Ontario Representative Named the 2009 All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen

Transcription

1 THE RIDER EXTRA NOVEMBER 2009 /1 Ontario Representative Named the 2009 All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen Ontario Quarter Horse Association, October 29, 2009 Miss Ashley Cook, age 21 of Tilbury, ON was crowned the 2009 All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen during the All American Quarter Horse Congress Recognition Night Ceremonies on the evening of Monday October 19, 2009, at the Coliseum of the Ohio State fair grounds in Columbus, Ohio. Miss Cook was given the honour of representing the Ontario Quarter Horse Association (OQHA) as their Queen this past June after winning a contest held by OQHA, which was very similar to the contest she won in Ohio. Along with the responsibility of promoting the Quarter Horse breed and OQHA at events throughout Ontario, came the honour of representing Canada and competing for the title of the 2009 All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen from October 14 to 18, 2009 in Columbus, Ohio. The Ontario Quarter Horse Association is the only Canadian affiliate association to send a representative to compete in this renowned and respected competition with its forty-one year history. Contestants representing Quarter Horse Associations from several other American state associations are brought together each year during the world s largest single-breed horse show to compete for this coveted title. Each contestant is scored in three distinct portions of the competition with the contestant with the highest over all score winning the title and over twenty-five thousand dollars worth of gifts. In addition it is the responsibility of the All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen to travel throughout North America to attend major horse shows and events to promote the All American Quarter Horse Congress and the Quarter Horse breed during her yearlong reign. There are three components of the All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen Contest, an oral interview, a written test, and a ridden horsemanship pattern. The Oral Interview, is worth forty percent of the final score, and is judged by a panel of three judges. The 2009 Congress interview judges consisted of a media executive producer, a marketing executive, and a sitting state court judge. Miss Cook finished second in the oral interview portion of the competition. The Written Test is the second component of the competition and is based on the rules of the American Quarter Horse Association. These rules range from the governing procedures of the company, procedures for registering Quarter Horses, rules for competition, and the contents included in the statement for the humane treatment of the horse. This portion is also worth forty percent of the final score. Miss Import Suspension Announced for Horses from Texas Entering Canada Ashely Cook. Photo courtesy of Epona PR Ottawa, ON The Breeds & Industry Division of Equine Canada would like to inform all stakeholders that due to the outbreak of equine piroplasmosis in the state of Texas, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has asked the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to suspend the issuance or endorsement of export certificates for horses and other equines originating from the state of Texas. The imposed restrictions on the import of equidae into Canada from Texas are effective immediately. The CFIA has confirmed that the import restriction only applies to live horse, donkey or mule imports and not to equine semen or equine embryo imports. The USDA has also been asked to provide supplementary certification for horses and other equines from other states as follows: During the previous twentyone (21) days, the animal(s) in this shipment has/have not been in the State of Texas. Current import requirements for horses entering Canada may be found using the CFIA Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) at To determine specific import requirements for each horse, specific parameters that refer to each horse s circumstances will need to be entered and customized import requirements will be provided. Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is caused by two parasitic organisms, Babesia equi and Babesia caballi. It is primarily transmitted to equidae by ticks but this bloodborne disease can be spread mechanically from animal to animal by contaminated needles or surgical instruments. Once infected, an equine can take 7 to 22 days to show signs of illness. Mild Continued on Page 3 forms of the disease cause equines to appear weak and show lack of appetite. More acute cases can occur where EP is not common and the animals have not built up a resistance to the disease. Signs of the acute phase include fever, anemia, jaundiced mucous membranes, a swollen abdomen, laboured breathing, central nervous system disturbances, roughened-hair coats, constipation, colic, and hemoglobinuria a condition which gives urine a red color. In some cases, death may occur. Equidae that survive the acute phase of infection may continue to carry the parasites for long periods of time. These animals are potential sources of infection to others through tick-borne transmission or mechanical transfer by needles or surgical instruments. EP is not endemic to the United Continued on Page 2 NOVEMBER 2009 Vol. 1, Issue No. 4 Pet Talk Column See page 10 John Anderson guides Terrific to victory. Photo credit - Mypixforu Royal Winter Fair Opens See page 8 Canadian Pony Club Announces the 2009 Governor General s Award of Excellence Winners See page 7 Thermal and Ocala Winter Circuits See page 9 INSIDE Spirit of the Horse at The Royal...2 Quarter Fest Canadian Showjumping in Barcelona...4 Viceremos Therapeutic...4 Chester Weber...5 Way of Horses...6 A Horse Of Course...6 AQHA Trail DVD...6 Hidden Costs of Hiring...7 Governor Generals Award...7 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair Opening Day...8 Hits Therma and Ocala Circuits...9 Pet Talk...10 Massage for Dogs...10 Vet Research...10 Proud Five Time Recipient of the OEF Media Of The Year Award!

