Thursday, December 31, 2009

14th Annual Mt. Adams Endurance Ride and Mt. Adams Ride & Tie Saturday, May 15, 2010


Saddle up and ride the glorious trails of the Gifford-Pinchot National Forest and the surrounding timberlands. Everyone's welcome to participate in the 14th Annual Mt. Adams Endurance Ride. We have events for all levels of trail riders: 12- to 25-mile trail rides for beginner endurance riders to 50- or 75-mile divisions for the more experienced competitors. Due to unexpected logging operations on a few of our trails, we will not be holding the 100 mile distance this year. Riders could also opt to compete in our 12- or 25-mile Mt. Adams Ride & Tie division where one horse and two rider/runners make a Ride & Tie team. News flash: The Ride & Tie World Championships will be held here in 2010.

Ride Camp Location: The ride camp is located at the Mt. Adams Horse Camp in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Trout Lake, Washington.

Directions: From Oregon's I-84, take exit 64 (Hood River), go north across Columbia River, west on Hwy 14 for 1 mile, north on Alternate Hwy 141 for approximately 4 miles, continue north on Hwy 141 about 20 miles to Trout Lake. In Trout Lake, bear right at Chevron and follow signs to ride camp or the Mt. Adams Horse Camp.

Weed Seed Free Hay is now required in the Gifford-Pinchot National Forest. We will have a flatbed of certified WSF hay for sale at the ride site on Friday and Saturday. It will be a grass/alfalfa mix. There should be plenty for everyone who needs it.

Trail: Ride through the forests above Trout Lake Valley in the shadow of a snowcapped 12,276-foot volcano. Excellent trails and old forest service roads. Good footing, beautiful loops, and views.

Vets: Head vet: Mike Foss, DVM. Vet-in starts at 3 pm, Friday, May 15th.

Meetings: Pre-ride meeting 7 pm on Friday. Awards are Sunday morning.

Meals Included With Entry Fee: Friday and Saturday dinners are included with ride entry. Additional meals for non-riders may be purchased on site. Proceeds from meals go to support various classes at Trout Lake School and/or Trout Lake 4-H.

For more information see www.troutlake.org

Horseman recalls Pony Express centennial

StJoeNews.net - Full Article

by Ken Newton
Thursday, December 31, 2009

Lee Shifflett tells the simple story of a man and his horse.

He would be the man, and Tony Boy would be the horse. But the story also has 55 other horses and 51 other riders. Plus 31 vehicles, a parade of horse trailers, a veterinarian, a press contingent and a trailing truckload of picked litter.

Trying to keep this circus in motion, the sleepless horseman also had to dispel rumors of a roped antelope.

Oh, yeah, and revisit history.

"They thought I was crazy," Mr. Shifflett says, "and they had me convinced I was crazy."

History recalls Johnny Fry as the first westbound rider of the Pony Express, departing St. Joseph on April 3, 1860. One hundred years later, give or take a few hours, Lee Shifflett mounted Tony Boy with a mochila of mail and headed for the Great Plains.

More...

Thursday, December 24, 2009

New Zealand: Bring it on, says endurance rider

Marlborough Epress
24/12/2009

Few riders in next month's South Island Endurance and Competitive Trail Riding Championships will be more familiar with the course than Kim Swan.

While the Chestnut Valley course may be a long way from her Rai Valley home, Swan has covered most of Marlborough either on foot or horseback.

An avid pig hunter, Swan took up trail and endurance riding 12 years ago and hasn't looked back.

"Basically I was widowed and had my hunting, but nothing else I was committed to. Del Bissell found me an endurance horse. He was a big fat blob and getting him back to work and into shape gave me incentive to ride."

Riding with the Marlborough Endurance and Trail Riding Club, Swan quickly moved into the open grade for trail riding and has since graduated to endurance rides.

For the January 9-10 South Island champs, Swan will ride 12-year-old mare Roselea Shady in the 103km endurance event.

Swan said it was hard to judge how long the ride would take, but the maximum cut off time was 10 hours.

The prospect of spending long hours in the saddle may not be thrilling to all, but Swan said she was attracted to trail and endurance riding by its laid-back nature and because it was illegal for riders to use whips or spurs, meaning horses weren't forced to do anything they didn't want to.

"It's a horse sport anyone can do. If I can do it anyone can. I've never been to pony club or anything. You can ride any horse and wear any clothing. There's no dress code or uniform."

Swan also found her vast knowledge of the Marlborough back country gained through years of hunting and working in the forestry industry was in demand when it came to finding tracks for rides.

[...more]

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

USEF Announces Date and Location for the 2010 Adequan FEI North American Junior/Young Rider Championships Pending Final FEI Approval

Release: November 12 2009
Author: By Joanie Morris

Lexington, KY – Pending final FEI approval, the USEF is announcing the following date and location for the 2010 Adequan FEI North American Junior/Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC). The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has received preliminary approval and is awaiting final allocation from the FEI Bureau.

Pending this approval, the NAJYRC will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park July 28-August 1, 2010. This is a unique opportunity to use a venue which has been completely redesigned. Less than two months later, the world will begin to arrive in Lexington, KY, for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

As competitors begin to plan their 2010 competition seasons the USEF is providing this information so juniors, young riders and their chef d’equipes can plan accordingly. In 2009, the Kentucky Horse Park welcomed a record number of juniors and young riders for these championships in the three Olympic disciplines of dressage, eventing and jumping and the Western discipline of reining.

Vaulting will again hold an exhibition during the championships and endurance will run a CEIY** concurrently in Louisville, KY.

For more information, please contact Joanie Morris at jmorris@usef.org.

365 Days of Excellence in Equestrian Sport: USEF Athletes Win Around the World in 2009

USEF.org

Release: December 22 2009
Author: Joanie Morris

Lexington, KY – Talk about busy. 2009 has been a whirlwind, new champions of all kinds, title defenders, legends and innovators made headlines this year. The line between winning and losing has become increasingly fine as all the USEF competitors in every discipline continue to up their game, hone their skills and make the US Team proud both locally and across the globe. With the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) looming on the horizon, less than a year away – all eight FEI disciplines have been busy making sure that medals won’t leave our home turf without a fight as the WEG leaves Europe for the very first time.

Here’s how the year unfolded, January seems like a very long time ago:

January:
The US sent four of its most promising show jumpers to the Australian Youth Olympic Festival. Taylor Land, Mavis Spencer, Jennifer Waxman and Kylie Wright went across the world, rode borrowed horses and Land came home with an Individual Gold medal. The team barely missed Team Bronze, after jumping off with Great Britain – they settled for fourth: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=4011&star=true.

The USEF annual meeting crowned all kinds of champions, none more deserving than Chester Weber’s Jamaica who was named the 2008 Farnam®/Platform™ USEF Horse of the Year. The 18-year-old KWPN gelding was rescued on his way to a slaughterhouse in Europe after misbehaving in the tourist carriage industry. He was the stalwart of Weber’s 2008 Silver medal-winning World Championship Team: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=4009&star=true. Relive Jamaica’s achievement: http://www.clubequestrian.com/videos/watch/1002639701.aspx and see Weber’s acceptance speech: http://www.clubequestrian.com/videos/watch/1002309339.aspx.

The next night, Gene Mische was honored with the USEF Lifetime Achievement Award. No one may have discovered Wellington, FL without Mische, whose Stadium Jumping Inc. took the sport of jumping and turned it into an industry. Mische’s acceptance speech: http://www.clubequestrian.com/videos/watch/1006266323.aspx .
Look back at his amazing life: http://www.clubequestrian.com/videos/watch/1006325585.aspx.

Steffen Peters won Equestrian of the Year for his amazing accomplishments with Ravel in 2008 – but also for his uncanny sportsmanship. He accepted his award remotely, as he had a longstanding commitment in Florida to honor: http://www.clubequestrian.com/videos/watch/1006266320.aspx.
Vaulter Mary McCormick headed to Europe at the end of the month and took the CVI Leipzig by storm. She vaulted her way to the top of the standings with Tjekko. http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=4032&star=true.

The final major event of January was the inaugural Exquiss World Dressage Masters in Wellington, FL. Peters proved how much Ravel had matured since the Olympic Games, beating Individual Gold Medalist Anky van Grunsven in the Grand Prix, US rider Michael Barisone opted for the Grand Prix Special and was rewarded with the win on Neruda: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=4047&star=true.

February:
WEF in Wellington and HITS in California and Ocala were busy places as horses and riders jumped in World Cup classes. Ashlee Bond’s name was heard more and more as the 24-year-old dynamo was winning at an alarming rate in California. Beezie Madden won the first Palm Beach Jumping Derby with Crème Brule and Todd Minikus won the ESP CSI2* Grand Prix – momentum was picking up across the country: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=4147.

March:
Sapphire stormed to victory in the $150,000 CN CSIO Grand Prix for McLain Ward. The 14-year-old mare was nearly invincible in 2009; it started in Palm Beach: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=4165. The following week the pair won the $200,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI4* presented by CN, proving that their Gold medal form from 2008 was holding: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=4178. Sapphire completed a trifecta picking up top honors (and a big check) winning the $400,000 FTI Finale Grand Prix CSI5*: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=4237.

The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show in Texas was the first to receive USEF Heritage Competition Designation: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=4205&star=true.

April:
The Rolex/FEI World Cup Final was the first major international championship of the year and Steffen Peters and Akiko Yamazaki’s Ravel swept the Dressage title. Dry eyes were hard to find and the entire Thomas & Mack Arena shook at the conclusion of his freestyle. He was the first American World Cup Champion to be crowned in the US.

