Friday, February 3, 2102 – Washington, D.C. — The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) is pleased to report that the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act, H.R. 7, approved earlier today by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, includes a prohibition on the hauling of horses via double-deck trailers. The move to incorporate this prohibition within the larger transportation bill was strongly supported by AWI and championed by Representative Andy Harris (R-MD) and Committee Ranking Member, Nick Rahall (D-WV). The entire bill now goes before the full House of Representatives for a vote.
While the overall transportation bill is by no means an unqualified success and contains many unsavory elements from an animal welfare perspective, final passage of this ban on double-deck transport in interstate commerce would represent a clear and important victory for horse protection. AWI has long fought to have this inhumane practice outlawed, and in the present instance AWI worked to fend off a last-minute attempt by committee member Representative Rick Crawford (R-AR) to amend the bill so as to strip out the double-deck transport ban.
Steffen Peters, joyful winner of the WDM Palm Beach Exquis Grand Prix Freestyle. Photos: Sue Stickle and Marie Cobb for Phelps Media Group
Wellington, FL (January 31, 2012) – The 2012 World Dressage Masters Palm Beach presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach exceeded all expectations, from the first horse on center line in Friday’s Grand Prix to the victory lap following Saturday’s Exquis Grand Prix Freestyle. Top sport was represented by the world’s most exciting horse and rider combinations, some of them veterans, others rising stars. When the 2012 WDM Palm Beach Champion was named on Saturday evening, it was the experienced team of Steffen Peters and Akiko Yamazaki’s 14 year old Ravel of the US who succeeded in defending their title against 26 year old Charlotte Dujardin of Great Britain and the super-talented ten year old Valegro.
“I must say I have seen some wonderful sport tonight,” said WDM Managing Director John van de Laar following the Freestyle competition. “I would like to congratulate Steffen.” With the Olympics just six months away, van de Laar noted that the WDM Palm Beach gave a hint to the rivalries that can be expected in London. “I am very anxious to see what happens in London. To show a horse like Valegro here at the Masters in an Olympic year, I must say ‘two thumbs up’.”
February 2, 2012 – St Johns Island, SC – Bob Bell, President of the Classic Company, has officially announced the formation of two $25,000 Hunter Pony Derby Classics that will premiere this summer, the first at the Atlanta Summer Classic, Week II (June 20-24) and the next at the Charleston Summer Classic, Week II (July 17-21).
Bob Bell’s explanation for the development of the big money classes for the youngest set of competitors was an easy one: “I like the pony hunters. I like the trainers. I love the enthusiasm of both the children and their parents for this sport, because in most cases the pony hunter is their first introduction to the equestrian world. I simply wanted to create an event that appreciates this group and I don’t think this type of classic has been done before.”
Aside from the large cash pay outs, Bell believes these classics provide an added benefit. “There is so much talent in our pony riders and I feel they should be rewarded, not only with the money but these classics will give them two opportunities to go head to head with the best for those preparing to compete at Pony Finals later in the summer.”
Wellington, FL – February 2, 2012 – The $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 4 had an imposing field of 84 entries today, but it was Yann Candele (CAN) and Carlotta Singular La Magnifica, owned by Susan Grange, who were able to beat the strong contenders for victory. Today’s grand prix was the highlight class in the International Arena at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). Beezie Madden (USA) and Cortes C, owned by Abigail Wexner finished second, while Laura Kraut (USA) and Happy Hill Farm’s Cedric were third.
Week four of the FTI WEF runs February 1-5, and is sponsored by Adequan. The Budweiser Clydesdales will be making two appearances at the FTI WEF this week. The first will be before the $80,000 Adequan Grand Prix, CSI 2* on Saturday, February 4, and again on Sunday, February 5 before the Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic. The 2012 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.
February 3, 2012 – Chicago (EWA) – A poll conducted in January by Lake Research Partners for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) found that 80% of Americans are strongly opposed to horse slaughter. The highly respected research group based its survey on 1,008 voters giving the results a 3% margin of error. The poll found opposition was consistent across all sectors, including horse owners.
The findings are all the more remarkable given the huge media effort that was mounted by the horse slaughter lobby following the closing of U.S. based horse slaughter plants in 2007.
While the effort appeared to have worked on Congress, causing them to restore funding for horse slaughter inspections, it had the opposite effect on voter opinion. A similar poll performed a decade earlier indicates that opposition to horse slaughter has increased by almost 10%.
OCALA, FL (February 1, 2012) – Charlene Graham of Fairport, New York proved this week that consistency pays off as she and her own Capricette collected three top-five finishes to clinch the Marshall & Sterling Children’s/Adult Jumper Championship at HITS Ocala. After four legs of competition and a Bonus award, $20,500 in prize money was awarded to Children’s/Adult jumpers.
