The American Horse Council (AHC) will be holding an issues forum in Austin, TX, to discuss current issues facing the horse industry, such as the National Animal Identification System and its impact on horse owners. This meeting will also address the recent equine viral arteritis (EVA) outbreak, new developments in taxes for horse owners and breeders, the Unwanted Horse Coalition and access to trails. The meeting will conclude with an “Ask the Experts” panel. “The AHC believes it is critical for...

Endurance riders from around the country will face the test of time and terrain when they compete for national titles at the 2006 American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) National Championship in October. The championship, sponsored by Gulf Coast 4 Star Trailers, will be held October 20-22 in Fort Valley, VA, on the trails of the historic Old Dominion Endurance Ride. The Old Dominion, first held in 1973, is considered by many to be the most prestigious endurance competition in the eastern...

Gulfport, MS –“It’s official!” Bob Bell, Co-Chair of the Gulf Coast Classic Company, confirmed the big news this afternoon that the Winter Classics would be returning to their home at the Harrison County Equestrian Center in Gulfport, MS, for the 2007 season. The five-week series had been displaced and relocated to Pensacola, FL, for 2006 due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina to much of the Gulf Coast region. Ironically, the show grounds were spared any major damages, yet the...

Lili Weik (Addison Phillips won the Hunterdon Cup at HITS Saugerties.) Addison Phillips of New York, NY, won the inaugural United States Hunter Jumper Association's (USHJA) Hunterdon Cup Equitation Class presented by World Equestrian Brands on Tuesday, July 25, 2006. Phillips, trained by Andre Dignelli, owner of Heritage Farm, rode to victory aboard her 11-year-old bay Warmblood gelding, Icon. Competing against 25 other riders and navigating her way through three rounds, with the last round...

Olympic Gold medalist David O’ Connor is offering a course walk of his newly designed cross-country courses at the Colorado Horse Park on Saturday, September 16, 2006 in Parker, CO. Riders and non-riders alike are welcome to join O'Connor for his insights into the design of the courses, as well as his suggestions for how to successfully complete the course. The event includes a walk of the new courses, a lecture and a question and answer session. All participants will also receive an...

At its meeting on Monday, July 31, the Executive Committee of the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) for the first time designated regional championship competitions throughout the United States, for both 2006 and 2007. The initiative to develop both regional championship competitions for the entire nation and an annual Regional High Score Awards Program was announced after leadership meetings held in October 2005, and has been under consideration by the newly formed Charter Club...

The HorseTV Channel’s August premieres feature diverse selections, including the revealing new international series, Spirit of the Equestrian , and the final PRCA rodeo in the network’s original series, Rodeo Nation: Pushing The Barrier . “Viewers will enjoy a much needed break from the summer heat at The HorseTV Channel this August as we introduce intriguing new series and experience the captivating conclusion to others,” said Rachel Falleroni, head of programming for The HorseTV Channel....

When the dust settled after the record-breaking NRHA Derby Finals on May 20, 2006, in Oklahoma City, OK, one more milestone was added to the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) record books. Topsail Whiz became the second stallion to achieve the NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire distinction. Owned by Bob Loomis Quarter Horses, Inc., of Marietta, OK, Topsail Whiz first became an NRHA Million Dollar Sire in 2001. In 2003, he earned Two Million Dollar Sire status and was inducted into the NRHA...

Mighty, mild and marvelous, the rare Cleveland Bay is Breyer's newest equine sculpture. This British breed is on the critically endangered list of the Rare Breed Survival Trust, along with the Bengal tiger, the snow leopard and the giant panda. Less than 550 Cleveland Bays are thought to exist today, and only 220 are mares of breeding age. Sculpted by artist Karen Gerhardt, the Breyer Cleveland Bay is depicted mid-trot and captures the strength, power and substance of this rare breed....

Casa Lusitana's third annual Labor Day tribute to the beauty and abilities of the magnificent Lusitano and his Portuguese heritage takes place this year on Monday, September 4, 2006, from noon to 4 p.m. Held in Tyngsboro, MA, this grand party includes a day of open barn celebrating with Lusitano horses, demonstrations of classical riding and working equitation, in-hand horse presentations and descriptions, live music, food and a small vendor fair. Casa Lusitana welcomes the local and national...