Not to be outdone, Sapphire continued her assault on the Jumping title for McLain Ward. She was unfortunate enough to come up against two-time champions Shutterfly and Meredith Michaels - Beerbaum. Ward and Sapphire settled for second despite faultless jumping.

US Dressage legend, Brentina was retired in front of thousands of her adoring fans.

All the World Cup coverage(photos, blogs, photos, videos and news) is available here: http://www.clubequestrian.com/coverage/fei_world_cup_2009.aspx.

The next week brought the eventing community to the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, and Australia’s Headley Britannia took home top honors for Lucinda Fredericks. Buck Davidson was crowned USEF National Champion with Carl and Cassandra Segal’s My Boy Bobby. Relive it here: http://www.clubequestrian.com/coverage/rolex_3day_event_2009.aspx.

Before the month was over, Team USA had won Team Silver at the 2009 Pan American Endurance Championships: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=4353&star=true. The Team of Steve Rojek, Valerie Kanavy, Gabrielle Mann and Cheryl van Deusen put in an amazing effort in Uruguay and were just six minutes off the Gold medal pace.

More...

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Great Britain: Experienced Dalton rider Penny Pearce has won Cumbria’s top award for endurance.

nwemail.co.uk

19 December 2009

Pearce gained the most competitive mileage points last season, riding her horse Oakthwaite Suddara.

She won the Best Arab trophy, from points accumulated from riding 834 kilometres in competitive rides and gaining 1,645 points.

Pearce and Oakthwaite Suddara did so well they were placed in five other trophies at the recent Cumbria Endurance Society's AGM awards.

Said Pearce: "I'm so chuffed about it. I finished fourth last year and I so wanted to win it this year."

Pearce, who has been riding for 20 years and competing in endurance rides for 15 years, is a Cumbria committee member and promotes the endurance riding sport as a great way to keep fit, and enjoy riding over beautiful terrain.

She said: "We're trying to encourage as many people as possible to have a go at the sport, which is great fun."

Riders and horses can compete in anything, from 15km pleasure rides to 160km day treks, and you don’t need a special horse. For more information contact www.egb.co.uk

Friday, December 18, 2009

2009 Hoof Boot Contest Winners Announced

The 2009 EasyCare $10,000 Hoof Boot Contest has come to an end and it's been quite a year! We are pleased to announce this years winners. These riders have done an incredible job not just logging impressive mileage but representing EasyCare and showing just what our hoof boots can do! They've done great at every distance. From single day 50's and 100's to multi-day rides of 250 miles or more. Proving yet again that it is possible to ride distances in Easyboots!

Each year our contest grows in popularity. This year we had 63 riders logging an incredible 21,301 miles using Easyboots over bare hooves! That's over 4,500 miles more than last year! Top ten riders are being awarded a total of $10,000 in cash. Seven riders also qualified for bonus mileage payouts throughout the 2009 season. A total of $5,100 was given out in bonus cash.

Carla Richardson 1,560 miles $3000
Terri Tinkham 1,525 miles $2000
Christoph Schork 1,330 miles $1000
Natalie Herman 1,115 miles $850
Dian Woodward 845 miles $750
Kadee Felton 823 miles $650
Kerry Greear 810 miles $550
Carol Layton 721 miles $400
Joyce Stoffey 660 miles $400
Laurie Birch 530 miles $400

It was a neck in neck competition for first place but Carla Richardson and her horse SS Kharady Khid are the winners this year! They beat out last years first place winner Terri Tinkham and horse Oliver Twist by just 35 miles! Carla and SS Kharady Khid logged 1,560 miles this year. What a team! Way to go!

The 2009 contest may have come to an end but the 2010 contest has just begun. EasyCare will award a total of $10,000 to the riders who complete the most American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) or Australian Endurance Rider Association (AERA) miles during the 2010 AERC ride season (Dec. 1, 2009-Nov. 30, 2010) using two or four EasyCare hoof boots over bare hooves. Throughout the year special promotions and discounts will be made available to those participating in the EasyCare Hoof Boot Contest. Riders will also be elegible for bonus cash after completion of 300 miles (482km) and 400 miles has been reached. So get out there and ride, ride, ride! Click here for contest information and entry forms.

For more information about hoof boots or natural hoof care please call EasyCare, Inc. at 1-800-447-8836, or e-mail: admin@easycareinc.com

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Denmark: Mosridetet 2010 - FEI***

Denmark will be hosting a CEI*** event in June. Enclosed is the latest newsletter regarding the danish endurance-ride Molsridtet.

Download newsletter (pdf)

Monday, December 14, 2009

My horses have taken care of me

Thenational.ae - Full Story

December 03. 2009

My work is my passion, and my lifestyle.

When I left school at age 16, in 1987, I had no qualifications. I never really thought about money or having a job to guarantee me a good salary. It was the opposite: horses were my passion, what I wanted for my life.

I was born in Biarritz, in south-western France, and started riding when I was seven or eight. I'm now 38. I don’t know where my love of horses came from. No one else in my family rode.

I now work as the senior riding instructor at the Royal Stables in Abu Dhabi, and I manage all the horses there. We have about 100 altogether, including 40 liveried horses that we stable, feed, groom and take care of for a monthly fee.

More...

Thursday, December 10, 2009

APEX 2010 Clinics


APEX (A Partnership for Endurance Xcellence) is pleased to announce three clinics have been organized (thus far) for 2010. We hope you can join us!

Clinic 1 (classroom): January 9: Equine Digestion and Nutrition

January 10: Conditioning Performance Horses

Location: outside Atlanta, GA



Clinic 2 (with horse): March 14: Susan Harris and the Painted Horse, followed by Centered Riding

March 15: Susan Harris and Centered Riding

Location: Biltmore Equestrian Center, Asheville, NC



Clinic 3 (classroom): April 29: Endurance in the Future

Location: Biltmore Equestrian Center, Asheville, NC

More Information here

Wednesday, December 09, 2009

Stephen Rojek Wins 2009 Maggy Price Endurance Excellence Award

Hunterjumpernews.com
December 9, 2009

Lexington, KY – Endurance athlete Stephen Rojek was named the recipient of the 2009 Maggy Price Endurance Excellence Award. The award, sponsored by Gold Medal Farm’s Larry and Valerie Kanavy, is given out annually to the Endurance Rider who earns the most points in a competition year at designated FEI Endurance competitions.

Rojek (South Woodstock, VT) won the Ocala CEI3* with Sambet and had top 10 finishes at the Williston CEI2*and the Morriston CEI3*(both in Florida) and at the Chester CEI3* in Georgia.

Rojek was honored to receive this award in honor of his great friend Maggy Price. Price is considered by many to be responsible for bringing USA Endurance into the international spotlight. The Endurance community suffered a huge loss when Price passed away in 2007.

"Maggy was a great friend of ours," said Rojek. "I met Maggy and her daughter Meg in a corn field in Maryland while we were on a 100 mile Competitive Trail Ride in 1977. The following year we traveled together to ride and complete the Tevis Cup and we have been great friends ever since. Dinah and I traveled extensively with Maggy to exotic places like China, Tibet, Morocco, India, Ladakh, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico. It was Maggy Price who urged USEF to acknowledge Endurance Riding as a recognized discipline. Maggy Price exemplified Endurance Riding with class and flair and it is a real honor to accept this award."

Written by Joanie Morris

Monday, December 07, 2009

First Coal Strip Mine in Utah Threatens Air, Water, Tourism and Bryce Canyon National Park— Environmental Organizations Challenge Permit

Suwa.org

Salt Lake City, Utah - Local and national environmental organizations filed
a petition yesterday afternoon to halt the proposed Coal Hollow coal strip mine, which would sit just west of Bryce Canyon National Park. They argue that plans for the strip mine fail to adequately account for the potential for harmful impacts on the area’s water, air, wildlife and cultural resources.

The petition was filed with the Utah Board of Oil, Gas and Mining by the Utah Chapter of the Sierra Club, the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, the Natural Resources Defense Council and the National Parks Conservation Association.

On October 19, 2009, the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining of Natural Resources approved the permit for the Coal Hollow strip mine, which would be the first coal strip mine in Utah. The permit allows for mining of 2 million tons of coal per year for approximately three years. The permit was approved shortly after a meeting between the mine developer—Alton Coal Development—and Utah Governor Gary Herbert.

"We are taking this action in response to concern from local residents and others that this mine will damage the pristine air and water quality and wildlife of the area, increase dangerous truck traffic and have negative impacts on tourism and the visitor experience at Bryce Canyon National Park," said Clair Jones, of the Utah Sierra Club.

Hatch resident Tom Stechschulte also opposes the mine. "If this mine opens it will affect all of the surrounding communities, and will result in the irreversible transformation of our pastoral, peaceful environment to one that is dominated by coal dust, diesel fumes and noisy trucks," he said.

Mining operations will require up to 300 coal truck trips per day traveling 110 miles one-way from Alton to Cedar City, which could result in one truck leaving the site every seven minutes. The coal-haul route would run through several small towns along State Highway 89, including Panguitch, a town recently placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

"It is a documented fact that when coal mines come into communities, there is a negative impact on "Mom and Pop" retail businesses,” said Bobbi Bryant, a small business owner in Panguitch. "I own a shop that is right next to the haul route, and the noise and fumes from the trucks will make traveling to Bryce Canyon less pleasurable and much more dangerous. Most shop, restaurant and motels owners, myself included, will not get as many customers, and we could be faced with closing our business."

David Nimkin, Southwest regional director for the National Parks Conservation Association also opposes the permit because of the impact it will have on the park. "Bryce Canyon National Park is one of Utah’s greatest assets. Its pristine night skies, clean air and magnificent views are threatened by the dust and light pollution generated from this proposed mine only 10 miles from the park boundary. These mining activities will most certainly impact the quality experiences of over 1.5 million visitors to Bryce each year."

