Monday, January 31, 2011

Great Britain: Introduction to endurance riding at Stannington

Journallive.co.uk - Full Article

* by Karen Dent, The Journal
* Jan 29 2011

RIDERS interested in endurance are being offered a free introduction to the sport in the North East.

The Intro to Endurance evening in Stannington, next month, will cover everything from pleasure rides to the low-distance competitive endurance, crewing and a look at competing abroad. The main speaker on the night will be Angela Hall, the founder of the Equine Massage Academy (North East).

The event is being organised by the Northumberland & Tyneside Endurance GB group, which has 39 members and organises eight rides in the region annually.

Viv Knight from the group has been involved in endurance for 16 years and now her whole family are part of the team.

She said: “It is the safest, healthiest – for the horse – most sociable, family-friendly, lowest cost competitive sport for those with horses...

http://www.journallive.co.uk/northumberland-sites/morpeth-northumberland/morpeth-news/2011/01/29/this-is-a-sport-which-endures-61634-28085322/

Sunday, January 30, 2011

ACTHA Searches for Horse Reality TV Stars

ACTHA.us

ANY horse can win...here's how it works!

Stage 1 - Attend an Audition near you!

When? April 9 - April 24, 2011. Entries are limited!

You will be notified of your day/time/location via mail/email/phone at least 10 days before your audition.

All applications for auditions must be received on or before March 31st, 2011. However, reservations are considered according to space availability in your region and in your age division.

Where? ACTHA will come to you.

Thanks to the hundreds and hundreds of entries already received, the following locations have been selected so far!

See list of cities here

How? About 100 horses will be selected as finalists from the regional auditions. They will be represented from 2 age divisions, over 45 and under 45 (must be at least 21 on the day of the audition). Each region will be amply represented in the national finals with a minimum of 10 finalists selected from each region.

During your approximate 5 minute audition we will be looking for horse personality, finesse, cadence, and athleticism.

Cost? The cost for an audition is $149* There are no additional entry fees for those moving on to stage 2.

(Those needing financial assistance to make the trip to the national finals will have the opportunity to request help.)

Refunds? All audition reservations are 100% refundable (or at your option credited towards other ACTHA activities) as long as you inform us of your change in plans before 3/15/11.

Make your horse a Star! Auditions will be selectively filmed and featured on National and ACTHA TV (coming soon).

A commemorative T-shirt will be given to each participant.

Stage 2 - The National Finals, getting ready for America's vote!

All regional winners will be invited to come to the National Finals at the Franklin Family Ranch, near Austin, Texas May 8th - 12th, 2011. From here on, national celebrities will "coach" you to be the best you can be for the cameras and America's viewers!

Festivities will include:

* A six mile judged Competitive Trail Challenge to be enjoyed by ALL FINALISTS. This CTC will be held on one of ACTHA's most beautiful ranch venues.
* Several days of schooling and being "coached" on a wide array of ACTHA's trail obstacles. Ample time will be given during the week for question and answer sessions as well as interviews.
* Clinics and seminars from ACTHA's Founders and celebrity clinicians, complete with ample time for question and answer sessions.
* Tours of local area attractions.
* All of the above will be filmed to convey horse personality, style, and abilities for the American audience to vote for America's Favorite Trail Horse.

A commemorative DVD and sponsors' gifts will be given to each national finalist.

Awards by America's Vote:

In at least 10 selected episodes America will vote for their favorite horse. The horse with the most votes will win $5,000 for that day's performance. (Can only be won once per contestant ).

On Nationally TV, America's vote will pick America's Favorite Trail Horse Grand Prize Winners!

1st place - $25,000

2nd place - $15,000

3rd place - $10,000

For more information see
http://www.actha.us/index.php?option=com_association&view=guest&area=afth

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Pagan to Speak at Endurance Conference in Nevada

KER.com

Joe Pagan, Ph.D., founder and president of Kentucky Equine Research (KER), is scheduled to speak at a special symposium being held in conjunction with the 2011 American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) National Convention, March 3-4, Reno, Nevada.