2 2/ THE RIDER EXTRA NOVEMBER 2009 We hope you enjoy this third issue of The Rider Extra. If you are interested in advertising in a future issue please contact us at or barry@therider.com Have you missed an issue of The Rider? Check out our back issues on our website: - click on acrhives. Don t miss out on our Royal issue. Call now to place your ad in our next issue of The Rider. Have a story you d like to see in The Rider? Give us a call. Have a great photo from a show or trail ride? Send it in with a caption and we might publish it. Imports Continued from Page 1 States or Canada and some other countries but it is present in the Caribbean, South and Central America, Eastern and Southern Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The greatest risk for introduction of this disease is through the trading of animals or international equestrian sports where infected and non-infected animals are in contact. If an outbreak of EP occurs in a country such as the USA, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) must be notified and made aware of the steps that will be taken to eradicate the disease. (Source: USDA) About Equine Canada Breeds & Industry Division Equine Canada Breeds & Industry Division provides a structure for the more than 40 breed organizations operating in Canada to unite as a coalition under the national federation of Equine Canada. It provides a forum from which to seek and exchange information between Equine Canada, Canadian stakeholders, the Government of Canada and foreign entities. The Breeds & Industry Division works to promote and assist a vibrant equine industry and to affect policy in Canada. Breed organizations and industry partners share resources and expertise with unity of purpose to increase the long-term profitability of Canada s equine sector and ensure its future viability. Visit for complete information about the Equine Canada Breeds & Industry Division. About Equine Canada Equine Canada is Canada s national governing body for equestrianism. A member-driven, charitable institution, it is the executive branch of the Canadian Equestrian Team, and the national authority for equestrian competition; the national voice for recreational riders; and the national association for equine welfare, breeding, and industry. Equine Canada is recognized by the Government of Canada, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), and the Canadian Olympic Committee as the national organization representing equestrian sport and equine interests. For more information about Equine Canada, please visit CTHS Winter Sale Offers Something for Everyone Rexdale, ON November 4, 2009 The CTHS Winter Mixed Sale takes place on Saturday, November 28th at 1:00 p.m. at the Woodbine Sales Pavilion, Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto. The CTHS has catalogued over 165 offerings for this year s Sale, with the majority consisting of 81 broodmares, some of which come with a complementary breeding to an Ontario Sire. Also offered are 40 weanlings, 21 yearlings, 20 horses of racing age, three stallions/stallion prospects and a stallion season. Well-bred daughters of Bold Executive, Broken Vow, Cherokee Run, City Zip, Indian Charlie, Langfuhr, Touch Gold and Unbridled s Song highlight the broodmares consigned to this year s sale. Also offered are broodmares in foal to top sires such as Bold Executive, Langfuhr, Peaks and Valleys, Sligo Bay, Trajectory, and Where s the Ring. We ve assembled a solid catalogue this year, says Julie Coulter, General Manager of the Ontario CTHS. We re looking forward to seeing members of both the racehorse and the equestrian-sport communities attend this annual event. Arrangements have also been made to webcast the Mixed Sale. Viewers may access it by clicking on the View Live Webcast link located on the homepage of the CTHS website on Nov. 28th. For a complete listing of the Winter Sale Mixed catalogue, including supplementary entries, please visit For a catalogue or further information, please contact the CTHS office at The Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (Ontario Division) is a non-profit organization representing breeders within Ontario by promoting Canadian-Bred/Ontario-Foaled Thoroughbreds, both nationally and around the world. The Spirit of the Horse is a Royal Tradition One of the most exciting Royal Agricultural Winter Fair (RAWF) traditions is the Spirit of the Horse, taking place November 6-15, Managed by the Ontario Equestrian (OEF), the Spirit of the Horse exhibit offers RAWF patrons the unique opportunity to learn all about horses. For the true horse-lover, a visit to the RAWF is not complete without visiting the Sprit of the Horse. For the price of admission visitors will see dynamic breed and discipline demonstrations, interactive presentations, educational displays and fun entertainment. The Sprit of the Horse offers spectators an intimate environment that allows you to get unbelievably close to the horses and ask the riders and handlers questions. Spirit of the Horse 2009 will feature various equine breeds including Arabians, Gypsy Vanners, American Saddlebreds, Canadians, Friesians, Paso Finos, Percherons, miniature horses and donkeys, and everything in between! In addition to breeds, visitors will have the unique opportunity to meet the working horses from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Toronto Police Mounted Unit, watch the precision of the Canadian Cowgirls, play with Shorty Leggs the Rodeo Clown, and much more! The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the world s largest indoor agricultural and international equestrian competition. The Royal draws more than 300,000 visitors to the Direct Energy Centre in Toronto annually to see thousands of unique entries from elite Canadian and International breeders, growers and exhibitors, over 4,500 large and small animals, shows, activities, shopping, dining and The Royal Horse Show. The Ontario Equestrian Federation is a not-for-profit sport governing office that provides education, leadership and support to individuals, associations and companies in Ontario s horse community. The OEF provides members with a variety of services, programs, and benefits and we represent their interests to the general public, affiliated organizations and to varying levels of government. The OEF is committed to the highest standards of horse welfare, advocacy, pursuits and accessibility. For more information about the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and Spirit of the Horse 2009 please visit For more information about the Ontario Equestrian Federation please visit QuarterFest Dates Announced for 2010 America s Horse, October 29, The 2010 QuarterFest has something for you and your horse April 30-May 2 at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Quarter- Fest isn t your typical equine expo. At no other equine event can you bring your horse and participate in multiple clinics in a span of three days. So, gather your friends and load up your horses for the 2010 Quarter- Fest: A Celebration of the American Quarter Horse. We ll have clinics all weekend long, with AQHA professional horsemen and horsewomen who include Ken McNabb of Cody, Wyoming; Tammy Pate of Helena, Montana; Jeff Griffith of Bozeman, Montana; Christy Landwehr of Aurora, Colorado; Julie Goodnight of Poncha Springs, Colorado; and Bo Winslow of Estes Park, Colorado. There will be a limited number of spots available for people to participate in clinics with their horses. But you don t have to have a horse to participate in all the activities. Equine enthusiasts, horseless spouses and kids are also welcome! There will be unlimited opportunities to attend clinics, seminars, demonstrations and contests, plus there s a dedicated youth area to make it fun for everyone. AQHA s conservation section is also back. Many of you helped us build a bridge at the inaugural QuarterFest. Taking an active role in preserving access to places to ride, upholding the traditions of horse ownership and enjoyment in America, and educating horsemen on building, preserving and behaving properly on trails is critical to our breed and members. The conservation section will give our members leadership tools from AQHA in this crucial area. If you missed QuarterFest 2009, check out the coverage on the Web at americashorsedaily.com/quarterfestday-1/. Come to learn. Come to make friends. Come for the entertainment. But most of all, come to honor your horse. Details will be available online soon at and tickets go on sale January 4, If you re an AQHA member, you ll be eligible for reduced admission at QuarterFest. So save the date - April 30-May 2 - and make sure your AQHA membership is up to date. QuarterFest is a three-day, education-packed celebration of the American Quarter Horse where AQHA members and horse enthusiasts from around the world will gather in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, April 30-May 2 for fun, entertainment and festivities to honor the world s most versatile horse - the American Quarter Horse. Our sponsors - Tractor Supply Co., B&W Trailer Hitches, John Deere, Justin Boots, Merial, Nutrena, Professional s Choice, Bank of America, Montana Silversmiths, Farnam and Wrangler - share our passion for horses and are an integral part of Quarter- Fest. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America s Horse, visit

3 Congress Queen Continued from Page 1 Cook tied for first with the highest score on the test, with a ninety-five percent. The final component worth the remaining twenty percent of the final score is a ridden Horsemanship Pattern where each contestant completes a predetermined pattern on horseback and is judged by a panel of four American Quarter Horse Association approved judges. Miss Cook rode popular Ontario horse, BSB Dont Ask Me owned by Vonda and Ken O Donnell of Delaware, ON. Scoring one hundred percent on her pattern, Miss Cook won this portion of the competition. Once crowned Miss Cook spent the remainder of the Congress meeting with members of the press, speaking to the general public and signing autographs, presenting awards, and meeting with important sponsors and industry officials. Her first official Canadian appearance will come in January at the Ontario Quarter Horse Association Convention in Stratford, ON. In February she will travel to Jackson, Mississippi to attend her first American function the Dixie National Horse show. oqhaoffice@cyg.net mailing address: P.O. BOX 182 MILVERTON, ON N0K 1M0 About The All American Quarter Horse Congress The 2009 Congress ran from October 2-25, Congress is the World s Largest Single-Breed Horse Show. The show received more than 17,000 horse show entries and housed more than 8,500 registered American Quarter Horses during its threeweek schedule. The Congress attracts more than 650,000 people to the Columbus area, bringing more than $110 million to the central Ohio economy. For more facts and demographics on the All American Quarter Horse Congress please visit this link: view&id=28&itemid=37 About the American Quarter Horse and The American Quarter Horse Association If you have ever seen a horse in one of rodeo s timed events, been along for work on a ranch or watched a Western on the big or small screen, 9 times out of 10 you have witnessed an American Quarter Horse. These heavily muscled, compact horses could run a short distance over a straightaway faster than any other horse, and the fastest were called Celebrated American Quarter Running Horses by English colonists in the 1600s. In 1940 a registry was formed to preserve the breed, which officially became the American Quarter Horse. The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) has registered more than 5 million American Quarter Horses and serves more than 350,000 worldwide members. AQHA functions as the THE RIDER EXTRA NOVEMBER 2009 /3 official record keeping and governing body of the American Quarter Horse industry. AQHA records all American Quarter Horse ownership, processes approved show and race results, catalogs performance and produces data on all American Quarter Horses, maintains association funds and publicizes the American Quarter Horse industry. In addition, AQHA maintains current statistics on ownership in each state and country as well as American Quarter Horse population figures. With more than 135,780 new registrations in 2007, AQHA s role in preserving the integrity of the breed is expanding on a daily basis. Whether American Quarter Horses are still being used in traditional ranching operations, for showing, racing or pleasure, AQHA strives to provide services beneficial to all Association members and ultimately the American Quarter Horse. Visit for more information. Pictured with Lena Cook age 5 of Tilbury Ontario photo courtesy of Epona PR All horse enthusiasts should be very excited about this title being brought home to Ontario, stated the OQHA Queen Committee Co- Chairperson Laurie Haughton. Ashley is a very dedicated and hard working young woman who has been a great role model for the youth of the equine community in our province even prior to her winning the title of Congress Queen. With her new position and the opportunities that will come with it, Ashley s personal goals of supporting and promoting youth involved in all areas of equestrian sport will surely reach new heights. The Ontario Quarter Horse Association board of directors and our membership is very proud Ashley and her recent achievement. About the Ontario Quarter Horse Association Celebrating fifty years of promoting the American Quarter Horse breed throughout Ontario, the Ontario Quarter Horse Association (OQHA) has a vast and diverse membership. OQHA is dedicated to offering exciting programs for the whole family to maximize the enjoyment of owning a Quarter Horse in our province. OQHA, it s members, and directors are committed to promoting good sportsmanship and animal welfare in all areas of horse sport, horse ownership and recreation. The Ontario Quarter Horse Association Queen has won the title of All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen on three previous occasions: Miss Sharon McLoud in 1990, Miss Nicki Amlin in 1992, and Miss Janessa Stadder in To learn more about the Ontario Quarter Horse Association log on to or contact our office at: phone:

4 4/ THE RIDER EXTRA NOVEMBER 2009 Canada Finishes Second in Nations Cup in Barcelona Ottawa, ON The Canadian Show Jumping Team finished second in the 90,000 Promotional League Nations Cup Final on September 20 at CSIO4* Barcelona, ESP. Following the first of two rounds, the Canadian team of Amy Millar, 32, Jonathon Millar, 34, both of Perth, ON; Jenna Thompson, 21, of Calgary, AB; and anchor rider Keean White, 26, of Cambridge, ON, were in second place with a score of eight faults. Spain held the lead with zero faults while Poland was in third with 17 faults. In the second round, Amy Millar and Costa Rica Z, a 14-year-old Holsteiner mare owned by Millar Brooke Farm and Ann Matthews, repeated their four-fault performance from the first round. Thompson, representing Canada for the first time in a Nations Cup competition, had four faults in the first round and 12 faults in the second, which was the drop score, riding her 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Zeke. Jonathon Millar riding Contino 14, a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Millar Brooke Farm, provided a fault-free first round performance, and came back in the second round to post four faults. White and Celena Z, a nine-year-old Zangersheide mare owned by Ashland Group and Angelstone Farms, had the first round drop score of 16 faults, but posted a clean second round. At the end of two rounds, Canada had a final total of 16 faults to secure second place. Jenna s first four fault round was a key ride for our team, said White, who was a member of Canada s winning Nations Cup team in Florida in February. I am very pleased that my horse returned for a great second round. Loxahatchee, FL - October, 27, Each year the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation awards grants to non-profit organizations that provide services to individuals living with paralysis. This year the Foundation is proud to announce Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center s Horses for Heroes Program as one of the 145 recipients, receiving $5,000 in aid. Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center will use the grant to help those living with paralysis become active members in everyday life. Cinderella is an elegant seven-yearold Quarter Horse, and she was purchased for the VTRC programs though a grant provided by the Christopher Reeve Foundation. After receiving the grant we looked high and low for the perfect horse and finally the proverbial glass horse shoe fit, noted VTRC Founder and Executive Director Ruth Menor. Cinderella (we call her Cinder for short) stepped on to VTRC property with inquisitive yet accepting eyes, and Overall the European tour has been a great experience that has provided beneficial mileage for the riders and horses. We all learned a lot. Jonathon Millar added, It was a wonderful finish for a great two weeks of competition. It was a big Nations Cup course, and our team came together with a super result. The final results saw Spain in first place with four faults, Canada in second with 16 faults and Poland in third with 41 faults. Norway and Finland tied for fourth with 44 faults. Hungary rounded out the top six with 54 faults. Additional results at CSIO4* Barcelona included a third place finish for White and Whisper Of Mazour, a 10- year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding owned by Angelstone Farms, in the 5, m Opening Real Club de Polo de Barcelona Special Prize class. In the 7, m La Vanguardia Trophy class, Amy Millar and Costa Rica Z finished eighth while White was 13th with Celena Z. In the 90, m Barcelona Grand Prix, Amy Millar and Costa Rica Z finished eighth and White and Celena Z were ninth Ȯne week earlier at CSI4* Chantilly, FRA, held September 11-13, Amy Millar and Romanov, an 11-yearold Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Millar Brooke Farms, finished in ninth place in the 30, m Prix Savelys GDF Suez. In the 25, m Prix PMU, Jonathon Millar and Contino 14 earned a ninth place finish. White and Whisper of Mazour finished ninth in the 20, m Prix Volkswagen. The European tour was made possible through Sport Canada and the Canadian Olympian Committee s Own the Podium program, a national sport technical initiative Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center Receives Quality of Life Grant From Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation quickly made friends with her new equine family. At 14.2 hands, she is the perfect size for both kids and many adults and is currently being used for a handful of lead line and independent lessons. Conceived by the late Dana Reeve, the Quality of Life grants have helped non-profits throughout the world improve the lives of people living with paralysis, said Peter T. Wilderotter, president and CEO of the Reeve Foundation. The program also provides assistance for family members and caregivers, offering services such as counseling, support groups and educational conferences. The Quality of Life grants are awarded in 3 categories; Actively Achieving, Bridging Barriers and Caring and Coping. Each category is designed to promote active and fulfilling lives for those living with spinal cord injuries and other paralysis causing conditions. Individuals are encouraged to participate in sports, train for a job, operate specially-adapted computer technology, modify homes for wheelchair accessibility, access public transportation, participate in the arts, proactively maintain their health, and much more. Since inception of the Quality of Life grants program in 1999, the Foundation has awarded more than 1,500 grants, totaling nearly $12 million. Some grants are funded through a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recipients of these include nonprofits that address the needs of people living with paralysis caused by spinal cord and other injuries, diseases and birth conditions, including (but not limited to) stroke, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and amyotrophic lateral scleroses (ALS). Ten years have passed since Dana Reeve created the Quality of Life program, said Peter Wilderotter, It is our hope that, in the years to come, we can continue to support programs that enable children and adults living with and affected by paralysis and their families the full range of activities Photo Credit: The Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center used the Quality of Life Grant from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation to purchase Cinderella. Photo Courtesy of the Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center. designed to help Canada s summer and winter athletes achieve podium success at the Olympic Games. I want to thank Equine Canada and Jump Canada for the opportunity to come to Europe, said Amy Millar. It has provided us with invaluable experience._ Complete results for the two competitions may be found at for CSI 4* Chantilly and for CSIO4* Barcelona. About Jump Canada Jump Canada is the committee of Equine Canada responsible for all hunter, equitation and jumper activities in Canada from the grass roots to the international level. Jump Canada is governed by a board, the majority of whose members are elected by the stakeholders in the sport. For more information regarding Jump Canada programs and activities, visit About Equine Canada Equine Canada is Canada s national governing body for equestrianism. A member-driven, charitable institution, it is the executive branch of the Canadian Equestrian Team, and the national authority for equestrian competition; the national voice for recreational riders; and the national association for equine welfare, breeding, and industry. Equine Canada is recognized by the Government of Canada, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), and the Canadian Olympic Committee as the national organization representing equestrian sport and equine interests. For more information about Equine Canada, please visit that many of us take for granted. About the Reeve Foundation The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research, and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information and advocacy. For more information, and to review the entire list of Quality of Life grant recipients, please visit our website at or call About the Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center The VTRC is a nonprofit organization based in Loxahatchee, FL, that provides recreational and therapeutic riding instruction to people of all ages with varying developmental, physical, and psychological disabilities. The organization, founded in 1982, assists more than 350 adults and children every year, helping them gain a sense of accomplishment, greater independence, and a higher quality of life. The VTRC has received a Premier Accreditation rating from the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA). For more information on the Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center, please visit