"Because I have asthma, my husband and I spent years looking for the perfect place to spend our retirement before finding our home in Panguitch. This mine will essentially shatter our dreams of living in a pristine and beautiful place with good air and water quality, and if the strip mine ever opens, we will be forced to leave the town that we thought we would grow old in. I never would have thought we would face this kind of threat living so close to so many public lands," said Panguitch local Luella McMahan.

"This initial approval by the Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining is just the camel's nose under the tent," said Stephen Bloch, Conservation Director for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance. "The Bureau of Land Management is currently analyzing a proposal by Alton Coal Development to lease a larger tract of public land immediately adjacent to the just-approved mine, one that would vastly expand the size of the project to the tune of 46 million tons of coal that would be strip mined over the next 15 years."

"This strip mine would be huge step backwards," said Sharon Buccino, Director of the Land and Wildlife Program for the Natural Resources Defense Council. "There's no need to threaten the environment and economy around Bryce Canyon with one of the dirtiest, damaging, and out-dated fuels out there. The region is blessed with incredible renewable energy potential to take advantage of that would be far preferable and safer for the surrounding communities."

More information, and to see the petition, look here.

The $5 Horse Endures!


Ibn at AHA Distance Roundup Ride in March
Midsouthhorsereview.com

A "Horatio Alger" horse story

By Nancy Brannon
Everybody loves a good "Horatio Alger" horse story, and Steffanie Waddington has one about her Arabian endurance horse.

A few years ago a woman she knew passed away from cancer, and part of her husband's job in finalizing the estate was to find a home for his wife's two horses. Steffanie’s friend Jana Smith found out about the horses, got the husband's phone number, and the two made plans to go see the horses. Both were Arabians, and she and Jana liked what they saw and decided each would adopt a horse. The husband didn't want to give them away, but thought some meager compensation would be acceptable. So Steffanie paid $5 for the horse she chose: a bay gelding named Ibn Tom Terrific. "In Arabic, Ibn means 'son of,'" Steffanie explained, "and he is the son of TC Tom Terrific. He was bred in Williston, TN and born in 1993."

Steffanie took Ibn, boarded him at Cherokee Valley Farm and Stable in Michigan City, Mississippi and started taking riding lessons on him. The folks at Cherokee Valley specialize in endurance horse training and conditioning. Meanwhile, Steffanie was competing in 25- to 35-mile endurance rides on Rumor, her other horse.

In March 2008, Steffanie planned to ride Rumor in the City Slickers Endurance Ride at Shelby Farms in Memphis, TN, but a week before the ride, Rumor was injured. So Steffanie had to take Ibn instead, on the 25-mile ride. She rode with a friend whose horse was in good condition, but the rider was not. Before completing the ride, her friend dismounted, said she could not ride a step further, and encouraged Steffanie to finish the ride. Steffanie did, but came in dead last - 41st! However, their next ride one month later was a different story: Steffanie and Ibn placed fourth in a 30-mile ride.

More...

Friday, December 04, 2009

Older Horse Elmer Bandit Ready for Winter

Thehorse.com - Full Article

by: Marsha Hayes
November 29 2009, Article # 15364

With four days of consecutive dressage lessons that ran from Nov. 20-23, Elmer Bandit, the 38-year-old National Competitive Trail mileage holder, observed Thanksgiving by resting at his Independence, Mo., boarding stable home.

How has Elmer prepared for winter?

"He has grown an inch of hair, at least, and is very soft and furry," reported his lifetime owner, Mary Anna Wood. With the fluctuating Kansas temperatures, Wood hosed sweat off the gray half-Arabian gelding after one of his recent dressage workouts. Elmer has donned his special blanket from his fans at TheHorse.com twice already this fall.

More...

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Back Country Horsemen team up with Wilderness Society

Wilderness.org - Full Article

By Andrea Imler on November 12, 2009

Aldo Leopold, co-founder of The Wilderness Society and a preeminent voice in the conservation world defined wilderness as "a continuous stretch of country preserved in its natural state, open to lawful hunting and fishing, big enough to absorb a two week's [horse] pack trip." In his most famous book, A Sand County Almanac, he provided two examples of "primitive skills in pioneering travel..." one of these is canoe travel, and the other is travel by packtrain."

A Horse Rides Through It

The Wilderness Society honors the rich history of horseback riding in wilderness through a new partnership with Back Country Horsemen of America.

The two groups first met in the spring of 2009 when Back Country Horsemen of America approached The Wilderness Society to request their help preserving opportunities to enjoy wilderness riding and packing and interpreting the history and significance of pack and saddle stock for managers and other wilderness advocates.

"A partnership between the Back Country Horsemen of America and The Wilderness Society makes sense, especially in light of how many of our visionary wilderness leaders, like Aldo Leopold, Howard Zahniser and Mardy Murie, saw many of their greatest moments of clarity, insight and inspiration while riding a horse deep into the wild country of America," said Bart Koehler, senior wilderness campaigns director at The Wilderness Society. "These moments gave them a bedrock solid sense of direction and helped them lead the way to securing protections for special wild places thanks to The Wilderness Act."

More...

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Arabian Horse Foundation Begins Swayze Scholarship

NPR.org - Full Story

by the AP
November 27, 2009

The Arabian Horse Foundation has established a scholarship in honor of the late actor Patrick Swayze and his wife.

Swayze and wife Lisa Neimi owned Arabian horses and competed in shows for several years. The foundation is the charitable arm of the Denver-based Arabian Horse Association.

Foundation President Larry Kinneer of Dayton, Ohio, said Friday that the scholarship honors Swayze for his career and the couple's "love of the Arabian breed and contributions over the years to AHA youth programs."

More...

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Australia: Promotional Endurance Video Cli[p

Great Britain: Small companies sharing a big market

Nebusiness.co.uk - Full Article

Nov 25 2009 by Andrew Mernin, The Journal

You don't have to be a mammoth corporation with a bottomless pit of capital to make it big overseas. Andrew Mernin finds out how a growing band of the region's small businesses have become exporters on a shoestring budget.

A HORSE called Tiffany with a bad back was the unlikely catalyst for the creation of a globally successful firm in a tiny village in Teesdale.

Tiffany's owner Les Spark, an endurance riding enthusiast, set about designing a saddle which would allow him to ride the horse without being thrown to the ground in anger at her own discomfort. And so the flexible, and apparently ultra-comfortable, Free N Easy saddle was born.

Seventeen years later, the saddle is sold in 20 countries across five continents and has given the village of Low Selset, near Barnard Castle, its own international success story.

More...

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Virginia: Trails to open soon, Residents already using

Vancnews.com - Full Article

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

BRODNAX — The Virginia Tobacco Heritage Trail Roanoke River Rails-to-Trails segment from Brodnax to La Crosse has received a walk through approval and is already being used by visitors.

The Trail that runs through La Crosse and Brodnax is already attracting walkers, equestrian enthusiasts, bikers and nature enthusiasts.

The Tobacco Heritage Trail, according to the Web site, is a system of long-distance recreational, multiuse, non-motorized trails that provide an opportunity for all Southside Virginia to participate in a viable undertaking that will unify diverse communities, enrich lives, and help rebuild the economy.

Officials say the Trail will assist economic development - through tourism and business enterprise - and will serve as a quality-of-life tool by providing both residents and tourists valuable health and recreational benefits. In addition, the trail will be preserving a greenway and will serve as a link to nature for all its users such as: pedestrians, hikers, bicyclists, and horseback riders - with portions accessible to those with mobility limitations.

More...

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Endurance Horse Study Reveals Common Complaints, Resolutions

Thehorse.com - Full Article

by: Marie Rosenthal, MS
November 15 2009

A lot of things can happen over the many miles of an endurace event. California veterinarians recently tracked the incidence and resolution of equine medical issues encountered during endurance competition.

C. Langdon Fielding, DVM, Dipl. ACVECC, of the Loomis Basin Equine Medical Center in California, and colleagues, looked at the records of 30 horses that required emergency treatment after being removed from endurance competition.

Some of the issues the researchers encountered included colic, esophageal obstruction (choke), poor cardiovascular recovery, myopathy, and synchronous diaphragmatic flutter (thumps). They studied the horses' examination, lab work, age, breed, and other parameters to see if they could spot specific indicators that could help them catch the problem earlier.

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Friday, November 13, 2009

Uruguay: ENDURO SARANDÍ GRANDE

ATENCIÓN

FAVOR COMUNICAR A LOS INTERESADOS:

ENDURO SARANDÍ GRANDE

CLASIFICATORIA

SABADO 21 de NOVIEMBRE

ADMISIÓN DE 16.00 a 19.00 hs

DOMINGO 22 DE NOVIEMBRE

ADMISIÓN e INSPECCION PREVIA

DE 7.00 a 9.00 HS

HORA 10.00 LARGADA 74.1 KM En TRES etapas

HORA 11.00 LARGADA 45.3 KM En DOS etapas



Asociación Uruguaya de Enduro Ecuestre.
Canelones 982- Montevideo
Tel- fax: 903 09 85
Pagina web: www.enduranceuruguay.com.uy

Saturday, November 07, 2009

New Import Requirements for Horses Coming into Colorado from Texas

November 6, 2009

For immediate attention
www.ColoradoHorsecouncil.com

New Import Requirements for Horses Coming into CO from Texas
State Veterinary Office representative to attend CHC annual meeting Nov.15


Colorado Department of Agriculture has announced movement restrictions or additional entry requirements for horses from Texas due to the detection of equine piroplasmosis in South Texas.

