Florida Governor Charlie Crist has signed a bill that mandates the use of protective helmets by young equestrians when riding on public property or roads.
The law applies to children age 16 and younger who are:
Riding on a public roadway or right-of-way;
Riding on a public equestrian trail, public equestrian trail, public park, public preserve, or public school site:
Riding on any other publicly owned or controlled property.
Helmets must meet the current standards of the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) for protective headgear.
It does not apply to children under age 16 who are riding while:
Practicing for, riding to or from, or competing or performing in, shows or events such as rodeos and parades where helmets are not historically a part of the or event;
Riding on privately owned land even if the land is occasionally separated by a public road or right-of-way that must be crossed;
Engaged in an agricultural practice or pursuit.
The legislation, known as Nicole’s Law, is named after Nicole Hornstein, a 12 year-old girl from Loxahatchee who died in 2006 after falling from a horse. Nicole’s parents and two sisters attended yesterday’s bill signing ceremony at Hamlin Park in Loxahatchee.
FYI now in stock TIPPERARY Equestrian Helmets at Two Time Tack & Feed (these are the best! TR)
Alma Height
7420 Rosco Ave
Jacksonville, FL 32256
904-262-7574 twoxtack@aol.com
Senator David Valesky and Olympic Gold Medalist Beezie Madden among judges, event supported by Everson Museum of Art and Cazenovia College
Syracuse, NY – September 16, 2009 – Recognizing the growth and importance of the equine industry and presence in the Central New York corridor, the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament Featuring the 126th National Horse Show is underwriting the first Annual I Love NY Horses Art Show.
Entries for the juried show will represent all ages from kindergarten to an open division and will be on exhibition during the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament at the Oncenter, October 27 – 31, 2009.
“What better way to celebrate our love for horses and how they continue to be such an integral part of the American fabric,” said Olympic Gold Medalist and Cazenovia resident Beezie Madden. “This art show will involve students and adults of all ages, furthering the goal of the Invitational to enhance development of equestrian sports and the positive impacts of our industry locally.” Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=8058
Photo: Pan’s Atomic Particle, an American Shetland Pony, went from dressage pony to biker pony to win the Costume Class at the 121st Shetland Pony Congress Show. The biker pony was joined by his gang made up of members of Yeager Equine Services and Belinda Bagby. (Photo by Washburn Photography)
Cloverdale, IN (September 16, 2009) – Pan’s Atomic Particle, an American Shetland Pony, went from dressage pony to biker pony at the 121st Shetland Pony Congress Show and his new tough look helped him capture the National Championship in the Costume Class. Pan’s Atomic Particle and his entourage all dressed as members of a motorcycle gang to capture the championship, proving that trading in their top hats for leather jackets was a winning combination.
“All of the ‘people’ in the gang were showing with Yeager Equine Services and we invited our friend Belinda Bagby from Cross Country Shetlands to join in the fun,” said Johnny Robb, owner of Pan’s Atomic Particle and Director of Marketing for the American Shetland Pony Club (ASPC). “It was really fun because every single person from age four and up helped build the costume; it was a real team effort.”
Robb said the “gang” spent the night before the class cutting, taping and building the motorcycle for Pan to wear. “I heard the song Low Rider on the radio and got the idea for a motorcycle and knew we could include a lot of adults and kids in the fun,” Robb said. Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=8056
Photo: Dr. Cesar Parra and Olympia enjoy at victory lap at the 2009 New England Dressage Association Fall Festival CDI-W/Y/J. Parra and Olympia, owned by Lori Washton won the Prix St. Georges, the Intermediaire I and the Intermediaire Freestyle. (Photo courtesy of Trilogy Saddles)
Saugerties, NY (September 16, 2009) – Dr. Cesar Parra and Lori Washton’s 13-year-old KWPN gelding Olympia proved that good things come in threes at the 2009 New England Dressage Association Fall Festival CDI-W/Y/J. The pair went three for three winning the Prix St. Georges, Intermediaire I and the Intermediaire Freestyle.
Parra and Olympia finished the weekend with an exciting victory in the Intermediaire Freestyle with a score of 74.5%. The Freestyle performance was fun and the spectators showed their appreciation by clapping along with the music. “For the musical freestyle we rode to music from Earth Wind and Fire, which is just great music,” Parra said. “The music really made me feel like I was dancing with Olympia. I was so happy to be competing and the audience was great as they joined in and started to clap along with the music.” Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=8054
Photo: Despite torrential rain and heavy mud, Chester Weber and his team won the dressage phase in the Advanced Four-In-Hand class at the Laurels At Landhope International Combined Driving Event. Weber withdrew from the event following his win in dressage, due to a very uncooperative Mother Nature. (Photo courtesy of picsofyou.com)
Ocala, FL (September 16, 2009) – Chester Weber, the six-time United States National Champion in Four-In-Hand Combined Driving, dominated the Advanced Four-In-Hand dressage phase at the Laurels At Landhope International Combined Driving Event in West Grove, Pennsylvania, easily winning with a score of 70.0%. Following the dressage phase however, Weber, along with half of the eleven four-in-hand teams, withdrew from the event due to deep mud and torrential rain.
