The Garden State Combined Driving Event, presented annually by the Horse Park of New Jersey at Stone Tavern, Inc., is trying something new this year. In light of the financial difficulties being faced across the country, and in an effort to reduce expenses for exhibitors, the organizer has decided to compress the competition into a two-day format. The dressage phase of the competition will be held on Saturday, May 30, beginning at approximately 10:00 a.m., and the marathon and cones phases will...

The 2009 Stimulus Act signed into law by President Barack Obama contains provisions that impact the horse industry, the American Horse Council said in a February 24 memorandum to the industry. The measure contains the bigger write-off for horses and other property purchased and placed in service during 2009, the AHC said. The benefits were part of 2008 tax stimulus legislation, but they expired at the end of 2008. Here is an overview of what the Stimulus Act does: Expensing allowance The first...

California show jumping superstar Joie Gatlin was quick to wear out her welcome at HITS Arizona when she captured the blue aboard SunCal's King in the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix to conclude Week II, the Kachina Classic at the Pima County Fairgrounds, in Tucson, AZ. "I think everyone in Tucson was happy to see me come, and I think they are even happier to see me go," joked Gatlin. The California girl got the best of 28 riders in the first round and an additional 13 that advanced to the jump-off...

Showplace Productions, one of the top horse show production and management companies in the United States, is pleased to announce the dates of their 2009 Showplace Spring Spectacular Horse Show Series. The two weeks of shows will be held on June 2-7 and June 9-14, 2009, at the beautiful Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, IL. The two weeks of top competition bring riders from around the country to the Chicago suburbs for great prize money, superb footing and course design, and a wonderful...

The inaugural $50,000 CN Palm Beach Jumping Derby will be held Sunday, February 15 with some of the world's top riders racing around a 1,000-meter course that includes a Devil's Dyke and a newly created signature obstacle called the Palm Maze. Built on top of the world-famous grass Polo Field One at the original Palm Beach Polo Stadium—considered by many to be among the finest grass surfaces for horse sports anywhere in the world—the course offers 19 obstacles (23 efforts) over...

The Palm Beach Dressage Derby was recognized this weekend by the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation. The show received the Gold Medal Club Anniversary Award and was recognized for its contributions and support of the USET for the last 10 years. Each year the Derby raises money for the USET through VIP seating, special events or other festive fundraisers. “We are honored to receive this recognition,” said Mary Anne McPhail, Executive Director of the Palm Beach Dressage Derby. “Our...

The fundraising Gala Celebration of the Mid South Eventing and Dressage Association on January 31, 2009, was an overwhelming success, fetching more than $40,000 from the live and silent auctions for the Kentucky Horse Park. Over 200 guests attended this new event at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Lexington with Guest of Honor David O'Connor accompanied by prominent figures from the horse world. Proceeds from the evening sponsored by Fort Dodge Animal Health are being donated to the horse park's...

Despite a tumultuous economy, the first Stallion Service Auctions of the new year started on a high note, as American Saddlebred enthusiasts from across the country came together in Wisconsin and Kentucky in support of the breed. Leading the auctions with $273,000 was the Fifth Annual All American Cup Stallion Service Auction on Saturday, January 24, at Claudia Sanders Dinner House in Shelby County, KY. The auction topper, at $34,000, was Callaway's Blue Norther, setting a record for American...

It was a perfect day for the 2008 Olympic duo of Sharn Wordley and the brilliant Rockville, the winners of the Lucky Sevens Jumper Welcome Classic presented by ShowNet.biz on January 22. Wordley’s one mount bested 27 contenders for the top spot, including Wilhelm Genn, who dominated the circuit last year with his three mounts, Chantal, Loredo, and Happy Z. But as the sun began to set on the swift jump-off round, Wordley had survived the trials and tribulations put before them courtesy of course...

The 2009 American Saddlebred Reference Directory , the breed’s most comprehensive publication each year, goes into the mail this week and is now also available electronically on the association’s website to all active ASHA members. Just visit www.saddlebred.com/members/reference.php and log in. Once a member has logged in, instructions are provided. The reference directory physical copy has been mailed to all active ASHA members by USPS book rate mail. In the meantime, the association is...