To answer your questions, a representative of the Office of the Colorado State Veterinarian will be at the annual meeting of the Colorado Horse Council, at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 15, at the Pro-Rodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs. Anyone interested is welcome to attend; call (303) 292-4981 for more information.

Equine piroplasmosis is a serious tick-transmitted blood disease of equine animals, such as horses, donkeys, mules and zebras; the disease may be carried and transmitted by as many as 15 species of ticks. Although ticks have been collected from the South Texas ranch for testing, final results are not complete, and it is not known whether any of the ticks can serve as a host for the disease.

The Colorado Department of Agriculture has issued the following requirements:

Equine originating from any premises under quarantine for equine piroplasmosis shall not enter Colorado. Equine originating from Kleburg, Nueces, Kenedy, Willacy, Jim Wells, or Brooks County or any other county in which piroplasmosis is diagnosed, may enter into Colorado providing they are accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) issued by an accredited veterinarian within ten (10) days prior to entering Colorado. The CVI shall contain the following information:

* Negative piroplasmosis cELISA and CF tests for Theileria (Babesia) equi within the past 90 days prior to import into Colorado including an original copy of the test or National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) accession number. (The NVSL is the only approved laboratory for equine piroplasmosis testing);
* A negative Equine Infectious Anemia test within the past twelve (12) months;
* A Colorado import permit number; and
* The following statement by the accredited veterinarian signing the CVI, "I personally inspected the equine listed on this certificate. They do not originate from an equine piroplasmosis quarantined premises, were inspected for ticks, and were treated prophylactically for ticks at the time of the inspection."

(Treatment for ticks shall include any topical pyrethroids or other equine labeled tick treatment product.)

Imported equine that remain permanently in Colorado shall upon arrival at the destination premises be held separate from all other equine until they are:

* physically examined by an accredited veterinarian approved by the state veterinarian;
* retested 30 days after import and determined to be cELISA negative;
* any equine that subsequently tests cELISA positive to piroplasmosis shall be quarantined and shall not remain in Colorado.

Changes in import requirements may develop as new information becomes available to better define the extent of the outbreak. For updated information refer to http://www.tahc.state.tx.us/ or http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/Agriculture-Main/CDAG/1183672504470 or call 303-239-4161.

Former Blountville resident explores West on horseback

Timesnews.net - Full Article

By Leigh Ann Laube
November 7th, 2009

James Brown set out from New Mexico in April bound for Canada. Instead of enjoying the sights by plane, train or automobile, Brown traveled every mile on horseback.

Brown, a former Blountville resident now living in South Carolina, joined a group of riders who took the organized, 2,228-mile ride with the Best of America by Horseback Trail Club, headquartered in Virginia and owned by Tom Seay. The adventure was captured on video for an upcoming series on the “Best of America by Horseback” television show broadcast on RFD-TV.

Traveling with - and carrying - Brown was his American Paint Horse, Rocker.

Brown grew up in Blountville on a 93-acre farm. After a stint in the U.S. Army, he earned a bachelor of science degree in business from East Tennessee State University. He and wife Lorraine moved to Greenville, S.C., in 1970. Their daughter Michelle King and her family live on the farm now.

Brown learned about Best of America by Horseback through The Trail Rider magazine. He became a member of the club, then went through an application process to be selected for the ride. One requirement was that he had to have his own horse and trailer.

More...

Friday, November 06, 2009

Endurance horse racing as a hobby

Lane Community College - The Torch
An LCC instructor finishes 10,000 miles of endurance horse races

Simon Kemp
Issue date: 11/5/09 Section: Features


Two likeminded instructors at LCC have found that riding and training a rare breed of horse for endurance races is a good way to unwind after a long week of teaching, and also get outside and enjoy exercising.

Susie Morrill has been endurance riding since 1986 and recently completed 10,000 cumulative miles raced. She doesn't just race but also breeds horses, specifically a cross between Morgans and Akhal-Tekes, and trains them specifically for endurance racing. She is also an instructor in the Media Arts and Technology Department teaching photo classes, and has been for 23 years.

"One, it's a long term goal. Two, it's a really tough sport. You really have to have your act together to pull off these long distances," Morrill said. "A 50-miler you have 12 hours to complete; a 75-miler you have 18 hours to complete, and a 100-miler you have 24 hours to complete. So you're riding just extremely long times, in the dark, over mountains."

Susan Lowdermilk helps Morrill exercise the horses on weekends and other spare time, and also attends summer races with Morrill across the country. The two met at LCC through a mutual student who introduced them. They have since become not only good friends but riding partners as well. Lowdermilk is an Art and Applied Design instructor.

"It's like a marathon so there's people looking to win and people looking to finish, and I'm never looking to win because I'm a novice rider. I think even after six years there is a lot to know, but it's a great way to be outside and see the woods, and just learn something new, get exercise and communicate with this incredible animal. So it's really fun," Lowdermilk said.

Morrill started riding endurance because she had bought a Morgan horse that was too hyper to do a lot of other disciplines, and was told by a friend to try out endurance racing. The Morgan was good at endurance racing, but she just wasn't cut out for it. With a thick skin and high pulse, the Morgan could never compete for anything beyond pleasure.

Once Morrill became passionate about the sport and gained an understanding of the riding style, she realized that the perfect horses for the job would need to span long distances without straining themselves or take many breaks. She then decided to invest in a 20-year-old Seal Bay Akhal-Teke stallion to breed with her Morgan for the purpose of endurance racing, and has since had immense success in the sport because of her horses' abilities to span great distances without getting tired or even needing to stop very long to rest.

Meeting an Akhal-Teke is like meeting a piece of ancient history. The breed is not only one of the oldest breeds of horses on earth, but is also one of the most unusual and distinctive. The origin of the Akhal-Teke breed is the Turkmenistan Desert oases, and can be traced back over 2,500 years. They were considered heavenly horses in Chinese lore and the Russian Cossacks were often mounted on Akhal-Tekes because of their ability to handle climate extremes. They were the sole reason for many raids throughout history, and have been the prized mounts for many rulers. However, they are not to be taken on by an amateur. Akhal-Tekes are renowned for nothing more than their demand for a competent rider and their temper. Bred for survival through extreme heat and deprivation, they make the perfect endurance racing horses.

What sets endurance racing apart from other styles of horse racing is that the outcome is not dependent on how fast or hard somebody rides their horse, but on how well they know the horse and how they ride them. If one rides full sprint all the way to the veterinary check station then they will have to wait for their horse's pulse to return to normal again before finishing, whereas the rider who knows their horse's limits and maintains a steady rate just below that will hardly have to stop and wait for the pulse to drop back down before continuing.

"It's gorgeous. You're riding in snowstorms, you're riding in hundred and seven degree heat, it's everything. I mean half of it's the weather," Morrill said. "It's a nice family sport, and for horse sports, it's really down to earth people. It's just too hard to be less than gracious."

Morrill has been in races all over the United States including Arizona, California, Kansas, South Dakota as well as Alberta and Manitoba, Canada. Although she likes to stay mainly in the Northwest where she's close to home, friends and family.

Equestrians saddle up for local endurance ride

Orovillemr.com - Full Article

By KYRA GOTTESMAN - Special to the Mercury-Register
Posted: 11/05/2009 10:36:50 PM PST

OROVILLE -- Come rain or shine, more than 100 riders from all over the northwest will be saddling up for the 11th annual Lake Oroville Vista Endurance Ride on Saturday.

The LOVERide, featuring both 30- and 50-mile events, is among the most popular and renowned American Endurance Ride Conference sanctioned rides on the West Coast.

"With the stunning vistas our local trails have to offer, this event has put Oroville on the equestrian map of places to trail ride and horse camp," said Laurie Anderson, one of the ride's volunteers and participants. "We've had riders come from as far away as England come to participate in this event. We've had as many as 200 riders in past years and this year we expect well over 100 from California, Utah, Nevada and Oregon. Some riders come back year after year."

The LOVERide is managed by Oroville resident Kathy Papa and sponsored by the Mounted Assistance Unit of the California State Parks, in cooperation with the Department of Water Resources, which provides the staging areas and security for the annual event.

Both the 30- and 50-mile ride start and end at the Diversion Dam and loop up to Loafer Creek. The 50-mile ride continues with a loop on private property across Highway 162 and then back to the Diversion Dam.

More...

Thursday, November 05, 2009

The EQUUS Foundation/USEF Youth Convention—Reaching Out to the Equine Industry's Next Generation of Leaders

November 05 2009
By Phelps Media Group

Young equine enthusiasts from around the country are expected to attend the EQUUS Foundation/USEF Youth Convention on Saturday, January 16, 2010, in Louisville, KY. The Youth Convention, now in its third year, is held in conjunction with the USEF Annual Meeting for the purpose of uniting youth as well as for growing equine interest and participation.

Attendees will learn to become better horsemen, develop awareness of educational opportunities to pursue a career in the equine industry, and gain leadership skills to serve as future committee members. This all-day event will include a Star Power Panel of top athletes from USEF-recognized breeds and disciplines who will speak with youth about their experiences, backgrounds and enthusiasm for the horse, as well as answer questions. Experts in the equine industry will also be brought in to conduct breakout sessions regarding horse health; vaulting basics; interscholastic riding programs; college and career planning; affiliate youth programs; and a special session for parents, covering the basics of purchasing a first horse and competing. At the end of the day, attendees are invited to the Pegasus Reception and Awards Dinner, followed by a youth dance.

Colleges and Affiliates will have the opportunity to showcase information concerning their equine programs, equestrian teams and youth programs. Displays will remain up during the Youth Convention and the USEF Pegasus Reception on Saturday evening. Sponsorship opportunities are also available and donations of $25 or above will receive recognition in the EQUUS Foundation/USEF Youth Convention program.

