EquestrianMag.com
Equestrian News Release
Impressive results continue to roll in for Easyboot hoof boot products in endurance competitions around the world.
Australia. Carol Layton and Sqiggle finished first in the lightweight division and won Best Condition at the Kiwarrak endurance ride March 21. "Many in the peanut gallery at the workout for all the division horses were heard to say that they felt that Sqiggle had the best movement of the lot," said Carol. Carol and Sqiggle used Easyboot Gloves during the event.
USA. Heather Reynolds and her mare “Gem” won their 5th consecutive event with first place finishes all three days at the Cuyama Oaks Pioneer. Gem also received overall Best Condition for the event. Gem recently was 1st place and Best Condition at the Twenty Mule Team 65 and the Shine and Shine Only 50. Heather and Gem have been racing in both the Easyboot Glue-On and Easyboot Glove.
“The boots have worked out really great.” said Heather. “Twenty Mule Team was a really sandy ride. We took the boots off right afterwards and there wasn’t any sand in the boots. We were really amazed.” Heather has an impressive American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) record of over 14,000 miles.
Chris Martin’s horse, Monk, finished the Twenty Mule Team Ride 4th in Easyboot Glue-On’s with Lindsay Graham of Napa, CA up. Dave Rabe finished a respectable 12th on his Arab gelding, Tigger.
Vettec Adhere is used to apply Easyboot Glue-Ons. Easyboot Gloves and Glue-Ons were just released in January.
EasyCare, Inc. has been a leader in the hoof boot industry for years, beginning with the invention of the Easyboot back in the early 70's. Since then, the need for boots has grown tremendously as more and more horse owners see the healthy advantages of pulling shoes and switching to natural hoof care.
[...more]
Monday, March 30, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
VVMarchMaddness TrackLogs Look Like A Horse!!
Flora Hillman's 525 Mile Very Virtual Track Logs are taking on the outline of a horse. I wonder what that might imply? 5 Days are left in the race with 5448 Total miles logged by 64 Very Virtual Riders!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
New Zealand: Sophie a natural in the saddle
Moruya.yourguide.com.au
BY JOSH GIDNEY
25/03/2009
Benandarah endurance rider Sophie Counsell has plenty of good form on her side as she prepares for the NSW State Enduro Championships in the Boyne and Benendarah State Forests on July 19.
For more local news and photos grab a copy of the Bay Post or Moruya Examiner.
The 15-year-old St Peter’s Anglican College student was the fourth-placed junior rider in the pointscore for the 2008 Enduro Series and first of all the South Coast riders.
She was the first placed junior rider with the best managed horse at the South Coast Championships at Nowra, where she and her horse covered 100km.
Endurance rides involve minimum distances of 80km over difficult bushy terrain such as goat trails and fire trails.
Counsell will compete in the NSW State Championships at Oberon next weekend
As her successes show, Counsell is a natural on a horse, and recently completed her three trick riding course under instructor Heath Harris, who trained riders for films such as the Man From Snowy River and Phar Lap.
In this she has learnt to preform such manoeuvres such as riding while hanging under the horse.
BY JOSH GIDNEY
25/03/2009
Benandarah endurance rider Sophie Counsell has plenty of good form on her side as she prepares for the NSW State Enduro Championships in the Boyne and Benendarah State Forests on July 19.
For more local news and photos grab a copy of the Bay Post or Moruya Examiner.
The 15-year-old St Peter’s Anglican College student was the fourth-placed junior rider in the pointscore for the 2008 Enduro Series and first of all the South Coast riders.
She was the first placed junior rider with the best managed horse at the South Coast Championships at Nowra, where she and her horse covered 100km.
Endurance rides involve minimum distances of 80km over difficult bushy terrain such as goat trails and fire trails.
Counsell will compete in the NSW State Championships at Oberon next weekend
As her successes show, Counsell is a natural on a horse, and recently completed her three trick riding course under instructor Heath Harris, who trained riders for films such as the Man From Snowy River and Phar Lap.
In this she has learnt to preform such manoeuvres such as riding while hanging under the horse.
Trail Riding Club looking for volunteers for national champs
Times-age.co.nz
25.03.2009
The Wairarapa Endurance and Competitive Trail Riding Club are looking for volunteer workers to help with the running of the national championships at Whareama over Easter weekend.
A late decision to host the event after other North Island clubs declined has left the Wairarapa club little time to find the number of people required to assist with organisation.
But spokesperson Jenny Champion is hoping a committee meeting at the Masterton Cosmopolitan Club starting at 7.30pm next Tuesday evening will solve their problems in that respect.
"We are inviting anybody who can help out to come along and we'd like to think we'll get enough support to do the trick," she said.
"There are all sorts of jobs to be done over the three days so we won't be turning anybody down."
Champion is expecting about 150 riders from all over the country to participate in the national championships which will see competitions held over distances of 160km, 120km, 104km, 80km and 40km between April 10 and 12.
And she herself will be centre stage as she looks to defend the 160km title she won at Kurow last year and, before that, at Hawerden in 2006.
On both occasions Champion, from Eketahuna was aboard her now 14-year-old mare Freckles and the partnership will continue at Whareama.
