John French entered last week’s $10,000 Devoucoux Hunter Derby as a heavy favorite, and during the popular two-round classic, he showed exactly why when he captured the top two places in the class to conclude a fabulous week during Desert Circuit V at the HITS Desert Horse Park, in Thermal, CA. French, from Gilroy, CA, took the top placing aboard Lisa Martinez-Bates' Brego and was also second aboard Yellow Dog, LLC's Crown Affair en route to collecting $5,000 in prize money for the afternoon....

Although the weather threatened to put a damper on the weekend, it held off just enough to allow the first Gold Coast show of the season (February 19-21), held at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, to be the fun event exhibitors knew it would be. There was a great mix of familiar faces and new ones to make the show a big success with a record number of entries. One group of new faces came from Hayden Show Jumping and Riding School of Laguna Hills, riding under the tutelage of Mickey Hayden and...

Mikala Munter Gundersen and Festivo Win Equilite Sponsored Class International dressage trainer and competitor Mikala Munter Gundersen was in the ribbons at the Wellington Classic Holiday Challenge, winning the USEF Third Level Test 3 with Christine DeHerrera’s Westphalian gelding Festivo. The class was sponsored by Equilite, makers of Sore No More, Herbal Blends and Botanical Animal Flower Essences, and Gundersen took home a giant tote filled with Equilite products. “Christine, who owns...

The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation Holiday Fundraiser presented by SUCCEED® and Wellington Classic Dressage will be held on December 11-12 (6-10 p.m. both evenings) at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center. The fundraiser will feature a combination of clinics, fun demonstrations, team competitions and many holiday surprises from some of the top horses and riders in the country. Along with the exciting equestrian performances, the holiday gala will feature a catered VIP dinner and...

In this day and age, there are many medications available to both human and horses. While some of these medications are quite benign, most of them have varying degrees of side effects. Some of the side effects are relatively minor, while some are rapidly fatal. Recent national events have shown us that we must take great care in what we put in our horses. Obviously, horses can neither tell you where it hurts nor can they tell you what they feel like on a given medication. So, paying attention...

The 2008 Nominating Committee of the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) held its first, formal meeting during the Lexington Junior League Horse show, under the direction of Chairwoman Barbara Molland. Also on the committee are Nancy Becker, Vicki Gillenwater, Scott Matton, and Carol Reedy. The duty of the committee is to prepare recommendations for ASHA directors to be elected to three-year terms beginning in February 2009. The Nominating Committee directed the staff of the...

The Reining Horse Sports Foundation (RHSF) is honoring leadership and achievement within the National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA). The RHSF will soon award five academic and need-based scholarships to deserving youth members of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA). The RHSF is dedicated to helping youth members reach their educational goals. Anne-Marie Burns, Director of the Reining Horse Sports Foundation and Vice-Chair of the NRHA Youth Committee noted, “One of our core...

Iron Spring Farm’s popular Friesian stallion Goffert 369 was euthanized Tuesday, February 13, 2007. The Grand Prix competitor colicked, and although every effort was made to save him, the damage was irreparable. Goffert 369, known as “Herbie,” was a beloved spokesman for the Friesian breed. Known for his tremendous athletic ability and intelligence, Goffert had a fan base around the world. In 2004, he performed at the 125th Anniversary Celebration of the Friesian Studbook where more than 10,000...

Attention Children Jumper Riders! This year’s FEI Children’s International Jumping Final will be held in Jalapa, Mexico, December 3-8, 2007. The Final for Children between the ages of 12 and 14 as defined by FEI rules brings together riders from various nations around the world not only to compete but also to meet their peers from other cultures. Qualifiers for this final will be held at the Florida Classic/WCHR Spectacular February 21-25, 2007, and the Oaks Blenheim Fall Tournament September...

The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) announced that it provided funding to 167 equine programs in 69 counties during 2006, totaling $135,682. KEEP created this local funding program as part of its grassroots efforts to help horse organizations around the state. The grants program is divided into four categories: 4-H clubs, horse shows, equine associations and equine education programs at Kentucky colleges and universities. Each category has a funding limit and specific criteria that...