“The organization and the officials did a great job with the event however Mother Nature dealt us some cards that were difficult to play,” Weber said. “I felt that it was conservatively prudent that I not drive after reviewing the risk/reward associated with the four inches of rain that turned the course into the consistency of chocolate pudding.” Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=8046
America’s Horse, September 16, 2009 — Join hundreds of fans on the American Quarter Horse Association’s Facebook page every Wednesday at 1 p.m. CDT for the Guess That Horse Contest.
This popular, fast-paced contest challenges you to guess the name of the American Quarter Horse depicted in a photo posted by AQHA staff. AQHA provides hints, and many fans have found success using AQHA Records Research to be the first to get the correct answer.
AQHA’s Facebook page has more than 16,000 fans and covers a wide range of topics including horse health, training, breeding, showing, racing and recreational riding. Become a fan today, and set your calendar to tune in every Wednesday at 1 p.m. CDT for the Guess That Horse Contest and your chance to win a great prize!
AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.
IMPORTANT! Your Voice Counts!Speak up for Trails, Walking and Biking Now
On Tuesday, September 15, Senators John McCain (Ariz.) and Tom Coburn (Okla.) issued two amendments to the FY10 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill. If passed, these amendments would eliminate the majority of available federal funds for trails, riding, walking and bicycling.
Call your US State senators and tell them to vote against the Coburn/MCCain Amendments (2370 + 2371) to the Transportation -Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill. State that Trails are one way we can pursue economic development through Tourism in rural areas. Horse trails are also part of our country’s culture and heritage. These amendments would remove a major source of funds for trails.
Just yesterday the Kentucky Horse Council received word that Senators Tom Coburn (Okla.) and John McCain (Ariz.) had issued the amendments to the FY10 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill. Their changes specifically attack funding for rail-trails, bicycling and walking. (Note from KY Horse Council, this same fund provides grants for horse trails.) Please take a minute right now to call your senator and ask him or her to vote against Amendments 2370 and 2371 to H.R. 3288.
Your voice is urgently needed. The U.S. Senate is scheduled to vote on eliminating walking and biking funds today, September 16. Amendment 2370 would prohibit the use of federal funds for pedestrian or bicycle facilities, efforts to reduce vehicle collisions with wildlife, or other specified Transportation Enhancement (TE) projects if the Highway Trust Fund cannot cover unfunded highway authorizations.
Amendment 2371 would allow states to eliminate spending on TE, the nation’s largest funding source for trails, walking and bicycling. Congress currently sets aside a portion of federal funds for TE to support these projects in all states.
This is truly an all-hands-on-deck moments. Please act now-call your senator and ask him or her to vote against the proposed amendments.
Providing opportunities for Americans to walk, bike, horseback-ride and take transit to get where they’re going improves our communities’ health and livability, reduces emissions, creates jobs and save money.
If you know who your senators are, their phone numbers are listed here – PDF (in the format 202-224-xxxx). To look up your senators by state and find their phone numbers, go here.
Next, please call your senators with the following message:
I am calling from (city, state) to urge that Senator ______ vote against Amendments 2370 and 2371 to H.R. 3288. These amendments would jeopardize essential Transportation Enhancements projects such as trails and other walking and bicycling infrastructure. These projects are highly valued in my community, and we need more safe and convenient opportunities to walk and bike. How does Senator _____ plan to vote on these amendments?
It is best to use your own words. If you personalize your comments, please be sure to end your call by asking how the senator plans to vote. This is critical information for us to have, and puts the office on notice that they will be accountable.
Once you have made your calls, please tell us how they went (click here for the Rails-to-Trails page) so we can track progress and plan next steps. Thank you,
Press Release compiled for Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and TrailLink websites and Horsesdaily Media Services, a division of Phelps/Hathaway Enterprises, INC horsesdaily.com
September 15, 2009 — Patrick Swayze, a passionate and valued member of the Arabian horse community, died from pancreatic cancer complications at the age of 57.
Swayze was known to most as a dancer and actor in films such as “Dirty Dancing,” “Roadhouse” and “Ghost.” To the Arabian horse community he was an accomplished and giving horseman. An active participant at Arabian shows throughout the late ’80s and early ’90s, Swayze’s star power helped bring attention to the Arabian breed. Swayze’s true passion for the horse earned him utmost respect in the horse community.
Although Swayze’s bond with horses started as a child, he claimed he did not fully realize the potential relationship with a horse until later. “When you get a bond happening with a horse, it’s interesting. I was raised a cowboy and did some rodeo and stuff and thought I was a horseman. Found out I knew nothing. As I have gotten into these horses [Arabians], I have realized how far you can go with them,” said Swayze in a 1994 video interview. Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=8033
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