While "more than happy" with Freckles' current fitness and mindset Champion is, however, aware that a hat-trick of national titles won't happen unless she is 100 per cent on the day, and even then the expected high quality of the opposition could see her relegated to a minor placing.
"You can taken nothing for granted over 160kms, everything can be fine when you start off and then turn to custard" she said.
"It's very much down to the day, you can never be too confident".
Champion does believe though that the Whareama course, which will mainly be flat in nature and will involve up to seven different farming properties, will suit Freckles because she is small in size and therefore light on her feet. "She handles the hills OK but the flat is more her go," she said.
Start time for the 160km event is 1am and the participants will be guided through the darkness by fluorescent markers and they will also be aided by the wearing by head lamps.
Champion is not the only Wairarapa rider expected to fare prominently over the 160kms with her partner Shane Dougan, Sheree Brown and Deirdre Bartlett all having good prospects as well.
25.03.2009
The Wairarapa Endurance and Competitive Trail Riding Club are looking for volunteer workers to help with the running of the national championships at Whareama over Easter weekend.
A late decision to host the event after other North Island clubs declined has left the Wairarapa club little time to find the number of people required to assist with organisation.
But spokesperson Jenny Champion is hoping a committee meeting at the Masterton Cosmopolitan Club starting at 7.30pm next Tuesday evening will solve their problems in that respect.
"We are inviting anybody who can help out to come along and we'd like to think we'll get enough support to do the trick," she said.
"There are all sorts of jobs to be done over the three days so we won't be turning anybody down."
Champion is expecting about 150 riders from all over the country to participate in the national championships which will see competitions held over distances of 160km, 120km, 104km, 80km and 40km between April 10 and 12.
And she herself will be centre stage as she looks to defend the 160km title she won at Kurow last year and, before that, at Hawerden in 2006.
On both occasions Champion, from Eketahuna was aboard her now 14-year-old mare Freckles and the partnership will continue at Whareama.
While "more than happy" with Freckles' current fitness and mindset Champion is, however, aware that a hat-trick of national titles won't happen unless she is 100 per cent on the day, and even then the expected high quality of the opposition could see her relegated to a minor placing.
"You can taken nothing for granted over 160kms, everything can be fine when you start off and then turn to custard" she said.
"It's very much down to the day, you can never be too confident".
Champion does believe though that the Whareama course, which will mainly be flat in nature and will involve up to seven different farming properties, will suit Freckles because she is small in size and therefore light on her feet. "She handles the hills OK but the flat is more her go," she said.
Start time for the 160km event is 1am and the participants will be guided through the darkness by fluorescent markers and they will also be aided by the wearing by head lamps.
Champion is not the only Wairarapa rider expected to fare prominently over the 160kms with her partner Shane Dougan, Sheree Brown and Deirdre Bartlett all having good prospects as well.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Great Britain: The Pony Club Endurance Enjoys Fantastic Launch
Horsemart.co.uk
23 March 2009
The Pony Club launched Endurance riding, as an official Pony Club discipline, on March 22nd in Milton Keynes Campbell Park courtesy of the Milton Keynes Parks Trust. The Park, along with some lovely weather, proved a perfect setting with its mix open countryside and special features; although the concrete cows proved slightly less popular with some of the equines in attendance!
The competition had a full entry of over 50 competitors, with Pony Club Members taking part in four, 10, 23, 27 and 37km Endurance rides running throughout the day. The launch was kindly run and hosted by the local Whaddon Chase Pony Club Branch, who ran a seamless competition with some special touches that included a very artistic cake to celebrate both The Pony Clubs 80th Anniversary and the Endurance launch.
Pony Club Endurance is generously supported by new sponsor Carr & Day & Martin and Nicola Slater, Technical Advisor for Carr & Day & Martin, was on hand throughout the day supplying riders with goody bags and the winners with some very smart polo shirts too!
Cherry Michell, Chairman of The Pony Club, was delighted with the launch and commented that “Coming here today has only cemented my feeling that Endurance being a part of The Pony Club is the right decision. We have riders and ponies of all abilities, having a brilliant time and getting out in the countryside, which can only be a good thing”.
It is planned that Pony Club Endurance events will be run around the country in 2009, culminating in the Pony Club Endurance Championship on September 20th at The College EC, Bedfordshire.
For further details about Pony Club Endurance, or Pony Club Tests, activities and Membership see the website www.pcuk.org or contact 02476 698300
23 March 2009
The Pony Club launched Endurance riding, as an official Pony Club discipline, on March 22nd in Milton Keynes Campbell Park courtesy of the Milton Keynes Parks Trust. The Park, along with some lovely weather, proved a perfect setting with its mix open countryside and special features; although the concrete cows proved slightly less popular with some of the equines in attendance!
The competition had a full entry of over 50 competitors, with Pony Club Members taking part in four, 10, 23, 27 and 37km Endurance rides running throughout the day. The launch was kindly run and hosted by the local Whaddon Chase Pony Club Branch, who ran a seamless competition with some special touches that included a very artistic cake to celebrate both The Pony Clubs 80th Anniversary and the Endurance launch.
