Horse-Less Show Jumping Classes to Benefit Underpriviledged Kids Around the World

This weekend, the National Capital Show Jumping Tournament in Ottawa, Ontario will feature a "Horse-Less" Show Jumping Competition in which human competitors of all ages tackle miniaturized horse show jumps on foot. The crowd-pleasing competition, which has classes ranging from Short Stirrup to Grand Prix at the height of 3' (on a course full of creative sponsored jumps designed by Guilherme Jorge of Brazil) will raise funds for JustWorld International, a nonprofit organization that provides short-term assistance to developing countries with the hopes of breaking the cycle of poverty. JustWorld improves the quality of life and education for children in Brazil, Cambodia, Honduras, Kenya, Mexico, and Senegal. JustWorld was founded in 2002 by former Grand Prix Show Jumper Jessica Newman. High performance equestrians from around the world can sign up to become Rider Ambassadors who wear the JustWorld colors on their jackets and saddle pads, helping to bring attention to the causes of the organization.

The Horse Less Horse show classes will be held in the US later this month at the Hampton Classic Horse Show in New York.

For more information about JustWorld or to find out how you can become a sponsor or a rider ambassador, please visit http://www.justworldinternational.org/ or contact Executive Director Jessica Newman at jnewman@justworldinternational.org.


Photo credit: www.startinggate.ca

Steffan Peter's New Saddle Pad from Professional's Choice

Steffen Peters, winner of the 2009 World Cup and 2009 Grand Prix Champion at Aachen, has developed an exclusive line of Dressage Saddle Pads manufactured and distributed by Professional’s Choice.

The oversize pads have a great high wither cut and optional shearling lining. They come in white or black. The show pad (without fleece) goes for about $60.00

For more information visit Professional's Choice or call 1.800.331.9421.

HorseTV launches HSPAN - Horses On Demand!

HorseTV, the first television network dedicated to providing programming for the equestrian lifestyle delivered all around the world, has announced the launch of H-SPAN, an online channel dedicated to the horse industry.


According to HorseTV, "H-SPAN delivers live, interactive, moderated and archived equine and equestrian debates, symposiums, meetings and educational presentations twenty-four hours a day on an on-demand schedule."


Some programming available on H-SPAN right now:

• The Kentucky Intl Equine Summit
• Natl Horse Youth Leaders Symposium
• Kentucky Horse Park Foundation Video
• American Horse Council's National Issues Forum

H-SPAN can broadcast your meetings or debates, symposiums, book releases, speeches or clinics... email them to apply: ideas@horsetv.com.

Club Equestrian Site by USEF Offering Free Event & Business Listings

USEF has developed their new website, Club Equestrian, as a user friendly forum for the equine community.

Right now, users can promote their equine-related event (seminar, clinic, expo, show, fundraiser, etc) for free by filling out the online form. The event will be added to the Club Equestrian nationwide calendar.

USEF members can also list their equine business in the online business directory, which is organized by state and broken down into a myriad of categories and subcategories from Training and Boarding to Alternative Health Care.

The site also features a discussion board, news page, videos and photos and an online encyclopedia.

The United States Equestrian Federation is the national governing body for equestrian sport, responsible for selecting, training and funding our US Equestrian Team and for licensing equestrian competitions of all levels across the country. USEF works for the health and welfare of horses by assisting in humane efforts, disaster relief and in coordination with state and federal governments and other national equine organizations on all issues important to the equine community.

Steffan Peters Edges Out Werth to Win World Cup Final with 84.95%

Steffan Peters become the second American rider in history to win the World Cup Final on Saturday Night at the Rolex FEI World Cup held this year in Las Vegas. He has only been partnered with his horse, the 11 year old gelding Ravel (by Contango), for 14 months. Peters credits Ravel's good mind and sound temper for helping him to the win. Dressage Daily quotes Peters: “Ravel kept it together even with the noisy crowd. I am really one of those lucky guys in the world that gets to ride a horse with a mind like that.” Ravel's success is a credit to Iron Spring Farm's breeding program, of which Contango has long since been a cornerstone stud.

