Imagine what would happen if your trailer became disconnected from your tow vehicle, and your emergency breakaway battery was fully discharged. Disaster! However, when a breakaway system is working properly, it will lock the brakes automatically if the trailer becomes disconnected from the tow vehicle. “Be a good steward—don’t take chances with the safety and welfare of your precious cargo,” said Mark Cole, managing member for USRider, the nationwide roadside assistance program for...

The gavel fell with a resounding boom at the 2008 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA)/Markel Insurance Futurity Prospect Sale in Oklahoma City, OK, on December 6. The $240,000 winning bid was the largest purchase price ever witnessed at an NRHA sale. Hip 3023, Peppy Superboom, was purchased by The Bucket List Syndicate. Peppy Superboom was consigned by Schmersal Reining Horses, who also consigned the top-selling horse in the NRHA/Markel Insurance Marketplace Sale. The 2006 sorrel colt is...

According to unofficial tabulations, the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) announces that Smart Like Juice is NRHA's newest Million Dollar Sire. His offspring pushed him over the mark at the 2008 NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show in Oklahoma City, OK. He is the 16th stallion to be named to this prestigious listing. The 1994 sorrel stallion by Smart Little Lena and out of Jessies Oak is owned by Smart Like Juice, Inc., of Markham, IL. Smart Like Juice...

The stallion Hickstead, winner of Individual Gold and Team Silver medals at the 2008 Olympic Games under Canada’s Eric Lamaze, is now offered for breeding for the first time in North America. Hickstead is a 1996 brown Dutch Warmblood stallion standing 16 hands-high. Sired by Hamlet, his dam is Jomara by the well-known and recently deceased stallion, Ekstein. Hickstead’s bloodlines also feature such prominent show jumping names as Nimmerdor, Notaris, Ulft, Le Mexico and Joost. Based on his...

The North American Anglo-Arabian Horse Association (NAAAHA) has announced the winners of its 2008 High-Point Program for Anglo-Arabians that compete in working hunter, jumper, eventing, dressage, sport horse, conformation, endurance and competitive trail. All shows and rides, whether rated or unrated, counted towards these awards. Hunter/Jumper Champion: FF Irish Vodka/Collier McLeod Reserve: Diamond Jim Kelly/Beth Thomas Third: One More Round/Alexis Starer-Doughty Fourth: Foreign Policy/Kaylan...

The new video message by the FEI Secretary General is now available on www.fei.org . In the December issue Alex McLin talks of the outcomes of the recent FEI General Assembly and the main actions to be undertaken in 2009, and the FEI Year of Youth. The CEO also takes a look at the preparations for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010, which are now less than two years away. To view the message, please visit the FEI homepage or visit www.fei.org/FEI/News/Pages/Podcasts.aspx .

Para-equestrian and high school senior Jonathan Wentz will be featured in the television series, The Real Winning Edge , January 10-11. Other areas can find channels and times for airing at www.realwinningedge.com/index.php . Wentz was selected for the show after seeing an article in USEF’s Week in Review in June 2007, "TV Producer searching for Equestrians for New Series," and submitting his bio. The 30-minute show profiles three young achievers who have overcome challenges and each are...

During the USEF Dressage Performance Standards Open Forum held December 4 as part of the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Annual Convention, it was clear that the majority of attendees support some form of performance standards for dressage, mirroring the support shown in a USEF online survey conducted in early 2008. However, in consideration of concerns which have been expressed by membership, and sensitivity to the current state of the economy, the USEF Dressage Committee has voted to...

Attention High-Performance Dressage Riders—Two major deadlines are just around the corner. Please note that the deadline to declare for the 2009 FEI World Cup Finals™ is January 15, 2009. The form can be found on the USEF Dressage High-Performance page on the USEF website . The Application of Intent deadline for the 2009 Elite Rider European Grant is January 31, 2009; the application can also be found on the USEF Dressage High-Performance page on the USEF website . Any questions,...

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) announced that its only Triple Crown winner this year, WGC CH Breaking News, has been named Horse of the Year. The connections of the Horse of the Year will be honored at the ASHA Annual Convention during the Saddlebred Ball, Saturday evening, February 14, 2009, at the Griffin Gate Marriott Resort and Spa in Lexington, KY. Rider/trainer Peter Cowart of West Wind Stables in Statesville, NC, will also be awarded with the Five-Gaited World’s Grand...