The Youth Convention is an outreach program of the USEF Youth Council comprised of USEF members, 22 years of age and under. Youth Council members represent a variety of disciplines and organizations, including the American Connemara Pony Society, American Driving Society, American Endurance Ride Conference, American Morgan Horse Association, American Road Horse and Pony Association, American Saddlebred Horse Association, American Vaulting Association, Arabian Horse Association, International Andalusian Lusitano Horse Association, International Friesian Horse Society, National Reining Horse Association, National Show Horse Registry, Para-Equestrian, Paso Fino Horse Association, United States Dressage Federation, United States Eventing Association, United States Hunter Jumper Association, United States Pony Club, and the Welsh Pony and Cob Society of America.

The Convention is sponsored by The EQUUS Foundation to support the Youth Council goals to: 1) Provide strong and creative youth leadership for all equestrian sport in the United States; 2) Promote the pursuit of excellence in horsemanship from the grassroots to the top levels; 3) Advance the level of horsemanship across all disciplines throughout the United States; 4) Generate interest between competitors and enthusiasts from all breeds and disciplines; and 5) Educate members and the public about equestrian sport.

To learn more about the USEF Youth Council, visit the USEF website link at www.usef.org/_IFrames/Youth/council.aspx. Please direct any inquires to Jennifer Mellenkamp, USEF Youth Programs Director, (859) 225-6955 or jmellenkamp@usef.org.

For more about The EQUUS Foundation, visit www.equusfoundation.org.

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Update on ACTHA Funding


Horses Hope and Healing….pretty much says it all... and ACTHA/Cavallo decided to help.

Recently ACTHA (The American Competitive Trail Horse Association) and Cavallo Horse and Rider Inc. teamed up with other ACTHA sponsors like Trail Blazer, Rick Lamb, Trail Town USA, Mayatex and others too numerous to mention, to see what could be done for the cause of Tiffany Oreglia and The Staff at Horses Hope and Healing, a non-profit in Sacramento California(www.horseshopehealing.com). "This is our business here at ACTHA" states Karen VanGetson Co-Founder of ACTHA, "and this was one we relished!"

In a nut shell HHH combines kids at risk with horses at risk (rescues). Together each finds a friend and each is bolstered in their travels through life. When Tiffany Oreglia, Founder of HHH was originally asked by Greg Giles of Cavallo as to how he could help, Tiffany said she had need for a new pitch fork and some other modest supplies.

Greg called Tom Scrima at ACTHA and shared his admiration of what this wonderful organization was doing with such modest funds. Together they embarked on giving what they could…a fishing pole and a few fish.

Through ACTHA's and Cavallo's help Tiffany and her crew at HHH were able to put on a ACTHA sanctioned ride where almost 100 riders came, competed, laughed and had a great time. With ACTHA and Cavallo's leadership sponsors flourished and great prizes were won by all. At the end of the day several THOUSAND dollars was raised by HHH and the work goes on.... smiling kids and grateful horses. Best of all HHH now has a proven way to consistently raise funds for their needs.

"In a perfect world this is how it should be, and who says we can’t strive for perfection?" states the 2 representatives from Cavallo and ACTHA, Greg Giles and Tom Scrima.

To date ACTHA has helped and enabled more than 100 wonderful charities and Causes like Tiffany's at Horses Hope and Healing.

We're proud of our members, sponsors and affiliates for making this possible...lets make it 1,000 !!!

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

U.S. Nationals Vendor Needs Your Immediate Help! - Stolen Truck and Trailer

November 3, 2009

Arabian Saddle Company's (ASC) truck and trailer, along with their entire show stock were stolen from the parking lot of the Extended Stay Hotel on Saturday night after packing up from U.S. Nationals in Tulsa, Okla. The goods alone are worth several hundred thousand dollars. If you or someone you know is offered a significantly reduced price on any of ASC's products, or you see their products advertised anywhere (ebay, local retail store, etc.), other than their official website or from an authorized dealer, please contact the Tulsa Police Department 918-596-COPS (2677) immediately.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Endurance Rider Ranking List "We made it"

A Horse Named Monk blog

The Ranking list is supposed to be the top 35 riders in the USA.. I think because of how they do the points you have more then the 35 because of maybe duplicate points. They calculate those points off of two rides, most riders need at least two 100 mile rides to have any chance of getting onto the list. 100 mile ride points count for 100%, 75 mile rides 75% and 50 mile rides 50%. So, even if you have a win at 50 miles or a 2nd at 75 miles like we do, just a finish at the 100 mile distance will give you more points.... It is much more complicated then that, but you get the drift. Lindsay made the list on our two top rides of a 75 mile ride and a 100 mile ride.

So, Lindsay Graham, is on the list in 22nd position. They say it makes no difference as to where you are on the list, once you are on the list your are on the list. We have one more ride to do in January, so her position may change some.

What this does is give us a INVITE to compete in one of three selection rides that are held across the country in June of 2010. Western USA will probably be held in Colorado.

After the three rides are completed the selectors will select the horses that they want to go back to an area somewhere around Kentucky for the final selection. This is about 6 weeks before the WEG... We don't know how many horses will go back, but we are guessing at about 20.. All but 6 of those horses will have the long drive home.

Our current game plan is to have MONK in tip top condition for the June selection and then fine tune him a little for the final selection with a peak for the games.

I have every confidence that we will make it to the final selection, where we will see if he is as good as we think he is. Proof is in the pudding and if he is not chosen we will go home with our heads held high.

Posted by Chris Martin

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Arabian National Endurance and Competitive Trail Rides Underway

Horsechannel.com

Endurance and show Arabians compete simultaneously in Oklahoma this week.
October 28, 2009


endurance vet checkFor the first time ever, the Arabian Horse Association (AHA) has combined the Arabian National Endurance Ride and National Competitive Trail Ride into one week of exciting competition, October 27-31 at Lake Carl Blackwell in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Both National Endurance rides are American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) Sanctioned. An open AERC ride will follow the championships.

Competition began Tuesday with the 100-mile and 50-mile endurance races. The National Competitive Trail Ride runs Wednesday and Thursday. Winners will be given a special awards presentation during the final evening of U.S. Arabian Nationals in nearby Tulsa on Saturday, October 31.

To qualify for the AHA Championship Competitive Trail Ride, horses must have completed 100 miles of AHA recognized CTR, placed in the top five at a recognized regional CTR, or placed in the top ten at a national CTR.

The National Championship Endurance Ride includes a 50-mile and 100-mile ride. To qualify for the 50 mile, horses must have completed 200 lifetime miles of 50 mile or longer recognized endurance races. Qualifiers for the 100 mile must have completed 300 lifetime miles. In endurance competition, completion of a race means that not only must the horse and rider complete the entire route, but the horse must be pronounced fit to continue by an attending veterinarian.

The dates of the National Endurance rides coincide with that of the U.S. Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma, about an hour and half away, giving horse lovers in Oklahoma plenty to see. Arabians, Half-Arabians and Anglo-Arabians, known for their versatility and athleticism will be on display at the Distance Nationals and U.S. Nationals for the public to enjoy everything from the grueling 100 mile endurance ride to the glitz and glamour of Country English Pleasure.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Stable Scoop Episode 62 – Extreme Horsewomen Revisited:

Stable Scoop Episode 62

October 25 2009

Race Car Driver/Eventer Liz Halliday and California Highway Patrol/Endurance Rider Kassandra DiMaggio return to give us an update on their Extreme Horsewomen lives. Listen in as we speak again with these amazing women….

Listen to the Radio interview

Monday, October 26, 2009

Work begins to extend Centennial Trail north of Arlington

Heraldnet.com - Full Article

October 26, 2009

By Noah Haglund
Herald Writer

ARLINGTON — Walk onto the old railroad trestle north of town and you'll see the Stillaguamish River at a dizzying distance below.

Anybody brave enough to venture too far would run into a sign: "This corridor is closed to all public use."

Before too long, this sign could turn into a welcome mat.

Work is expected to begin today to extend the Centennial Trail, Snohomish County parks' most popular attraction, by 8 miles north from the trestle. By early next year, this path to the Skagit County line could open a window to rural landscapes, and a new portal for tourism in Arlington.

"This next portion, it's just really different. It's more rural, more wild country," said Beth Hill, a horse-riding enthusiast from Marysville and the Centennial Trail Coalition's incoming chairwoman. "You're very much riding through woods and woody hillsides. It's just got a different feel to it."

The first 6-mile section between Snohomish and Lake Stevens opened in 1989, Washington's centennial.

Now, the trail goes from Snohomish north of Marsyville with few interruptions. The only major gap in the 17-mile run to Arlington is a mile or so where it spills onto 67th Avenue NE, a two-lane county road.

More...

Friday, October 23, 2009

Great Britain: Code to make horse feeds safer for competition horses

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Charlotte White, H&H deputy news editor

22 October, 2009

A new voluntary code has been introduced by UK horse feed manufacturers and the British Equine Traders Association (BETA) to reduce the risk of naturally occurring prohibited substances (NOPS), like morphine and caffeine, getting into feed.

The code was implemented on 1 October with commitment from leading manufacturers including Baileys, Blue Chip, British Horse Feeds, Dodson & Horrell, Natural Animal Feeds, Red Mills, Saracen, Spillers, TopSpec and Dengie.

The companies have signed up to stringent quality management procedures in the sourcing, storage, transport and manufacturing processes of their products.

Suppliers of raw materials will be regularly audited and staff will also undergo rigorous training to ensure strict adherence to the code.

More...