See a video of Peter's historic ride at NBC's Universal Sports Equestrian Channel.

For more live equestrian sports action, The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event starts Thursday, April 23rd and runs through Sunday, April 26th. Held each year at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, Rolex draws a crowd of over 100,000. A festive atmosphere pervades the Horse Park with more than 175 merchants, corporate sponsors and food vendors on the grounds. Equestrian Events, Inc. is offering pay-per-view webcasts of the dressage and cross country. Universal Sports' Equestrian Channel will have free, live coverage of show jumping on April 26th.

photo credit: AP Photo

2009 Kentucky Derby - This Year's Opportunity

The 135th Kentucky Derby is less than three weeks away and as I say every year, let all of us "Good Horsepeople" take advantage of this opportunity to promote the horse industry by educating our friends, families and co-workers about our favorite animals. By talking intelligently about the pros and cons of the racing industry in a constructive and supportive way, we can raise awareness for responsible racing and horse-keeping practices, and for the thousands of ex-racehorses that need help transitioning into new careers as sport horses, pleasure horses and companion animals that support and contribute to the equine industry in this country.

Each year the Derby attracts more than 150,000 people to Churchill Downs and millions more will tune in on television. People who rarely interact with horses are suddenly interested in the contenders, their stories and the action on race day. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with a couple of the horses and their stories, as well as the issues current to the racing industry today, especially the retirement and placement of off-the-track racehorses. To learn more, check out CANTER (the communication alliance to network Thoroughbred racehorses) and the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.

Here are the The Good Horseperson's early picks. If you can't make it to the race, online Kentucky Derby betting is a simple and easy option.

I Want Revenge: This colt by Stephen Got Even recently won the Wood Memorial Stakes, despite the fact that he lost valuable seconds in the beginning of the race after rearing in the starting gate and lurching out of the box slightly behind the rest of the field. In a New York Times article by Joe Drape, I Want Revenge's jockey complements his mount, calling him "such a smart animal" and "mature for his age." He may only have 3 victories in eight starts, but I Want Revenge has plenty of heart and a cool-headed jockey who believes in him.

Papa Clem: A handsome bay colt by Smart Strike (Mr. Prospector), Papa Clem just won the million dollar Arkansas Derby last Saturday, edging out Derby favorite Old Fashioned, who is now out of the race with an injury. Papa Clem's trainer, Gary Stute, has been feeling very good about his colt, who he feels is at the top of his game. After watching the video of Arkansas Derby, Papa Clem seems like the kind of horse who has staying power and the ability to dig in and get the lead at the right moment.

Friesian Fire: This bright bay colt by A.P. Indy (Seattle Slew) has the bloodlines and more wins than Papa Clem and I Want Revenge - he is actually unbeaten so far this year, and ran away with a 7 length lead in the Louisiana Derby. Friesian Fire is trainer Larry Jones's only hope in what he's calling his last trip in the run for the roses. Jones will attempt to run him after a 7 week lay-off, which has raised some eyebrows, but clockers caught the colt running very well this morning on the dirt at Keeneland.

image courtesy of www.kentuckyderby.info

Debbie McDonald will be Celebrity Guest Speaker at the 2009 PVDA Ride for Life

The Potomac Valley Dressage Association announced last week that they have confirmed Olympic Bronze Medalist and World Cup Champion Debbie McDonald as the Celebrity Guest Speaker at their annual Ride for Life competition on June 27-28th, 2009. The Ride for Life supports breast cancer research in coordination with John's Hopkins.

Ride for Life's Saturday night Dancing Horse Challenge and Gala features international quality exhibition performances, dinner options and a well stocked silent auction, which includes a riding clinic donated by McDonald. The event is held at Prince Georges Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. Tickets are available at the door starting at 6pm on June 27th, $15 per person.

According to PVDA, the Dancing Horse Challenge has become one of the largest and well attended dressage freestyle competitions in the Mid-Atlantic Region.

For more information about the show, visit Ride for Life's newly revamped website:

www.pvdarideforlife.org