The symposium, titled "Acid-Base and Body Fluid Management in the Endurance Horse," features several researchers and key figures in the sport-horse industry. On the morning of March 3, Pagan will give a presentation, "Oral Electrolyte Absorption and Distribution in the Body." He will then participate in a discussion and Q-and-A later in the day.

See http://www.ker.com/news/2011/01/pagan-to-speak-at-endurance-co.html for a complete schedule of speakers and topics and registration information. The majority of the sessions are open to anyone with an interest in endurance.

KER is cosponsoring the symposium with the American Competitive Horse Consortium and Abaxis.

Back Country Horsemen of America Represented at BLM National Summit

January 26 2011

By Sarah Wynne Jackson

In its ongoing pursuit of protecting our right to ride horses on public lands, Back Country Horsemen of America sends an appropriate ambassador to the major conventions of land management agencies. Their goal? To be the voice of horsemen across the country that cherishes the opportunity to enjoy America’s beautiful landscape by horseback, as our ancestors did.

The National Landscape Conservation System Summit

On November 15 and 16, 2010, Dennis Dailey traveled to Las Vegas to attend the Bureau of Land Management’s National Landscape Conservation System Summit. Dailey is BCHA’s Senior Advisor of Wilderness, Recreation, and Trails. He was one of approximately 340 participants representing the wide variety of folks interested in the use and management of BLM land.

The summit focused on the National Landscape Conservation System (NLCS) and community partnerships. The NLCS contains some of the West’s most spectacular landscapes. It includes over 886 federally recognized areas and approximately 27 million acres of National Monuments, National Conservation Areas, Wilderness Areas, Wilderness Study Areas, Wild and Scenic Rivers, National Scenic and Historic Trails, and Conservation Lands of the California Desert.

Created in 2000 by former Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt, the NLCS brought these special places into a single system where conservation would be the overriding goal. NLCS lands are managed to conserve, protect, and restore the exceptional scientific, recreational, cultural, and ecological values for which they were designated. The system was made permanent by the 2009 Omnibus Public Land Management Act.

The purpose of the summit was to provide a forum to solicit, discuss, and build upon ideas and suggestions from NLCS partners to assist in the challenging mission of balancing competing land and resource uses while protecting the values for which the areas were designated. Dailey also participated in focus group sessions brainstorming ideas.

More Than Just Words

Dailey felt the summit was constructive and was pleased with various statements he heard from attendees, which reflected BCHA’s desire to both preserve and enjoy the land.

Bureau of Land Management Director Bob Abbey made remarks that, consistent with the values for which the lands were designated, these areas would remain “accessible for use,” management plans would be “built on local effort,” and that these areas would be managed to “preserve local traditions and history as working landscapes;” a “bridge between landscapes and cultures.”

When asked whether the law meant “protection or use,” Abbey responded, clearly but politely, that it does not have to be “either/or.” The areas would be managed “to protect the values for which they were established and provide for compatible uses.”

Both Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Director Abbey stressed the importance of “partnering” and “neighboring.” The Wilderness Society President Bill Meadows, moderator of a panel discussion, also emphasized the “gospel of partnering and neighboring” and the importance of “connecting people to the places they care about.”

The Importance of Relationships

At this summit, Dailey also renewed old acquaintances and made new ones. He visited briefly with Director Abbey about BCHA’s mission and partnership contributions. He also conversed with TWS President Meadows (who once again spoke about the importance of the partnership between BCHA and TWS); Doug Scott, Campaign for America’s Wilderness; Adam Cramer, Outdoor Alliance; Greg Mumm, Blue Ribbon Coalition; Jay Watson, Student Conservation Association; and with several BLM Washington Office staff members.

