Tag Archives: equestrian community

Isabell Werth Interview for HorsesintheSouth.com & AHorseBlog.com

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!

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1st Annual International Gay Polo Tournament Was a Success!

The Equestrian Life Team wins the 1st Annual International Gay Polo Tournament with team members Chip McKenney, Juan Bollini (professional) Gordon Ross, and Tom Landry. Website. Photo © 2010 Lindsay McCall/PMG.
The Equestrian Life Team wins the 1st Annual International Gay Polo Tournament with team members Chip McKenney, Juan Bollini (professional) Gordon Ross, and Tom Landry. Website. Photo © 2010 Lindsay McCall/PMG.

Wellington, FL – April 5, 2010 – The First Annual International Gay Polo Tournament was a huge success on and off the field.

Equestrian Life, led by 6-goaler Juan Bollini, edged bluhorse 4-3 to win the championship game played in front of almost 1,500 spectators at Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington.

In the preliminary game, 7-goaler Jeff Blake scored on a breakaway with 31 seconds remaining to lift Step by Step Foundation over Buchanan Screen, Rail & Windows 5-4. Blake scored all five goals for Step by Step. Nine-goaler Nicolas Roldan scored three goals for Buchanan Screen, Rail & Windows and Jack Hoffman added one goal.

Bollini scored both of his goals in the final chukker to lead Equestrian Life. Gay Polo League (GPL) Founder and President Chip McKenney and Gordon Ross also scored for the winners.

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New Equine Anti-Doping Regulations Come into Effect

New Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations and Equine Prohibited Substances List Go Live for All FEI Events

Lausanne (SUI), 5 April 2010 – The FEI today announced that the new Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations and the Equine Prohibited Substances List are now in effect for all FEI events. All involved in equestrian sport, and especially competitors, National Federations, veterinarians, event organisers, officials, managers, coaches and grooms, are responsible for understanding and abiding by the new Regulations.

“Today, 5 April, is a landmark day for our sport, the beginning of the Clean Sport Era,” said Alex McLin, FEI Secretary General. “Today marks the culmination of a collective effort by the entire equestrian community to protect the integrity of our sport and the welfare of our horses.”

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Reining Horses Sought for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

Photo by Rick Osteen
Photo by Rick Osteen

March 19, 2010 – Lexington, KY – Do you have a world-class Reining horse in your barn looking for a rider on which to represent their country?

Scores of athletes from around the world will be coming to the US this fall to compete in the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games – one of the most prestigious equestrian events in the world. Many of these international competitors will be seeking quality horses to lease for the duration of the competition. Horses must be actively competitive and at least six years of age to qualify.

Ever thought your horse might turn up on TV on a major network?

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to support the athletes from around the world and help grow the western horse sports internationally. Now is your chance: let your horse fulfill its potential on the world stage and take part in history.

Get your horse’s paperwork started and on the “available” list today! Already, there are riders ready to talk to qualified horse owners.

To add your name to a list of contacts for interested reining athletes please contact Brad Ettleman with HorsePower, Reining Manager to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, at 720.982.3574 or Brad@HPowerInc.com.

SUCCEED Establishes eBay Store to Raise Funds for Courtney King-Dye Medical Fund

kingdye002900Aurora, OH (March 22, 2010) — An eBay store to aid with Courtney King-Dye’s medical expenses has been established by King-Dye’s long time sponsor, SUCCEED Digestive Conditioning Program. The store can be found at http://stores.ebay.com/Courtney-King-Dye-Medical-Fund and features a variety of items donated by individuals in the equestrian community. 100% of the net proceeds from sales of all items at this store will go to the Courtney King-Dye Medical Fund.

King-Dye, a top dressage rider who competed for the US team in the 2008 Olympics in Hong Kong, suffered a serious head injury March 3, while schooling one of her horses in Loxahatchee, FL. She remains in a coma.

Items that have been donated to the eBay store to date include: an oil painting (“Summer Piaffe”) by award winning artist Ivetta Harte, Templeton Thompson-autographed CDs, dressage DVDs, a breeding to Holsteiner stallion Contester II, Jeanne Lambrecht bracelets, EquestrianProfessional.com memberships, and an Exquisite Equestrian Custom Wool Blanket. Individuals interested in donating items to the store should email Lyndsey White at lwhite@freedomhealthllc.com or call Freedom Health, the makers of SUCCEED, at 330-562-0888.

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Horse Owners Urged to Vaccinate

Bronson Urges Horse Owners to Vaccinate Animals for Mosquito-Borne Diseases; Recommends That Humans Take Steps to Protect Themselves

TALLAHASSEE — With the arrival of spring and warmer weather, Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson today reminded horse owners to get their animals vaccinated for mosquito borne diseases.