Pony Club Endurance is generously supported by new sponsor Carr & Day & Martin and Nicola Slater, Technical Advisor for Carr & Day & Martin, was on hand throughout the day supplying riders with goody bags and the winners with some very smart polo shirts too!
Cherry Michell, Chairman of The Pony Club, was delighted with the launch and commented that “Coming here today has only cemented my feeling that Endurance being a part of The Pony Club is the right decision. We have riders and ponies of all abilities, having a brilliant time and getting out in the countryside, which can only be a good thing”.
It is planned that Pony Club Endurance events will be run around the country in 2009, culminating in the Pony Club Endurance Championship on September 20th at The College EC, Bedfordshire.
For further details about Pony Club Endurance, or Pony Club Tests, activities and Membership see the website www.pcuk.org or contact 02476 698300
Friday, March 20, 2009
ApHC Names "Horse of the Year" Recipients for Trail and Distance Equestrian News Release MOSCOW, Idaho—The Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) Trail and Dist
Equestrianmag.com
Equestrian News Release
MOSCOW, Idaho—The Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) Trail and Distance Department is proud to announce the 2008 recipients of the “Horse of the Year” awards. Congratulations to Fourmile’s Kuna and RR Roman Scooter.
To earn the prestigious “Horse of the Year” awards for Trail and Distance, eligible ApHC-registered Appaloosas must complete a minimum of 350 miles in ApHC-approved competitive or endurance trail rides.
Fourmile’s Kuna earned the 2008 Year-end High-mileage Endurance Appaloosa Award and the 2008 Year-end High-mileage Appaloosa of the Year Award. He competed in 10 competitive and endurance trail rides for a total 770 miles after earning double miles, which are awarded to “Best Condition” and “High-point” winners. The 1995 gelding also earned a 350-mile bronze medallion for 2008. Fourmile’s Kuna is proudly owned by Lisa Delp of Westminister, Md.
RR Roman Scooter was honored with the 2008 Year-end High-mileage Competitive Trail Ride Appaloosa Award. The 2001 stallion earned the award by competing in 15 competitive trail rides, and completed 495 miles. He also earned a 350-mile bronze medallion and the 2008 1,000-mile award, which is awarded to an Appaloosa for each 1,000 miles that it completes. RR Roman Scooter is proudly owned by Barbara Gardner of Oakfield, Wis.
These awards will be presented to the Appaloosas’ owners at the 2008 Year-end Open/Non-pro Banquet held in conjunction with the 62nd National Appaloosa Show/2009 World Championship Appaloosa Youth Show in Jackson, Miss., June 22-July 4, 2009.
To learn more about the ApHC Trail and Distance Program, please call (208) 882-5578 ext. 221; trailrides@appaloosa.com or visit http://www.appaloosa.com.
The Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) was established in 1938, with a mission of preserving, promoting and enhancing the Appaloosa breed. The ApHC has since registered more than 670,000 Appaloosas, which are known for their distinctive color, intelligence and even temperament. True to their reputation as an extremely versatile breed, Appaloosas can be found in nearly every discipline including racing, endurance riding and serving as reliable family horses. The International breed registry is headquartered in Moscow, Idaho, the heart of the Palouse region—the Appaloosa breed’s namesake and point of origin.
[...more]
Equestrian News Release
MOSCOW, Idaho—The Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) Trail and Distance Department is proud to announce the 2008 recipients of the “Horse of the Year” awards. Congratulations to Fourmile’s Kuna and RR Roman Scooter.
To earn the prestigious “Horse of the Year” awards for Trail and Distance, eligible ApHC-registered Appaloosas must complete a minimum of 350 miles in ApHC-approved competitive or endurance trail rides.
Fourmile’s Kuna earned the 2008 Year-end High-mileage Endurance Appaloosa Award and the 2008 Year-end High-mileage Appaloosa of the Year Award. He competed in 10 competitive and endurance trail rides for a total 770 miles after earning double miles, which are awarded to “Best Condition” and “High-point” winners. The 1995 gelding also earned a 350-mile bronze medallion for 2008. Fourmile’s Kuna is proudly owned by Lisa Delp of Westminister, Md.
RR Roman Scooter was honored with the 2008 Year-end High-mileage Competitive Trail Ride Appaloosa Award. The 2001 stallion earned the award by competing in 15 competitive trail rides, and completed 495 miles. He also earned a 350-mile bronze medallion and the 2008 1,000-mile award, which is awarded to an Appaloosa for each 1,000 miles that it completes. RR Roman Scooter is proudly owned by Barbara Gardner of Oakfield, Wis.
These awards will be presented to the Appaloosas’ owners at the 2008 Year-end Open/Non-pro Banquet held in conjunction with the 62nd National Appaloosa Show/2009 World Championship Appaloosa Youth Show in Jackson, Miss., June 22-July 4, 2009.
To learn more about the ApHC Trail and Distance Program, please call (208) 882-5578 ext. 221; trailrides@appaloosa.com or visit http://www.appaloosa.com.
The Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) was established in 1938, with a mission of preserving, promoting and enhancing the Appaloosa breed. The ApHC has since registered more than 670,000 Appaloosas, which are known for their distinctive color, intelligence and even temperament. True to their reputation as an extremely versatile breed, Appaloosas can be found in nearly every discipline including racing, endurance riding and serving as reliable family horses. The International breed registry is headquartered in Moscow, Idaho, the heart of the Palouse region—the Appaloosa breed’s namesake and point of origin.
[...more]
Monday, March 16, 2009
Pan American Championship: Entry deadline extended
Memorandum
To: Endurance Athletes
From: USEF Endurance Department
Date: 3/16/2009
Re:Extension of the Application Period for the Pan American Endurance Championship Team
Extended deadline for applications for the Pan Am Endurance Team is March 20th, 2009
Athletes wishing to apply for the Pan American Endurance Team now have until Thursday, March 19. Athletes who have already applied can nominate additional horses on or before March 20. All applications and horse nominations must be faxed or hand delivered on or before March 20, 2009, and must include an application fee of $50 per rider, and a nomination fee of $50 per horse. Applications that are not in hand by 5:00pm Eastern Time on March 20, 2009 cannot be accepted. A copy of the Pan American Endurance Team Selection procedures including the application can be found on the USEF website www.usef.org, or may be obtained by calling or emailing Vonita Bowers, Endurance Director, vbowers@usef.org (859) 825-6001
To: Endurance Athletes
From: USEF Endurance Department
Date: 3/16/2009
Re:Extension of the Application Period for the Pan American Endurance Championship Team
Extended deadline for applications for the Pan Am Endurance Team is March 20th, 2009
Athletes wishing to apply for the Pan American Endurance Team now have until Thursday, March 19. Athletes who have already applied can nominate additional horses on or before March 20. All applications and horse nominations must be faxed or hand delivered on or before March 20, 2009, and must include an application fee of $50 per rider, and a nomination fee of $50 per horse. Applications that are not in hand by 5:00pm Eastern Time on March 20, 2009 cannot be accepted. A copy of the Pan American Endurance Team Selection procedures including the application can be found on the USEF website www.usef.org, or may be obtained by calling or emailing Vonita Bowers, Endurance Director, vbowers@usef.org (859) 825-6001
Friday, March 13, 2009
France CEN and FEI Star Qualification developments
Portail Endurance - Original posting in French
(the following is a translation from French to English using Google translation tools:)
Some words to keep you informed of developments in the transitional post-meeting held in the FFE and Deauville in early March.
The meeting organized by Dominique Faye in the presence of Ian Williams, at the FFE has achieved equivalency between CEN 2008 and IEC 2009. To be more clear, and knowing that the riders' skills are acquired in life, we obtained that:
- The qualifications in 2008, for CEN over distances ranging from 90 km to 109 km speed free, are now equivalent to the qualifications of the course said "novice" as defined in Regulation transitoire2009. This equivalence can participate in organized CEI1 * this year.
However this provision is very little English: indeed, when they qualify Amateur or Pro 1 GP (90 km free speed) the French riders have participated in at least three tests at imposed speed, one of them is an ordeal Amateur or Pro 1 (90 km speed required). However, these conditions alone are already sufficient for a CEI1 *, as the transitional 2009.
- The skills practiced in 2008 on CEN to a distance of 110 km or more, free speed, become equivalent to a qualification test on a CEI1 * Transitional Regulation 2009 and to participate in competitions CEI2 * this year.
In summary a qualification on a CEN2 * or * CEN3, acquired in 2007 or 2008, will participate in a CEI2 * in 2009.
In Deauville, on 9 and 10 March, ahead of the 40 representatives of Nations Group 1 and 2 of the FEI, in the presence of Alex McLin, Secretary General of the FEI and David Holmes, Director of Sports of the FEI, I held a conference on the challenges of the new FEI rules and the transitional 2009. I highlighted the difficulties created by the application of transitional rules for particular qualifications.
Some points in this transitional place indeed at odds with many European countries, especially those who manage their tour officially endurance within the federation through a system of progressive qualifications.
If the recognition and the level of equivalence of CEN 2008 and IEC 2009 have reached a consensus, as was the case during the previous meeting in the FFE, it has not been the same for the recognition of equivalence tests CEI2 * 119 km of 2008 with tests CEI2 * 2009. If one refers to the settlement therefore transitional as it exists, it is necessary for horses qualified CEI2 * two years to qualify at the same level in 2009.
It should be noted that apart from France and brilliant Dominique Faye, and apart from Belgium and the clear and powerful of its secretary general, no representative of the countries concerned by the negative effects of regulation on transitional 'career development of horses and riders during qualifying, took part in the debate.
The presidents of the two groups eventually joined forces to request that the complaint stated by the speakers, and tacitly approved by all, can find a favorable outcome, but fails to the credibility of the FEI. David Holmes is then intervened to explain that it was difficult to change the rules at this stage. The President of the Group 2 spokesman groups involved, concluded by proposing to put this issue on the agenda of the next FEI office provided at the end of March to find a solution, in the interest.
I hope this brought to your knowledge have the merit to shed light on the current situation and you will wait in the stillness of the findings of the FEI office at the end of this month.
