TheHorse.com is proud to announce it has opened a no-cost listing service for any breed of horse that is free to a good home. Horses of any age, breed, or sex are eligible to be placed on the new database of free horses. TheHorse.com launched an online bulletin board listing free Thoroughbreds to good homes in November 2008, in conjunction with sponsor Gainesway Farm. In early June 2009, TheHorse.com and the U.S. Trotting Association teamed up to create a listing of free Standardbreds available...

Iron Spring Farm's important KWPN stallion Rampal passed away last week, November 11, 2009, due to the infirmities of old age. The 26-year-old stallion was known not only for his incredible competition record, which included being short listed for the United States Equestrian Team, but also for his contributions to the sport horse world as a sire. His offspring have been competitive through the international levels of both show jumping and dressage. His son Ovation ISF won at such shows as CSIO...

HITS, Inc., is pleased to announce that the Arizona Winter Circuit will be AA-rated for hunters during the final week of the circuit. The first five weeks of the circuit will continue to be A-rated. The Arizona Desert Finals will take place March 10-14 to close out the six-week HITS Arizona Circuit, which starts its first week on February 3. The new AA-rating will feature increased prize money for nine different hunter divisions as well as increased prize money offered in the Fast Lane Farms...

While many events are making cut backs in prize money, Bob Bell and Janet McCarroll, co-managers of the 2010 Gulf Coast Winter Series, were ecstatic to announce an increase to the High Junior and Amateur Owner Jumpers this season. Over $100,000 will be awarded during the six-week 2010 winter series. “That is a lot!” a happy Bell commented. The high section will offer $2,000 per class, and on the weekends there will be a $15,000 High Jumper Classic. “This is for each and every week!” said Bell....

The Old Dominion Horse Show in Manakin Sabot, VA, was the site for the inaugural competition for ponies nominated to the North American Pony Futurity (NAPF) Registry incentive program. A parade of lovely young ponies competed in hand, divided by ages and genders. USEF “R” Hunter Breeding judges Joe Dotoli (of Vermont) and Beth Neilsen (of Colorado) evaluated the youngsters at the walk and trot prior to standing for conformation. Amateur and pro handlers were equally represented with Tim Foster...

How can Kentucky's children become better readers? By reading about a horse, to a horse. The Kentucky Horse Park's International Museum of the Horse is partnering with The Black Stallion Literacy Foundation (BSLF) to offer the widely acclaimed Black Stallion Literacy Project in the spring of 2010 to first and fourth graders in Fayette, Bourbon, Madison, Clark, Scott, Woodford and Jessamine counties. The BSLF helps children discover the joys of reading and the excitement of learning through the...

American Quarter Horse Racing World Champion Be A Bono has moved to the Kentucky Horse Park’s Hall of Champions. Be A Bono earned American Quarter Horse racing’s top honor when he was named the World Champion of 2004. He also earned champion three-year-old and champion three-year-old gelding honors for 2004. Owned and bred by the late Spencer Childers of Fresno, CA, the sorrel gelding was trained by Dan Francisco. Be A Bono was foaled February 22, 2001, and retired from racing as a...

Arenus-sponsored rider Kassandra Barteau of Maple Park, IL, and her horse GP Raymeister have topped the United States rankings for the FEI World Cup® Dressage Final for Young Riders. As a result, both have been invited to compete in Frankfurt, Germany, for the FEI World Cup Dressage Final for Young Riders, December 17-20, 2009. Barteau and her horse earned the sole United States Young Rider slot for the FEI competition in Frankfurt by averaging 73.375% in their two best test rides in the FEI...

Regardless of their breed preference, riding style or location, equine enthusiasts can find happy trails with help from a new course by My Horse University and Source Interlink Media’s Equine Network. From selecting a trail horse to preserving the trail, “Trail Riding 101” offers expert advice on every aspect of this international pastime. Developed by equine experts at Michigan State University (MSU) and other major universities, “Trail Riding 101” takes participants through the process of...

Kona Gold, winner of the 2000 Eclipse Award for Sprinter of the Year was humanely euthanized at the Kentucky Horse Park on the morning of September 29 after suffering a severe fracture to his left front leg while exercising in his paddock. He was 15-years-old. Within minutes of the accident, he was taken to Hagyard Equine Medical Institute for evaluation where it was determined by the surgical staff that his injury was beyond repair. The unanimous decision to euthanize was made by the surgeons,...