If you like to keep up with equestrian competitions, you’ve been born into a great time. It has never been easier to stay connected to your favorite atheletes and disciplines. There are plenty of good ways to go about it, but I am going to briefly explain why twitter has become my favroite way to keep up with the equestrian action nationally, and internationally. Finding results and watching live events is part of my job, but I need to discover new sources all the time. Of all the avenues...

Fear of the unknown often darkens our dream of buying the young horse that will become the next show star. Perhaps we are drawn to this idea by the harmony that arises between human and equine when raising a horse from his first years; possibly it's the chance to be able to buy him before he costs six figures. But will this charming youngster transform into that fancy show horse we had envisioned? Here is a way to peek into a crystal ball. Start from the bottom up — your bottom line Clearly...

With the 2010 season just weeks away, HITS, Inc., is preparing for full horse show circuits in Thermal, CA, and Ocala, FL. The 2010 HITS Desert Circuit in Thermal will have six weeks of competition from January 26 to March 14, while the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit will run two non-rated and six rated shows from January 19 to March 21. One of the best attributes of both venues is the availability of permanent stalls that are situated on the main show grounds in close proximity to the show rings....

Saddlebred.com has a new and valuable feature titled, “Saddle Up a Saddlebred,” which allows anyone interested in seeing, riding or learning more about Saddlebreds to enter their zip code and find a number of stables within a 300-mile radius. It can be accessed by going to www.saddlebred.com and clicking on “About the Breed,” and then going to “Stable Search,” or type in www.saddlebred.com/breed/stables.php . Right now, there are approximately 400 Saddlebred farms and stables in the database...

Laura Linback and Whittaker MVNZ on course in the $40,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer (ESI Photography). Culpeper, VA --- Laura Linback of Mundelin, IL, and Woodrun's Whittaker MVNZ, whom they call "Fred" in the barn, had an amazing week at HITS Culpeper. Last Friday, they captured the win in the $15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix and successfully followed up with a big win in the $40,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. Jerry Dougherty of Bokeelia, Florida was...

Blaine Mangione takes a break from the jumper ring to win the $1,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby (Bella Nova Pictures) Versatility was the name of the game as riders transitioned between the equitation, hunter, and jumper rings at Gold Coast 5 (July 19-21). Young professional Blaine Mangione, usually seen in the jumper arena, proved she could win the blue ribbon in $1,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby as well. “I was really shocked! I’m usually in the middle of the pack so I honestly...

The Jockey Club is happy to announce that the Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) will be offered in 2013 after the completion of a successful pilot program in 2012. The Jockey Club launched T.I.P. to encourage the retraining of Thoroughbreds into other disciplines by offering sponsorship for Thoroughbred-only classes and divisions and high point Thoroughbred awards at open horse shows and competitions. We are extremely grateful to the horse shows that participated in 2012 and helped make T....

Lexington, Ky . – US Equestrian has announced the restructuring of the USEF/USDF Dressage Young Horse Emerging Program as part of the U.S. Dressage Program, aimed to provide strategic support and educational opportunities for scouted and selected horses in each of the identified Young Horse divisions including Five, Six, and Seven-Year-Olds. The purpose of the program will not only provide new, structured developmental opportunities for young horses and allow for more accessible talent...

Good biosecurity practices are key to disease prevention when horses are grouped together at competitions. (Randi Muster/Mustphoto, Inc.) Ask horse owners to name their most-feared horse diseases, and chances are equine herpesvirus, or EHV, will be on the list. Recent reports of EHV in Texas, Louisiana, California, and Kentucky serve as a reminder that, with the spring competition season getting underway, it’s important for equestrians to be vigilant and take preventive measures, from...

The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) announced that the 17th annual F.L.A.M.E. (Finding Leaders Among Minorities Everywhere) program will be hosted at the Olympic Training Center (OTC) in Colorado Springs, Colo., July 24-27, 2010. For the past 16 years, the USOC and its family of dedicated Olympic sponsors have inspired minority students with this dynamic, educational program packed with leadership enhancement opportunities. With the support of official presenting sponsor Tyson Foods, Inc....