The American Horse Council (AHC) has announced that the focus of this year’s National Issues Forum will be the “Welfare of the Horse.” The Forum will be held June 16, 2009, in Washington, DC, as part of the AHC’s annual meeting. Over the last year, concerns about the welfare of horses used in racing, showing, recreation, or work have been raised by our fans, the general public, the media, and Congress. Such concerns have been expressed before, but perhaps not as broadly as now. “Those involved...

Allison Springer and Arthur. (Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.) Tallahassee, FL - It's only fitting that the winner of the first event of the 2011 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series would be decided on the final moments of the competition on Sunday afternoon, drawing out the nail-biting excitement to the very last jump. Overnight leader Allison Springer must have breathed a huge sigh of relief to cross the finish line with all the rails still neatly in their cups, solidifying her victory at the prestigious...

Gail Morey (John French and Crown Affair. ) Carson City, NV - With only a few days left to prepare for the $25,000 Franktown Meadows Hunter Derby at the Franktown Meadows Equestrian Facility, anticipation is mounting. Equestrians are traveling from all over to take part in the first standalone hunter derby on the West Coast. Among the many hunter derby exhibitors will be top professionals John French and Jenny Karazissis. French will be accompanied by four hunter derby horses, which include two...

During the weekend of November 5-8, 25-year-old Kerry Tracey of Watkinsville, GA, led the victory gallop at the final SmartPak Equine/United States Eventing Association (USEA) Training Three-Day Event aboard her homebred Thoroughbred/Appaloosa gelding Chasing The Music. Although the entries were low for this long-format division, which was held in conjunction with the Rocking Horse Fall Horse Trials (Altoona, FL), the competition was fierce, and Tracey moved up from fourth after dressage to...

Lexington, KY - After a day that tested the will and stamina of some of the world’s best endurance athletes, it proved to be a clean sweep of the medals podium in both the two-star and three-star endurance competitions in the 2009 Kentucky Cup Endurance race. The event, held at the Kentucky Horse Park and neighboring farms, served as the test events for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. In the 100-mile ride (that was shortened to 75 miles due to inclement weather and deteriorating...

This past weekend, Canterbury Farm in Hampshire, IL, hosted a clinic for the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Emerging Athletes Program. Held on Saturday, September 5, and Sunday, September 6, the clinic was conducted by renowned equestrians Melanie Smith Taylor and Ray Texel. Diane Carney of Hampshire, IL, was the on-site coordinator for the event, which was a Level II Training Session. The clinic was part of the Emerging Athletes Program, an educational program that focuses on...

People say things always happen for a reason. Throughout the past few months I have had loads of change come my way and have learned to deal with things the way that they have presented themselves. This spring season has not been the best for Pop and me. He turned 14 this past January and has done more than I have ever thought he would. Many people told me he would never go preliminary and, for a while, I believed them. He was tough in the beginning and after the first few trainings he did I...

Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy. (Sportfot.) Wellington, FL - Jennifer Alfano and SBS Farms' Jersey Boy have led the USHJA International Hunter Derby program since its inception, winning classes all over the country in the last few years and proving their expertise in the handy rounds and finesse over the jumps. Tonight was no different, as the pair jumped their way to victory in the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby during the twelfth and final "Saturday Night Lights" event at the 2011...

Marta Renilla’s exhibition ride at Pin Oak. (Shawn McMillen Photography.) Katy, TX – Week two is underway at the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show, one of the oldest and most prestigious shows in the United States and the first designated as a United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Heritage show. Andalusians, Lusitanos and crosses of these bloodlines with other breeds have been part of this multi-breed show for seven years. Pin Oak’s new international hospitality sponsor, Haras Dos Cavaleiros,...

Steffen Peters and Ravel at the FEI 5* horse inspection. (Marie Cobb/Susan J. Stickle.) Wellington, FL - The World Dressage Masters Palm Beach CDI5* presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach got off to an auspicious start on Wednesday, March 9, as all 15 horses were presented to the FEI Ground Jury and passed the mandatory inspection. They will go on to compete in the Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Freestyle over the next two days. The highlight of the WDM Palm Beach is...