(the following is a translation from French to English using Google translation tools:)
Some words to keep you informed of developments in the transitional post-meeting held in the FFE and Deauville in early March.
The meeting organized by Dominique Faye in the presence of Ian Williams, at the FFE has achieved equivalency between CEN 2008 and IEC 2009. To be more clear, and knowing that the riders' skills are acquired in life, we obtained that:
- The qualifications in 2008, for CEN over distances ranging from 90 km to 109 km speed free, are now equivalent to the qualifications of the course said "novice" as defined in Regulation transitoire2009. This equivalence can participate in organized CEI1 * this year.
However this provision is very little English: indeed, when they qualify Amateur or Pro 1 GP (90 km free speed) the French riders have participated in at least three tests at imposed speed, one of them is an ordeal Amateur or Pro 1 (90 km speed required). However, these conditions alone are already sufficient for a CEI1 *, as the transitional 2009.
- The skills practiced in 2008 on CEN to a distance of 110 km or more, free speed, become equivalent to a qualification test on a CEI1 * Transitional Regulation 2009 and to participate in competitions CEI2 * this year.
In summary a qualification on a CEN2 * or * CEN3, acquired in 2007 or 2008, will participate in a CEI2 * in 2009.
In Deauville, on 9 and 10 March, ahead of the 40 representatives of Nations Group 1 and 2 of the FEI, in the presence of Alex McLin, Secretary General of the FEI and David Holmes, Director of Sports of the FEI, I held a conference on the challenges of the new FEI rules and the transitional 2009. I highlighted the difficulties created by the application of transitional rules for particular qualifications.
Some points in this transitional place indeed at odds with many European countries, especially those who manage their tour officially endurance within the federation through a system of progressive qualifications.
If the recognition and the level of equivalence of CEN 2008 and IEC 2009 have reached a consensus, as was the case during the previous meeting in the FFE, it has not been the same for the recognition of equivalence tests CEI2 * 119 km of 2008 with tests CEI2 * 2009. If one refers to the settlement therefore transitional as it exists, it is necessary for horses qualified CEI2 * two years to qualify at the same level in 2009.
It should be noted that apart from France and brilliant Dominique Faye, and apart from Belgium and the clear and powerful of its secretary general, no representative of the countries concerned by the negative effects of regulation on transitional 'career development of horses and riders during qualifying, took part in the debate.
The presidents of the two groups eventually joined forces to request that the complaint stated by the speakers, and tacitly approved by all, can find a favorable outcome, but fails to the credibility of the FEI. David Holmes is then intervened to explain that it was difficult to change the rules at this stage. The President of the Group 2 spokesman groups involved, concluded by proposing to put this issue on the agenda of the next FEI office provided at the end of March to find a solution, in the interest.
I hope this brought to your knowledge have the merit to shed light on the current situation and you will wait in the stillness of the findings of the FEI office at the end of this month.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
New push for rare Shagya horse breed
March 13, 2009
by Donna Coss
Shagya Registry Website
photo: Becky Osborne on Sunami (Bold Bravo x Shoni x *Shandor) . ASAV newsletter
A new breeding promotion for the Shagya Arabian horse breed in the US is aiming to increase awareness in the breed.
The American Shagya Arabian Verband is giving owners the chance to breed their mares for a stud fee of $200. There are only about 150 of the breed in the US, and 1500 in the world.
A famous descendent of the Shagya is the "stallion of the century", Ramzes, who was by a thoroughbred sire and from a Shagya mare. He began the "R" line prominent in dressage and grand prix jumping family lines. ASAV has a registry book that records the Anglo-Shagya cross.
The Arabian-based Shagya breed has been around for more then 200 years, with a certain type being bred for and ruthless culling to set its traits. Breeders say the Shagya's temperament and mind are second to none.
In Europe Shagya blood it is highly prized, and many Shagya stallions can be found in the warmblood studbooks. It is one of the recognised breeds used in Trakehner breeding. "They can add refinement without loss of bone and substance and superior horses in the first generation. They are not supposed to resemble purebred Arabians, although nothing, but Arabian, is allowed in the studbook. Instead the old horse masters selected for superior riding qualities and temperament," the ASAV says.
"The modified Baroque conformation crosses well with all breeds and improves hip and shouder angles, legs and feet and a soft back that is easy to sit. Typically one can expect taller foals with more bone and substance."
The goal of an ideal cavalry horse was the orginal purpose for the breed's existence. This has been accomplished and resulted in a potent and desirable animal. The breed has been discovered by the endurance people and many purebreds and cross-breds are competing at the FEI level and have won international races.
One cross that is producing division winners in the hunter ring is the Shagya stallion crossed with Thoroughbred mares. The foals are tall, with improved conformation, better feet and legs, and all of the flight reaction of the Throughbred is replaced with a lovely prospect, perfect for jumping, combined training and many other disciplines.
www.shagyaregistry.com
by Donna Coss
Shagya Registry Website
photo: Becky Osborne on Sunami (Bold Bravo x Shoni x *Shandor) . ASAV newsletterA new breeding promotion for the Shagya Arabian horse breed in the US is aiming to increase awareness in the breed.
