On December 19th 2015 Equestrian Professional.com will continue its popular horse business seminar series with Rethinking the Horse Business 2015.
Event: Rethinking the Horse Business 2015
Date: December 19th 2015
Time: 5:30 pm Pacific – 7:30 pm Central – 8:30 pm Eastern
Format: Simulcast- Attend via your phone or computer!

“Rethinking the Horse Business” covers essential information about how the economy, horse industry demographics, and the internet are affecting horse business owners. Horse professionals will gain important insights and strategies to help them succeed in the current business climate and beyond.

The seminar will address the following questions –

How is the economy affecting horse business owners and where is the horse industry going?

The seminar will feature reports from equestrian associations and survey results from hundreds of horse business owners including professional riders, instructors, horse trainers, breeders, and stable operators. Attendees will hear many different points of view and a summary of economic indicators from both the mainstream business world and directly from actual horse business owners.

There are some interesting Industry trends taking place in the horse industry. Gaining insight into these trends provides a distinct competitive advantage in strategic business planning.

How have the Internet and social media changed the horse business?

The internet and especially the popularity of social media have created a gigantic shift in how businesses operate and market themselves. New business models and marketing strategies are emerging as horse professionals adapt to economic challenges and capitalize on the new opportunities that the internet provides.

We are seeing professional riders, trainers and barns expand into new markets and diversify their incomes in creative ways. Seminar attendees will learn what these new business models look like and examine a few potential pros and cons.

Next, the discussion will move to how the internet has changed traditional marketing practices and horse owner education. We will discuss what these changes are and why they provide both powerful benefits and detriments to horse business owners.

The information shared at this event is absolutely cutting edge. If you are serious about your career as a horse professional and the success of your horse business – you can’t afford to miss this seminar!

Equestrian Professional’s Rethinking the Horse Business seminar provides horse professionals with a summary of what is happening globally in the horse business and then gives them the “inside scoop” about new opportunities and marketing strategies.

This seminar is free to all horse professionals but you must register to attend.

Last year this event had nearly 1000 registrants. Be sure to sign up early! You can learn more here.

About Equestrian Professional.com

Equestrian Professional.com provides horse business education, resources and support to horse professionals around the globe. The site offers a wide array of programs, tools and information to help horse trainers, riding instructors, breeders, stable operators and professional riders run profitable businesses and build successful equestrian careers.

By British Dressage

Great Britain’s DV Stenkjers Nadonna, ridden by Gareth Hughes and owned by Jane Brewin, has been retired from competition. The decision has been made while the sixteen year old chestnut mare is still fit and well and can enjoy a well-earned retirement at home with her owners.

By Donnerschlag, Nadonna represented Great Britain at the 2013 European Championships in Herning and at last year’s World Equestrian Games with Gareth since he was given the ride four years ago. The duo won the Grand Prix at the 2014 WEG Test Event and have been instrumental for GBR in the Nations Cup series.

Her owner Jane reflected on the journey they’ve taken; “We’ve been very lucky to see her fulfil her potential but our promise to Donna was always that she could enjoy her retirement. We have so many people to thank, especially Gareth, Steph, and all the team who have kept her happy and healthy. We also want to thank the World Class Programme and National Lottery for their support. She’s enabled us to live our dream and now it’s time for Donna to live hers”.

With a European bronze and World silver medal to their names, Gareth commented; “We’ve had an amazing few seasons, capped off with WEG last year. Donna will be seventeen this year, and Jane and Kevin decided that they’d like to give something back to the mare and give her a nice retirement as a thank you for what she’s given them. When we started together we didn’t expect we’d end up doing a Europeans or a World Championships but I couldn’t be more thankful for what she’s given us, she’s outdone all our expectations, and each step we made forward was very special.”

By: Lindsay Y. McCall

Wellington, FL – January 5, 2015 – FEI Ground Jury can expect to see multiple top

Sydney Collier (USA) and Wentworth at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival Photo (c) Lindsay Y. McCall

international athletes at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival CPEDI3* January 7-11, 2015, in Wellington, FL. Para-Equestrians from Canada and the United States will face off at the first CPEDI3* in 2015. The Van Kampen covered arena at the Global dressage Festival will be busy starting Thursday, January 8, with the Horse inspection at approximately 5:30 PM. Friday, January 9, is the FEI Para-Equestrian Dressage Team Test, followed by Saturday’s FEI Para-Dressage Individual Championship Test, and finally the FEI Para-Dressage Freestyle Test on Sunday, January 11. Para-Dressage riders are looking towards qualifying for the 2016 Paralympic Equestrian competition in Rio Di Janeiro, Brazil, September 7-18, 2016. This show will include FEI Para-Equestrian Dressage athletes in Grades Ia, Ib, II, III, and IV.