Much of the emphasis for their volunteerism is with “site based” organizations, otherwise known as “friends” groups. It seems that BCHA’s volunteer work is becoming legendary. A number of other people approached Dailey throughout the meeting to comment on volunteer Back Country Horsemen efforts in their respective areas.

Although traditional land users such as ranchers and the oil/gas industry also have an interest in the land, Dailey didn’t meet many of these folks at the summit. He feels the exchange might have been more meaningful if traditional users had been better represented. BCHA was the only equestrian group there and a couple of BLM employees asked him about the organization and indicated that they would like to join or form a local chapter.

Now It’s Our Turn

Dailey feels that the BLM clearly sees the NLCS as “a different way of doing business;” a more collaborative management environment in which the responsibility for both planning and the actions prescribed by the plans would be shared with stakeholders. Back Country Horsemen of America sincerely hopes that intention becomes reality. That method would become a model for management that other agencies have yet to achieve.

Many lands in the NLCS provide important recreation experiences for horsemen. In order to preserve a reasonable balance between protection and responsible use, it’s vital for us to be involved with the planning processes from the beginning. Dailey believes that the BLM leadership is sincere about their commitment to making public involvement truly meaningful. It’s up to us now, to participate in a meaningful way.

To learn more about how you can get involved, contact Back Country Horsemen of America to find a local BCH group near you.

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 regarding 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
1-888-893-5161
www.backcountryhorse.com

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

2011 AERC Convention

January 26 2011

The 2011 AERC Convention is fast approaching: it will take place March 4 and 5, 2011, in Reno, NV, and will feature a wealth of educational information, entertainment, awards and no lack of opportunities for shopping!

Educational seminars include subjects covering risk factors of ride pulls by Langdon Fielding, DVM, treatment options after ride pulls by K. Gary Magdesian, DVM, AERC lameness judging guidelines by Thomas R Timmons, DVM, and equine endurance nutrition by Stephen Duren, MS, PhD - author of "The Concise Guide to Nutrition in the Horse" and "The 101 Most Frequently Asked Horse Nutrition Questions."

One can count on an entertaining seminar by the always-humorous Angie McGhee - author of "The Lighter Side of Endurance Riding" - with her daughter Angie McGhee on "Adventures in Family Riding."

Highlights of this year's convention will be inspirational seminars by the popular international endurance competitor Jan Worthington, "Never Give Up; and by 'the First Lady of Endurance' Julie Suhr - author of "Ten Feet Tall, Still" - with her daughter Barbara White on "The Functional Endurance Family."

John Parke will facilitate "Hot Topics," workshops where endurance members can discuss, brainstorm, and debate topics such as "LD and Endurance" and "Trails: Lobbying for Change."

Additionally, the Jim Steere Horse Health Symposium will be presented March 3 and 4 in conjunction with the Veterinary Continuing Education Program. This is a dialogue between riders, veterinarians and teachers on the topic of acid-base and body fluid management in the endurance horse.

Of course, the very popular Trade Show with "the latest and greatest distance riding products" will run throughout the convention.

The AERC Regional Awards Ceremony will be Friday night followed by a dance, and the AERC National Awards Banquet will be on Saturday night.

You can still register for the convention. See www.aerc.org for a convention flyer and registration form.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Ceci Butler-Stasiuk Named 2010 Recipient of Maggy Price Endurance Excellence Trophy

USEF.org

Release: December 08 2010
Author: By Leah Oliveto

Lexington, KY - Endurance athlete Ceci Butler-Stasiuk has been named this year's recipient of the Maggy Price Endurance Excellence Trophy, sponsored by Gold Medal Farm and Larry and Valerie Kanavy.This award is given to the endurance athlete who earns the most points in selected Ranking Trials during the ride year.