Graham sat in second place overall after the first two legs held during the first pre-circuit week of competition, then rode to fourth place in the Friday’s third leg and second place in Sunday’s final leg to secure the overall championship. She edged Wendy Libert of Hughesville, Maryland and Mr. & Mrs. John Bartko’s Papillion Peanut by just one point for the win with 112 total points.
“This was the first time I’ve seriously competed in the jumper ring,” said Graham. “I got this horse back in July and it’s been so much fun competing with her – she’s been fantastic. The entire series was a blast. I really enjoyed the format and the amount of prize money offered was great.”
Jane Forbes Clark to Receive Inaugural Luminary Award; Sarah B. Willeman Also to Be Honored
WELLINGTON, Fla. (Jan. 31, 2012) – The second-annual Sidelines Equestrian Tetrathlon Presented by MeadowView & The Riggio Family to benefit the Equestrian Aid Foundation will be Sunday, February 5, 2012, at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in West Palm Beach, Fla. The wild, wild west-themed evening will feature the best of Palm Beach’s restaurant fare and signature cocktails with guest chefs to tempt your palette; and silent auction items to entice your sense of adventure; with the headline of the night being world-class horsemen and women in the greatest discipline switch ever imagined.
R. Bruce Duchossois, renowned equestrian and member of the board of directors, oversee the festivities with event co-chair R. Scot Evans, the EAF’s president.
Defending Team FarmVet will take on sponsored teams MeadowView, Palm Beach Equine Clinic and newcomer Flintfields Horse Park. Success Equestrian has outfitted the dressage, show jumping and reining horses in the competition with new no-slip saddle pads.
Wellington, FL – February 1, 2012 – The FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival welcomed exhibitors for the fourth week of competition, which starts today and goes through Sunday, February 5. In the opening class in the International Arena, Darragh Kerins (IRL) guided Hot Wheels to victory in the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers.
Week four of the FTI WEF runs February 1-5, and is sponsored by Adequan. The Budweiser Clydesdales will be making two appearances at the FTI WEF this week. The first will be before the $80,000 Adequan Grand Prix, CSI 2* on Saturday, February 4, and again on Sunday, February 5 before the Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic. The 2012 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.
Mason Phelps, Mary Ross and Brian O'Connor. Photo By: Susan J. Stickle
Wellington, FL – January 31, 2012 – Mason Phelps Radio is pleased to announce that its fourth segment will be held this Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. EST on W4CY.com. Media Personality Steve Williams will be co-hosting alongside Phelps once again, and this week will feature Peter Welles, Maureen Gross and Mary Ross as guests. Phelps and Williams along with their guests look forward to discussing conserving land, how to find the perfect horse and how businesses are getting involved with the equestrian world. With the expertise of the panel, the show is sure to provide information on subjects ranging from keeping properties pristine to buying a new horse.
One of this week’s guests will be the founder of MatchnRide.com, a horse sales website, Mary Ross. She has created a new way for prospective buys to find their perfect horse. “I am so excited to be on Mason Phelps Radio this week,” said Mary Ross. “Mason has been a dear friend for many years, and he always finds something exciting to talk about.”
Have you ever wondered about the effect of collecting your stallion or getting embryos off your mare while they are competing?
Do you have questions about breeding with frozen semen?
Want the latest update on cartilage and tendon repair?
Then you’ll want to pay attention to the many offerings during Spy Coast Farm Breeding Week at the FTI WEF!
Jan Olof Wannius (director Falsterbo Horse Show) and leading researchers from The University of Kentucky Gluck Equine Research Foundation will be on hand to answer these questions and more during a week packed with clinics, lectures and presentations during the Spy Coast Farm Breeding Week at the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). The Spy Coast Farm Breeding Week will be held from Monday, February 6, through Sunday, February 12, with many amazing educational opportunities for riders, owners, and trainers and their young horses.
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February 3, 2012 – Chicago (EWA) – A poll conducted in January by Lake Research Partners for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) found that 80% of Americans are strongly opposed to horse slaughter. The highly respected research group based its survey on 1,008 voters giving the results a 3% margin of error. The poll found opposition was consistent across all sectors, including horse owners.
WELLINGTON, Fla. (Jan. 31, 2012) – The second-annual Sidelines Equestrian Tetrathlon Presented by MeadowView & The Riggio Family to benefit the Equestrian Aid Foundation will be Sunday, February 5, 2012, at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in West Palm Beach, Fla. The wild, wild west-themed evening will feature the best of Palm Beach’s restaurant fare and signature cocktails with guest chefs to tempt your palette; and silent auction items to entice your sense of adventure; with the headline of the night being world-class horsemen and women in the greatest discipline switch ever imagined.