Grade Ia includes: Paralympian Jody Schloss (CAN) and her own Inspector Rebus; Robyn Andrews (CAN) and her own Fancianna; 2014 World Equestrian Games U.S. (WEG) Team rider Roxanne Trunnell and her new partner Westphalian NTEC Royal Dancer, owned by Julia Handt; and U.S. Air Force Veteran Derrick Perkins and Hanoverian Gracias Juan, owned by Stephanie Dubicki of Hockley, Texas.

Grade Ib features 2014 WEG U.S. athlete Sydney Collier and her own Wentworth. Collier will also ride NTEC Roulette, owned by Kai Handt; and Paralympian Dale Dedrick (USA) and her new horse Westphalian Mr. Bockman.

Jody Schloss (CAN) and Inspector Rebus. Photo (c) Lindsay Y. McCall

Grade II Para-Dressage duos are: Paralympian Lauren Barwick (CAN) and her own Oldenburg Ferdonia 2; Paralympian and U.S. WEG Team rider Rebecca T Hart and Danish Warmblood Schroeter’s Romani, owned by Rebecca Hart in conjunction with Margaret Duprey, Cherry Knoll Farm, Sycamore Station Equine Division, Barbara Summer, The Ruffolo’s, and Will and Sandy Kimmel.

Rebecca Hart (USA) and Schroeter's Romani, owned by Rebecca Hart in conjunction with Margaret Duprey, Cherry Knoll Farm, Sycamore Station Equine Division, Barbara Summer, The Ruffolo's, and Will and Sandy Kimmel. Photo (C) Lindsay Y. McCall

Grade III athletes Eleanor Brimmer (USA) and her own Hanoverian London Swing will compete with 2014 WEG U.S. Individual Angela Peavy and Trakehner Ozzy Cooper. Peavy will also be riding Hanoverian Lancelot Warrior. Both horses are owned by Rebecca Reno.

Grade IV athlete Mary Jordan and Oldenburg Rubicon 75, owned by Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center will round out the first Para-Dressage show of the season.

The 2015 Adequan Global Dressage Festival CPEDI3* is once again managed by Lloyd Landkamer. The FEI Ground Jury includes Mr. Freddy Leyman (BEL),
Mr. Kjell Myhre (NOR), and Ms. Kristi Wysocki (USA). Global Dressage Festival I CDI W/1*/Y/J/P/U25 / CPEDI 3* January 7-11, 2015 is presented by Adequan. It features over $50,000 in prize money and is official qualifying competition for: The 2015 Adequan FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North; the 2015 USEF Pony Rider Dressage National Championship; 2015 AGCO/USEF Junior and Young Rider Dressage National Championships; and the 2015 USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ Dressage National Championship. It’s also the official qualifying competition for the 2015 Markel/USEF Young and Developing Horse Dressage Championships, the Great American/USDF Regional Championships and USDF/Dover Adult Amateur Medal Program. The Adequan Global Dressage Festival is the world’s largest international and national dressage circuit featuring 8 CDIs, including five CDI-Ws, one 4* and one 5*, the only non-championship CDIO Nations’ Cup in the Western Hemisphere, as well as weekly U.S. National events.

The Prize List is available here:

Website:http://www.globaldressagefestival.com

International Coordinator Thomas Baur 561-727-0229
Co-Manager and Secretary John Hoppman 612-799-6381
Co-Secretaries: Teresa Griner, Deb Landon, Peggy Warren, Angela Goodwin-Volpert
Veterinarian on grounds: Palm Beach Equine 561-793-1599
Farrier on grounds: Tony Bucci 561-798-8500
Competition Licensee: Equestrian Sport Productions LLC
Announcers: Nicho Meredith and Cyndi Kurth
Photographers: Susan Stickle at www.dressagephotos.com or susanjstickle.com

Location: The Stadium in Wellington, Florida

About the Adequan Global Dressage Festival:

The Adequan Global Dressage Festival is the world’s largest international and national dressage circuit featuring 8 CDIs, including five CDI-Ws, one 4* and one 5*, the only non-championship CDIO Nations’ Cup in the Western Hemisphere, as well as weekly U.S. National eventsThe Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center facility includes the Van Kampen covered arena (made possible by Kimberly and Frederic Boyer and family) and four outdoor arenas with world-class footing, 200 permanent stalls, and a VIP seating area for the International Arena fully catered for relaxing and having an enjoyable experience.