Butler-Stasiuk (Humble, TX) and DJB Cytron Kon JMF, owned by her mother Darolyn Butler, won the Florida Horse Park CEI3* 160km ride in January and were named to the short list for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Endurance Championship in September. Butler-Stasiuk also notched wins with DJB K De Cielo in the 80km ride at the Florida Horse Park CEI3* and in the Git-R-Done II CEI2* 120km ride. With DJB KD Fantasia she won at the Fort Howard Endurance Ride CEI3* 160km ride.

The Endurance Excellence Trophy is named for international endurance rider Maggy Price, who was an Individual Bronze and Team Silver medalist at the 1992 World Endurance Championships and was a pioneer for the sport in the United States. Price was instrumental in promoting international Endurance riding to the U.S. Endurance community; she served in multiple leadership positions and was inducted into the American Endurance Ride Conference Hall of Fame in 1994.

Tevis Trail Work Parties

If you're interested in volunteering your time to work on the Tevis trail, RSVP to the emails below.

Event #2, Saturday, February 12, 2011
Project: Browns Bar to Lower Quarry
Meet: 8:00 am - Lower Quarry Parking Lot
Directions:From I-80, take the Elm Street exit in Auburn. Head East and follow Hwy. 49 route signs heading into canyon toward Cool. LQ parking is on the left side of road after crossing bridge over American River.
Bring: Gloves, water, snack, clippers, hand saw, shovel, etc.
Please RSVP by February 5 to trails@ws100.com
This event can be applied to 2011 Run volunteer requirement.

Event #3, Saturday, March 19, 2011
Project: Cal Loop (Peachstone Section)
Meet: 8:00 am - Foresthill Post Office. Corner of Foresthill Rd. and Racetrack St.
Directions: From I-80, take the Elm Street exit in Auburn. Head East and follow Hwy. 49 route signs heading into canyon toward Cool. LQ parking is on the left side of road after crossing bridge over American River.
Bring: Gloves, water, snack, clippers, hand saw, shovel, etc.
Please RSVP by March 12 to trails@ws100.com
This event can be applied to 2011 volunteer requirement.

Event #4, Saturday, April 30, 2011
Project: Deadwood to Michigan Bluff
Meet: 8:30 am - Foresthill Post Office Corner of Foresthill and Race Track Roads
Directions: I-80 to Auburn. Take Foresthill Exit in Auburn. Head East on Foresthill Road for 18 miles to Foresthill. Post Office on left.
Bring: Gloves, water, snack, clippers, hand saw, shovel, etc.
Please RSVP by April 23 to trails@ws100.com
This event can be applied to 2011 Run volunteer requirement.

Event #5, Saturday, May 14, 2011
Project: Dusty Corners to Last Chance/Devil's Thumb to Swinging Bridge
Meet: 8:30 am - Foresthill Post Office Corner of Foresthill and Race Track Roads
Directions: I-80 to Auburn. Take Foresthill Exit in Auburn. Head East on Foresthill Road for 18 miles to Foresthill. Post Office on left.
Bring: Gloves, water, snack, clippers, hand saw, shovel, etc.
Please RSVP by May 7 to trails@ws100.com
This event can be applied to 2012 Run volunteer requirement.

Event #6, Friday and Saturday, June 17-18, 2011
Weekend Campout, Robinson Flat Campground
Projects: Lyon Ridge to Red Star/Red Star to Robinson Flat
Meet: Friday afternoon arrival
Directions: From I-80, take the Foresthill Exit in Auburn. Head East on Foresthill Road - 38 miles to the Robinson Flat Campground
Bring: Camping gear, gloves, water, snack, clippers, hand saw,
shovel, etc.
Please RSVP by June 10 to trails@ws100.com

EasyCare Hoof Boot Contest Expanded for Endurance and Trail Riders

January 25 2011

EasyCare has announced their 5th annual edition of the Hoof Boot Contest, with $10,000 in cash and product prizes for 2011, with 20 winners to receive cash and prizes.

This year's contest has two distinct divisions - for endurance and limited distance riding, and competitive trail riding.