The American Shagya Arabian Verband is giving owners the chance to breed their mares for a stud fee of $200. There are only about 150 of the breed in the US, and 1500 in the world.
A famous descendent of the Shagya is the "stallion of the century", Ramzes, who was by a thoroughbred sire and from a Shagya mare. He began the "R" line prominent in dressage and grand prix jumping family lines. ASAV has a registry book that records the Anglo-Shagya cross.
The Arabian-based Shagya breed has been around for more then 200 years, with a certain type being bred for and ruthless culling to set its traits. Breeders say the Shagya's temperament and mind are second to none.
In Europe Shagya blood it is highly prized, and many Shagya stallions can be found in the warmblood studbooks. It is one of the recognised breeds used in Trakehner breeding. "They can add refinement without loss of bone and substance and superior horses in the first generation. They are not supposed to resemble purebred Arabians, although nothing, but Arabian, is allowed in the studbook. Instead the old horse masters selected for superior riding qualities and temperament," the ASAV says.
"The modified Baroque conformation crosses well with all breeds and improves hip and shouder angles, legs and feet and a soft back that is easy to sit. Typically one can expect taller foals with more bone and substance."
The goal of an ideal cavalry horse was the orginal purpose for the breed's existence. This has been accomplished and resulted in a potent and desirable animal. The breed has been discovered by the endurance people and many purebreds and cross-breds are competing at the FEI level and have won international races.
One cross that is producing division winners in the hunter ring is the Shagya stallion crossed with Thoroughbred mares. The foals are tall, with improved conformation, better feet and legs, and all of the flight reaction of the Throughbred is replaced with a lovely prospect, perfect for jumping, combined training and many other disciplines.
www.shagyaregistry.com
Great Britain: Tested staying power
Midweekherald.co.uk
lee.glanville@archant.co.uk
11 March 2009
Riding on Dartmoor, particularly the colder northern side, can often be a daunting prospect, especially at the end of February. Despite a thick mist and chilly drizzle 30 endurance riders set off from Okehampton camp for a 14 mile training ride.
Due to the fog they had to ride from marker flag to marker flag.
Fortunately for the horses and their riders, the cloud began to lift as they rode down the steep hill to Meldon reservoir and by the time they had dismounted to cross the dam on foot and were heading along the bridleway towards Sourton Down, the visibility improved. By the time, the last riders had reached Higher Nodden, the last of the cloud had lifted.
Despite the conditions, all the riders competed the 14 mile route, including several new members.
One of these was Val Jones from Feniton, near Honiton, riding her ex-racehorse mare, Flying Artist pictured below.
The first competitive endurance ride of the season in the south west will be the Wadebridge Ride on Sunday, March 22, which includes a 20 mile Pleasure Ride.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
A rough rider for fine horses
Idaho Mountain Express and Guide
By DENNIS HIGMAN
Valley People
Allah reached up, blew in his hand and out came the Arabian horse, his gift to the faithful: "Drinkers of the Wind, Swallowers of the Earth, Light as a Feather Blowing Across the Land." So the legend goes.
Robert Bouttier, known by his friend and neighbors as "Archie," a buff, wind-burned, enthusiastic man who loves to ski as much as ride, breeds these legendary horses, races them on the track and rides them in endurance contests all across the West.
Many of his horses have won national honors. They include French Kiss, Colorado Race Horse of the Year, and Zabkin, National Endurance Point Champion, who logged over 1,400 miles in one year and won several 100-mile races.
At last count Archie had 57 Arabians on his 85-acre ranch, called Drinkers of the Wind, on Broadford Road in Bellevue, along with three dogs and four cats. Archie is a romantic, at least as far as animals are concerned. He still has his old polo pony, Rose Real Matuse, now 35, which he used to ride at the Broadford Polo Club, which he co-founded after moving to the Wood River Valley in 1973. And he still has his old white Pyrenees, Big Molly, which he got to protect his cats from predators.
"I had a white cat at the time and I'd look out the window and see that cat trying to stalk mice with the big dog right behind her just doing his job, but scaring all the mice off," he laughs. "She was really annoyed. All my dogs and cats get along, though—they're old pals."
Archie was raised in Manhattan Beach, Calif. His father, who was in flight training at the time, died of spinal meningitis four days before Archie was born in the waning days of World War II. His grandfather, a cowboy from Colorado, worked at Paramount Studios in Hollywood.
Archie graduated from Long Beach State, eventually became a pilot and, at age 26, went to work for United Airlines as a flight engineer. "I had nightmares about going to work in an office, so when a friend of mine painted this wonderful picture of making a quarter million a year flying with lots of time off, I went for it."
Click here to come visit us
Although he worked his way up to senior co-pilot on international runs before he retired early in 2003, he was furloughed along with 500 others during the recession of 1971. It was at that time that he moved to the Wood River Valley, started to buy property on Broadford Road and got his first Arabian.
There are a variety of Arabian horses, and he breeds and raises Polish Arabians, descendents of Polish cavalry horses that were the finest in Europe for 200 years. "You know, most people think of Arabians now as expensive show horses, but that's an unfair categorization. They're really a great all-around horse, and although they have sturdy feet and a heart as big as a thoroughbred, they have less body weight so, like the legend says, 'they move light across the ground.'"
