Lexington, KY – Ariat International, the leading equestrian footwear and apparel manufacturer, has created a collection of high-performance athletic gear for our nation’s top equestrian athletes that will debut in mid-summer. Through the newly-signed sponsorship, Ariat becomes the “Official Apparel Supplier” of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). As part of the category-exclusive sponsorship, Ariat has created an assortment of signature USEF garments to debut with the U.S. Team at...

Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) announced that it has agreed to acquire the stock of Farnam Companies, Inc., for approximately $287 million, plus $4 million for the purchase of related real property. Based in Phoenix, AZ, Farnam is a leading manufacturer and marketer of innovative health care products primarily for horses, household pets and livestock sold through over-the-counter and veterinary channels. In addition to the internationally recognized Farnam umbrella brand, Farnam’s...

(Gladstone, NJ) – Stand-out coaches George Morris and Kim Severson will share recognition as United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) 2005 Coaches of the Year, as part of the Coaching Recognition Program, developed by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). Both will go on to become candidates for the USOC 2005 Coach of the Year. Selected for the tremendous strides he made in his first year of leading U.S. Show Jumping athletes, George Morris has received the 2005 USEF National...

Carol Rose's Shining Spark was bred to be a spectacular show horse--and he was. He was bred to be a fabulous sire--and he is. Shining Spark is a 1989 son of Genuine Doc and out of Rose's 1979 American Quarter Horse Association's (AQHA) Superhorse and 1996 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Hall of Fame inductee Diamonds Sparkle. In 2002, Shining Spark was the youngest stallion to reach one of the NRHA's most prestigious milestones and was named an NRHA Million Dollar Sire. Just three...

Lexington, KY – The MidSouth Three-Day Event at the Kentucky Horse Park played host to four championships October 20-23. Mother Nature made the weekend cold and damp, but that didn’t stop 80 riders from competing in the CCI* with steeplechase, the 2005 USEF National One-Star Eventing Championship East Coast. John Williams and his own Sweepea Dean led from start to finish, winning the Championship for the Richard D. Collins trophy. Williams added only one rail to his dressage score...

Lexington, VA – Chester Weber of Ocala, Florida bested a field of five international drivers to win the CAI-B Oak Hill, October 8-9. Weber was named the USEF National Four-In-Hand Champion for 2005, and won his third consecutive Vanderbilt Trophy from the USET Foundation. Reserve Champion was James Fairclough of Newton, New Jersey. "As someone who thinks you make your own luck, I feel that this third straight championship is clear evidence that team work and a sound plan make the dream...

The Cosequin Stuart Horse Trials and CIC** came down to a nail-biting finish as Corinne Ashton and Dobbin, the overnight leaders, entered the ring and began their quest for the top honor. Dobbin dragged down one fence giving them four penalty points, leaving only five points between her and Mara Dean, who had completed a clear round. The cheers were deafening as Ashton managed to negotiate the remaining fences fault free and within the time allowed to finish victorious with a final score of 41....

Patty Stovel rode Shandor 41, a 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding, to the win in Sunday's $50,000 HITS Grand Prix at HITS Culpeper Showday National. Jerry Dougherty of Geneva, IL, set a challenging first-round course that saw four horses advance to the jump-off. Stovel was the fastest of three double-clears with 40.69 seconds on the clock. Second place went to Megan Moran riding Quarnak De Longprec. Eliza Ferguson Shuford rode Larentino to third place. Beth Underhill finished in fourth place with...

The 152nd Upperville Colt and Horse Show Kick-Off Party on Friday, May 20, was a big success in raising money to benefit the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation. The party was from 7:30 p.m. to 12 a.m. on the show grounds, and included a fun evening of dancing, fabulous food, a live auction and a silent auction. Music was provided by Johnny White and the Elite Band, who kept guests twirling throughout the night. The live auction consisted of neighbors and friends who have...

For the third time in four years, British leading lady rider Pippa Funnell dominated the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, leading from start to finish with Primmore’s Pride. An inspiring dressage test put them at the top of the leaderboard on day one. Whilst collecting time penalties on the cross-country, the combination jumped clear to retain the lead. In the show jumping when it mattered most, the pair jumped another clear round to secure the Mitsubishi Motors Trophy and the £50,000...