For each division, EasyCare will award $5000 in cash and product to the riders who complete the most sanctioned miles during the 2011 ride season.

For more information, see the EasyCare Blog page:
http://blog.easycareinc.com/blog/bootlegging/weve-expanded-the-2011-10000-hoof-boot-contest-with-you-in-mind

United States Equestrian Federation honors endurance riders

Horsereporter - Full Article

January 23 2011

Kelsey Kimbler from Aberdeen, South Dakota received the USEF Junior Equestrian of the Year Award at the USEF annual awards dinner on January 22. Taking double honors at the awards ceremony, Kimbler was also the recipient of the 2010 USEF Youth Sportsman’s Award, sponsored by Breyer Animal Creations. Kimbler, a 17-year-old high school senior has won the AERC Junior National Hundred Mile Award twice since the award was established in 2007. Kimbler is the only junior to complete five 100-mile rides in one year. She represented the AHA Youth Association as her region’s delegate and is involved in 4-H events with her Arabians. She was nominated for this award by both the Arabian Horse Association (AHA) and the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC). Kimbler’s sister, Kirsten, won this award in 2007...

Read more here:
http://horsereporter.wordpress.com/2011/01/23/united-states-equestrian-federation-honors-endurance-riders/

Monday, January 24, 2011

Spain: Interview with Jose Manuel Soto Kaliber organizer of Andalucia

El Raid Blog - Full Article

Monday January 24 2011

[Google Translation]

La Vanguardia newspaper interview José Manuel Soto , Kaliber organizer of Andalucia, the world's longest Raid.
This is the interview José Manuel:


" Even horses need an illusion of course "
I am 50 years good or bad rider is at any age.
I was born in Seville, marking a lot: the people of Seville are terrible migrants.
Married, three grown children, thank God.
The horse does not give satisfaction to a motorcycle.
Seville 25 years I've been singing and pulled hard.
Running slowly

Before I get on the subway, I raise unlimited spaces I've seen go at a gallop (in the promotional video) to the participants of the raid Kaliber under the April sky Andalusia.
I feel a little less miserable when I think those accomplished riders joyful ride the sands of El Rocio, Grazalema streams, the dunes of Doñana, the slopes of Round or the snows of Veleta but pending the clock and GPS
"Soto told me that the Spanish are lost?, So when we talk in Seville, I propose that, in addition to the raid, arrange a ride Andalusian horses for beginners with no hurry, which is the best way to go further in these times...

Read more here:
http://ggjineteraid.blogspot.com/2011/01/entrevista-jose-manuel-soto-organizador.html

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Australia: Meg Wade's Recovery Progressing

SA.Equestrian.org.au

Nicola Turner, Monday, 17 January 2011

Champion Endurance rider Meg Wade suffered a brain injury from a riding accident in April 2009. Meg has written this letter to update us on her progress.

Read more here:
http://www.sa.equestrian.org.au/default.asp?Page=24975

Friday, January 14, 2011

Tommy Crain passes

Tommy Crain died in his sleep January 13. Tommy is survived by his daughter Annie, and wife, Melissa - an avid Endurance Rider for decades. Tommy and Melissa were very active in the sport - Melissa as a serious rider and competitor with her spectacular horse Whoa Jack, and Tommy as a cheerful and competent support crew for Melissa and anybody else that needed help.

The music world will also miss Tommy. These words from Charlie Daniels:

CHARLIE DANIELS said on his website: “TOMMY CRAIN will always be a part of the CDB family and his music will always be a part of the CDB sound. We have lost a good friend and the world has lost a unique, creative and precious human being. We send our deepest condolences to the family of our brother TOMM CRAIN. You were special, buddy. We’re gonna miss you. CD”

Tommy's bio:

Tom Crain was born in Nashville, Tn. on January 16, 1951, the son of Tom and Helen Crain. He has an older sister, Sherry, and a younger brother Billy. At the tender age of 6 yrs., Tom began piano lessons after being influenced by his dad and granddad who both played the piano.

