Note to Self: 1. Prepare classical instructor that you will be appearing before him in western tack and riding an Appaloosa stallion, NOT your third level Westfalen import and 2. Don’t ride in a clinic without a photographer A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…. I got a book from the library called The Schooling of the Western Horse by John Richard Young. It was published in 1945 (practically the dark ages) and outlined progressive training for western horses. Critically...

Tracy Magness and Tarco Van Ter Moude. (ESI Photography© .) Ocala, FL - The gift of warm weather, bright blue skies and outstanding competition have been the theme of this year's HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. Last week's Ocala Masters marked the mid-way point of the six-week, AA-rated Circuit, and with just three more weeks of competition remaining, the Circuit is shaping up to be the one of the best yet. Each week the Grand Prix and Devoucoux Hunter Prix qualifiers for the 2011 Pfizer $1 Million...

Twenty-five national and state-based equine protection, placement and rescue organizations gathered Tuesday for the second Homes for Horses Coalition Conference to discuss the re-homing of at-risk horses in America. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and the Animal Welfare Institute jointly sponsored the conference. The coalition, formed in 2007, is dedicated to ending horse slaughter and other forms of equine abuse while promoting growth, collaboration and professionalism in the...

Last year Congress took action to ensure the safety of athletes in sport. Senate Bill 2330, the “Empowering Olympic and Amateur Athletes Act,” amends the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act (Act) to provide congressional oversight over the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and National Governing Bodies. The Act strengthens the accountability mechanisms for the USOPC and National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and restores a culture of prioritizing athletes....

Temecula, CA — A total of 57 horses passed the horse inspection at the Galway Downs International Horse Trials this afternoon. The ground jury accepted all 14 of the CIC3* horses presented to them without a second look. All 14 of the CC2* horses who were presented today will also start in dressage tomorrow. This afternoon also featured the presentation of 19 of the 20 horses offered for sale in the third annual Elite Event Horse Auction. The horses range from just-started Thoroughbreds and...

Lexington, KY (November 24, 2010) - The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) will present a Lifetime Achievement Award to John ‘Jack’ Kimball and Judith Noone at the Salute Gala & Annual Awards Banquet on December 3, 2010, at the Adequan/USDF National Convention & Symposium in Jacksonville, FL. These two recipients have shown a lifetime of dedication to USDF through volunteering, and developing programs, projects, and committees that have contributed to USDF's mission. They also have a long...

Bridgehampton, NY-August 29, 2010- Sunny skies and an enthusiastic crowd welcomed the Opening Day Celebration of the 35th annual Hampton Classic Horse Show, one of the most prestigious horse shows in the nation. The Classic features competitors at every level from young children in leadline to Olympic veterans and it culminates with the Classic's feature event, the $250,000 FTI Grand Prix and World Cup Qualifier on Sunday September 5. International recording artist Cristina Fontanelli...

Photo by Mike Ferrara (In 2008 Pelphrey and DA Salvatore earned the Champion spot in Youth Nationals’ largest class, Arabian Hunter Pleasure.) Think today’s teenagers are lazy and lack ambition? You’ll think again when you meet the 2009 Arabian Horse Association (AHA) Youth of the Year, Katie Pelphrey from Louisville, Ky. Pelphrey was chosen for the Youth of the Year honor among a field of incredible young individuals who represent the Arabian breed to the greater equine community in ways...

Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY, will host a two-day clinic with two-time Olympic Gold Medalist McLain Ward. On December 5-6, riders eager to learn from the accomplished show jumping veteran will be able to do so at Old Salem Farm. Ward helped the United States show jumping team win Gold medals at both the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games, and has won major titles at some of the most prestigious horse shows in the world, including the $250,000 FTI Grand Prix at the Hampton Classic Horse Show and...

Understanding the responsibilities of horse ownership just became much easier thanks to a new DVD, HorseSmarts: Essential Advice for Today’s Horse Owner , from the Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) and produced by Marvo Entertainment Group. In an effort to meet the needs of new and potential horse owners, the Kentucky Horse Council collaborated with equine industry experts to produce a 60-minute film. The DVD contains 10 chapters, including horse selection considerations, nutrition, hoof care,...