Scores of Iberian horses, along with their riders, handlers and owners, assembled at the Will Rogers Equestrian Center in Fort Worth, TX, October 13-18 for the International Andalusian & Lusitano Horse Association’s (IALHA) 2008 National Championship Horse Show. Last week’s competition drew nearly 150 Andalusian, Lusitano and Half-Andalusian horses, and included hundreds of participants from across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Affectionately known as the Horse of Kings, the versatile...

Harrisburg, PA – With 274 riders vying for the title of 2008 Pessoa/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final, making the top twenty-five is tough enough. But Kels Annabelle Bonham bested the competition to take the championship title, making her last year in the Medal Finals even more special. This was Bonham’s fourth time riding in the Medal Finals and she rode early in the order of go. Judges Alex Jayne and Tammy Provost put her at the top of their card and she stayed there until the conclusion of the...

Lexington, KY – A mutual decision has been made not to renew the contract of USEF National Dressage Coach Klaus Balkenhol which expires at the end of 2008. The decision between Balkenhol and the USEF’s High Performance Dressage Committee means that his role as Chef d’Equipe, National Dressage Coach and Technical Advisor to the Committee shall be concluded according to the terms of the existing contract on December 31, 2008. In recognition of Balkenhol’s excellent service to the USEF over the...

Horse enthusiasts at our 2008 Extravaganza can plan on three action-packed days of everything equestrian from October 31-November 2 at the Richmond Raceway Complex in Richmond, VA. With multiple arenas of non-stop clinics and demonstrations, some of the best clinicians in the country, an exciting Trainer Challenge, an acclaimed seminar series with some of the leading equine practitioners in the country, and America's Ultimate Horse Idol competition, equestrians of all levels and interests can...

Are soaring gas and feed prices making a hole in your pocket? Horse owners across the country are feeling the strain of our current economy and are being forced to make tough choices on how to spend their hard-earned money. Chris Cox realizes that and wants to make it possible for those who can’t personally attend his Ride the Journey tour in Albuquerque, NM, to still benefit from the event. The two-time Road to the Horse Champion has generously decided to make the content of this final tour...

The Equine Facilitated Mental Health Association, a section of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA), will hold their annual preconference workshop at Green Chimneys Farm in Brewster, NY, on October 28. Equine facilitated mental health is defined as a number of mutually respectful activities involving equines, such as handling, grooming, riding, carriage driving, vaulting and educational experiences that help participants explore feelings and behavior. Green Chimneys...

Reining champion Big Chex To Cash is set to join the Breyer stable for 2009 as the most recent reining addition to Breyer’s product line-up since Colonel’s Smoking Gun was honored in 2002. At only six years old, the stunningly gorgeous Palomino overo Big Chex To Cash has lifetime earnings of over $200,000 and holds the title to multiple national reining championships. His palomino sire, Nu Chex To Cash, is one of reining’s all-time leading producers, having earned more reining points than any...

There is a happy end in sight for the 11 abandoned horses found in early September near Molalla, OR. At a public auction on September 10, six of the horses were purchased by good families. At the request of the Oregon Department of Agriculture, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) purchased the five horses who did not receive bids from prospective owners. The HSUS will house all five horses at its Duchess Sanctuary, a 1,120-acre horse sanctuary and rescue facility in Douglas County,...

The American Miniature Horse Registry (AMHR) National Championship Show announced the two winning young authors of the Youth Essay Contest in Tulsa, OK, this month. The 2008 winners were Katherine Richey and Allison Payne, each of who was awarded a Miniature horse for their efforts. The Youth Essay Contest was open to all current junior members of the AMHR. In the 13 to 17 age group, Katherine Richey from Meridian, MS, wrote a charming piece on why she would be the best person to win the...

Raeford, NC - The Carolina Horse Park is pleased to announce the appointment of a new board of directors and management team to lead the Park to a new level of excellence. M. Nixon Ellis, of Southern Pines, President and CEO of Argolyn Bioscience, a lifelong horseman with deep experience in the hunter/jumper/equitation ranks and a former steeplechase jockey, has been named chairman of the board. Ten new directors in addition to eight existing directors will join Dr. Ellis. This new board will...