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...

When show jumping returns to HITS Culpeper for two consecutive weeks in late August, all eyes will be on the third annual United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Tad Coffin Zone III Junior Equitation Finals that will take place on August 23 during the Winston National. Following a ringside dinner reception hosted by Bridgewater College, around 35 talented exhibitors will take aim at the course set in the majestic grand prix ring at HITS Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, VA. “HITS has taken...

Jimmy Torano could not have been happier with his winning performance in the $10,000 Escada/Theory Open Welcome Stake, Presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, on Friday, August 1, at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. Magic Cruise, an eight-year-old Belgian-bred mare owned by SCNC Investments, Inc., has been knocking on the door of the “big” classes for some time now. According to Torano, Friday’s win marked a highlight for this special mare. “She is a very straightforward horse....

America's most successful grand prix rider Margie Engle has no idea how many career wins that she has and likes it that way. "If I started keeping track, I would stop winning them," said Engle, after she navigated the fastest double-clear round aboard Hidden Creek's Coroya Z in Sunday's $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Smith Barney, at HITS Saugerties. "I am pretty sure I am over 180 wins now." Engle and Hidden Creek's Coroya Z outlasted 27 pairs on course designer Ken Krome's 13-obstacle...

The week’s final spotlight shown on the children-adult jumpers as 47 horses took center stage with hopes of landing the starring role in Classic Company-sponsored $15,000 Jumper Classic. Carri Carse aboard her mount Letterman had the final call back and left the Georgia Horse Park all smiles. On Saturday, Derek Petersen of Archer, FL, captured his second Outback Steakhouse-Horses Helping Horses Grand Prix aboard Jordan Coyne’s Larazo, delivering an exciting conclusion to a weekend of giving at...

Fair Hill Events, Inc. 501(c)(3) is pleased to announce the inaugural Plantation Field International CIC***, to be held September 19-21, 2008, in Unionville, PA. Already established as a popular venue for horse trials at all levels, this is the first time that Plantation Field will offer an internationally recognized competition. The event will be held on verdant, rolling terrain in the heart of the hunt country of Chester County, PA, on property owned by Mr. and Mrs. Cuyler Walker and Mrs....

Todd Minikus and his ride Ultimo Van Ter Moude cruised past the star-studded field of 38 starters to secure $7,500 in prize money in Thursday's $25,000 Ariat Grand Prix at HITS Saugerties. Course designer Doug Russell sliced the large first-round field to 12 for the jump-off, making it a very competitive race over fences. “I was happy to have 12 come back for the jump-off," said Russell. "To be honest with you, I thought we had the right 12 come back. None of them got scared and they all walked...

Lexington, KY - The USEF/USEA Safety Summit took place on June 7-8, 2008, in downtown Lexington, KY. More than 250 people from all corners of the country and all levels of the sport of eventing showed up to listen, voice their concerns and work with fellow members of the eventing community to find solutions to the safety issues facing the sport. Attendees included spectators, coaches, riders from every level, officials, trainers, veterinarians, horse welfare advocates, media, medical...

Stadium Jumping, Inc., the nation's oldest and most respected producer of quality equestrian competitions, announced that they will host one of only two United States qualifying events for the 2008 FEI Children's International Jumping Final. This important event for riders 12 to 14 years of age will be held September 17-21, 2008, during the Wachovia Securities American Gold Cup at the Metro Parks Polo Field in Moreland Hills, OH. A similar event for West Coast riders will be held at the Oaks...

Young Horse Finals were featured on the closing day of the 12-week CN Winter Equestrian Festival, presented by Zimmerman Advertising, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. As she had done throughout the circuit, Laura Chapot of Neshanic Station, NJ, continued to dominate the young jumper division. The $20,000 Seven- and Eight-Year-Old Young Jumper Final was the featured class in the International Arena on Sunday, April 6, attracting a total of 48 entries. From the original starting...