Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation, Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Scott Hassler as the National Young Horse Dressage Coach, as part of the highly successful Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program. The establishment of this coaching position is an illustration of the Federation’s continuing initiatives to support and emphasize structured development of future FEI-level dressage horses and riders. Hassler is the Training Director at the...

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...

Wellington Equestrian Partners, LLC, in collaboration with Stadium Jumping, Inc., announced that they have purchased 277 acres of prime real estate in the heart of Wellington's horse country. An option for an additional 87 acres would bring the purchase total to over 364 acres. The majority of the land was purchased from Palm Beach Polo’s owner, Glenn Straub, by various entities controlled by Wellington real estate investor Mark Bellissimo. “The purchase will allow Stadium Jumping to enhance...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce the new USDF Breeder of the Year Award program, which will be initiated for the 2006 competition season, which started October 1, 2005. This is a year-end award, based on performance in a given competition year. Breeders of dressage performance horses and breeders of dressage in-hand horses will be able to vie for top honors. Scott Hassler, Chairperson of the USDF Sport Horse Committee, stated, "Over the last few years, a...

The equine industry’s work on behalf of unwanted horses continued to gain momentum this week as representatives from twenty organizations met to advance the efforts that began at the nation’s first Unwanted Horse Summit in Washington, DC, in April. Gathering on September 21 at the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) headquarters in Schaumburg, IL, the group focused on solidifying its mission and building a long-term organizational structure. The important roles of education and owner...

(Lexington, KY) – George Morris, Chef d’Equipe for the United States Show Jumping Team, has good reason to be both happy and frustrated after Hickstead and Dublin. “We won four classes in Hickstead and were second in the Super League Nation’s Cup, and won 3 classes in Dublin and were 3rd in the Nation’s Cup. I’d say those are very, very good shows but we didn’t win the Super League Nation’s Cup classes. I want to win. That’s just how I am.” In Dublin, the U.S Team finished third behind Great...

It was a surefire win for American eventing athlete Stuart Black as he rode Fleeceworks Pacific Storm to victory at the Surefire Horse Trials II in Purcellville, VA. In the one-day event held Sunday, July 24, Black opened the dressage phase with an impressive score of 29.50 penalty points to place second in the Open Intermediate, Division C, standings. With the show jumping held next in the order of the three-phase test, Black guided Fleeceworks Pacific Storm to a clear round, despite being the...

The 31st Annual Dressage at Devon Horse Show will host a new dressage class for four-year-old horses. It is the first time that such a class has been offered in North America. The class will be held on Friday, September 30. Dressage at Devon opens on Tuesday, September 27, and runs through Sunday, October 2, at the Devon Horse Show grounds in Devon, PA. The four-year-old class was created as a new class of the North American Breeder's Futurity (NABF), which began at Dressage at Devon three...

Sharn Wordley returned to the 2005 Woodside Summer Circuit and once again captured all three major jumper classes. At the Woodside Circuit Opener, held June 23-26, he galloped to the first three spots in the $10,000 Woodside Jumper Classic aboard Cody in first, Gorki in second and Octupus in third. During the Bay Area Festival, held June 29-July 3, Cody once again led the victory gallop in the $20,000 Bayfest Grand Prix. “He is just an awesome machine,” said Wordley of the 18-year-old grey...

Recognizing that arena soil is one of the most basic and important factors required to ensure a successful equestrian/agricultural event, the American Royal Association, a 106-year old institution, unveiled new footing for all its fall and year-round events. The Royal experienced significant growth in its horse shows last year with some events increasing nearly 40%. After last year’s fall show, the American Royal formed a Footing Task Force to address the needs of its exhibitors. “Excellent...