The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) and the World Games 2010 Foundation announced the NRHA’s sponsorship of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. With its sponsorship, the National Reining Horse Association makes possible, for the first time in Games history, an exhibition freestyle event to the overall event schedule. NRHA Executive Director Dan Wall commented, “NRHA is proud to announce our official partnership with the Games and is thrilled to have this special opportunity to...

International grand prix dressage rider and trainer Heather Blitz will be moving her training base to a new location in Loxahatchee, FL, on December 1, 2009. The popular rider has been based in Europe for the past three years and is now ready to return stateside to a new facility that will provide the opportunity to operate a training business alongside her riding career. "I have had a wonderful time in Europe and have made many friends as well as some great clients, but the time has come for...

The American Association of Equine Practitioners’ (AAEP) 55th Annual Convention will take the stage in Las Vegas, Neveda, December 5–9, as the world’s most distinguished continuing education meeting for equine veterinarians. The convention attracts more than 3,500 veterinarians, veterinary students and technicians for scientific lectures, industry forums, networking events and other opportunities for professional development. All sessions will be held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Dr....

Sign-ups are now under way at www.saddlebred.com for the American Saddlebred Horse Association’s (ASHA) live video streaming Internet webcast of the Wisconsin Futurity Horse Festival from Madison, WI, which has its first performance Wednesday, September 16. Pricing and sign-up information appears on the ASHA website at www.asha.net/video/register.php . The webcast will once again feature a live chat, to offer subscribers the opportunity to carry on dialogue with other Saddlebred enthusiasts...

Photo by Javan Schaller/Courtesy AHA (Patrick Swayze and Tammen) Patrick Swayze, a passionate and valued member of the Arabian horse community died from pancreatic cancer complications at the age of 57. Swayze was known to most as a dancer and actor in films such as “Dirty Dancing,” “Roadhouse” and “Ghost.” To the Arabian horse community he was an accomplished and giving horseman. An active participant at Arabian shows throughout the late '80s and early...

Lexington, KY – Somehow Sapphire keeps getting better. Already the owner of two Olympic Team Gold medals from 2004 and 2008 with rider McLain Ward, the 14-year-old Belgian mare continues to add Sapphire and McLain Ward (Anthony Trollope/stockimageservices.com ) accolades to her sparkling resume across the globe. This time it was the CN International at the Spruce Meadows Masters. One of the most prestigious (and richest – worth $1m CAD) Grand Prixes on the planet, Sapphire and Ward...

The success continued more than 1000 miles away in Belgium where, as the lone American, she swept the CSI-YJPCH-A Nieuwpoort, August 21-23. Kessler won two classes each day. On Friday she was the fastest of three clear rounds in the Speed Class. With Ice d’Ancoeur she zoomed to victory, almost six seconds faster than Julian Kok from Holland. She then had another convincing win in the 1.30m class with Ligist, where she was again lightning fast and was only one of two clears in the four horse...

The Buffalo International Horse Show (BIHS) began its first day of competition on September 9 for the 63rd annual show. The BIHS is held at the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center (BTRC) and runs from September 9-13 in downtown Buffalo, NY. The horse show will host a number of special classes in their large indoor arena, including hunter classics. The BIHS is pleased to welcome trainers Sandy Lobel and Amanda Steege and amateur rider Penelope Ayres, who have traveled the farthest to come to the...

The United States Equestrian Federation and The EQUUS Foundation have joined together to create an industry-wide award. The inaugural presentation of The EQUUS Foundation Humanitarian Award will take place at the 2010 USEF Pegasus Awards Dinner during the Federation’s Annual Meeting in January. The EQUUS Foundation Humanitarian Award (presented by the United States Equestrian Federation) is a celebration of the humanitarian achievements made by a member of the equestrian world. Specifically,...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to welcome featured presenter Jan Brink to the 2009 Adequan/USDF National Symposium. The symposium will take place December 5-6, 2009 in Austin, TX. In addition to the two days of the riding symposium, there will also be a symposium lecture by Brink on Saturday night at the Renaissance Austin Hotel, host hotel for the Adequan/USDF Annual Convention being held from December 2-4. In addition to his many Swedish National Championships, Brink...