Para-Dressage athletes at the 2014 Adequan Global Dressage Festival CPEDI3* Photo by: Lindsay Y. McCall

About the United States Para-Equestrian Association:

The USPEA is a network of riders, judges, national federation members, and equestrian enthusiasts. The association gives athletes the ability to get involved and expand their knowledge and experience in the Para-Equestrian sport. The USPEA encourages Para-athletes to participate in all disciplines under the Para-Equestrian umbrella.

The USPEA is a recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) which serves as the National Governing Body for the equestrian sport. This relationship between the USPEA and USEF is to encourage Para-Equestrian competitors, leisure riders, coaches, fans and enthusiasts to network and get involved with the entire equestrian sport.

Ultimately the goal of the USPEA is to foster growth in the Para-Equestrian discipline. From growth in the number of participants to growth as a team, and growth in the experience and knowledge of all involved. From local horse shows to international Paralympic Games, the USPEA provides Para-Equestrians the knowledge and resources needed to succeed. The USPEA connects with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), the United States Dressage Federation (USDF), USA Reining, and USEF which provide Para-Equestrians the top equestrian resources.

In June 2010, the USPEA earned its 501 (c)(3) status which has encouraged supporters to help supply funding to the Para-Equestrian Team as a recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation(USEF).

For more information about the USPEA please visit www.USPEA.org or contact USPEA President: Hope Hand by e-mail: hope@uspea.org or by phone: (610)356-6481.

Wellington, FL (January 2, 2015) – World Equestrian Brands, LLC is pleased to once again sponsor the 2015 Adequan Global Dressage Festival, and announces the return of the Tack Matters Award during the upcoming show series. Presented for the fourth consecutive year at Adequan Global Dressage Festival, the award will recognize riders who show their horses in well turned out, properly fitted tack, to match the grandeur of one of the largest, richest dressage series in the world.

Throughout the series, World Equestrian Brands— the U. S. distributor of world-class, high-performance products by the popular brands Amerigo, Vespucci, E. A. Mattes, and Equilibrium— will present the Tack Matters Award, which will include a product from one of its esteemed collection of brands. The award is designed to showcase the best, and inspire riders to match talent with horse-sense and style.

“We are delighted to work with the Global Dressage Festival and present the World Equestrian Brands Tack Matters Award,” said Robin Moore, president of World Equestrian Brands. “A stylish dressage performance has to be a complete package. To perform at the highest levels, horses and riders need the equipment that can provide a technical advantage. Our goal is to supply that equipment by bringing these exceptional brands to the United States.”

Of course, the 2015 Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Florida is the perfect venue for World Equestrian Brands to showcase what high-performance equestrian pairs look like. Drawing in top dressage riders from around the world— including Allison Brock, Laura Graves, Steffen Peters, Laura Tomlinson, and Michael Klimke— and featuring ten weeks of premier equestrian sport with more than $650,000 in prize money, the 2015 Adequan Global Dressage Festival is an event large enough to match World Equestrian Brands’s great dedication to equestrian sports.

This year’s series will be held January 8 through March 29, 2015. It will feature four CDI-W rated shows, a CDI 4*, a CDI 5*, and the Western Hemisphere’s only non-championship CDIO Nation’s Cup. For more information about the 2015 Adequan Global Dressage Festival, click here .

Find the best of World Equestrian Brands products at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival show grounds in The Horse of Course’s mobile tack shop. World Equestrian Brands tack and equipment is also available just around the corner from the show grounds at The Tackeria and Dover Saddlery.

World Equestrian Brands is committed to delivering intelligent brands for performance horses. By listening to riders’ feedback and providing personalized service backed by an experienced team of riders, World Equestrian Brands distributes only the highest-quality equestrian products. The company is eager to recognize riders who share its love for quality through the Tack Matters Award at the 2015 Adequan Global Dressage Festival. For more information about World Equestrian Brands’ fine products, visit here.

Photo: Ali Brock winner of the 2014 Tack Matters award receiving a Vespucci bridle from Robin Moore, president of World Equestrian Brands.

The 60th Annual Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, held Dec. 6 – 10 in Salt Lake City, Utah, attracted 5,534 veterinary professionals, guests and exhibitors from around the world to the heart of the American West.

