The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has selected the following six competitions to require heel measurements be taken from the first place and fourth place ponies in Roadster Pony and Hackney Roadster Pony Championship classes, pursuant to USEF rules HK116.3 and RD112.2. The 2010 competitions include: • Asheville Lions Charity – Fletcher, NC (May 19-22) • Syracuse International – Syracuse, NY (June 16-19) • Lexington Junior League – Lexington, KY (July 5-10) • Kentucky State Fair –...

The American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) is pleased to announce the following AMHA members who received honors at its annual awards luncheon, which took place on February 20, in Lexington, KY. A Master's Certificate is given to individuals older than 60 years of age who have been active with Morgan horses in a variety of ways. Recognized clubs nominate members based on their involvement in breeding, showing, training, promoting, or just generally enjoying their Morgan horses....

World-renowned equine nutritionists and veterinarians have been tapped to speak at the 17th Kentucky Equine Research Nutrition Conference, to be held April 26-27, 2010, in Lexington, KY. The theme of this year’s conference is “Feeding and Veterinary Management of the Sport Horse,” which is particularly appropriate considering the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are being held in Kentucky this fall. “Top-notch nutrition and veterinary care are vital components of sport-horse management,...

Photo Courtesy Rolling Stone Farm (Shakespeare RSF ) The 2004 dark brown Hanoverian stallion Shakespeare RSF by Sandro Hit, out of EM Acapella, by Arrian, was named Champion of his 70-Day Stallion Performance Test held October 4-December 12, 2009, at Silver Creek Farms in Broken Arrow, OK. Shakespeare is owned and bred by Maurine (Mo) and Jim Swanson of Rolling Stone Farm in Slatington, PA. Shakespeare achieved Class I status with a score of 130.53 points overall (this score reflects a 5%...

In these tough economic times, nearly every horse owner is trying to pinch pennies. When watching your wallet, it’s also important to remember that trimming many veterinary expenses may cost you more in the end. “Horses can be very expensive animals to own and maintain,” said April Knudson, DVM, Manager, Merial Veterinary Services. “So it’s no surprise that, even in a relatively strong economy, horse owners look for the most inexpensive ways to care for their animals. However, the urge to trim...

Randi Muster (Leah Schwendeman and Gisele.) The 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) had a great fifth week of competition on February 10-14. The week featured the $150,000 FEI World Cup, CSI*** presented by Spy Coast Farm, along with a full schedule of hunter, jumper, and equitation classes. The week five title sponsor was Spy Coast Farm. Along with their week five title sponsorship, Spy Coast Farm was the presenting sponsor of the $150,000 FEI World Cup, CSI*** on Saturday, February 13,...

The American Saddlebred Horse Association's (ASHA) annual Saddlebred Summit and Youth Conference opened Thursday morning, February 18, at the Lexington, KY, Marriott Griffin Gate Resort and Spa, and a theme throughout will be honoring and recognizing breeding accomplishments. Thursday's schedule included any number of open committee meetings to consider and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing breeders today. The Charter Club Workshop on Thursday afternoon pays tribute to...

Photo Courtesy JRPR (Lauren Sammis, left, won the FEI Test of Choice aboard High Field’s Casimirov, owned by Paula Runnells.) Courtney King-Dye and Grandioso III, owned by Hampton Green Farms, turned in an award-winning ride in the Intermediaire II class at the Wellington Classic Dressage Spring Challenge CDI. The class was sponsored by Sho Clothes, and King-Dye and Grandioso rode away with a beautiful scrim from the upscale dressage boutique in Wellington that specializes in the latest and...

Photo by Flying Horse Photography (McLain Ward and Goldika 559 on course in the $30,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health.) Canadian Olympian John Anderson sealed the first half of the HITS Desert Circuit with a kiss on Valentine's Day when he captured the blue ribbon aboard Terrific in the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, on Sunday afternoon at the HITS Desert Horse Park, in Thermal, CA. The win marked the second victory of the circuit for Anderson...

Photo Courtesy Minitube Internationa (Biopsita with surrogate mom.) Minitube International has achieved a scientific breakthrough that will allow for genetic testing and preservation of equine embryos. The world's first foal from a biopsied and vitrified embryo transferred into a surrogate mare was born on Wednesday January 27, 2010, at Minitube International Center for Biotechnology in Mount Horeb, WI. Both the mother, "Lola," and foal are doing well. The birth of "Biopsita" marks a new era in...