Monday, October 19, 2009

Cloud Returns to PBS Nature Series in New Program

The Cloud Foundation

Cloud: Challenge of the Stallions premieres Sunday evening, October 25th, 2009 on PBS stations nationwide. This program is the next chapter in the exciting life of the charismatic stallion, Cloud, and the wild horses of the spectacular Arrowhead Mountains of Montana. This new adventure captures the twists and turns of a complex family drama in a unique wild horse wilderness. Cloud: Challenge of the Stallions is a tale of two stallions, Cloud and Shaman, who raise each other’s sons: Flint and Bolder. When the loveable colts mature into adult challengers, they battle the very stallions who raised them. Five years in the making, this unpredictable tale is both epic and intimate, tragic and joyful.

[...more]

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Back Country Horsemen of America Participates in Trail Work Days Across the Country

October 15 2009

by Sarah Wynne Jackson

Back Country Horsemen of America is the leading organization in saving public lands trails for equestrian use, but they share their passion for protecting our wildernesses with a wide variety of other organizations from coast to coast. Some of those groups promote conservation of the natural character of the land while others are more focused on a particular activity such as hiking or mountain biking.

In an effort to make the public more aware of their cause and to give folks a can't-miss opportunity to get involved, many of those organizations host special events throughout the year. In order to develop and sustain valuable relationships with other trail user groups and public lands advocates, Back Country Horsemen of America seizes upon these designated days as perfect occasions to improve and maintain trails for everyone's use.

As BCHA members labor alongside those from other organizations, a unique camaraderie and mutual understanding emerge, and the differences between them disappear as the lands we all care about are preserved.


Take Pride in America Day

On May 2, the Hoosier National Forest held their 23rd annual Take Pride in America Day. Located in the hills of south central Indiana, the Hoosier National Forest encompasses 200,000 acres of rolling hills, back country trails, and rural crossroad communities, along with some rare ecosystems. Take Pride in America Day is a special time set aside to encourage volunteerism and enjoyment of our nation's public lands.

Hoosier Back Country Horsemen of Indiana couldn't resist the chance to get involved with caring for a national forest. HBCH covered 36 miles of trails in the Charles C. Deam Wilderness on foot, de-berming and cleaning water bars. They also picked up trash on the trails and around the campground. In all, 151 water bars were maintained in Hoosier National Forest and 37 cubic yards of trash were removed.

In the true spirit of Back Country Horsemen of America, HBCH worked alongside other trail users, such as hikers, Boy Scout Troops, and school groups. They were some of over 200 volunteers that took part in various work projects, making it possible to accomplish more than had been planned for Take Pride in America Day.

The Deam Wilderness in Hoosier National Forest is one example of the need for horses and mules in maintaining back country trails. Since its designation as a wilderness in 1982, visitor use in the area increased to a point that significant damage was occurring. Regulations were put in place to protect these 13,000 acres from the impact of people. Because those regulations prohibit the use of wheeled vehicles (including non-motorized carts and wagons), pack stock is the only way to bring in the gravel, tools, and other materials that are needed to maintain the trails and campgrounds.

Horses and mules are also used as a replacement for mechanical equipment, such as tractors. A Vulcan hillside plow, a traditional horse- or mule-drawn agricultural implement for plowing on steep ground, is used to dig trail corridors before the trails are graded to a smooth surface. Without this natural "horsepower," the Deam Wilderness would be subjected to excessive damage from wheeled vehicles or would have to be allowed to deteriorate.


National Trails Day

The American Hiking Society, a fellow organization in the pursuit of preserving wild lands, held their National Trails Day on June 6. An annual event since 1993, NTD is a time to inspire people nationwide to discover, learn about, and celebrate trails while participating in educational exhibits, trail dedications, gear demonstrations, instructional workshops, and trail work projects. Of course, Back Country Horsemen of America members see it as the perfect opportunity to put their hands to the worthwhile effort of caring for our wilderness trails.

Bob Gish, President of Back Country Horsemen of Washington, encouraged local BCHW chapters to organize NTD projects in their area and urged the formation of partnerships with public land management agencies. Ten BCHW chapters responded by getting involved with various projects throughout Washington State: Lewis County, Pierce County, Ferry County, Scatter Creek Riders, Inland Empire, Buckhorn Range, Oakland Bay, Okanogan Valley, Grays Harbor, and Northeast chapters.

The Lewis County Chapter of Back Country Horsemen of Washington celebrated National Trails Day by organizing a work party to clear two Packwood Lake trails in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The popular trails lead to the pristine Goat Rocks Wilderness and are usually cleared before Memorial Day weekend. This year, however, winter snow accumulation and a late spring snowmelt kept the two trails into Packwood Lake covered until after the end of May.

The Southern Appalachian Back Country Horsemen of Tennessee also participated in a National Trails Day project last year. SABCH volunteers put in 86 hours of work constructing a bridge over a segment of the Bullet Creek Trail on Starr Mountain in the Cherokee National Forest. The bridge was needed for control of natural and man-made resource damage to the banks at the creek crossing. This is a multi-use trail with horseback riding and hiking use.

The project was submitted to the American Quarter Horse Association for their 2008 National Stewardship Award. The SABCH group was awarded one of ten regional prizes of $1,000 for the completion of this project. SABCH has been and is currently involved in a number of trail building projects in the south portion of the Cherokee National Forest, and donated over 1300 volunteer hours in 2008. In the last three years, they have built 41 additional miles of trail and flagged an additional 33 miles for projected clearing in portions of the Cherokee National Forest.


About Back Country Horsemen of America

BCHA is a non-profit corporation made up of state organizations, affiliates, and at large members. Their efforts have brought about positive changes in regards to the use of horses and stock in the wilderness and public lands.

If you want to know more about Back Country Horsemen of America or become a member, visit their website: www.backcountryhorse.com, call 888-893-5161, or write PO Box 1367, Graham, WA 98338-1367. The future of horse use on public lands is in our hands!

Contact: Peg Greiwe
Back Country Horsemen of America

Friday, October 16, 2009

Teen wins award for Mongolian adventure

Brisbane Times
PETER HAWKINS
October 16, 2009


WHEN Angus Paradice was 11, he went to the Nadaam festival in Mongolia two years ago on a family holiday and watched the traditional horse racing for children, thinking: ''I could do that.''

Back at home in Scone, north-west of Newcastle, he trained for nine months, riding his horse 22 kilometres home from school if it was fine and jogging if it rained. He did 40 push-ups and sit-ups a day.

The following year he returned and became the first foreigner to compete in the cross-country races.

"My friends thought it was amazing, but some of them didn't know where Mongolia was,'' he said.

His parents had hoped he would forget about it, but had little choice when they would see him running in the rain to get ready for the race of his life.

''We tried to persuade him from doing it, but he was so determined,'' Angus's father, David said. "It was very nerve-racking to watch but … you can't wrap them up in cotton wool.''

Yesterday, Angus was named Australian Geographic Society's young adventurer of the year. ''I'm just a country boy and I haven't won big awards like this before,'' he said.

Mr Paradice, his wife Claire, Angus and his brother, Benjamin, now 10, arrived three weeks before the festival to meet their Mongolian trainer, Ulzii Byambajugder, and select horses.

The annual races are open to children aged between five and 13. The year 6 student competed in the 14.5-, 15- and 20-kilometre races, finishing in the top 10 in one race. There was one setback. ''In one of the races when I was leading I fell off, cracked my wrist and was unconscious for a few seconds.

''But I hopped back on and rode in a few more races, so it was a bit tough,'' Angus said.

He is already considering his next big challenge.

''I'm thinking of getting into endurance horse riding … It might be going across Asia or something no one else has done,'' he said.

The Australian Geographic Society's Lifetime of Conservation Award went to 100-year-old Alex Colley.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald

full article

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Poll: Most pets going bare this Halloween

Newsday.com
October 15, 2009
By The Associated Press SUE MANNING (Associated Press Writer)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — There's an Arabian horse in Idaho who may go as Mickey Mouse and a black cat in Minnesota who will turn into a skunk or a witch, but the majority of pets in America will be bare this Halloween.

Stephanie Bennett, who lives in Meridian, Idaho, and her horse Arija are going on a "Hallowed Weenies" trek, an annual two-day endurance ride of 25 to 50 miles where both dress up.

In past years, the trip has attracted a pumpkin and a patch, Lady Godiva and her steed and the grim reaper on horseback. Bennett was still deciding on her own costume but leaning toward Minnie Mouse for herself and mouse ears for Arija.

Superheroes like Batman and Superman are popular, she said, but "capes are an interesting thing on a horse. They can spook at things like that so you have to be careful."

[...more]

p.s. look here for this year's Idaho horse ride costumes!

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Celebrating Kevin Waters

Transition Tuesday Week 22 (K. Myers' blog)
Crossing the 20,000 Mile Threshold

photo by Steve Bradley

Kevin Waters and Tahoe's Thunder won first place and Best Condition at the Virgin Rim ride when they crossed the finish line in Nevada on September 20. Kevin also reached the noteworthy 20,000 AERC career mile marker.

Originally from Chicago, Kevin is not really sure why he started in endurance - or what keeps him in it. "You do get to see a lot of country," he said in his characteristically ironic way. He started riding horses when he was three and took on his first endurance ride at the Black Hills ride in South Dakota. When he crossed the 10,000 mile mark, he was sure he would quit riding endurance. Now that he's doubled that mileage achievement he says he hopes he won’t make it to 30,000 miles. We'll just have to see about that.

Kevin has been using Easyboots regularly for more than 20 years now - mostly the Original Easyboot, and mostly over shoes when the trail dictated it. In some years he was able to get as many as 1,000 miles out of a single Easyboot. In 2002 alone, Kevin accumulated more than 2,000 miles. In that same year he rode all five days on the same horse at each of the New Mexico Renegade; Fort Stanton Pioneer; Outlaw Trail and Owyhee Canyonlands Pioneer rides. He did it all in Easyboots and managed to take home five BC awards in the process.

