The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) and Markel Insurance once again hosted three sales during the 2009 NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show in Oklahoma City. The top seller from all three sales was Mister Montana Nic (Reminic x Mollie Montana, by Montana Doc), an eleven-year-old stallion consigned by Craig Schmersal for Montana Nic Syndicate. Ericka Alcorn of Gardner, KS, bought the NRHA money earner of $121,000 in the NRHA/Markel Insurance Marketplace...

A talented American Paint Horse stallion, Gunnatrashya, captured the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Open Futurity title in Oklahoma City recently, outscoring over 400 horses entered in the open division of this event, according to NRHA officials. The Paint stallion won with an outstanding score of 228.5, earning $125,000 in prize money. This is only the second time in history that an American Paint Horse has won this prestigious event. Gunnatrashya now joins RR Star, who won the...

The Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) is proud to announce the induction of five pillars of the Appaloosa community into the Hall of Fame: Victoria Ennis of Kingston, OK; former ApHC Director Ward Fenton of Worden, MT; and Karen Grimm of Minden, NV, as well as Appaloosa stallion Maid’s Dream, owned by Dal Porto Ranch in Brentwood, Calif. Ennis was inducted for making her mark in the Appaloosa industry, though racing was her specialty. After becoming a member in 1985, Ennis cultivated a breeding...

The Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) would like to congratulate Leslie Foxvog of Phelan, CA, the 2009 recipient of the George Hatley Award. The George Hatley Award, named in honor of one of the ApHC’s founders, is decided annually by the Board of Directors in an effort to recognize an individual in the Appaloosa industry who contributed significantly to the growth and promotion of the Appaloosa breed within the past year. Foxvog has been an ApHC member for over 10 years, and actively promotes the...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce and congratulate its new USDF Certified Instructors from the testing held October 19-20, 2009, in Bedford, NY. The USDF Instructor Certification program is designed to set a standard of excellence in dressage training and instruction in the United States and to educate dressage riders, instructors, and aspiring instructors. New USDF Certified Instructors include: Kevin Greelish of Coventry, CT, and Cheryl Reeve of Strubridge,...

New equine research, practical veterinary techniques and business education attracted a record 7,611 attendees to the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ 55th Annual Convention in Las Vegas, NV, December 5-9. The previous record was set during the 2007 convention in Orlando, FL. “The economy has affected all aspects of the horse industry in 2009, and I believe our record attendance indicates how strongly equine veterinarians value quality continuing education,” said David L. Foley,...

The International Friesian Show Horse Association (IFSHA) announces that the 2010 IFSHA World and Grand National Championships are to be held October 13-17, 2010 at the Prestigious Del Mar Arena in Del Mar, CA. The Del Mar Arena is a coastal gem in a community known for its equestrian passions and sport venues. The Del Mar Arena specifically is known as host to events like the 1992 World Cup, the Del Mar National, Charity Fair Horse Show, and is right next to the Del Mar Racetrack founded by...

Erica Sessa and Lightly Frosted started the holidays in festive style, winning the Training Jumper division at the Equestrian Sport Productions Holiday Festival I Show. Sessa, who raised the Quarter Horse/Arabian cross herself, rode the eight-year-old gelding to the championship in the division sponsored by The Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Center in Ocala. “They had a nice, smooth but very fast ride,” said Sessa’s trainer, Marianne Pack, of Competition Farm in Ft....

Mikala Munter Gundersen and Festivo Win Equilite Sponsored Class International dressage trainer and competitor Mikala Munter Gundersen was in the ribbons at the Wellington Classic Holiday Challenge, winning the USEF Third Level Test 3 with Christine DeHerrera’s Westphalian gelding Festivo. The class was sponsored by Equilite, makers of Sore No More, Herbal Blends and Botanical Animal Flower Essences, and Gundersen took home a giant tote filled with Equilite products. “Christine, who owns...

Next spring when you plan to take your horse to a big event several hundred miles away, you may travel through states you’ve never before visited. Since equine transportation regulations vary from state to state, how will you know if you are in compliance each time you cross a state line? To help its members and other equestrians keep up with these requirements, USRider is providing up-to-date information regarding equine transportation on a state-by-state basis on its website. The USRider...