After a neighbor taught him to play ukelele in the 6th grade, Tom won a talent contest at his grammar school and decided to pursue music more seriously. He then took up guitar and banjo. Throughout high school, Tom played in various local bands, the best being Flat Creek Band in which his brother Billy also played guitar. This group eventually disbanded and Tom formed a group called Buckeye. Buckeye was the opening act at Charlie Daniels' very first Volunteer Jam at Nashville's War Memorial Auditorium where he met Charlie Daniels and a lot of other southern rock musicians.

About a year later , Charlie needed a guitar player and Tom was the man he called for the job. In a few weeks time in February of 1975, Tom married his sweetheart, Melissa, moved to a new apartment, and left on the road with the Charlie Daniels Band for a fifteen year run. Tom played on many CDB albums, co wrote over 60 songs with the band and won a Grammy for co writing " The Devil Went Down To Georgia " which won a Grammy in 1980.

Tom left the band in the summer of 1989 to pursue other interests and to raise his young daughter, Annie, and to help his wife in her career of equestrian endurance riding. After several tries at having his own band during the 90's Tom disappeared from the music scene until he met Towson Engsberg, a drummer from Atlanta , GA. who had a rhythm section called The Crosstown Allstars. Tom began commuting to Georgia on a weekly basis in 2004 to play the Atlanta club scene. After about a year and a half, the Allstars decided to record an original album to be released in 2005. The rest is future history.

Condolences to Melissa and Tommy's family and friends, and a 'thank you' to Tommy for his selfless gifts to the endurance community.

Steph
Endurance.Net

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Mongol Derby Champion of Texas to Return in 2011

Myhorse.com - Full Article

Texan farrier-come-adventurer Justin Nelzen, winner of the second Mongol Derby last summer, is a confirmed entrant in the 2011 competition. The Mongol Derby is a self-guided, 1000-km adventure race cross the Mongolian steppe. The race takes place in one of the world's last remaining wildernesses and birthplace of the largest land empire ever created. Having had the ride of a lifetime last August, Nelzen is keen to defend his title and better his achievement. A former U.S. Marine, world champion martial artist, marathon runner, triathlete and more recently international endurance rider, Nelzen will be adding to an impressive tally of sporting and adventuring honors.

The Mongol Derby isthe longest multi-horse race in the world, and one of the most grueling equine adventures. At the heart of the Mongol Derby is the horse station system, called Urtuus in Mongolian...

Read more here:
http://myhorse.com/mongol-derby-champion-texas-return-2011.html?utm_source=myhorse.com&utm_medium=email+newsletter&utm_campaign=myhorsenewsletter

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Great Britain: Fears over Norfolk forest sell-off plans

Eveningnews24.co.uk - Full Article

By REBECCA GOUGH
Monday, 10 January, 2011

Hundreds of horse riders could face difficulty pursuing their passion in Norfolk if swathes of publicly-owned woodland is privatised under government proposals.

If the move goes ahead, Thetford Forest could no longer be the domain of family picnics, campers or cyclists, and riders could be forced out of the area completely due to a lack of alternative space.

Currently much of Britain’s endurance riding programme is carried out in the region, and people from all over the country descend on the forest for its long and peaceful routes.

Nicki Gilbert has been breeding endurance horses in her spare time for the past five years. She is now in limbo waiting for a decision and could be forced to relocate if the forest is sold to private landowners.

Miss Gilbert, 39, who runs Akala Arabians at Ash Farm in Shipdham, said: “A lot of it is about having access to somewhere you can ride safely and off road.

“I used to hack out in the lanes but just in the years I’ve been riding traffic has got so much faster and it’s impossible now..."