5 Lexington, KY (October 7, 2009) Combined Driving National Champion Chester Weber is known for setting goals and achieving them. He added a factor of risk to it this year, by announcing his goal was to become the first driver to win the USEF National Four-In-Hand Driving Championships seven years in a row. It was a risk worth taking for Weber, who captured his seventh win during the Four- In-Hand Driving Championship at the Kentucky Cup and Lexington Driving Classic. When you set goals and make them clear to everyone around you it does add more pressure, Weber said. However, you also make the goal very clear to yourself and your team and there is no question what you are trying to achieve. Weber won the record-setting title by 10 points, beating out fellow American Tucker Johnson, who was also going for the lucky seventh win. Throughout the three phases of the competition, Weber and his team won the dressage and cones phase and came in second to Australian driver Boyd Exell in the marathon. Ed Young, the Chef d Equipe of the United States Driving Team, was very pleased with Weber s seventh win. I was most pleased with the improvements Chester has made in both the marathon and cones phases of the competition. Chester has spent a great deal of time and energy identifying his strengths and weaknesses as a competitor and then sought out the support necessary to strengthen the weaker areas, Young said. Weber s ability to set goals and focus on those goals, without being distracted, is an incredible asset to a high performance athlete. Weber said his biggest challenge during the competition was to drive clear on Sunday. I knew that I could have three balls down in the cones and still win the competition, however I wanted to win convincingly, he said. In order to prepare myself for next season I forced myself to not become lax but to concentrate more. Weber s concentration paid off, but was challenged a bit by his well-known horse Jamaica, the 2008 USEF Horse of the Year. Instead of using Jamaica in the marathon and cones, Weber saved the 18-year-old superstar for cones only in hopes of keeping the horse fresh. Jamaica turned out to be too fresh and a bit of a handful, giving Weber the added pressure of an excited horse. We still got it done, Weber said with a smile, adding that despite everything Jamaica is a seasoned professional. Weber is always quick to give credit to his equine team members, and said his proudest moments throughout the competition came from his five-year-old horse Reno W who competed all three days in the lead. He was a star in the dressage and he tried his hardest in the marathon. I am sure it was a little overwhelming for him as I tried for a win and not just to maintain my position, Weber said. Weber, who is known in combined driving circles for his dedication and hard work, spent the past months training with difficult cones courses to prepare for the National Championships. Weber said Germany s Michael Freund came to his farm in August and September to help Weber prepare for his seventh victory as well as work on Weber s goal of competing in the World Equestrian Games in Michael wanted me to train on some very difficult courses as he knows that next year at WEG that is what it THE RIDER EXTRA NOVEMBER 2009 /5 Chester Weber Wins Record-Setting Seventh Win at United States National Four-In-Hand Driving Championship Combined Driver Chester Weber. (Photo by Pics of You) Combined Driver Chester Weber earned a record-setting seventh win at the Four-In-Hand Driving Championship at the Kentucky Cup and Lexington Driving Classic at the Kentucky Horse Park. Weber had stated throughout the year that his goal was to become the first driver to win the Four-in-Hand National Championship seven years in a row. (Photo by Pics of You) will come down to, Weber said. We were unable to drive cones at the Laurels due to the weather, so we used training elements from difficult courses at the big CAI s in Europe this past summer. By the end I was training on courses made up of only those difficult elements. It was nuts and there was little to no flow, but I figured what doesn t kill me makes me stronger. Weber s determination not only paid off, but has allowed him to now shift his focus toward the future. I guess we will work all winter preparing for number eight at the Live Oak International next March, he said, adding that after Live Oak he is looking forward to WEG. Weber isn t the only one eager for the United States combined drivers to compete at WEG. As the chef d equipe for the US four-in-hand, Young said, I feel very optimistic about the US Driving Team s ability to be on top at WEG 2010 and I expect Chester to play an important part in that goal. For more information on Weber and his combined driving team, visit their website at