Polish Arabians, Archie explains, also have a wonderful temperament. They're easy to get along with; they're not high strung. They are also very athletic. He races them on the California Fair Circuit and in Colorado. Horse racing is generally in decline, he explains, but endurance riding, in which a horse might run 25 miles a day in the novice class and up to 100 miles as a veteran, is growing in popularity.
This combination of track racing and endurance riding gives Archie a way to live by an ethic he has about all animals: You don't abandon them if things don't work out. "Look, over 90 percent of thoroughbreds that are bred to race never make it to the track. Most of those that don't make it are just discarded. I'm not going to do that.
"If I have a horse that likes to run on the track, that's where I take them. And if they get tired of it or just don't take to it, we go on the endurance circuit. Then either way, I've got a stable of great horses."
In the West, there's still a good market for a well-trained family horse, he notes, and he's got plenty of those. But he also sells his Arabians all over the world. "I recently sold an endurance champion to a buyer in the Middle East, so one of my 'Drinkers of the Wind' went back to where it all began. Isn't that something?"
Unlike many horse breeders, Archie is a one-man show. He gets help when he needs it, but for the most part grows his own hay, builds his own fences and foals his own colts. He has foaling stalls where he can sleep on a raised platform next to the mares that are about to give birth. "That way I'll always be there when they need me," he explains.
Robert Boullier is there for all his horses, whether they're young, old or sick, get hurt or just didn't work out as champions. "I feel about horses the same way I feel about dogs and cats. It doesn't matter what color they are or whether they're big or small or pretty or ugly—they're all great to have around as far as I'm concerned."
full article
By DENNIS HIGMAN
Valley People
Allah reached up, blew in his hand and out came the Arabian horse, his gift to the faithful: "Drinkers of the Wind, Swallowers of the Earth, Light as a Feather Blowing Across the Land." So the legend goes.
Robert Bouttier, known by his friend and neighbors as "Archie," a buff, wind-burned, enthusiastic man who loves to ski as much as ride, breeds these legendary horses, races them on the track and rides them in endurance contests all across the West.
Many of his horses have won national honors. They include French Kiss, Colorado Race Horse of the Year, and Zabkin, National Endurance Point Champion, who logged over 1,400 miles in one year and won several 100-mile races.
At last count Archie had 57 Arabians on his 85-acre ranch, called Drinkers of the Wind, on Broadford Road in Bellevue, along with three dogs and four cats. Archie is a romantic, at least as far as animals are concerned. He still has his old polo pony, Rose Real Matuse, now 35, which he used to ride at the Broadford Polo Club, which he co-founded after moving to the Wood River Valley in 1973. And he still has his old white Pyrenees, Big Molly, which he got to protect his cats from predators.
"I had a white cat at the time and I'd look out the window and see that cat trying to stalk mice with the big dog right behind her just doing his job, but scaring all the mice off," he laughs. "She was really annoyed. All my dogs and cats get along, though—they're old pals."
Archie was raised in Manhattan Beach, Calif. His father, who was in flight training at the time, died of spinal meningitis four days before Archie was born in the waning days of World War II. His grandfather, a cowboy from Colorado, worked at Paramount Studios in Hollywood.
Archie graduated from Long Beach State, eventually became a pilot and, at age 26, went to work for United Airlines as a flight engineer. "I had nightmares about going to work in an office, so when a friend of mine painted this wonderful picture of making a quarter million a year flying with lots of time off, I went for it."
Click here to come visit us
Although he worked his way up to senior co-pilot on international runs before he retired early in 2003, he was furloughed along with 500 others during the recession of 1971. It was at that time that he moved to the Wood River Valley, started to buy property on Broadford Road and got his first Arabian.
There are a variety of Arabian horses, and he breeds and raises Polish Arabians, descendents of Polish cavalry horses that were the finest in Europe for 200 years. "You know, most people think of Arabians now as expensive show horses, but that's an unfair categorization. They're really a great all-around horse, and although they have sturdy feet and a heart as big as a thoroughbred, they have less body weight so, like the legend says, 'they move light across the ground.'"
Polish Arabians, Archie explains, also have a wonderful temperament. They're easy to get along with; they're not high strung. They are also very athletic. He races them on the California Fair Circuit and in Colorado. Horse racing is generally in decline, he explains, but endurance riding, in which a horse might run 25 miles a day in the novice class and up to 100 miles as a veteran, is growing in popularity.
This combination of track racing and endurance riding gives Archie a way to live by an ethic he has about all animals: You don't abandon them if things don't work out. "Look, over 90 percent of thoroughbreds that are bred to race never make it to the track. Most of those that don't make it are just discarded. I'm not going to do that.
"If I have a horse that likes to run on the track, that's where I take them. And if they get tired of it or just don't take to it, we go on the endurance circuit. Then either way, I've got a stable of great horses."
In the West, there's still a good market for a well-trained family horse, he notes, and he's got plenty of those. But he also sells his Arabians all over the world. "I recently sold an endurance champion to a buyer in the Middle East, so one of my 'Drinkers of the Wind' went back to where it all began. Isn't that something?"
