Courtesy NRHA (Tim McQuay and Dun Gotta Gun at the 2004 Tulsa Classic (shown here). The pair recently won the USEF Qualifier at the Gordyville Breeders Cup.) Lexington, KY – Reining icon Tim McQuay of Tioga, TX, won the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Open Reining Championship Qualifier at the Gordyville Breeders Cup in Gifford, IL, on Saturday, March 19. Riding Dun Gotta Gun owned by Jerry Kimmel, McQuay made it look easy receiving the top score of 228.5 besting the field of...

Beate Kuska-Shart and Luciano of Malibu Equestrian Estates in Acton, CA, rode the only double clear rounds to claim the jackpot of the Lucky Sevens $77,700 Grand Prix. Sponsored by Nutrena and Michelob, the grand prix was the highlight of the Winter Series finale, with a starting field of 40 tough competitors vying for top honor in this tournament of champions. Renowned course designer Michel Vaillancourt produced what at first glance appeared a rather uncomplicated layout, however it required...

The annual convention of the American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) was a resounding success. Nearly 350 people went west to enjoy this week-long event held in Phoenix, AZ, February 7-12, 2005. The week was filled with exciting demonstrations and captivating seminars, as well as the AMHA Board of Directors quarterly meeting. The annual stallion service auction brought in more than $50,000, which for the most part goes to support the Association’s ten regional shows. At the Board of Directors...

Study Finds That 97% of Performance Horses Have Some Type of Ulceration Recently published research has revealed the presence of ulcers in the colons of performance horses. According to the study, conducted by Frank Pellegrini, DVM, 63% of horses involved in competition sports-—ranging from dressage to racing—-suffered from colonic ulceration. Pellegrini’s work confirmed the findings of earlier studies, showing that 87% of horses have gastric ulcers (ulcers of the stomach). When combined with...

The United States Eventing Association (USEA) announced that starting this year competition results of USEA registered beginner novice horses and beginner novice riders who are USEA members will be tracked in the association’s database, and a Top Ten Leaderboard will be maintained. Registration and membership is still not required at the beginner novice level. Horses do not need to be registered, and riders can continue to pay the $25 non-member fee to compete at USEA-0recognized competitions....

Qualifying classes for the finals in the 2005 ASHA Junior Exhibitor Driving Challenge at the Kentucky State Fair World’s Championship Horse Show August 21-27 have resumed with a slew of upcoming shows. The complete schedule of qualifying classes can be found online by clicking visiting www.asha.net/Youth/DrivingChallenge.pdf . To qualify for the 2005 ASHA Junior Exhibitor Driving Challenge Finals, the horse must place in two official qualifying classes in the same division, either fine harness...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) are once again available through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). These grants are available to livestock facilities, including horse farms, ranches and other equine operations. CIG is a voluntary program intended to stimulate innovative conservation projects in conjunction with agricultural production. CIG enables the Naturla Resources Conservation Service to work with public and...

The Phelps Media Group, Inc. (PMG), a public relations firm based in Wellington, FL, announced the signing of the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation as their newest client. The United States Equestrian Team Foundation supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America's elite and developing international high-performance horses and athletes in partnership with the U.S. Equestrian Federation. PMG has been hired to coordinate all aspects of public...

British Eventing’s proposal for the world’s most famous Horse Trials, Badminton and Burghley, to adopt the modified cross-country format in 2006 has been agreed upon by both events after over a year of consultation and worldwide trials. British Eventing's chairman Michael Tucker said, "Last year we wanted to take time to evaluate the implications of the international changes of removing the Roads & Tracks and Steeplechase phases, and after much debate, the new format has emerged as the...

The National Horse Show Association of America, Ltd., announced today that the 2005 edition of the Metropolitan National Horse Show has been cancelled. The association also announced that the ASPCA Maclay National Horsemanship Finals will be held at the Farm Show Arena Complex in Harrisburg, PA. Those finals will not be held in conjunction with the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, but instead will be held on the most suitable date that offers the least conflicts for exhibitors and for trainers....