[...more]

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Go Pony: Man Against Horse 2009

Go Pony Blog

The 26th Annual Man Against Horse Race in Prescott, Arizona, marks the 5th anniversary of my foray into the world of AERC and endurance riding. This was the first AERC 25-mile LD ride I competed – and completed. As such, this is a ride that has always held a lot of sentiment to me, and it’s a ride I’ve been able to go to every year since.
The previous year, 2008, my father and I had tried the 50-miler for the first time, but were pulled at 38 miles for being overtime. We were somewhat dismayed and disheartened that year, both from the OT pull and the shock factor: we had known the ride was going to be difficult, but we were still in for a surprise, made all the more difficult by the addition of some horrendous rain and wind that made for downright treacherous trails in a couple spots. Afterwards, I believe I said something to the effect of, “I will never ask Mimi to do that ride again.”

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Friday, October 09, 2009

ThinLine and Saddlefit4Life® Introduce New High-Tech Segue Saddle Pad

Durham, NC (October 8, 2009) - ThinLine Inc and Saddlefit4Life® have joined forces to create a new saddle pad designed to extend the fit of custom fitted saddles as horses mature and develop. The Segue saddle pad combines the revolutionary ThinLine technology and the latest in saddle fit innovations from Saddlefit4Life®. The Segue pad is designed as a solution for horses with recent muscle development that can affect the fit of the saddle and for riders looking for more impact absorption.

Researchers and designers at Saddlefit4Life® say, “We have looked around world to find a product like this. The Segue pad is truly second to none. It can help, in addition to proper saddle fit, to protect a horses back and rider’s spine from long term damage.”

Saddlefit4Life® and ThinLine designed this new pad to segue from either a not so recent saddle fit session or to protect a new horse until the saddle fitter can arrive. It is a temporary solution to offer immediate comfort for both horse and rider. The Segue pad is comprised of an Ultra ThinLine attached to a cotton half pad with pockets for placing inserts that are available in several sizes and thicknesses. Industry experts call this process ‘shimming’: creating a temporary fit until new saddles can be delivered or while horses are busy changing shape during training and growth.

The Segue offers an exclusive shimming system designed by Saddlefit4Life®. Special custom ThinLine shim thicknesses and sizing are available only with the Segue Saddlefit4Life® pad.

Saddlefit4Life® compares the benefits of ThinLine technology in the Segue pad to shoe inserts for marathon runners. Just as a thick layer of foam in his shoes would make a runner very unstable; thick layers of padding under a saddle make a rider unstable. For riders that are content with their current saddle but are intrigued by the possible benefits of the Segue saddle pad, the Segue pad is still useful. Jochen Schleese, a Certified Master Saddler for Saddlefit4Life® explains, “Without inserts this pad is thin enough to deliver shock absorbing benefits without altering perfect saddle fit.”

Elaine Lockhead, president of ThinLine, is thrilled with the new product saying, “The Segue saddle pad alone can offer horse and rider additional comfort and protection of their backs. The new shimming system has been specially designed to ensure that use of the Segue pad can only help the horse and never hurt him.”

The Segue pad is available now from Saddlefit4Life® representatives in North America, Europe and Australia as well as online at www.ThinLineinc.com and in many tack stores nationwide. For more information about the Segue pad, visit www.ThinLineinc.com.



Photo: The Segue saddle pad from ThinLine and Saddlefit4Life® offers users shock absorption and a temporary solution for equine changes to custom saddle fit. (Photo courtesy of ThinLine, Inc).

Thursday, October 08, 2009

Prescott's Weary, Cricket ride to Man vs. Horse Race title

Prescottdailycourier.com - Full Article

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

DEWEY-HUMBOLDT - Prescott resident Dayna Weary made a rather careful crossing of the finish line to win the 50-mile Man Against Horse race Saturday in Dewey.

She wanted to avoid a repeat of her 2007 win, when her little Arabian horse Cricket sidestepped the finish post in the excitement and dumped his rider on the other side.

Weary was no less excited for her horse's performance this year.


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Wednesday, October 07, 2009

DEWEY-HUMBOLDT - Prescott resident Dayna Weary made a rather careful crossing of the finish line to win the 50-mile Man Against Horse race Saturday in Dewey.

She wanted to avoid a repeat of her 2007 win, when her little Arabian horse Cricket sidestepped the finish post in the excitement and dumped his rider on the other side.

Weary was no less excited for her horse's performance this year.





Not only did Cricket carry her to a win, but the duo won the coveted Best Condition Award, for the horse that finishes competitively and that veterinarians judge to be in the best physical condition to continue.

Cricket handily completed the grueling 100-mile Tevis Cup endurance race last summer with another rider aboard, as Weary took the year off to crew for her husband Bruce, who finished the race on his Tennessee Walker.

Bruce returned the favor on Saturday, providing support for Dana throughout the race.

Weary and Cricket completed the race over Mingus Mountain and back in a time of 6 hours, 30 minutes, after adjustment for vet checks and mandatory rest stops for her horse. Runners get no such consideration - they're on their own on the mountainous, rocky course.

Jamil Coury of Tempe was the first runner across the line with a time of 7:08:43. He has raced the course before, most notably taking second in the 50-mile in 2006.

The top results could have been much different, said race director Ron Barrett. Two top runners, Don Kuch and Ryan Tinder, were both way ahead of the pack when they lost their way on the trail.

"Had they not gotten lost," Barrett said, "they would have come across ahead of the horse. Don has won the Whiskey Row Marathon for the past two years. But part of the game is following the flags and hitting all the checkpoints. I've had horses, on the other hand, who were in the lead and got off track."

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Grand Canyon XP - Day 1

Report and photos from Steve Bradley (Steve's photos)


We left John and Steph Teeters ranch on Sunday (thanks again for a great ride) and made our way south to the Grand Canyon XP ride arriving late Monday night. The weather was cold but skies were clear. This morning we woke up to a cloudy, rainy morning. Around 40 riders took the trail in what would be a "mixed" bag of weather. I got out to a great spot for photos only to have it disappear behind a huge storm front that moved through just as the riders were getting to me, bummer for sure. Photos still came out pretty nice and they really show the changing weather.


I plan to post them overnight to the web page so look there if you want to get an idea of how awesome this ride is. I took several scenery shots before the storm hit and you can get an idea of the trails and views you can have on this ride.


The first riders got in just a few minutes ago. Top ten riders are:


Crockett Dumas

Cynthia Ariosa (sp)

Darla Wright

Sharon Schmidt

Karen Fredrickson

Debbie Breshers

Marina Bredda (sp)

Laurie Burch

Corie Clinton

Tord Wold



The weather is suppose to be improving the rest of the week so I hope to get some really good shots of riders with the canyon in the back ground.






















Tuesday, October 06, 2009

Australia: Hunky Horsemen Saddle Up for a Good Cause


Mysunshinecoast.com.au

7 October 2009

Q: What happens when you get together a local jockey, Olympic pentathlete, farrier, equine vet, horse showman and trainer, dressage champion, pony club president, polo player, Olympic show jumper, natural horseman, endurance rider and stockman, and their horses, and ask them to smile for the camera?
A: The Horselife 2010 Calendar

Developed by Sarah Hillhouse and Alison Clift of Horselife Publishing, the Horselife 2010 Calendar has been designed to celebrate the strong horsey community on the Sunshine Coast, and to raise funds for Sunshine Coast Riding for the Disabled.

"The calendar is destined to grace the walls of horselovers across the coast," says Sarah. "It's also guaranteed to appeal to those who appreciate fine looking horses and horsemen!"

Sarah says the motivation behind Horselife Publishing was to investigate and raise the profiles of the various riding clubs, riding disciplines and talented horsepeople in our area.

"The photoshoots for the 2010 calendar were sensational," she says. "To witness the unique connections between man and horse was an absolute privilege, and it is that connection that shines through in the shots we’ve selected for this year’s calendar."

Photographer for the Horselife calendar Andrew Lindsay is a specialist equine photographer based in Kenilworth. Andrew's lifelong involvement in the horse industries, along with his passion and experience in photography, has led him to establish Agile Photographics. His work regularly appears in national equine publications.

"Shooting the calendar was nothing short of a dream assignment for me," says Andrew. "It's been a heck of a lot of fun, and a great chance to connect with a wide range of top notch horsepeople across the Sunshine Coast".

President of Sunshine Coast Riding for the Disabled Matty Sormani has expressed her thanks to the Horselife team.

"We need as much support as we can get to secure a permanent premises on the Coast. Horselife's generous assistance is making us the 2010 beneficiary from calendar fundraising is really exciting and will help us to continue our work in enabling people of all abilities to connect with horses.

"In purchasing a calendar, not only do you get to help Riding For The Disabled, but you also get to swoon over hunky horsemen for a whole year!," says Matty.

The calendars are available across the coast from horse loving retailers, your riding club or online via www.horselifepublishing.com.

RRP is $25 (Inc GST). At least $5 from every calendar supports Sunshine Coast Riding for the Disabled.

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Sunday, September 27, 2009

Ed Anderson Completes Pacific Crest Trail to Canada



Hello Folks,

On 09-9-09 Primo and I reached Monument 78 located at the border of Canada. It is the northern terminus of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. We had left the border of Mexico on April 19, 2008. The scenery along this trail is beautiful and sometimes spectacular. This was especially true of the North Cascades of Washington - absolutely awesome. There the trail can sometimes be challenging. There was a tragedy about three weeks ago when a woman from Georgia lost both of her horses down a vertical cliff. They died on impact. Fortunately she had been leading. She pressed the 911 button on her SPOT and was rescued by helicopter. She had taken a part of a detour section that was considered dangerous to horses. I had bypassed that place. I am thankful that Primo is a relatively small horse (14.3 hands and about 900 pounds). He is very agile and sure-footed. He knows where to put his feet - and also where not to put them. We trusted each other and took care of each other.