6 6/ THE RIDER EXTRA NOVEMBER 2009 By Eleanor Blazer 2009 Has your horse got iron-poor, tired blood? In the late 1950 s Geritol claimed the iron enriched product would cure fatigue. The Geritol ads said the supplement would cure iron-poor tired blood. But iron supplementation is not needed, unless the person is By Don Blazer When you are able to accept everything being exactly as it should be, you are nearing perfect horsemanship and you are ready for the Seventh Secret. Over the years I ve met many who with excitement and passion claimed they wanted to be great riders or great trainers. I ve met and talked with hundreds who professed such love for horses that they promised the very best in care and training. Unfortunately most never became great riders or trainers, and most never provided the care and training they promised. It s not that they didn t want to live Way of Horses: Pumping Iron anemic due to disease, loss of blood, malabsorption of nutrients, malnutrition or other causes for lack of red blood cells. A balanced diet provides more than enough iron according to the United States Recommended Daily Allowances (US RDA). So, after years of investigation the Federal Trade Commission ordered the makers of Geritol to amend the claims to say: only in persons who suffer from anemia (a lack of red blood cells). But the myth lives on in the world of horses. According to the National Research Council s (NRC) Sixth Revised Edition of the Nutrient Requirements of Horses a mature 1,100 pound horse at an average work load would require 400 milligrams of iron a day. The horse with the highest iron requirement, in that weight category, is a lactating mare at 625 mg. What does that mean to us? I had some hay tested. The iron level was approximately 42 mg. per pound. If we feed 16 _ pounds of this hay (1 _ percent of the body weight of a 1,100 pound their dream; it s just that so many other things got in the way, so many things had to be done, so many responsibilities took up their time. They had desires and they intended to meet their goals, but they lost their focus to other things. Turning desires and intentions into reality takes commitment! Commitment requires action! Action requires effort and change and challenge. The Seventh Secret: create your future through your intentions and desires. Do you know what you want your future to be? Do you actually have a desire to be something, to do something? Can you say your desire out loud? Can you say, I want to. and see it clearly in your mind? It is important to see your desires as vividly as possible. Your mind doesn t know the difference between reality and imagination, so your mind releases your creative potential (the first secret) and turns imagination horse) we would be providing 693 mg. of iron a day. The forage provides more than enough for the 1,100 pound horse at an average work load. The small amount of iron he would loose through sweat and other bodily functions will be easily replaced with the diet. The lactating mare would be losing iron through milk production, in addition to normal loss. Her intake of hay should be greater than the 1 _ percent of the body weight. She should have access to free choice hay. If her consumption rate was 20 pounds, this would increase her iron level to 840 mg. per day. Most lactating mares (and many non-lactating horses) are also given other feeds, such as grain and commercial products. According to the NRC here are some average iron levels in popular feedstuffs given to horses: oats 80 mg per kilogram (2.2 pounds); barley 70 mg per kg; corn 54 mg. per kg and cane molasses 263 mg per kg. To make things easy, let s use an average of 65 mg. per kg of iron into reality. Commit yourself to your intentions. Write down precisely what it is you intend to accomplish; know exactly how you will feel once you have achieved your goal. Ellie was a horse-crazy little girl who also loved to write; in fact, she dreamed of being a writer. She wrote many stories (especially horse stories), and while her grandmother encouraged her, there was scant support for her dream. Most of the time we are told to stop dreaming, and start being real. Get a job, meet your responsibilities, be mature and work to attain a degree of security for your future.those are demands others make of us, and most often we acquiesce. Ellie took the path she was pushed down, but she didn t give up her dream; it was simply set aside while she worked 8 to 5 at the local feed store. Loving horses, and selling horse feed day after day wasn t going to make Ellie s dream a reality, but she Advertise in our Classifieds! Only $25.00 for 3 Issues! Call (905) , or barry@therider.com asked the most important question again and again and again. She asked, Why? When you ask why you begin the search for knowledge, and when you begin the search you are committed to satisfying a desire. When you are committed to a desire, you are taking action, and action leads to a willingness to put forth the effort to create change and meet the challenge. Ellie asked why and made the effort to find the answers not just any answers, but the correct answers. She committed being provided by the feed. If we feed 6.6 pounds of the feed mix a day we would be providing another 429 milligrams of iron to the horses. Our 1,100 pound average working horse would now be receiving 1,122 milligrams of iron a day. The lactating mare would be getting about 1,269 mg. For fun let s look at fresh green grass and iron. The approximate amount of iron in a kilogram (2.2 pounds) of green pasture is 275 mg (125 mg of iron in one pound of green grass). Water can also be providing iron. The iron in water is inorganic and harder to absorb, but high levels could increase the iron in the diet. A popular source of calcium and phosphorus in horse feed mixes is dicalcium phosphate. It can provide as much as much as 1,000 mg/kg of iron in the ration. This source is also inorganic. Excessive amounts of iron can be toxic. Foals are especially sensitive to iron supplementation and death can quickly follow. The toxic threshold for iron is A Horse, Of Course Showing to Win: Trail is a comprehensive look at the standards for the trail class. AQHA members get a discount on the new DVD Showing to Win: Trail. AQHA has released the second DVD in the Showing to Win series. Showing to Win: Trail is an in-depth look at one of the most popular western show classes. The DVD is geared for all trail exhibitors, trainers and judges. For Showing to Win: Trail, AQHA teamed with some of the best-known and well-respected AQHA Professional Horsemen, judges and exhibitors in Charlie Cole, Leslie Lange and Jim Searles, who walk viewers through the required parts of the pattern and explain the maneuver scores, pluses and minuses. Showing to Win: Trail illustrates the standards and herself to becoming an equine nutrition expert. Her intention became her reality. From the moment she saw her desires clearly she was moving toward personal perfect horsemanship. Along the way, everything was exactly as it should be, blocking her path, helping her gain insight, making her stumble, picking her up at exactly the right time in the right place with the right answers. To embrace the Seventh Secret you must live your future every minute of every day. Draw your future to provides information exhibitors need to successfully navigate a trail pattern and the judge s score card. Using unique graphics and video technology, Showing to Win: Trail defines the trail scoring system and what the judges are looking for in a trail pattern. This DVD series is designed to help exhibitors understand the rules and the judging standards of the classes to help improve the performance of their horses in the show pen, said Alex Ross, AQHA executive director of judges. We appreciate the AQHA Professional Horsemen who shared their expertise in trail to help other exhibitors become better riders. Trust the world leader for your equine first-aid needs: EquiMedic USA Inc. Choose from the Economy, Trail Riding and Trailering kits; or pick the Professional generally stated as 500mg/kg of iron in the ration. Iron absorption is affected by the intake levels. The more iron provided the less it is absorbed. Absorption rates of iron can be anywhere between four to 60 percent, making it difficult to determine how much to provide in a supplement. Adding iron to the diet should only be done after medical tests have proven it is required. Then it should only been done under the supervision of a vet. Protect you horse from iron overload by reading supplement labels and avoid ones that add iron to the diet. Leave the pumping of iron to weight lifters and body builders. * Earn a Bachelor of Science degree in equine studies or certification as a Professional Horse Trainer or Riding Instructor. Start your new career as a riding instructor, horse trainer, or stable manager. All courses are online. Start anytime and work at your own pace. Visit for information. you. Life your life knowing that all you desire no longer awaits you, but is yours in this moment. Will the Secrets turn your intentions and desires into your reality? Today Ellie is a writer. She writes about equine nutrition and she is read by thousands and thousands of horse lovers worldwide. Don Blazer is the author of The Nine Secrets of Perfect Horsemanship...visit his website: com New Trail DVD Kit for the commercial horseman and all equine venues, groups, clubs and organizations. The DVD retails at $24.95, but AQHA members receive a $5 discount and can purchase it for $ The DVD can be purchased online at Quarter Horse Outfitters or at the Quarter Horse Outfitters booth at the AQHA World Championship Show Trade Show, November 6-21 in Oklahoma City. This DVD is the second in a series presenting the standards expected in AQHA s most popular classes. Showing to Win: Western Pleasure became the best-selling AQHA DVD of all time when it was released in the spring. Watch for more class DVDs in the Showing to Win series to be released by AQHA. For more information visit

7 THE RIDER EXTRA NOVEMBER 2009 / 7 The Hidden Costs of Hiring The Ontario Equestrian Fedeation is hosting an action oriented presentation that will enable you to reduce costs associated with hiring and replacing employees. The OEF Industry Advisory Council invites you to join them at the 2009 OEF Annual Conference for a special presentation: The Hidden Costs of Hiring Where: Delta Meadowvale Resort & Conference Centre When: Friday November 27, 2009 Time: 1:30 p.m.- 3:00 p.m. Cost: FREE!! Canadian Pony Club Announces the 2009 Governor General s Award of Excellence Winners $1,000 scholarships go to A/B2 level winners: Charlotte Harman of the Land O Lakes Branch in the St. Lawrence/Ottawa Valley Region. Charlotte attends Queens University studying for a BA in International Development. Presented by Sarah Pratt & Dan Whitmarsh of HorseJobs.ca and Catherine Willson of Willson Lewis LLP Saving money doesn t mean cutting corners. In fact, sometimes the opposite rule applies. Spending a little extra time during the recruiting and hiring process can result in incredible savings and improved productivity. Hiring the right employee costs money...hiring the wrong employee costs a lot more. With a national turnover rate of 20% per year across North America we know that the equine industry is much higher! Being ahead of the curve and equipped with tools and practices will help you reduce your turnover and increase the performance of the employees who are essential to making your operation a success. This hands on presentation is designed to: 1. Help you understand and calculate the costs of hiring and retaining employees 2. Show you what you can do to reduce your risk of hiring the wrong employee 3. Connect your operation s success to the performance of your employees 4. Discuss Workers Compensation 5. Discuss the difference between contract & full time employees There is no charge to attend; however, meeting space is limited so if you wish to attend please contact Kim Banks by market2@horse.on.ca or by telephone or For more information visit: Tianna Koreman of the Hazelmere Branch in the BC Lower Mainland Region. Tianna attends the University of BC studying for a BA in Science. $500 scholarship goes to the C2/B level winner Jean Eagleson of the London Branch in the Western Ontario Region. Jean attends the University of Waterloo studying Environment Resource and Study. They are truly role models with outstanding achievements in Pony Club as well as their communities. The Awards will be presented during the CPC 75th Anniversary banquet in November. Her Excellency the Governor General of Canada is a patron of Pony Club, and will sign a suitable certificate to be presented along with a cheque from Canadian Pony Club payable to the College or University. For further information, please contact Elizabeth Inglis, National Communications Chair at (work) or (home) or be to lizinglis@technalysis.on.ca

