In these tough economic times, nearly every horse owner is trying to pinch pennies. When watching your wallet, it’s also important to remember that trimming many veterinary expenses may cost you more in the end. “Horses can be very expensive animals to own and maintain,” said April Knudson, DVM, Manager, Merial Veterinary Services. “So it’s no surprise that, even in a relatively strong economy, horse owners look for the most inexpensive ways to care for their animals. However, the urge to trim...

Photo by Flying Horse Photography (McLain Ward and Goldika 559 on course in the $30,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health.) Canadian Olympian John Anderson sealed the first half of the HITS Desert Circuit with a kiss on Valentine's Day when he captured the blue ribbon aboard Terrific in the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, on Sunday afternoon at the HITS Desert Horse Park, in Thermal, CA. The win marked the second victory of the circuit for Anderson...

Photo by Robbi Meisel (Taylor Adams and Kassandra) Ocala, FL-based Taylor Adams began the curtain calls for the 2010 Jacksonville Winter Series on Friday evening with a big win in the $10,000 Bruning Equitation Classic, presented by the Jerry Parks Insurance Group. Adams partnered with the Devon Walther owned Kassandra bested a field of 15 over an intricate layout of 11 obstacles co-designed by international great Pierre Jolicoeur and Joe Carnicom. The course zig-zagged the length of the...

Competition in the 2010 Cavalor Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series started in January in Florida. With classes in full swing at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, riders are already earning big points on the series' overall standings. One such rider is Heather Hooker of Wellington, FL. Hooker, who competes in the Series' East Conference Junior division with her mount Perle, won two of the three Cavalor Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series junior...

Kim Severson Takes Her Expertise South of the Border (Mike McNally) Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) will continue to lead a joint development program with the FEI in Central and South America. The USEF made a commitment to supply coaches from the USA and Canada to FEI regional Groups IV and V for 2010 and 2011 after a very successful pilot year in 2009. The objective of this program is to increase the participation in regional games in the area going forward....

The 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) continued a strong circuit this year in the second week of competition held January 20-24. The week featured the $50,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix, CSI** along with a full schedule of hunter, jumper, and equitation classes. The week two title sponsor was Purina Mills, and through Land O'Lakes Purina Feed, they are the exclusive horse feed sponsor of the 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Land O'Lakes Purina Feed, LLC (www.landolakesinc.com), is a...

The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show, one of the country’s oldest and most prestigious horse competitions, has officially launched its 65th season. This year’s show will be held, once again, at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, TX, starting on March 17, 2010, and will run through March 28, 2010. It was announced that BBVA Wealth Solutions would be returning as the lead sponsor of the show. “We are thrilled that BBVA Wealth Solutions has agreed to be our lead sponsor again this year....

Breeder Ken Borden, Jr., has characterized his Little Bit Farm, Inc., as “small but mighty.” They have had growing success and many year-end awards for both farm and horses, but this past year was a banner one. For 2009, Little Bit Farm is the leading dressage breeder for both the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and the United States Dressage Federation (USDF), with five USDF Horse of the Year winners and two of their four approved stallions entering the record books. Masterpiece...

The Kentucky Horse Council (KHC), for over three decades, has worked to benefit and support all equine breeds, disciplines, and activities across Kentucky, primarily through education and leadership. In a move to emphasize this role, the Kentucky Horse Council Board of Directors recently adopted a new mission statement to encompass the operating principles of the organization. The new mission statement of the Kentucky Horse Council is: "The Kentucky Horse Council is a non-profit organization...

Photo by Ken Braddick (Steffen Peters and Ravel) Lexington, KY – Talk about busy. 2009 has been a whirlwind, new champions of all kinds, title defenders, legends and innovators made headlines this year. The line between winning and losing has become increasingly fine as all the USEF competitors in every discipline continue to up their game, hone their skills and make the US Team proud both locally and across the globe. With the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) looming on the...