Sizzling Summer Shows

  We’re now in the middle of the summer season, with plenty o’horse showing remaining and a fabulous fall ahead. June was chock full of fantastic competition from north to south and overseas. See below for a wrap-up of the Blenheim June Series. With an international feel on the International field the show jumping was super. Hunters were hot, with high scores and impressive handy rounds.

Blenheim $150,000 June Series Wrap-up
  Finishing up four weeks right before the 4th of July gave riders, owners trainers, grooms and families a chance to celebrate independence day after four fantastic weeks in San Juan Capistrano. With over $150,000 in prize money including a $30,000 Grand Prix each weekend, Zone 10 Young Rider Selection Trials, a USHJA Hunter Derby, Zone 10 Pony Hunter Finals, Open Jumper Classics, Children’s Pony Hunter Divisions and Green Rider Equitation, the range of classes offered something for every rider, plus Hilltop VIP, Medal Club, Kids Days and two excellent exhibitor parties...
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EquestriSol News

News from Canada and Europe...
  As comfortable as it is to compete in California, illustrated by the solid numbers at the Blenheim June Series, there are groups of west coasters who head for some northern exposure, overseas excitement and even some ‘hot’ competition on the east coast.

Summer in Spruce
  Spruce Meadows is a popular summer spot with a five week circuit choked full of challenging classes for show jumpers. Even when the weather poses challenges, the amazing, immaculate facility, friendly, professional staff and fabulous prize money, always draws riders from around the world.

  That of course includes some of the West Coast wonders. This year professionals Rich Fellers, Richard Spooner, Hap Hansen, Will & Nicole Simpson, Jennifer Crooks, Kirsten Coe and junior/amateur riders Karl Cook, Cayla Richards, Hannah Selleck, Sage Flynn, Mavis Spencer (now more east coast but with west coast roots) went north, just to name a few...
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US Young Riders Invade Europe
  Five aspiring young riders represented the United States on the Show Jumping European Young Rider Tour. The eager group went to Europe for five weeks. We read and heard that the experience was not only successful but also educational, which is essential for up and coming International riders. Below is a brief summary but listen to Reed's radio interview and read Catherine's blog for more heartfelt details and some great photos...
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Show Jumping Around the World

South Africa
  In a recent visit to South Africa, I saw the sport of show jumping in a new light and the future looks bright, albeit challenging. I was in the Karkloof region in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, home to the Karkloof Polo Club. Since polo is a popular equestrian sport in the country, and as we all know with polo comes large green grass fields, Karkloof has the ideal setting for our sport. Only six hours southeast of the hot spot of Johannesburg, Karkloof will have clout in years to come. Riders as well are coming along, influenced by the horses they buy and the clinics they host. However South Africans have their own set of equestrian challenges...
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Judge the Judge

USHJA Seeks Your Help with Pilot Program
  Attention Trainers! Participate in a USHJA pilot program and play a role in important changes to our current underused evaluation system. Look for an email in your inbox after a competition you and your clients have competed in...
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Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Nationals

Ducky Days Require More Than Luck
  Forty-five years ago an 18-year-old sophomore at Fairleigh Dickerson University, named Bob Cacchione, began IHSA with the help of his professor, Jack Fritz. Since its inception, the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) has expanded from only two competing colleges to now over 375 colleges. Today, IHSA contains 36 regions in eight zones and there are more than 6,000 students that compete in Hunter Seat Equitation.

  With the altruistic goal of allowing any college student the chance to ride and compete regardless of their financial position, IHSA essentially cuts out almost all the expense yet still makes competition possible. Regardless of past riding experience, IHSA participants can learn as well as compete in hunt-seat, with classes ranging from walk/trot and Open Equitation divisions to the prestigious Cacchione Cup.
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Amateur Accolades

Un-Expectations
  In my last article, I addressed the EHV scare we were all experiencing in the world of equine activities. Since then, things seem to have calmed down with EHV. Scotty (my horse that I adore) and I competed in two of the six shows we had planned on this season. We were Champion in our Hunter Division at the first show and Reserve Champion in the second show. I do miss my barn and the shows in California, but I have to say that I have adjusted to my new barn, as well as the smaller shows here in North Texas and I can see the benefits of both...
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In Living Color

The Benefits of Equine IR
  Potential injury, questionable lameness, ill-fitting saddles – all these terms cause anguish and often unanswered questions for horse owners and trainers. When 'saddled' with a soundness issue, it can be comforting to literally get a picture of what is happening. In color no less. Enter Equine Infrared (IR) – an International Network of Certified Thermographers, trained in the application of Equine Thermography...
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