In the past two decades, huge advances have been made in our understanding of many equine diseases, but we have a lot more to learn before we can truly improve the way many of these diseases are prevented or treated. One simply needs to consider the impact that laminitis had on Barbaro, a horse who captured everyone’s imagination, or the effect that equine herpesvirus-1 infections have had up and down the East Coast in the past few months. While these diseases might be the most glaringly...

It was a night of firsts for Mandy McCutcheon and the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA)! A big win at the National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC) earned her a distinction no other non pro rider in NRHA history has accomplished. McCutcheon of Tioga, TX, now joins the elite group of reiners who have earned $1-million in lifetime earnings. As well as being the very first non pro to achieve that mark, McCutcheon is also the first woman to reach the One Million Dollar Rider status. Friday...

The American Saddlebred Registry (ASR) Sweepstakes will be awarding over $120,000 in additional prize money, available to Kentucky-bred horses thanks to the state’s Breeders Incentive Fund. The Kentucky legislature enacted the Breeders Incentive Fund in 2005 to encourage breeding horses of all breeds in Kentucky. The fund takes a portion of the sales tax generated through stallion service fees and returns it to the breeders. Beginning in 2008, Kentucky-bred American Saddlebreds nominated to...

The National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA) announces seven new regional training clinics across the United States. The clinics are designed to help reining enthusiasts learn from some of the best trainers in the reining business. The Regional Clinic Series is open to all riders—youth and adults. Non-National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) members are also invited to attend and learn what the NRHA has to offer. Proceeds from the clinics benefit the youth association and its...

Lexington, KY – In continuation of their strong commitment to dressage, Collecting Gaits Farm has elevated their partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) to become title sponsor of the 2007 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions which will be held in Gladstone, NJ on June 14-17. “We are excited that USEF will be able to combine five national dressage championships at one venue this year,” said USEF Managing Director of Dressage Gil Merrick. “It marks...

Doug Prather (New York's McLain Ward and Sapphire finish in eighth place in the Rolex FEI World Cup Show Jumping Finals in Las Vegas) Las Vegas, Nevada—On the last day of the 2007 Rolex FEI World Cup for show jumping, it came down to a battle between the Germans and Swiss. In the end, it was a win for Beat Mandli and Ideo du Thot, the 11-year-old Selle Francais gelding after putting in two rounds where they downed only one rail to finish on a score of five World Cup points. Some 15...

Steffen Peters and Floriano scored a 77.80 to place at third in the 2007 Rolex FEI World Cup dressage competition (Doug Prather) The freestyle is one of the most expressive elements of dressage, and there was no lack of emotion and pageantry during the finals of the 2007 Rolex FEI World Cup Dressage competition in Las Vegas. Germany’s Isabell Werth, aboard her 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding, Warum Nicht FRH, took the top prize before an appreciative crowd at the Thomas and Mack Center in...

McLain Ward and Sapphire tackling a tough course at the 2007 Rolex FEI World Cup in Las Vegas. (Doug Prather) Las Vegas, NV - The show jumpers returned to the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Friday evening for the second round of the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Final, and it was a blistering jump-off performance by American expatriate Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum aboard Shutterfly that left the crowd cheering. In 29.38 seconds, the pair scorched the six-obstacle round ahead of eight others...

Steffen Peters and Floriano stand in second place after the grand prix. (Doug Prather ) In a style that was befitting of the host city, the 2007 Rolex FEI World Cups in dressage and show jumping began with a mix of patriotism, laser lights and thumping music all to the delight of the packed Thomas and Mack Center. Today’s schedule included the Rolex FEI World Cup Dressage Grand Prix and the Rolex FEI World Cup Show Jumping Final I. Across the day, spectators were treated to some...

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has formed a multi-year partnership with Platinum Performance, Inc., a California manufacturer of premium nutritional products for horses, companion animals and humans. Platinum Performance will be the “Official Sports Nutrition Supplement Company” and the title sponsor of the 2007 USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Program for both the East and West Coasts. “The USEF welcomes the new partnership with Platinum Performance,” said USEF...