistic skills of Rolex to the charity organization. Rolex helped the ReRun Thoroughbred charity by painting masterpieces known as “Moneighs.” The name Moneigh is derived from the name of the famous artist and the sound a horse makes.

Continue reading Chester Weber’s Equine Teammate, Rolex W, Paints “Moneigh” to Be Displayed in Kentucky during Rolex Three-Day Event

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

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

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

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

Edwina Alexander Diary for HorsesintheSouth.com & AHorseBlog.com

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