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,...

Lexington, KY—The Deep Run Horse Show, a historic Virginia equestrian event, is the third American horse show to be honored with the United States Equestrian Federation’s designation as a USEF Heritage Competition. Deep Run has now received the highest honor that can be given to a Federation horse show. The designation of a USEF Heritage Competition is reserved for those competitions that have been in existence for a quarter century or more, promoted and grown equestrian sport, and made a...

Lexington, KY – Outstanding lived up to every letter in her name and demonstrated the presence and conformation for handler John Ducharme to be named best 2-year-old filly and Overall Champion at the 2009 Sallie B. Wheeler/USEF National Hunter Breeding Championship West Coast Phase. The West Coast class was held at Showpark All Seasons Summer Tournament in Del Mar, CA on August 29 and judged by Carleton Brooks and Richard Taylor. The bay filly (Popeye K x Delilah) beat a tough field of young...

For the first time in many years the Arabian East Coast Championships were not held in Quentin, PA; the competition was held at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA, July 29-August 2. The move resulted in double the number of entries and classes offered. Familiar faces welcomed exhibitors to the new location and all it had to offer. Two indoor arenas gave main ring and sport horse entries plenty of warm-up area out of the weather. For the working western and over fences horses, there were...

The Mid-Atlantic Weekend of Pleasure Driving and American Driving Society (ADS) Annual Meeting are events not to be missed. They will be held at Morven Park in Leesburg, VA, August 6-9, 2009. Organizers have added some fun driving events, including a poker drive and a new event for the 2010 Rulebook, a Continuous Day of Driving. There will be a special Drive in Front of the Mansion for a memorable photo opportunity. The event is offering the CAA Proficiency test and have added a prep course,...

The Chincoteague pony herd is thought to be descended from animals aboard a wrecked 16th century Spanish ship, but today the herd is getting 21st century health care. Again this year, the herd is receiving donated vaccinations and deworming products from Merial, maker of Recombitek® Equine West Nile Virus (WNV) vaccine, Imrab® rabies vaccine and Zimecterin® Gold (ivermectin/praziquantel). These products represent health care technology used by top equine competitors—but even wild ponies...

Lexington, KY – The 2009 Cavalor/United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships begins Friday, May 15 at the Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, IL and will conclude Sunday, May 17. Rebecca Hart and Norteassa will be back to defend their championship title against sixteen horse and rider combinations. In addition, this National Championship will be held concurrently with the Lamplight CDI; and for the first time ever in the US, a CPEDI3* will be...

Lexington, KY - Team USA put in a remarkable effort on the final phase at the 2009 Pan American Endurance Championships in Costa Azul, Uruguay to secure a Team Silver medal. They finished less than six minutes off the gold medal-winning pace of Argentina. The American riders blazed through the final 15km phase: Cheryl van Deusen and on DA Al Capone (New Smyrna Beach, FL) and Stephen Rojek on Savvy (South Woodstock, VT) completed the final leg in just 37 minutes. Valerie Kanavy and LM Francesa...

Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy won the richest ASG Software Solutions/United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) International Hunter Derby Saturday night, March 28, when they triumphed over a record number of entries to win the $50,000 class at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). Alfano of Buffalo, NY, held on to the lead she established in the first of two rounds of competition to return for the final to post her second straight victory in the multi-year nationwide...

Looking for something new, exciting, and challenging for you and your horse? Well, mark your calendars for the upcoming clinic at Capriole Farm in Catlett, VA, presented by Kimberly Garvis, on the sport of working equitation, which is presently making its way to the United States and Canada. Currently a little-known discipline in North America, working equitation competition is divided into three phases that are designed to test through a range of activities. It combines flatwork movements and...