Experts report that eastern tent caterpillars are now wandering and population levels are among the highest they’ve seen since 2001, when Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome (MRLS) hit Central Kentucky particularly hard. “The eastern tent caterpillar populations are dramatically up this year—the highest I’ve seen since the MRLS crisis. The larvae are full size, many trees are totally defoliated and I’ve seen very large numbers of caterpillars moving along fence rails and wandering out many...

In addition to being the exclusive financial services partner to the FEI, HSBC, the world’s local bank, has made a commitment to the discipline of eventing on a global basis. This commitment will cover the prestigious four-star events, which will be known as the HSBC FEI Classics. The five four-star events currently on the FEI calendar will make up the HSBC FEI Classics; these events not only have the richest tradition but are also the pinnacle of eventing attracting the best riders and horses...

Horse show competitors and visitors of all ages are invited to celebrate the magnificence of the horse this summer at the Colorado Horse Park in Parker, CO. The calendar is packed with more than 30 unique and diverse events designed to entertain, educate and enthrall. Nearly one-million dollars in prize money will be distributed to hunter, jumper, equitation, dressage, eventing and draft horses throughout the season. “The 2008 season will be one of our best ever,” predicts General Manager Rob...

The University of Vermont Morgan Horse Farm in Weybridge, VT, has received a pledge of $1 million from the Amy E. Tarrant Foundation. The gift, the largest ever to the historic facility, will be used to create an Amy E. Tarrant Endowed Fund for the Morgan Horse Farm, with $800,000 to establish the endowment and $200,000 designated for current operating needs. Earnings on the endowment will provide funding for the farm in perpetuity. "We are so very grateful to Amy Tarrant for her gift," said...

The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation is pleased to announce that it awarded grants totaling $2,295,000 to the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) for high-performance programs in 2007. The USET Foundation funding provided support, in whole or in part, for athletes in seven high-performance disciplines to participate in national and international events. The high-performance disciplines are dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, reining, show jumping and vaulting. "The...

Ki-Juan Minors wowed the judges and the energetic crowd of horse lovers on Saturday, February 9, and walked away with the grand prize and the title of "Equestrian Idol." The event, benefiting the EQUUS Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity that promotes the positive use of the horse for the benefit of the general public and the equestrian sport as a whole, began at 6 p.m. and was quickly filled to capacity. Newman's Own was the presenting sponsor for the event. Partygoers mingled around the...

Lexington, KY - The USEF High Performance Reining Committee has innovative plans for 2008. Chaired by Jerry Kimmel and boasting a prolific group of reining experts, the committee is focusing on fundraising and promotions of its programs. Looming on the radar screen are the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in 2010 in Lexington, KY, which marks the first time the Games have been held outside of Europe. The U.S. Reining Team will be attempting to defend the Team Gold Medals won at the past two...

The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Farnam, has once again been designated one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events for the month of April. The event was recognized by an elite tourism industry selection committee for offering outstanding entertainment value to groups as well as to individual travelers from around the world. “We are proud to continue our commitment to providing outstanding entertainment as well as world-class equestrian competition,” said Event Director...

Have you ever wondered who was the youngest rider ever to win the FEI World Cup™ Jumping title or how long the champion horses lived after this pinnacle in their careers? Or ever wondered how many times a particular rider has made it to the Final and where they finished every time, or which was the youngest horse to come out on top? The new-look Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping Media Guide has all the answers and a great deal more, with enhanced statistics and results and interesting facts and...

Legendary reining sire and National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Hall of Fame inductee Topsail Whiz has become only the second stallion to earn this incredible distinction, which is based on offspring earnings. The major milestone came just over one year after reaching the four-million dollar mark. Topsail Whiz, owned by Bob Loomis Quarter Horses, Inc., of Marietta, OK, is by Topsail Cody, another NRHA Hall of Famer and Million Dollar Sire, and out of Jeanie Whiz Bar. When contacted about...