Unlike many horse breeders, Archie is a one-man show. He gets help when he needs it, but for the most part grows his own hay, builds his own fences and foals his own colts. He has foaling stalls where he can sleep on a raised platform next to the mares that are about to give birth. "That way I'll always be there when they need me," he explains.
Robert Boullier is there for all his horses, whether they're young, old or sick, get hurt or just didn't work out as champions. "I feel about horses the same way I feel about dogs and cats. It doesn't matter what color they are or whether they're big or small or pretty or ugly—they're all great to have around as far as I'm concerned."
full article
Old Pueblo Results and Glue-On Hoof Boot Demo
From The Horse's Mouth:
Behind the scene development of hoof boots and the latest Hoof Boot News
Easyboot results at the Old Pueblo Pioneer were great. Here is a short list of people that were using EasyCare hoof boot products. This is by memory so it may be off a place or two.
1. 50 mile event day #1
2nd Place Christoph Schork
Best Condition Christoph Schork
10th place Dian Woodward
2. 50 mile event day #2
1st Place Christoph Schork
6th Place Garrett Ford
3. 50 mile event day #3
1st Place Christoph Schork
2nd Place Kevin Waters
Best Condition Kevin Waters
7th place Amy Ford (yes that's my mom)
8th place Dian Woodward
High teens Garrett Ford
High teens Debbie Schweibert
On top of the results above we had a great Easyboot Hoof Boot Demo. Christoph Schork and I did the demo in a nasty wind storm that blew dust and dirt. Thanks for everyone that attended and brought horses for us to demo on. Christoph, thank you for your help.
Full blog
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Farewell to Dream Weaver
Karen's farewell
Farewell to my beautiful chestnut gelding, Dream Weaver
Dream Weaver 03/17/90 - 03/01/09
Dream Weaver was my first real horse and we had a lot of special times together. First horses are always special, aren’t they?
For the last few years Weaver has been living in South Dakota with Barney and Linda Fleming, getting to be a horse and enjoying the good life – no real work, just play.
I was so happy last year that I got to go to South Dakota and visit and ride Weaver for a few days. We had a great time and he was just as he always was – you could get on him and expect him to behave like a good boy. I was so looking forward to going and visiting with Weaver and getting to ride him at the upcoming endurance clinic that Barney is putting on in a few weeks. But, it wasn’t to be.
I knew when Barney called that something was wrong. He said that Weaver had not come in to feed at 5:30 a.m. that morning. Weaver was looking good at dinner the evening before. Barney found Weaver passed on with no signs of a struggle or anything wrong and nothing was broken so it appeared that he had a quick and painless death. Weaver would have been 19 in a couple more weeks. Barney said that he buried Weaver with an XP shirt. I’m sure he knows what that was and is somewhere galloping and kicking up his heals going down a historic trail in heaven, stopping of course to eat as that was his second favorite thing in the world to do!
dream_weaver_endurance_horse Farewell to my beautiful chestnut gelding, Dream WeaverI got Weaver when he was three years old, a beautiful chestnut (mostly CMK breeding) gelding for $500. He was unbroken and had grown up living in a pasture with a herd of horses. He was such a sweet natured and uncomplicated horse that I had no trouble at all training him. We did everything together and even as a four and five year old he had the maturity of a horse several years older. I could trust him in any situation. We chased cattle, we went to playdays and I showed him.
[...more]
Farewell to my beautiful chestnut gelding, Dream WeaverDream Weaver 03/17/90 - 03/01/09
Dream Weaver was my first real horse and we had a lot of special times together. First horses are always special, aren’t they?
For the last few years Weaver has been living in South Dakota with Barney and Linda Fleming, getting to be a horse and enjoying the good life – no real work, just play.
I was so happy last year that I got to go to South Dakota and visit and ride Weaver for a few days. We had a great time and he was just as he always was – you could get on him and expect him to behave like a good boy. I was so looking forward to going and visiting with Weaver and getting to ride him at the upcoming endurance clinic that Barney is putting on in a few weeks. But, it wasn’t to be.
I knew when Barney called that something was wrong. He said that Weaver had not come in to feed at 5:30 a.m. that morning. Weaver was looking good at dinner the evening before. Barney found Weaver passed on with no signs of a struggle or anything wrong and nothing was broken so it appeared that he had a quick and painless death. Weaver would have been 19 in a couple more weeks. Barney said that he buried Weaver with an XP shirt. I’m sure he knows what that was and is somewhere galloping and kicking up his heals going down a historic trail in heaven, stopping of course to eat as that was his second favorite thing in the world to do!
dream_weaver_endurance_horse Farewell to my beautiful chestnut gelding, Dream WeaverI got Weaver when he was three years old, a beautiful chestnut (mostly CMK breeding) gelding for $500. He was unbroken and had grown up living in a pasture with a herd of horses. He was such a sweet natured and uncomplicated horse that I had no trouble at all training him. We did everything together and even as a four and five year old he had the maturity of a horse several years older. I could trust him in any situation. We chased cattle, we went to playdays and I showed him.
[...more]
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