The two principal equine diseases associated with mosquitoes are Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV), and the majority of cases of each can be prevented with proper vaccinations, according to animal health officials.

“The key is to make sure that a horse has been vaccinated against these mosquito-borne diseases and to check with your veterinarian to determine whether an animal’s booster shots are up to date,” Bronson said.

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Aiken Olympic Gala Benefits USET Foundation with Great Success

Left to right, Bonnie Jenkins, Phillip Dutton, and Mark Phillips. Photo © 2010 listaphoto.com
Left to right, Bonnie Jenkins, Phillip Dutton, and Mark Phillips. Photo © 2010 listaphoto.com

Aiken, SC – March 15, 2010 – Held at Phillip and Evie Dutton’s True Prospect Farm winter training facility in Aiken, SC, March 11, 2010, the Aiken Olympic Gala was enjoyed by all who gathered in attendance for the benefit of United States High Performance Eventing riders and the United States Equestrian Team Foundation.

Evie Dutton reflected on the evening, saying, “The event was a great success and we had fabulous attendance. There were approximately 250 people there, and everyone had a good time. This was our third year putting on the Gala, and it has grown more and more each time. We look forward to it every year; we get such incredible support from the community and it goes to a great cause as it benefits riders, drivers, and the USET Foundation.”

Guests enjoyed cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres as they bid on silent auction items and listened to guest speakers Phillip Dutton (United States Leading Event Rider for the past ten years), Boyd Martin (2009 Eventing Rider of the Year), and Mark Phillips (Chef d’Equipe of the U.S. Eventing Team).

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Alysheba Memorial Statue to Be Unveiled

Alysheba“America’s Horse” to be remembered at Kentucky Horse Park

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 12, 2010).  One year after the death of Kentucky Derby Winner Alysheba, the Kentucky Horse Park will unveil a memorial statue at his grave.

The famous son of Alydar had resided at the park for only five months when he was euthanized as a result of an accidental fall in March 2009.  The 25-year-old stallion was buried at the Hall of Champions.

The public is invited to the Alysheba Memorial Statue Unveiling, Friday, April 16, 2:00 pm.

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AQHA Welcomes Dressage

honey_bright_dreamDressage becomes an official AQHA class.

Dressage is now an official AQHA class — one in which you can earn AQHA points, qualify for AQHA Incentive Fund earnings and compete for year-end awards. Beginning at Training Level Test 4, AQHA dressage classes will be held within existing classes at competitions recognized by the United States Dressage Federation or licensed by the United States Equestrian Federation.

The same USDF-USEF judges will preside over the AQHA classes; the only additional requirement is that the judges must be AQHA members. Exhibitors must also be current members of AQHA, and the horse must be a registered American Quarter Horse. A competition license fee of $85, good for the lifetime of the horse, is also required. The shows must be approved by AQHA at least 60 days in advance.

Horses competing in dressage are given scores, expressed in percentages. The Quarter Horse show industry has always been a point-driven system, so AQHA has created a conversion table to change dressage scores into AQHA points. View the conversion table (click on “frequently asked questions”). Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=10096

A Platinum Win for Aaron Vale in the $25,000 Jacksonville A-Z Grand Prix

Aaron Vale & Platinum ©Flashpoint Photography
Aaron Vale & Platinum ©Flashpoint Photography

Green Cove Springs, FL — January 30, 2010 — Tonight’s $25,000 Jacksonville A-Z Grand Prix sponsored by North Florida Hunter Jumper Association closed out Week IV of competition with one of the most successful riders in show jumping, Aaron Vale, adding another win to his illustrious career.

After a week of observation, course designer Allen Rheinheimer put all he learned about today’s starting field into a lengthy and technical 13 obstacle/6 effort test with a time allowance of 96 tight seconds. “It was a little bit on the snug side for sure,” chuckled Vale about the tick tock of the clock. A vast majority of the faults in round one occurred from battling the clock, with 3 horses retiring and 6 having time issues.  It wasn’t until the 6th in the field of 21, birthday girl Claire Lee, that the audience saw a clear round. Lee and partner High Roller posted a clean run of 91.786, which held as the only perfect ride until 3 rounds later when Vale and Platinum assured a jump off with a clean 94.083 seconds. Only one other horse and rider combo, Tony Font and Gardenio (owned by YZ Partners LLC) with a clean 93.776, would accompany them to the final round. Vale said, “This was surprising. When I walked the course I thought, wow – we had 9 clear last week, we’re going to have more clear this week. We only got 3 so sometimes you just can’t tell. Allen did a great job.” Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=10050