The world-renowned Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo will open its arenas to one of the most unconventional competitions in its more than 113-year history as it welcomes Mustang Magic January 23-24. Mustang Magic, developed from the highly successful Extreme Mustang Makeover competitions, will debut at the 2009 Stock Show and feature 13 trainers from across the country that have already shown their mettle as Mustang trainers. The trainers are as unique as the horses they are training, with...

The Equine Facilitated Mental Health Association, a section of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA), will hold their annual preconference workshop at Green Chimneys Farm in Brewster, NY, on October 28. Equine facilitated mental health is defined as a number of mutually respectful activities involving equines, such as handling, grooming, riding, carriage driving, vaulting and educational experiences that help participants explore feelings and behavior. Green Chimneys...

Reining champion Big Chex To Cash is set to join the Breyer stable for 2009 as the most recent reining addition to Breyer’s product line-up since Colonel’s Smoking Gun was honored in 2002. At only six years old, the stunningly gorgeous Palomino overo Big Chex To Cash has lifetime earnings of over $200,000 and holds the title to multiple national reining championships. His palomino sire, Nu Chex To Cash, is one of reining’s all-time leading producers, having earned more reining points than any...

There is a happy end in sight for the 11 abandoned horses found in early September near Molalla, OR. At a public auction on September 10, six of the horses were purchased by good families. At the request of the Oregon Department of Agriculture, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) purchased the five horses who did not receive bids from prospective owners. The HSUS will house all five horses at its Duchess Sanctuary, a 1,120-acre horse sanctuary and rescue facility in Douglas County,...

Three Phase Event, Inc., hosted it’s first Training, Education and Development (T.E.D.) clinic on dressage for gaited horses and riders, September 5, at the Kentucky Equestrian Center, in Winchester, KY. The full-day schedule included a lecture/demonstration and a full afternoon of dressage tests. The clinician, Betty Ortlieb, a United States Dressage Federation judge, presided over the event and was warmly welcomed by all who attended. During the morning session, two riders demonstrated some...

The National Cowgirl Museum’s Cowgirl University is set to bring attention to famous ranches in the United States and honorees connected to those ranches as it launches its Legendary Ranch Series in 2009. Each course in the series focuses on ranches that were instrumental in the shaping and definition of the identity of the West. Students will have the unique opportunity to learn about, and from, National Cowgirl Museum Hall of Fame Honorees whose lives and families are often intertwined with...

If your horse fell into a ravine, would you know what to do? If your trailer was broad sided by another vehicle and turned over, would you know what to do? Could you assist emergency personnel in saving your horse? Being prepared and knowing what to do is vital when it comes to preventing serious injuries and even death. Bonnie Davis, clinician and owner of Two Horse Enterprises stated, " Saving Your Horse, a Horse Owner's Guide to Large Animal Rescue will provide the knowledge, how-to and...

The Reining Horse Sports Foundation (RHSF) honors leadership and achievement within the National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA) each year. The RHSF recently awarded five $1,000 scholarships to current National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) and former NRHyA members based on financial need and academic achievement. The 2008 RHSF Scholarship winners are: Ian Barnard, Brandon Boyle, Allison Byrd, Ashley Fuchs and Helen Lauth. Ian Barnard, from Kendallville, IN, majors in pre-veterinary...

An oral history collection on the horse industry in Kentucky hopes to showcase the bond forged between the horse and the Commonwealth. For the past two years, University of Kentucky (UK) Libraries’ Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History has been recording the stories of Kentuckians who work with horses. The resulting 110 hours of interviews with 37 individuals represents both racing and non-racing breeds. Doug Boyd, Director of the Nunn Center, said the project intends to collect at least 150...

The American Miniature Horse Registry (AMHR) National Championship Show announced the two winning young authors of the Youth Essay Contest in Tulsa, OK, this month. The 2008 winners were Katherine Richey and Allison Payne, each of who was awarded a Miniature horse for their efforts. The Youth Essay Contest was open to all current junior members of the AMHR. In the 13 to 17 age group, Katherine Richey from Meridian, MS, wrote a charming piece on why she would be the best person to win the...