Surrounded by the beauty of the Kentucky Horse Park, First Lady Jane Beshear presented a proclamation declaring Saturday, August 15, 2009, as the Fifth Annual Hats Off To Kentucky's Horse Industry Day. "I can not think of a better way to celebrate our signature horse industry than to invite everyone to attend a day of festivities at the Kentucky Horse Park," said First Lady Beshear. "I encourage all Kentuckians to join in the fun on Saturday for the Hats Off to Kentucky's Horse Industry Day."...

WHAT: Interview with Mary Jordan, Equestrian and multiple sclerosis (MS) patient, competing in the 2009 FEI European and Open Para-Equestrian Dressage Championships WHO & WHY: Jordan’s story of managing her MS to compete in the sport she loves is an inspiration to many and has gained media interest throughout the United States. Her competitive resilience so touched one Dutch family that they loaned her a horse to be able to compete in the championships. In 2002, Jordan was first diagnosed with...

Beginning Thursday, August 6, 2009, the Professional Riders Organization (PRO) will host a series of events at the Millbrook Horse Trials in Pine Plains, NY. On Thursday and Friday, PRO will host guided course walks led by PRO riders, including Danny Warrington, Bobby Costello and Sharon White. Following the course walks on Thursday, PRO will host a reception to welcome competitors and spectators and discuss PRO's mission and membership benefits. On Sunday, PRO will sponsor Advanced Show...

The North American Young Riders Endurance ride took place on Friday, July 24. It was run concurrently with the FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC) and for the first time all three North American countries were represented. Held in the rolling hills of Henryville, IN, riders competed against the clock for team and individual medals. Heavy rains left the ride’s 75-mile course a bit more treacherous, requiring riders to be extra cautious. The Individual Gold and Silver...

Kaitlyn McMorris and Clifton Peekachu (Brant Gamma) Lexington, KY—Cross-country day has come and gone at the USEA North American Junior & Young Rider Eventing Championships at the Kentucky Horse Park. It was a day full of athletic horses cruising around the course and strong riders enjoying every minute of it. The start time was delayed an hour due to strong storms that moved through the area, but the weather improved as the competition went on. The course, designed by Olympic Gold...

Lexington, KY— The 2009 United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Dressage Seat Medal Finals presented by Dressage Today ® concluded this weekend, July 17-19, in the beautiful setting of the Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, IL. Riders came from across the country to compete for the championship in two age divisions—13 & under and 14-18. The purpose of the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Program is to promote and reward excellence in equitation, including correct seat, position, and use of aids...

The American Association of Equine Practitioners’ debut fall meeting, Focus on Ophthalmology, October 1-3 in Raleigh, NC, invites equine practitioners to explore new innovations in the treatment and diagnosis of conditions affecting the equine eye. Ocular trauma, infection and disease can lead to some of the most expensive and devastating conditions in horses. Equine veterinarians treating sport, work or show horses must be well-versed in the diagnosis and field treatment of eye conditions to...

The excitement of cutting horse competition returns to the Will Rogers Memorial Coliseum July 13–August 2 with the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Summer Cutting Spectacular presented by Great American Insurance. The event lists 1,775 entries vying for more than $2 million in prize money. Classes are divided between a classic challenge competition for five- and six-year-old horses and a derby for four-year-old horses. The Summer Cutting Spectacular is the third leg of the prestigious...

Troxel LLC, a worldwide leader in ASTM/SEI-certified equestrian helmets, unveiled the Troxel Safety Resource Center, an interactive educational resource for the equestrian community. Troxel’s Safety Resource Center, online at www.troxelhelmets.com/safety is the most comprehensive and up-to-date collection of equestrian helmet safety information available online. Organized into categories for adults, kids, and educators, the site provides an assortment of information, games, and resources...

Have you ever wanted to learn more about the Hanoverian horse? In response to membership inquiries, the American Hanoverian Society (AHS) is currently developing a Breed Orientation Seminar that will tentatively be held November 3-6, 2009, in the Sacramento, CA, area. In order to test the financial viability of this developmental program, the AHS needs to gauge the level of interest in such a seminar. The seminar requires a minimum of attendees and is open to the AHS membership and others with...