[New Albany, Ohio] – The New Albany Classic Invitational Grand Prix & Family Day announced today that New Albany’s own teen rock band sensation, Monkee Hollow, will be opening for American Idol celebrity David Archuleta at the Tween Brands Concert at The Classic, presented by Justice on Sunday, September 26, 2010. Monkee Hollow will be the first-ever local band to be invited to perform on the Tween Brands stage. Winners of the 2010 Battle of the Bands in central Ohio, they will debut their...

Calling it one of the most significant welfare issues affecting any equine breed or discipline, the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) issued recommendations for eliminating the abusive practice within the Tennessee Walking Horse industry known as soring. Soring is the infliction of pain to create an extravagant or exaggerated gait in horses for training or show purposes. Even though soring is prohibited by the federal Horse Protection Act of 1970, some within the industry...

Last year Congress took action to ensure the safety of athletes in sport. Senate Bill 2330, the “Empowering Olympic and Amateur Athletes Act,” amends the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act (Act) to provide congressional oversight over the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and National Governing Bodies. The Act strengthens the accountability mechanisms for the USOPC and National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and restores a culture of prioritizing athletes....

The American Horse Council (AHC) is working to preserve the Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program (RTP). If Congress does not take action this year this program could no longer be available to recreational riders. The RTP provides funding directly to the states for recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both non-motorized and motorized recreational trail uses. It was created in 1991 as part of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 and...

The Pennsylvania National Horse Show has announced modifications to its standard horse show format for 2009. Competition in the hunter and jumper divisions will be expanded and the traditional Saddlebred, Western and Draft horse sections will now be showcased as exhibitions and special attractions. Acting in the best interest of the show, the Board of Directors recently determined this new direction. The new look will continue to serve the original purpose of the association, which is to...

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), which has been campaigning to ban the slaughter of American horses for food exports, hailed a decision by the United States Supreme Court denying the foreign-owned horse slaughter industry’s final appeal to resume slaughtering horses. The decision upholds a federal appeals’ court ruling that Illinois can ban slaughtering horses and the sale of horsemeat for human consumption. The slaughter plants had claimed that the Illinois law at issue was...

The American Morgan Horse Educational Charitable Trust (AMHECT) is excited to announce a partnership with the Internet-based charity site, “eBay Giving Works” and “MissionFish.” These programs will work in conjunction with eBay, the hugely popular Internet commerce center, to collect funds for the American AMHECT. Giving Works allows AMHECT to act as an auctioneer, posting sellable items on eBay where anyone can make a purchase. All proceeds from these sales are directly deposited to the AMHECT....

The American Horse Council (AHC) reports that the recently passed Senate Farm Bill includes several key provisions that would benefit the horse industry. The $286 billion bill, which passed the Senate on December 14 by a vote of 79 to 14, now includes the Equine Equity Act. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) offered this bill as an amendment to the Farm Bill, and it was accepted without objection. This provision would: (1) shorten the capital gains holding period for horses from 24 months to 12...

Southern Living magazine recently photographed Silver medalist combined driver Chester Weber at his farm in Ocala, for an upcoming article in the magazine. Known for bringing readers the best of everyday life in the South, Southern Living journeyed to Weber’s Live Oak Stud for a chance to capture the magnificent farm and the man behind the name that has become synonymous with combined driving. The article and photos will appear in the Florida People and Places section of Southern Living and...

It was too close to call for Robert Dover, MC of the America’s Equestrian’s Got Talent competition, to determine a winner for the third week of auditions. Nine acts competed in Tuesday night’s competition, which Teaghan James and Robert Dover by G. Cizadlo is a United States Equestrian Team Foundation event to benefit USEF Developing Programs. Hheld at the White Horse Fashion Cuisine in Wellington, all acts are seeking a spot in the line-up for the Finale to be held Sunday,...