www.flickr.com/photos/skodak (Rio de Janeiro) The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has elected Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as the host city of the Games of the XXXI Olympiad in 2016 during its 121st Session in Copenhagen, Denmark. Rio de Janeiro received 66 votes compared to Madrid’s 32 in the final round of voting. IOC President Jacques Rogge congratulated Rio de Janeiro on its election and praised the high quality of the bid, “I would like to congratulate the city of Rio de...

The rain that plagued the Kentucky Horse Park yesterday was nowhere to be found as the Juniors took to the dressage arena today for their first rides of the competition. Today’s rides would decide the Team medals, and all the riders arrived in top form. Taking home the Team Gold medal was the Ontario, Canada, team. The team, made up of Maura O’Sullivan and Pik Czar, Zachary Ball and Karajan, Megan Lane and Caravella, and Alexandra Dvorak and Fling, finished with a total of 196.433. Team Ontario...

Winners Again - This Time in St. Gallen (Courtesy of the FEI) By Joanie Morris Lexington, KY - The US Show Jumpers continued their march across Europe with another amazing performance in St. Gallen, Switzerland in the third leg of the Meydan FEI Nations Cup. Christine McCrea, Ashlee Bond, Laura Kraut and Richard Spooner stayed on the roll that began last week in Rome and continued with a jump-off for the win in Switzerland. “It doesn’t happen often back-to back to win in a top league like...

When Randy Weaver was diagnosed with colon cancer, priorities were adjusted. Randy moved reconnecting with horses up on his list. A light that had shined in his life long ago was now important to illuminate again. He’d shown horses in his youth. He knew then about Louisville. What do you do when you’re faced with cancer? If you fight and win that battle, as Randy did, do you resume as normal? I imagine you examine your entirety, life as a whole, and reflect on the things that have brought you...

Victoria Colvin and Cortina, Champion of the Wild Horsefeathers/USEF National Green Hunter Pony Championship. (Phelpsphoto.com) Lexington, KY — As Day Two of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Pony Finals National Championships unfolded, the first overall champion was named. One of the busiest hunter riders at the show, nine-year-old Victoria Colvin, won the Medium Green Pony Hunter Championship and the Overall Green Hunter Pony Grand Champion title with a total score of 1,059...

The Executive Board of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) has voted to withdraw the proposed Strategic Plan. This plan called for the creation of a U.S. affiliate with a new governance structure and a realignment of the governance for the NRHA as a worldwide association. The Executive Board has determined that to serve the membership needs better, a new plan will be constructed in the near future. Bylaws changes have been submitted to the membership for a vote in June. If the legal...

Just how smart is a horse, anyway? While much research has been done on horses, hardly any has been on "horse smarts," or equine intelligence. Fascinating discoveries will be made with the airing of a program on RFD-TV, on Jan. 16, 17 and 21, 2007. The program, "The Horse Show" with Rick Lamb, is broadcast on Dish Network, Direct TV, Mediacom and National Cable. Tune in to see horses identify colors, pick out letters, numbers—even play cards! Inspired by the book Beautiful Jim Key (2005,...

On October 31, 2006, the Unwanted Horse Coalition (UHC) met officially for the first time under the auspices of the American Horse Council at the United States Equestrian Federation headquarters in Lexington, KY. The meeting was attended by representatives from the American Association of Equine Practitioners, American Paint Horse Association, American Quarter Horse Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, The Jockey Club, National Horse Benevolent and Protective Association,...

Bob Langrish (Vaulter Megan Benjamin won an Individual Gold medal.) (Aachen, Germany) – It all came down to one minute. It was years in the making, but it came down to one minute in Aachen, Germany, and when that one minute was over, 18-year-old Megan Benjamin of Saratoga, CA, was the first female American vaulter ever to take a world championship. For the past 20 years, a German woman has always held the title of World Champion, and Germany has also won 23 of the last 30 world championships....

The Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) has recently developed a new certification program -- the Equine Facilities Manager (EFM) program. This program is done as a 2.5 day clinic to certify four levels of stable employees: - Stable Worker- Qualified to work in a barn under the supervision of a manager - Stable Manager- Qualified to manage a small private stable of up to 10 head and 1-2 employees - Herd Manager- Qualified to manage a public equine facility of up to 35 head and 3-4...