Lexington, KY – Becker College, with campuses in Worcester and Leicester, MA, has joined title sponsor Pessoa, as one of the major sponsors of the USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final. As the presenting sponsor, Becker College will receive national exposure in the equestrian world. The annual October event will now be known as the Pessoa/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Finals presented by Becker College. “It is an honor for Becker College to be associated with the USEF, and the prestigious Hunter Seat Medal...

In the past decade, enrolling foals into the National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC) program has become an integral part of raising reining horse prospects and once again, in 2005, the NRBC saw a record year in foal enrollments. According to NRBC Secretary/Treasurer Cheryl Magoteaux, the total number of foals enrolled for 2005 was an incredible 2,442. "That's up over 200 foals from last year, our previous high," noted Magoteaux. "We're thrilled that the reining industry has supported this...

Richard Spooner couldn't catch his breath. The Indio Desert Circuit's all-time leading money winner had five mounts in the $30,000 Ariat Grand Prix, and he brought three into the jump-off. Quirino 3 delivered Spooner another victory, posting the jump-off's best time of 39.36. Ezrah also had a clean-round at 40.08 giving him second place in the competition. His third mount, Airtime, smacked into jump 12, a white and blue vertical jump near the end of the course, leaving him sixth. In the opening...

A group of Louisiana State University and Idaho State University students are volunteering their time to give owners personal help searching for their pets. If you, or someone you know, needs assistance in searching the Animal Emergency Response Network (AERN) for a pet lost during the hurricanes, please contact them by e-mail at [email protected]. When you e-mail, please provide: • Your current contact information (name, current address, phone number, email address) • Address where your...

The Welsh stallion Carolinas Red Fox passed away on the morning of November 15 due to complications from Cushings disease and laminitis. The 1985 Welsh Section B stallion by Carolinas Purple Emperor (Solway Master Bronze x Eden Blue Bunting) out of Downland Dresden (Downland Chevalier x Downland Dignity) was imported from Wales as a yearling by Nancy Jane Reed of Land's End Farm in Centreville, MD. Red Fox had numerous wins on the line in England before arriving in the States. With limited...

At the 2005 U.S. National Arabian and Half-Arabian Horse Show, the Arabian Breeder's Association (ABA) presented its Lifetime Breeder's Award to Sheila Varian of Varian Arabians. Varian has made her mark in the Arabian horse community. Her breeding program has risen to worldwide acclaim, and she is currently the leading breeder of Arabians in the United States and Canada. She has been awarded Arabian Breeder of the Year by the Arabian Professional and Amateur Horseman's Association four times....

For the second year in a row, the United States hosted the FEI Children’s International Jumping Final. Held at the lovely Hummingbird Nest Ranch, just north of Los Angeles, 32 of the highest ranked riders aged 12-14 congregated for a week of competition and camaraderie from November 22-27. Venezuela’s Noel Vanososte conceived of the idea to have children’s jumper riders compete in a championship format as he watched developing riders in South America. After experimenting with various formats,...

Lexington, KY -- In an exciting new format, Pikcasso (2003 Hanoverian gelding by Pikadero and out of Miss Kilkee, owned and bred by Barbara Dunning and handled by Ted Fieger) was named Best Young Horse at the 2005 Sallie B. Wheeler/USEF Hunter Breeding National Championships, presented by VitaFlex. This marked the inaugural year of an East-meets-West format in the Hunter Breeding Championship. Beginning in Del Mar, CA, on Wednesday, August 31, judges Rick Abbott and Dale Pederson judged the...

The Dutch Warmblood Studbook in North America (NA/WPN), a department of the Royal Warmblood Studbook of The Netherlands (KWPN), will be holding its annual "Keuring" tour (inspection and evaluation of breeding stock) from September 7-22, 2005. The tour includes two sites in Canada and ten in the U.S. All locations offer classes for young horses, mares, geldings and stallions. Classes for stallion approval are offered only at Iron Spring Farm (PA), DG Bar Ranch (CA) and Oakwood Stables in...

The Chatsworth International Horse Trials cross-country course has been modified to challenge the riders, perhaps more than the horses, in the FEI World Cup Qualifier (CIC***-W) to be held at Chatsworth, GA, April 8-10. The course for the FEI World Cup Qualifying event (CIC***W) will be run over 3600 meters with 30 numbered fences and 40 jumping efforts. “Most of the fences that seemed to cause too much trouble last year will be changed a bit to make it a bit more rider friendly.” said...