Read more here:
http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/fears_over_norfolk_forest_sell_off_plans_1_770425

Sunday, January 09, 2011

The Arabian Racing Cup Stallion Auction unites with the TABA Stallion Auction to benefit the Darley Awards

Houston, Texas, USA - January 10, 2011

Two highly regarded annual Arabian breeding auctions with years of reputable history have united for the benefit of the Darley Awards 2011. The combined auction offers a collection of top USA & International Arabian Race Sires, including the leading sire in the U.S. industry.

The auction format is online and runs from January 28th to January 31st, 2011.

Stallion owners generously donated their stallion breedings for this special event with an unwavering commitment to the Arabian racing industry. Auction prices start at 50% of the published fees.

Buyers of these breedings will have fun with competitive bidding and feel pride they are not only doing a great service for their own breeding programs, but are playing a vital role in holding up the Darley tradition. Everyone with interest in the Arabian horse and its historical role in the horse racing sport is encouraged to participate.

The equivalent of the Eclipse Awards in the Thoroughbred racing world, The Darley Awards were founded in 1987 to honor the best in Arabian horse racing. This distinguished black-tie ceremony recognizes the most outstanding racehorses, jockeys, owners, trainers and breeders of the Arabian horse community. The Darley Awards are sponsored each year by the Arabian Racing Cup and will take place this year on March 5th, 2011 in Houston, Texas. The event has been held in various venues, but has found home in Texas for the last 3 years.

The Darley weekend includes Graded stakes races at Sam Houston Race Park and other events. The Darley theme this year, "Hats Off to the Champions," flaunts festive Derby Hats in celebration of Arabian Racing´s first stakes race at the important Keeneland race track in the state of Kentucky. This grade 1 event, The President of the UAE Cup, was part of an international race series and marked an important step for Arabian racing in USA.

Texas Arabian Breeders Association (TABA) plays a leading role in Arabian racing and is an affiliate of the USA Arabian Racing organization, the Arabian Jockey Club. Organized in part to help assure Arabian horses a solid place in Texas horse racing, TABA was formed in 1988. Many of those making up the first TABA Board of Governors had made certain that the Texas Racing Act of 1987 included Arabian horses as a racing breed, along with the Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse. This legislation guaranteed these racing breeds the right to race at all Texas pari-mutuel horse racing tracks, and Arabians enjoy racing opportunities at all three Class 1 horse racing tracks in Texas.

TABA's main job as an organization is to act as the liaison between the Texas Racing Commission, the racetracks and the other racing breed organizations. No less important is TABA's job of managing and promoting the Accredited Texas-Bred program, and coordinating racing meets with organizations in other states. Details about TABA, Texas Arabian horse racing and the Accredited Texas-Bred program can be found on TABA's website, www.texasarabianbreeders.com.

For more information or reservations for the 2011 Darley Awards, visit www.arabianracingcup.com.
To bid online for breedings to the Auction stallions benefiting the Darley Awards, visit www.racearabians.com.

###
Contact:
Todd Moak, Stallion Breeding Auction Manager 409-429-7142
Texas Arabian Breeders Association (TABA)
P.O. Box 215
Forney, TX 75126
auction@texasarabianbreeders.com
www.texasarabianbreeders.com

Wednesday, January 05, 2011

Great Britain: My Two-Year-Old Son's First Endurance Competition

Horseandcountry.tv - Full Article

5 January 2011

Endurance rider Beccy Broughton has been competing since she was six-years-old. She has represented Team GB at numerous events, including at WEG in 2010. In her blog, Beccy shares her life with her horses and her training tips.

“Well, here I sit on New Year’s Day, the white stuff has all gone and even the ice has finally thawed. The ground is sodden and squelchy once more, going from one extreme to the other. Mind you, I did enjoy riding in all that snow, riding through the forest in a place that I can only describe as Nania! I did not come across any half man half animal fauns or talking beavers or Aslan though. It was a magical ending to a fairly magical year...

Read more here:
http://www.horseandcountry.tv/celebrity/beccy-broughton/my-two-year-old-sons-first-endurance-competition