8 8/ THE RIDER EXTRA NOVEMBER 2009 Opening Day at The Royal Horse Show was fit for a Prince, a Duchess and Mac Cone who won Round One of the Canadian Show Jumping Championships presented by Greenhawk. Toronto, Ontario The 87th Royal Horse Show opened with pomp and ceremony this morning, with Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall in attendance in front of a healthy crowd of horse show enthusiasts. The Royal couple then toured the Fair separately, viewing agriculture and equestrian displays and interacting with competitors and visitors alike before departing on the rest of their Canadian tour. Nearly ten hours later, it was veteran Canadian show jumper Mac Cone s turn to be feted in the horse show ring, following his exciting win of round one of the $100,000 Canadian Show Jumping Championships presented by Greenhawk. Although Cone and his 2008 Olympic partner Ole didn t have the fastest time of the evening they did manage to leave all the jumps up a feat Cone s Olympic teammate Ian Millar didn t accomplish, dropping him to second place. Cone cracked a joke following the completion of the class that he was at a horrible disadvantage having to go second in the order, while team-mates Ian Millar and Jill Henselwood had the coveted final spots, and as such were able to plan every gallop and turn. That will change in tomorrow night s second round, which is run in the reverse order of standings, putting Cone in the ring in that favoured final position. We competed indoors at Syracuse last week which was a really nice setup for this week, remarked Cone following the awards ceremony. Ole is really on top of his game right now, looking around the turns and to the next jump. Anthony D Ambrosio sets a good course it was good to see height and width tonight and not a typical smaller, opening night course. He won t let us off easy tomorrow night! Three obstacles on course proved to be the undoing of many a rider tonight. Fences four and 11 were set on the opposing short ends of the ring, on angles, forcing the riders to turn off the rail and cut the corner to save valuable seconds in the speed class. The The American Quarter Horse Journal - Invest. Perform. Earn. It s that simple when it comes to participating in the AQHA Incentive Fund. In a nutshell, the Incentive Fund was created as a way to reward and encourage AQHA members for showing their American Quarter Horses. If you nominate your American Quarter Horse stallion to the AQHA Incentive Fund by October 31, 2009, you ll be eligible to win a John Deere trimmer. Stallions are enrolled on an annual basis for each breeding season, making their offspring eligible to be enrolled as well. The available money in the Incentive Fund is divided by the number of points earned by the enrolled horses in the open and amateur divisions of AQHA competition throughout the year, making each point worth a certain other bogey was the second jump of the combination at 10A/B, a vertical to oxer combination requiring a height effort first, followed by an extreme width effort which many were simply not able to achieve. Cone was also quicker across the ground than many who opted to try for the conservative clear round, some more successfully than others. He s such a quick little horse, the main thing is to keep his brain from buzzing too much, to focus on keeping the jumps up. But he was really happy out there tonight. explained Cone. Second-place finisher Ian Millar did not opt for the conservative clear, putting his foot down from the start to best Cone s overall time, but knocking down one rail in the process, adding four penalty seconds to his overall time. Defending Champion Keean White finished third, and is definitely not out of the running for the overall title. The top two finishers from the Canadian Championships who have not already qualified for next week s International division will proceed through, so at this stage, every point counts. Round two of the Championships headlines tomorrow s evening performance in the Ricoh Coliseum, which also features the new Horse Sport Pony Hunter Winner s Stake and the Canadian Cowgirls Drill Team. Highlights of the second week s International jumper division includes the $100,000 CN FEI World CupTM Qualifier, the $50,000 Weston Canadian Open, the inaugural $50,000 Royal Team Challenge and the $75,000 Ricoh Big Ben International Grand Prix. This year s Royal Horse Show will run through November 15th. By the time the competition ends, nearly $750,000 will have been awarded in prize money, making The Royal the most prestigious and hotly contested event of the season. For more information, media accreditation, live webcasting, complete schedule, results and to purchase tickets, please visit amount of money. The point value is then multiplied by the number of points earned by the horse to determine the accumulated amount for the year. The 2008 show season saw a recordhigh in total points 147,864 earned by nominated horses, which is 10,066 more points than in The point value in 2008 was $22.35, which resulted in a 2008 payout of $3,305, I tell all of my customers that if they re raising horses that will compete in AQHA shows, they ve got to enroll them in the AQHA Incentive Fund. A majority of buyers won t even look at show horses that aren t in the Incentive Fund. That s how important it is to the industry, said Mike Jennings of Professional Auction Services in Leesburg, Virginia. HRH Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall officially opened the Royal Horse Show this morning, as part of their visit to the 87th Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. At the podium is Gayle McPherson, President and Chair of the Board and beside the Duchess, Michael Belcourt, past-president of the Fair. Photo credit Michelle C. Dunn. Mac Cone and Ole now lead the Canadian Championships presented by Greenhawk, following their victory in the first leg of the series tonight at the Royal Horse Show. Photo credit Michelle C. Dunn. It Pays To Be Part of the American Quarter Horse Incentive Fund The earnings for each horse are split between the current owner when points were earned, the stallion s nominator the year of the foal s conception and the foal s nominator in an percent split. Currently, there are 351,587 horses enrolled in the fund, and $63,016, has been paid out since the first checks were written in If your stallion is enrolled in the Incentive Fund, you ll receive the following benefits: Use of the AQHA Incentive Fund logo on all of your advertising 10 percent of all money earned by your stallion s foals Premium advertising options on for your stallion Added exposure for your business online An investment that pays off Stallions available for breeding must be nominated to the AQHA Incentive Fund Program by November 30, prior to the breeding season the nomination is for, in order to make foals conceived during that year eligible for participation in the program. Learn more about the Incentive Fund at or call (806) It s the longestrunning and most affordable way to earn money in the show arena! Read about one horse - Harley D Zip - that has benefited from the AQHA Incentive Fund, by checking out Revving Up the Returns in the April 2009 issue of The American Quarter Horse Journal. For more information visit visit

