Steve Davis of the University of Vermont Morgan Horse Farm recently was selected by his peers as the 2009 American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) Professional Horseman Award winner. This award, which began in 2008, is awarded yearly to a professional who supports and promotes the Morgan breed, and who volunteers to mentor personally through clinics, raising the standard of training and education. Most of all, through longevity and success, this person encompasses in every sense of the word,...

The schedule for the 2010 American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) Annual Convention, to take place in Lexington, KY, from February 17-20, is now available. There is something for everyone at this year's event, from a guide to Morgan judging, a historical look at the breed, safety inside the show ring, how to write equine contracts, the Annual Meeting of Members, and of course, the always popular Train the Trainer series, with a discussion on equitation, hunter pleasure, park, and more. To see...

Highlighting NARHA’s 2009 National Conference, Annual Meeting and Horse Expo, NARHA’s National Award Winners were feted at the Annual NARHA Awards Banquet on November 21 in the Rennaisance Worthingon Hotel’s Grand Ballroom in Fort Worth, TX. The Banquet featured an excellent dinner, punctuated by cheers and happy tears for the people who exemplify the best of the wonderful population of participants, instructors, volunteers and equines who work together to change the lives of people who live...

The equine racing year has come to an end, and the Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) is proud to recognize individuals who experience success racing their Breed of Choice...the Appaloosa! The association annually honors owners, breeders and trainers for their accomplishments with the fastest color breed on the tracks. Please join us in congratulating the following individuals who were honored in 2009: • Dr. John White of Fort Collins, CO, the leading owner based on the number of wins earned by...

The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) introduced Nathaniel A. White, II, DVM, a respected equine researcher and surgeon, as its 2010 president during the 55th Annual Convention in Las Vegas, NV. Dr. White was inducted to the office during the December 8 President’s Luncheon. Dr. White is the Jean Ellen Shehan Professor and Director of the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. He is a former chair of the...

If spreading manure and draining waste water onto plants is your idea of going green you may be in for a big surprise. As large scale agriculture production facilities alter their management strategies to become more environmentally conscientious the spotlight transitions to the small farmer. In an effort to provide up-to-date information on green equine initiatives, the Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) recently added a Going Green page to the Farm & Business segment of their website. The page...

With the start of the new year comes the start of the 2010 horse show season. Langer Equestrian Group (LEG Up) are jumping into the year with the LAEC Opener (January 22-24), a three-day USEF A-rated show. In addition to a full complement of rated hunter and jumper classes, equitation riders will find all levels of medals. New this year are Academy and Opportunity sections for entry level riders. It is easier for trainers to bring all levels of riders to the LAEC Opener. For entry blanks,...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) would like to congratulate the 11-year-old 16.3-hand Dutch Warmblood gelding Ravel, owned by Akiko Yamazaki of Woodside, CA, and ridden by Steffen Peters of San Diego, CA, for being named 2009 Adequan/United States Dressage Federation Grand Prix Horse of the Year. Ravel’s median score of 75.574% made him the top horse in the United States competing at this level and the recipient of USDF’s highest honor. Ravel was recognized at the 2009 Adequan/USDF...

The Stephens College Department of Equestrian Studies was host to an International Saddle Seat Invitational competition with South Africa. The event, which took place December 11-12, was patterned after the Saddle Seat World Cup competition, which consists of five countries fielding two teams each. Saddle seat is typically an individual discipline, so team competition requires strategy, which enhances the challenge. South Africa brought two teams to Stephens for the event—a three-gaited...

The 2009 winners of the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Members Choice Awards Program were announced, Wednesday, December 9, 2009, at the USHJA Annual Meeting in St. Petersburg, FL. Lynn Walsh, Chair of the Show Standards Committee, gave a brief overview of the program and announced the winners. Winners were selected in two categories; AA- and A-rated competitions, as well as B- and C-rated competitions. Winners will receive a banner, which can be displayed at their competition,...