State Veterinarian Dr. Robert Stout on Tuesday lifted an embargo on the importation of livestock, wild and exotic animals into Kentucky from Colorado that was enacted because of vesicular stomatitis (VS), ending the last of the VS-related restrictions that started with an outbreak in Texas last May. "These embargos have ended because there are no more active cases of vesicular stomatitis in these states," Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer said. "I appreciate the efforts of Dr. Stout and...

Equine Influenza is a viral respiratory disease that is highly contagious to susceptible horses. Outbreaks of the disease are occurring with increased frequency worldwide despite the widespread use of vaccines. The highly contagious nature of equine influenza means that it has the potential to seriously compromise international movement of horses. For a number of years the FEI rules have required an annual booster vaccination, but recent research indicates that, for many vaccines protection...

The Equestrian World Tsunami Fund will primarily focus on building schools, orphanages and medical facilities in Aceh (Indonesia). Aceh was selected because it is the worst hit area and more hundreds of thousands have lost everything and tens of thousands of children are now orphans. The Fund will be used for a long-term action besides building and equipping these facilities; in addition, their maintenance and upkeep will be ensured. The Executive Council for the KLGP Equestrian World Tsunami...

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) Annual Meeting and Youth Conference is set for Thursday through Saturday, February 17-19, at the Embassy Suites in Lexington, KY. The Annual Meeting is the one time each year when the membership meets formally and directly with the Association’s leadership. This year’s open forum is titled “Brainstorming the Future of The Saddlebred.” Leaders of the Association and other leading breeders, owners, professionals, experts, amateurs and those with...

The membership of the Paso Fino Horse Association (PFHA) elected officers during the 2005 PFHA Board of Directors and Membership Convention held January 14–16, at the Sofitel Hotel in Miami, FL. The officers elected were as follows: President: Robin Ratliff of Lamont, FL Vice President: Sharon Londoño of Covington, LA Secretary: Lee Vulgaris of Marion, MA Treasurer: Tony Coleman of Dade City, FL In addition to the above officers, Charles Minter Jr., of Lexington, NC, was appointed as Director...

Entering its sixth year of competition, the Winter Equestrian Festival Equitation Championship for the R.W. Mutch Trophy is a showcase for the season’s top young riders. This year’s championship will be held during the CSIO**** United States – CN Finale on Saturday, March 12, 2005. The competition takes place in the afternoon as the featured event in the Grand Hunter Ring. The R. W. Mutch Educational Foundation sponsors the R. W. Equitation Classic. The trophy is named for Ronnie Mutch, a...

On August 5-7, 2005, the Over the Walls Horse Trials will take place in Hardwick, MA. Riders and spectators alike will enjoy the marvelous facilities and beautiful grounds at Great Meadowbrook Farm, the site of the event. With top-notch competition taking place, a trade fair with numerous booths offering an abundance of equine products and gifts for sale, everyone will find something to enjoy. Eventing is the equestrian version of a triathlon: one rider and one horse compete together in...

Lexington, KY —Aaron Ralston captured the win in the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Open Reining Championship Qualifier at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, CO on Monday, January 10. The International Reining Competition (CRI) was the second in the USEF series, but the first for the Carbondale, CO resident, who defeated a group of veterans on Smart Paul Olena. “It’s amazing to be able to compete with the likes of these guys,” said Ralston. “I...

Rule Changes Address Safety Concerns at Recognized Competitions Lexington, KY – Consistent with one of the primary missions of the United States Equestrian Federation, which is to ensure the safety and welfare of both horses and riders, two important rule changes were approved at the annual meeting of the Board of Directors held in Louisville, Kentucky on January 16th . These changes should significantly contribute to safety at recognized USEF competitions. They involve the operation of...

USEF Archive/Geoff Oliver Bugbee (USEF President David O'Connor at the 2005 Annual Meeting.) Lexington, KY – Yesterday at the 2005 Annual Meeting in Louisville, Kentucky, the Board of Directors of the United States Equestrian Federation overwhelmingly approved all of the rule changes relating to the recommendations of the Competition Date Task Force. The Task Force has been working for 10 months on a major overhaul of the current “mileage rule” which dictates how competition...