9 THE RIDER EXTRA NOVEMBER 2009 / 9 HITS Offers Full Complement of Equitation Classes at Thermal and Ocala Winter Circuits HITS Congratulates Riders Who Reigned Supreme at Maclay Championships! Saugerties, NY - November 3, HITS would like to congratulate all of the riders in this year s 2009 ASPCA Maclay National Championships, which was held on October 31 at the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament, featuring the 126th National Horse Show. Of the top 10 ribbon winners, nine of the riders compete at HITS winter show circuits, either in Thermal, CA, or Ocala, FL. Winner Zazou Hoffman of Santa Monica, CA, is a past regular competitor in Thermal, as are Samantha Harrison (fourth place) and Lucy Davis (sixth). Six riders from the top 10 compete in Ocala, including Chase Boggio (second), Morgan Hale (third), Laura Pfeiffer (fifth), Amber Henter (eighth), Hasbrouck Donovan (ninth), and Molly Braswell (tenth). Other top 24 finishers are Thermal competitor Tina DiLandri and Ocala competitors Michael Hughes, Samantha Schaefer, and Sara Green. I d like to send our congratulations to all the Finalists, said Tom Struzzieri, HITS President and CEO. These riders have obviously worked hard all year to make it to the Finals, and to compete so well is a great accomplishment. We are very proud that the HITS Winter Circuits in Thermal and Ocala are home to many of this year s Maclay Finalists. Our focus for the past 30 years has been to support the up-and-coming riders in the sport, and we will continue to provide atmospheres at our show circuits that will help riders prepare for important Finals competitions like the Maclay. Amber Henter, the eighth place finisher at the 2009 ASPCA Maclay Finals, won the 2009 R.W. Ronnie Mutch Equitation Championship at the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. Photo Lili Weik. Trainer Christina Schlusemeyer, along with Bob Braswell, runs Quiet Hill Farm in Ocala, FL. She and Braswell trained three of the top 10 finishers in the ASPCA Maclay National Championships, and they show at the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit every year. It says a lot for the customers and the fact that these riders develop in Ocala, Schlusemeyer said. The level of competition is important. The kids are used to that level of competition the rest of the year, and when they go to the finals, they re not overwhelmed. What the shows offer and the fact that they consider equitation important enough to feature is noticed. HITS realizes that people are serious about equitation and cater to us too. The 2010 HITS Desert Circuit in Thermal, CA, will have six weeks of competition from January 26 to March 14, while the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit will run from January 19 to March 21. The HITS Desert Circuit is making a concerted effort to help equitation riders in their quest for preparing and qualifying for the year-end equitation finals. For the 2010 circuit, HITS Thermal will offer the indoor arena for equitation classes. The WIHS Equitation Classic, ASPCA Maclay, Central Equine Junior Medal, and the OCHSA Equitation Medal classes will mostly be held in the indoor arena during the World Cup qualifier weeks, in which the World Cup qualifier grand prix classes are held. Top trainer Karen Healey has consistently had riders in the top 10 of all of the equitation finals every year. She stated, Having the experience of riding in an indoor, even though it s a long way from fall, gives the equitation riders experience that they don t get the rest of the year, because the rest of the year we show in big fields. It s entirely different indoors; everything comes up faster. The indoor arena is fabulous. HITS also offers one of the most unique and challenging equitation classes in the nation in the R.W. Ronnie Mutch Equitation Championship. The Championship is held in honor of accomplished equestrian and life-long artist, R.W. Ronnie Mutch. An early student of Gordon Wright and Al Homewood, Mutch won the AHSA Medal Finals in 1950 at the age of 15. At 18, he was the youngest rider at the time to ride for the USET. It is a highly sought-after honor to be invited to participate in the class and, as a result, it has become a major goal of junior riders across the country. Last year s winner of the Ronnie Mutch Championship was Caroline Ingalls (right) of Rancho Santa Fe, CA. The Ronnie Mutch Championship provides the opportunity for riders to walk their course, school their horses, and compete against each other without the aid of their trainers to show the true benefit of horsemanship. In Thermal, the Ronnie Mutch Championship is held in the outdoor Grand Prix Ring, as are the USEF Show Jumping Talent Search classes every week. Healey pointed out that having the opportunity to use the open water jump in the Grand Prix Ring every week for the USEF Talent Search is another benefit at Thermal. We don t really get to use an open water jump during the rest of the year, she said. That is a big factor in preparing for the Talent Search Finals, and it s a huge help. In all, Thermal offers 33 classes in the Medal Section, and eight of them are at the 3 6 height, including: the WIHS Equitation Classic, USEF Medal, ASPCA Maclay, USEF Talent Search, CPHA Hunter Seat Medal for juniors and amateurs, Central Equine Junior Medal, and the WCE Junior/Amateur Medal. Medals at the 3 3 height include the Foxfield Medal, CPHA Foundation Equitation Medal, PCHA Medals for 14 & Under and 35 & Over, the SFVHSA Challenge Medal, and the OCHSA Equitation Medal. There are also a variety of medal classes at the 2 6, 2 9, and 3 heights. Equitation divisions range from 18 in height for Short Stirrup up to 3 3 for the oldest junior riders. Sixteen divisions are offered in all and are based on age or riding level. In general, we have good competition with a lot of numbers in the classes, which I think is better - the more competition, the better, Healey said. There s something for everyone, for sure. If you have a kid just starting who is not quite ready for 3 6, HITS Thermal has age group equitation divisions, the Taylor Harris medal, and different classes so that they can get a lot of mileage and a lot of experience within one week. A lot of the shows don t offer the full age break equitation divisions, so to have a lot for them in the winter can give you a good start in the year. There is definitely a lot of variety in the equitation classes offered, and they all have different flavors to them. In Ocala, the USEF Talent Search and the Ronnie Mutch Championship are held in the Grand Prix Ring, which helps expose riders to competing in a larger ring there as well. In 2009, Amber Henter (below left) of St. Petersburg, FL, was the winner of the Ronnie Mutch Championship. Henter, who trains with Schlusemeyer and Braswell, went on to place eighth in this year s ASPCA Maclay National Championships. Schlusemeyer commented, The kids have to qualify for the Ronnie Mutch class. They have a fun time, and it s great to do a finals-like class at the end of the circuit. We love those classes because they walk the course by themselves. They really get an education that way and find their ride. Ocala offers 20 classes in the Medal Section, including eight at the 3 6 height. Ocala also has the Marshall & Sterling Children s Medal, THIS National Children s Medal, SCHJA Governor s Cup, Mini Medal, Mini Maclay, and Mini HITS at 3 feet in height, which serves as a great stepping stone to help riders hone their skills as they ramp up for the 3 6 levels. Equitation classes at the 3 6 height in Ocala include: USEF Hunter Seat Medal, ASPCA Maclay, USEF Talent Search, WIHS Equitation Classic, Central Equine Junior Medal, and the E.J. Haun Medal. HITS has a nice variety of classes, and they concentrate to make sure USEF Talent Search is always in one of the grand prix rings, which is nice, Schlusemeyer noted. We get to be in one a few times, and then the other a few times. They also have the USEF Medal and WIHS Hunter phase be in the main hunter ring. The USEF Adult Medal is held at 3 3, while the Marshall & Sterling Adult Medal and Ariat National Adult Medal classes are three-feet in height. Pony riders can compete at their height level in the USEF Pony Medal and WIHS Pony Equitation, as well as in the Marshall & Sterling Children s Medal for pony riders. Eighteen different equitation Caroline Ingalls was last year s winner of the R.W. Ronnie Mutch Equitation Championship at the HITS Desert Circuit. Photo Lili Weik. divisions are offered throughout the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. They range from 18 to 3 3 in height. Schlusemeyer also pointed out, There is a good menu of jumper classes too. We use it as a first lesson of the week. They ride it like it s a USET or WIHS jumper phase (class) and practice halting, counter cantering, and get smarter about making decisions. Make your plans today to compete with HITS during the winter. With a full schedule of classes for riders at any level, HITS offers the best show experience for your money. Announcements on special classes, judges, course designers, prize money, and more will be made regularly for all of the HITS Horse Show circuits. To learn of the latest news, please become a fan of HITS page on Facebook and sign up to receive HITS Twitter updates. HITS, Inc. produces highquality, international-level hunter/jumper horse shows. Based in upstate New York in the village of Saugerties, HITS has been producing shows since 1982 and is now a nationwide company with world-class circuits in California, Florida, Arizona, New York and Virginia. In 2010, HITS will take the industry to new heights when it hosts the $1 Million USGPL Grand Prix in Saugerties on September 12. To keep on track with the updates or to request a copy of the winter circuit prize lists, please visit

