Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) announced that it has agreed to acquire the stock of Farnam Companies, Inc., for approximately $287 million, plus $4 million for the purchase of related real property. Based in Phoenix, AZ, Farnam is a leading manufacturer and marketer of innovative health care products primarily for horses, household pets and livestock sold through over-the-counter and veterinary channels. In addition to the internationally recognized Farnam umbrella brand, Farnam’s...

The 2006 National Youth Horse Leader’s Symposium will take place February 3-5, 2006, in Gainesville, FL, offering a diverse group of talented and knowledgeable presenters on four different tracks: youth development, successful programs, tools and games and industry issues. The 29th annual symposium will have something for everyone involved in the youth horse industy. Randel Raub, PhD, of Land O’Lakes Purina, will share his knowledge about quality ingredients in feed as well as offer a keynote...

Craig Schmersal and Tidal Wave Jack, Winners of the 2005 Adequan/USEF Open Reining Championship (Waltenberry Photography) Lexington, KY – With swift and calculated moves, amazing 360-degree spins and stop-on-a-dime sliding stops that left an unabashed crowd going wild, Craig Schmersal and Tidal Wave Jack claimed their landmark USEF Gold medal and trophy in one fell swoop at the 2005 Adequan/USEF Open Reining Championship on Saturday, August 27, at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington....

The annual American Association of Equine Practitioners' (AAEP) Horseman's Day is scheduled for Sunday, December 4, in Seattle, WA, at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel and Towers. Horseman's Day runs in conjuction with the AAEP's Annual Convention, and provides horse owners and other attendees with up-to-date health care information. Presentation topics include dentistry, purchase exams, wound management and bandaging, laminitis, and the plight of the unwanted horse. USEF members can...

Rider Aaron Vale of Aiken, SC, rode Alison Register’s 13-year-old Warmblood bay mare Alliance to a double-clear round victory over a field of 26 competitors in the H n’ D Stables’- and Wilton Connor Family-sponsored Lucky Sevens Welcome Stake on July 21. Alliance's first round time of 63.50 made him the third out of four mounts for Vale going into the jump-off. Their second clear round time of 34.70 was just one second enough to pull off the win. Pablo Barrios of Wellington, FL, aboard Wild Cat...

Hundreds of highly trained horses will descend upon Traverse City, MI, for a three-week United States Equestrian Federation-recognized hunter, jumper and dressage festival slated for July 13–31, 2005. Recognized as “Horse Shows by the Bay,” this unique multi-discipline event qualifies riders and horses for prestigious year-end national finals and titles. Event highlights include a weekly $25,000 grand prix, $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior/Amateur Owner Prix, young jumper qualifiers,...

Lili Weik Photography Jimmy Torano and Marcel - Winners of the $150,000 Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championship (Lili Weik Photography) Saugerties, NY – With only one time fault to speak of in the second round of Sunday’s competition, Jimmy Torano of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and his mount Marcel, out-jumped 14 competitors to take home the Championship trophy, $30,000 in prize money, and the elegant Rolex watch at the $150,000 Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championship in...

The American Saddlebred Registry Board of Directors elected its officers for the nine-member board at its first meeting April 5. Fred Sarver will serve as president, Joan Hamilton as vice president, Sandra Lilly as secretary and David Howard as treasurer. The terms will end in February 2006. Sarver, Lilly and Howard all serve the same positions for the American Saddlebred Horse Association. Alan F. Balch, ASHA executive secretary, said the board saw the need to have similar leadership with ASHA...

Riders from Germany, Canada and Mexico will be competing against some 300 U.S. entries at the Galway Downs International Horse Trials, Temecula, CA, April 1-3, 2005. The FEI World Cup Qualifier (CIC***-W) has a strong field of 16 riders, including Natalie Rooney Pitts, of Napa, CA, who finished eighth at last year’s qualifier with Aladdin to make the finals. Lauren Whitlock, of Rohnert Park, CA, who came fifth aboard Kipling last year will also be back, as will James Moore who, in 2004,...

The Colorado Horse Park hosted the National Combined Driving Singles Championship on August 27-29, in Parker, CO. Day one, which offered the dressage phase, was overcast through all the preliminary and intermediate level tests. The weather continued to worsen, and with the entrance into the ring of the first advanced driver, torrential rains began and continued through the conclusion of the day’s competition. Despite the weather, accuracy and skill were nonetheless demonstrated by the drivers,...