The picture that I am attaching was taken on my camera by a thru-hiker from Finland who arrived at the border a few minutes after we did.

MendoRider - - - aka Ed Anderson in the other world

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Rush Creek Reunion Endurance Race featured good terrain and weather for riders and horses

Thefencepost.com - Full Article

September 26, 2009

By Jo Chytka
Hemingford, Neb.

On a crisp September morning with the temperature at 56 degrees and the skies totally overcast 18 endurance racers were preparing to compete on the first day of the Rush Creek Reunion Endurance Race. Both days presented ideal racing conditions for both horse and rider with cool temperatures and a light wind until after 1:00 p.m. when it warmed a little and skies became partly cloudy through the finish of race time.

The location was a beautiful meadow alongside Rush Creek, surrounded by huge cottonwood trees creating a horseshoe shaped area for campers along with ride headquarters, staging areas for vetting the race, P & R (pulse and respiration) stations and a large area for cooling, resting and feeding horses during their mandatory downtime between each leg of their race.

The Rush Creek Land and Livestock's Arabian Horse Ranch, located one mile east of Lisco, Neb., hosted the AERC (American Endurance Ride Conference) sanctioned race the weekend of Sept. 5 & 6. Horse Ranch Manager and Ride Manager Lyle Sherfey, along with his wife Teresa and 15 volunteers worked long hours on both days to provide a 25- and 50-mile race on both Saturday and Sunday along with a barbecue followed by an awards banquet each evening after completion of the races.

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Friday, September 25, 2009

Grahams grind it out on horseback

Mother-daughter duo excels in endurance events
Friday, September 25, 2009

Riding Chris Martin’s 7-year-old chestnut Arabian gelding, Monk, the Napa resident finished the technical course in 9 hours and 58 minutes. Graham, 27, finished 35 minutes ahead of the runner-up, Brad Green of Auburn, Calif., who rode his 10-year old Arabian cross gelding, Pawnee.
“I kept a very steady pace all day. People always passed me downhill, but I passed them uphill, and let (Monk) canter on the flats,” said Graham. “He has a very easy big canter and his heart rate drops significantly.”

The win came as a surprise to the Graham, who has 2,275 miles of endurance competition under her belt.
“The day just came together the way people dream of,” she said. “The Monk Man never slowed down. He gave me an incredible ride.”

A total of 61 horse-and-rider teams started the 100-mile competition at 5:30 a.m. Sept. 11 in the town midway between Redding and Reno. The trail varied from 3,800 to 6,100 feet in elevation, with spectacular views of Walker Lake and Lake Almanor. When the 24-hour time limit was up early the next morning, 42 teams had crossed the finish line.
“A 69 percent completion rate for such a high-level competition means that riders were really taking care of their horses,” said AERC Executive Director Kathleen Henkel. “It was a hot day, but the horses did great.”

At the Best Condition judging on Saturday morning, Graham’s horse was awarded top honors by the team of veterinarians who examined the top 10-placing horses.

“Monk looked great — bright-eyed, eating and drinking well, and just looked like a happy horse,” Graham said. “I am on cloud nine.”

Graham’s mother, Susan Graham Seibert, mounted her horse Phoenix Affair two days later to compete in the AERC’s 50-mile championship ride. Phoenix, who at 22 is one of the oldest competing horses in endurance, has racked up 4,120 endurance miles since 1993.

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Thursday, September 24, 2009

The Nation’s Best Equine Athletes Race in Stillwater

SWHorsetrader.com

September 24, 2009

For the first time ever, the Arabian Horse Association (AHA) will combine the National Endurance Ride and National Competitive Trail Ride into one week of exciting competition for the National Distance Championship set for October 27-31 at Lake Carl Blackwell in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Competition begins Tuesday, October 27, with the AHA National Championship 100-Mile Endurance Ride, coupled with three coinciding American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) sanctioned rides. The AHA National Championship competitive trail ride (CTR) spans two days, October 28-29. The last two days of competition will feature the AHA National Championship 50-Mile Endurance Ride on October 30 with Open rides on October 31. The Ozark Country Endurance Riders (OCER) will host a Halloween special, Witch Way Ride, on October 31.

Distance riding combines stamina, endurance and athleticism in ways few other equine disciplines do. Endurance rides are best described as a cross-country contest of 50 or more miles. Horse and rider cover a measured course within a specified maximum time at any pace they choose. Near every 20-mile mark, horses are examined by a veterinarian who has the power to pull a horse from the competition or put a hold on a horse-and-rider team, allowing time for the horse to rest and recover. An endurance ride is won by the horse-and-rider team that crosses the finish line first, although an award is also awarded to the horse that is in the best condition after finishing, as determined by a veterinarian.

In contrast to endurance riding, a competitive trail ride (CTR) is usually shorter, normally 25-50 miles. Riders are required to complete the ride within a certain window of time based on a speed of 6-8 mph and adjusted for difficult terrain and weather conditions. Riders who do not complete the ride within the time window will be either disqualified or penalized. The horse deemed winner is one that completed the course in the allotted time, while also maintaining the best condition, as determined by a post-ride exam.

The National Distance Championship is free and open to the public. Spectators are invited to base camp where the veterinarian check point is located and horses and riders transition from one leg of the race to the next.

The dates of the National Distance Championships coincide with that of the U.S. Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma, about an hour and half away, giving horse lovers in Oklahoma plenty to watch in October. Arabians, Half-Arabians and Anglo-Arabians, known for their versatility and athleticism will be on display at the National Distance Championships and U.S. Nationals for the public to enjoy everything from the grueling 100-mile endurance ride to the glitz and glamour of English pleasure and the excitement of working cow classes.

For more information visit ArabianHorses.org/competitions or call (303) 696-4500.

AHA is a major equine association serving 35,000 members across North America. It registers and maintains a database of more than one million Arabian, Half-Arabian and Anglo-Arabian horses and administers approximately $3 million in annual prize money. AHA produces championship events, recognizes close to 600 Arabian horse shows and distance rides and provides activities and programs that promote breeding and ownership. For information about Arabian, Half-Arabian and Anglo-Arabian horses, call 303-696-4500, e-mail info@ArabianHorses.org or visit www.ArabianHorses.org.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Bear attacks horse at Aurora facility

Durangoherald.com - Full Article

The Associated Press
Monday, September 21, 2009

AURORA - A 500-pound black bear attacked a horse at a private boarding facility in the southwest Denver suburbs, wildlife officials said.

The Colorado Division of Wildlife said the horse suffered deep cuts on its neck and claw marks on its side early Friday morning.

DOW spokeswoman Jennifer Churchill said the bear likely will not stay in the area and that it may have gone back to the mountains where it came from.

Churchill said this type of attack is rare, and the animals may have spooked each other in the dark.

Wildlife officials said they found paw prints near the area leading toward the boarding facility and other prints leading toward the mountains.

"We don't think at this time this bear is going to stay in that area or go after livestock; it's a rare kind of situation," she said. The horse, named Cody, is expected to recover.

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AHC Supports Bill to Complete America's National Scenic Trails

September 21, 2009

The American Horse Council is pleased to announce its support of the Complete America's Great Trails Act (H.R.1912). This bill was introduced by Representative Gerry E. Connolly (D-VA) and Representative Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) On April 9, 2009.

Hundreds of thousands of Americas enjoy recreational riding. Whether these recreational riders participate in short trail rides or much longer pack trips they often rely on public trails. It is important for the horse community to look for opportunities to increase the number of trail miles available to equestrians.

In 1968 the National Trail System Act was signed into law. This law allows Congress to designate a trail of particular natural beauty as a National Scenic Trail (NST). To date Congress has created eight NSTs, several of which are open to equestrians along all or part of their length.

Most sections of the eight NSTs are managed by the various federal land agencies and are open to the public. However, some sections cross private land to which access is limited or prohibited. Though the combined lengths of the NSTs are 14,600 miles, 3520 miles of these trails remain closed to the public.

This bill would create a new tax credit for private landowners who grant a conservation easement to a NST which crosses their property. It is hoped that this tax credit will encourage land owners to establish easements and complete the NSTs. Such conservation easements will ensure that many more miles of NSTs will be open to the public and users of NSTs will always have access to those portions of NSTs.

"More equestrians each year are riding NSTs like the Pacific Crest trail and the Continental Divide trail. NST are national treasures and they provide equestrians with a unique opportunity to experience the beauty of America just as early explorers and settlers did," said AHC President Jay Hickey. "We are happy to support a bill to that will help complete existing NSTs and make establishing future trails much easer."

"I encourage recreational riders who are interested in promoting this bill or in other efforts to expand recreation opportunities for equestrians to sign up for the AHC's grassroots program, the Congressional Cavalry. The Congressional Cavalry is composed of individuals who will contact their federal elected officials when national issues that impact the horse community arise. It costs nothing and requires little time, but such impute from constituents is very important your Representatives, Senators and the legislative process," said AHC Legislative Director Ben Pendergrass.

To sign up for the Congressional Cavalry program, please email Ben Pendergrass at Bpendergrass@horsecouncil.org .

As the national association representing all segments of the horse industry in Washington, D.C., the American Horse Council works daily to represent equine interests and opportunities. Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, the AHC promotes and protects the industry by communicating with Congress, federal agencies, the media and the industry on behalf of all horse related interests each and every day.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact: Bridget Harrison
bharrison@horsecouncil.org