10 10/ THE RIDER EXTRA NOVEMBER 2009 Don t be Lame Causes and Cures for Equine Lameness An athlete s body is trained to handle an amazing amount of work and stress. From runners to swimmers, all athletes train to handle the specific stress their sport requires. Unfortunately, it is still not uncommon for these athletes to injure themselves performing the very actions they trained for. This is also true of a horse s body. Many horses are trained athletes that are bred and conditioned for a specific sport such as racing, jumping, western performance or dressage. While these sports are relatively safe, just like a human athlete, there is always a possibility of injury and in most cases with horses the injury tends to be lameness. Lameness is an abnormality of gait that is caused by pain or restriction of movement. Most of the injuries we see are muscular/skeletal lamenesses, states Dr. Kent Carter, professor of equine lameness and chief o f medicine at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences Large Animal Hospital. The lameness can be a result of things such as chipped bones, bowed tendons and other soft tissue injuries. Dual Books Teach the Joys and Benefits of Massage for Dogs and Horses Animal lovers take note: massage improves their health and happiness as you deepen your relationship with the animals in your care These books are amazing, and Megan is a visionary practitioner and teacher. Animal massage seems so complicated, but she gives readers confidence with her thorough and understandable approach. Here is a resource that not only illustrates the therapeutic value of the animal-human connection, but also helps us make the most of it. Every horse and dog owner should read these books! Jim Barnes, Editor, IndependentPublisher.com The benefits of massage are clear for people. In her new series of books, author Megan Ayrault, LMP, explains why massage is so helpful for the pets we love, too. Specifically, the books include the following and more: Six ways that massage works and why Beautiful color photographs that show techniques step-by-step along with simple, easy-to-follow diagrams Information on identifying your pet s stress and dysfunction Tips on improving your touch skills A Journal Guidebook and numerous other resources are also available at to support your massage sessions. All told, Ayrault s books help readers understand their animal s body better, with the following result: happier, healthier animals and pet owners. Advertise in The Rider Extra! Call (905) , or barry@therider.com The type of lameness is generally dependent on the horse s use. For example, race horses tend to present injuries such as bowed tendons or bone chips in joints. Jumpers on the other hand tend to have more soft tissue injuries. Probably the greatest number of cases we see are soft tissue injuries in the foot and lower limb, notes Carter. Foot lamenesses can be caused by traumatic injuries or as a result of a degenerative process. Of course, your horse doesn t have to be an elite athlete to suffer an injury. Some can happen as the result of accidents, such as stepping in a hole or on a rock during a trail ride and twisting an ankle. Horses can even injure themselves while bucking and playing in a pasture. You should be as aware as possible of the terrain on which you are riding and make sure that your horse has the proper conditioning for the activity you are having it perform, urges Carter. With that said, even with the best care an animal can always injure itself. As a horse owner, it is fairly easy to recognize if your horse is lame as most likely there will be some limping. If the injury is further up in the leg it is also possible to see swelling of the leg. If you notice that your horse is limping or its leg is swollen the first thing you want to do is stop exercising them. If you are knowledgeable you can also apply a pressure wrap around the leg, advises Carter. If it is not getting better or if the limp is severe you should take them to their veterinarian as soon as possible. Depending on the type, severity and location of the injury there are many types of treatment that a veterinarian can perform. We prefer to start with rest and support wraps, but when the injury is more severe we can do anything from pain killers and injections of antiinflammatory drugs to surgery, states Carter. Of course you can t treat a problem until you can diagnose what the problem is and some lamenesses don t present at all or not fully until a rider is on the horse. The Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine recently added a state of the art lameness arena to our facility, notes Carter. The surface of this arena helps us to better diagnose specific lamenesses by putting a rider on a horse and having them ride. Once the problem is identified and the veterinarian performs the treatment regimen there is always a chance that the horse will either not heal completely or will require additional rehabilitation. While I would say that for the most part we can at least benefit most horses with lameness, we can t heal everyone, says Carter. We can, however, improve the outcome in the majority of cases. New Veterinary Research Will Help Animals Enjoy Longer, Healthier Lives Morris Animal Foundation Announces $13 Million in Funding for More Than 200 Studies DENVER, Oct. 28 /PRNewswire/ Helping animals enjoy longer, healthier lives requires ongoing scientific animal health research to give veterinarians the tools they need to better diagnose and treat animals. Morris Animal Foundation, a world leader in supporting research to prevent, treat and even cure disease in companion animals, horses and wildlife, has committed to funding more than 200 animal health studies in 2010, with support for those studies totaling $13 million over the next three years. Read full descriptions of the current studies at Funding will be provided to established researchers as well as new researchers, veterinary student scholars and veterinarians pursuing advanced study. Studies will take place at more than 60 of the world s most elite veterinary colleges, zoological institutions and scientific research centers. The Foundation will support more than 50 canine health studies that will research blood and eye disorders, infectious diseases, orthopedic problems, pain management, early retirement of guide dogs and urinary problems. A number of cancer studies, funded by the nonprofit s Canine Cancer Campaign, will look at multiple aspects of canine cancer prevention and treatment. The 24 feline health research studies address asthma, cancer, gastrointestinal problems, heart disease, kidney disease, pain management and urinary problems. A special fellowship project and three studies that look at transmission of upper respiratory infection in shelter cats are being funded by the Foundation s Happy Healthy Cat Campaign. The campaign will also support a major genetics project to be launched in The selection of 17 equine studies involves equine health research into genetics, foal diseases, Most horses with lameness problems will probably have to have some form of rehabilitation. While most rehab is done at home by owners, in more severe cases the horses can be sent to rehabilitation centers. Rehab centers will have specialized equipment to deal with more difficult cases, explains Carter. This can be anything from 24/7 monitoring to water treadmills. With all the options for the treatment of lameness, the cost of these procedures can range from relatively inexpensive to thousands of dollars. It s highly dependent on what we do. We can give a simple injection of anti-inflammatory for less than $100 while some surgeries can cost over $4,000, states Carter. In order to avoid expensive procedures and painful injuries the best prevention is to be aware of your horse s surroundings and try your best to keep them in good physical condition for their activities. Of course when injuries do occur, it s important know how to spot them and what to do in order to keep your four legged athlete in tip top shape. ABOUT PET TALK... Pet Talk is a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. Stories can be viewed on the Web at Suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvm.tamu.edu. laminitis, infectious diseases and colic. In addition, the Foundation will provide significant funding for its Equine Consortium for Genetic Research, a group of the world s best equine researchers who are working on multiple collaborative projects to improve equine health through genetics. An additional six health studies related to nutrition, genetics and infectious parasites will help llamas and alpacas. The Foundation is also the leader in wildlife health funding, with 42 studies designed to improve reproduction and nutrition and to decrease infectious disease in a host of animals, including anteaters, bears, birds, amphibians, elephants, primates, marine life, wolves, wild cats and many more. In response to the growing shortage of veterinary scientists needed to improve animal health, Morris Animal Foundation designated $3.1 million of the $13 million toward training new scientists. More than 60 students will receive short-term grants through the Veterinary Student Scholars program, which gives students interested in animal health and welfare the opportunity to work with a mentor on research projects and encourages them to consider a career in veterinary research. The new Pfizer Animal Health Morris Animal Foundation Veterinary Fellowships for Advanced Study provides annual funding for veterinary professionals to pursue advanced study that will lead to careers in research. Eight veterinarians entered the program in September 2009, and an additional four fellows will begin September Additional training programs are being funded at Colorado State University, Oklahoma State University and the University of Minnesota. Individuals and groups have a unique opportunity to help animals through sponsorships of these studies. Co-sponsorships begin at $3,000 per study. Sponsorship information is available at by calling or by ingsponsorship@morrisanimalfoundation.org.

11 THE RIDER EXTRA NOVEMBER 2009 / 11

12 12/ THE RIDER EXTRA NOVEMBER 2009

13 THE RIDER EXTRA NOVEMBER 2009 / 13 Visit and check out our archives of past issues! Also now in our archives you can view our recent Spotlight on Grey and Bruce Counties Check out The Rider Extra, our exclusive online edition for Extra news and photos! For subscription or advertising information please contact or barry@therider.com Visit our website at

14 14/ THE RIDER EXTRA NOVEMBER 2009

15 THE RIDER EXTRA NOVEMBER 2009 /15