In addition to 175 presentations across four days of education covering topics ranging from colic to regenerative therapies, the Convention featured veterinary legend Dr. G. Marvin Beeman as the keynote speaker. Renowned equine internist Dr. John Madigan delivered the prestigious Frank J. Milne State-of-the-Art Lecture.

“Our attendees enjoyed the beauty and hospitality offered by Salt Lake City,” said David Foley, AAEP executive Director. “More importantly, this year’s program chair, Dr. Kent Carter, and the Educational Programs Committee developed a comprehensive program that appealed to veterinarians in all types of equine practice, and the association is grateful for their hard work.”

Highlights from the 2014 convention include:

Installation of new officers and board members: Kent Carter, DVM, College Station, Texas, was installed as the 61st president. Other members of the 2015 Executive Committee are Kathy Anderson, DVM, Elkton, Md., president elect; R. Reynolds Cowles, Jr., DVM, Earlysville, Va., vice president; Jack Easley, DVM, Shelbyville, Ky., treasurer; and Jeff Blea, DVM, Sierra Madre, Calif., immediate past president.

New members of the board of directors are Rob Franklin, DVM, Lipan, Texas; Bibi Freer, DVM, Tryon, N.C.; and Katie Garrett, DVM, Lexington, Ky.

Annual awards presented. The association honored several veterinarians during the Dec. 9 President’s Luncheon.

Distinguished Life Member: Terry Swanson, DVM
Distinguished Service Award: Larry Bramlage, DVM, and Wayne McIlwraith, BVSc
Distinguished Educator Award – Academic: Terry Blanchard, DVM
AAEP Research Award: Donald Knowles, DVM
President’s Award: Rick Arthur, DVM
The Lavin Cup – The AAEP Equine Welfare Award: Robbie Timmons, CANTER USA
George Stubbs Award: Dell Hancock

Events raise funds for AAEP Foundation: The live and silent auctions held during the Convention along with a clay shooting tournament and individual donations combined to raise more than $150,000 to benefit the Foundation’s outreach programs.

The AAEP’s 61st Annual Convention will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada, Dec. 5 – 9, 2015.

The American Association of Equine Practitioners, headquartered in Lexington, Ky., was founded in 1954 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the health and welfare of the horse. Currently, the AAEP reaches more than 5 million horse owners through its more than 9,000 members worldwide and is actively involved in ethics issues, practice management, research and continuing education in the equine veterinary profession and horse industry.

Become a part of the History of this incredible sport

Written by Frank Waters

There was NEVER a time like the “Golden Age of Show Jumping” and those wonderful magical days will never be repeated. The lining up of people for autographs from movie star ridrers, the stroking of horses that were household names, the lights and excitement of the Horse of the Year Show, The Royal International Horse Show, Hickstead and many more. Everything was cleared at home to sit and watch the B.B.C. broadcastings of these incredible events with Dorian Williams behind the microphone.

Now that was top class show jumping when each rider and their magnificent horses became the household names of Europe. A time when almost every person followed show jumping just like they followed football and horse racing. I believe the B.B.C. made an enormous mistake when they stopped broadcasting this incredible sport.

Those days were truly days of awe inspiring excitement when we would leap out of our chairs as Harvey Smith rode the courses turning on a sixpence and taking incredible risks. He would race against David Broome, Alwin Schockemöhle, Anneli Drummond-Hay, Paddy McMahon, Eddie Macken, and so many others to win one of the top prizes of show jumping.

Now you can go behind the scenes of these once in a lifetime shows, witness the incredible excitement of being a part of absolute glory and lose yourself in a time gone by. How do you do this, buy a copy of my new book, “The Golden Age of Show Jumping” and witness a young boy traveling through the ranks of this great sport to eventually become one of its top International Commentators.

Ed Darragh worked so hard with me to bring this book to fruition for the Christmas market, thank you Ed, you are a true miracle worker.

Please click on the below link to buy your copy for those who remember a true Golden Age of an incredible sport, thank you!

Here is a super photograph of myself commentating at the Horse of the Year Show, Wembley with the great B.B.C. Commentator Dorian Williams back in 1973. I was the arena commentator, Dorian commentated for the B.B.C.

The Golden Age of Show Jumping page has now reached more than 13,200 likes on Facebook – Thank you so much everyone for that amazing number of fans, your loyalty has helped me launch this super book.

Order my book “The Golden Age of Show Jumping” from the first link and visit my Facebook page of the same title from the second link, thank you!

Click Here to Order!

Meet Frank Waters on Facebook.

e-mail: fwaters@thegoldenageofshowjumping.com