Denver—At the 2014 PATH Intl. Conference and Annual meeting, held in San Diego October 29-November 1, approximately 30 presentations were recorded in order to make these wonderful presentations available to those unable to attend the conference as well as to those wanting to know more about the equine-assisted activities and therapies field.

PATH Intl. is pleased to announce that a portion of these videos are now available to the PATH Intl. membership for purchase. (Each video purchased can be used as one hour of continuing education for PATH Intl. Credentialed Professionals.) Click here to see the video descriptions; click on each title to purchase.

Through the video “The Benefits of Therapeutic Riding for Children With Autism and the Generalization to the School Classroom,” viewers will discover how therapeutic horsemanship can help those on the autism spectrum, the single fastest growing developmental disorder in the United States affecting one in 68 children, and the largest demographic served at PATH Intl. Centers.

In “Trials, Triumphs and Lessons Learned From Creating Programs for Veterans and Their Families,” PATH Intl. experts from different regions share their experiences, ideas and methods for best serving military personnel, veterans and their families.

These are only two of the videos offered, and more are coming. Whether you attended the conference but want a refresher or weren’t able to attend, or you simply want more information about the equine-assisted activities and therapies field, these videos are well worth viewing.

Videos are $30 for non-members, $20 for PATH Intl. Members.

For more information about PATH Intl., visit www.pathintl.org. For information on the 2015 PATH Intl. Conference in Cleveland, OH, November 4-7, visit www.pathintl.org/path-intl-conferences/international.

About PATH Intl.:
The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International® (PATH Intl.®) was formed in 1969 to promote safety and optimal outcomes in equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) for individuals with special needs. At 852 member centers, more than 58,000 children and adults may find improved health, wellness and a sense of pride and independence through involvement with horses. Therapeutic horsemanship at member centers may include hippotherapy, equine-facilitated mental health, driving, interactive vaulting, trail riding, competition, ground work and stable management. Through a wide variety of educational resources, the association helps individuals start and maintain successful EAAT programs. There are nearly 53,000 volunteers, 4,544 instructors, 7,733 equines and thousands of contributors from all over the world helping people at PATH Intl. Member Centers.

Cher Smith, Communications Coordinator
(800) 369-7433, ext.123
csmith@pathintl.org

Lexington, Ky. (Feb. 27, 2015) – While many of us are currently buried up to our noses in snow, travel season is just around the corner. Before the start of this season, it is critically important for many equine enthusiasts to perform basic, yet essential, maintenance on their trailers. USRider reminds equestrians to invest time doing routine preventive trailer maintenance. This will be time well spent because trailers will be in optimal shape to provide safe travel for precious cargo.

Despite the fact that a good roadside assistance program is something every horse owner should have, the thought of having to use it is never close by. USRider’s mission is to continually educate horse owners about trailer safety as well as keeping you and your equine partner safe on the road.

On its website, USRider has carefully developed the Equine TRAVEL SAFETY Area to be a resource with helpful and practical topics – all free and available to members and non-members alike. Horse owners can put these tips to work and greatly reduce the chances of being stranded on the side of the road.

Some helpful tips from USRider:

Remove and inspect all wheels and hubs or brake drums.

Inspect suspension for wear.

Check tightness of hanger bolt, shackle bolt and U-bolt nuts per recommended torque values.

Check brake linings, brake drums and armature faces for excessive wear or scoring.

Check brake magnetic coil with an ohmmeter. The magnetic coil should check 3.2 ohms (+/- 0.3ohms). If shorted or out of tolerance, replace.

Lubricate all brake moving parts, using a high temperature brake lubricant.

Remove any rust from braking surface and armature surface of drums.

Inspect oil or grease seals for wear or nicks. Replace if necessary.

Inspect and grease wheel bearings.

In addition to these recommendations, USRider advises horse owners to check all trailer tires, (including spares) for signs of dry rot, correct air pressure, faulty air valves, uneven tire wear, overall tire wear and damage. Invest in a high-quality air pressure gauge – learn how to use it – and inspect tire pressure before each trip. Always replace tires if worn or damaged. In addition, tires should be replaced every three to five years regardless of mileage. When replacing tires, always replace the valve stems. Only high quality tires specifically designed and rated for trailers should be used – never use retread or automobile tires on a horse trailer. Think of it this way: Quality tires are like fine leather shoes, they only hurt once – when you pay for them.

It is also important to service the wheel bearings annually, or every 12,000 miles, regardless of mileage, due to moisture build-up. Keep a spare set of wheel bearings in your trailer in case of premature failure. Be sure to inspect trailer wiring and lighting; inspect door latches and grease the doors; inspect the floor (be sure to remove any rubber mats so the entire floor can be examined); and inspect and lubricate mechanical moving parts, such as the hitch and suspension parts. If the trailer has been sitting for a while, check for wasp nests, spider webs and any other creatures that may have made a new home.

USRider advises horse owners to use ICE – In Case of Emergency. This important initiative was designed to aid emergency responders in identifying victims and determining who needs to be notified. Implementing ICE is easy. Program your emergency contact information into your cellular phone and designate it with the acronym ICE.

Horse owners should also ensure that their emergency contact information is stored in their tow vehicle. To facilitate this, USRider has developed an In Case of Emergency form and posted it online for horse owners to print. Simply fill in the blanks and store the paper in the tow vehicle as well as in the trailer. Additional recommendations, as well as a Power of Attorney form, are posted on the USRider website.

USRider – in its 14th year of operation – is the only company to provide emergency roadside assistance for horse owners. Through the Equestrian Motor Plan, USRider provides nationwide roadside assistance and towing services along with other travel-related benefits to its Members. The plan includes standard features such as flat-tire repair, battery assistance, lockout services, and roadside repairs for tow vehicles and trailers with horses, plus towing up to 100 miles. As an additional service, USRider maintains a national database that includes emergency stabling, veterinary and farrier referrals.

For more information about the USRider Equestrian Motor Plan, visit www.usrider.org online or call (800) 844-1409. For additional safety and travel tips, visit the Equine Travel Safety Area on the USRider website at www.usrider.org.

Lindsey K. Mulvany
lmulvany@usrider.org
1.800.844.1409 Ext: 106

USEF Communications Department

Lexington, Ky. – In response to feedback from its membership, the United States Equestrian Federation Board of Directors took the following actions on Monday, February 23 in order to improve the process, procedures, and fairness of competition licensing.

The first action that the Board adopted toward these improvements will take effect immediately. The Federation office will no longer issue competition licenses extending beyond a one-year term, allowing the Board time to evaluate the mileage rules and the criteria for issuing and renewing competition license agreements. Existing multi-year license agreements will be honored.

Second, the Board requested an immediate assessment regarding the enforcement of show standards, safety standards, and reliable reporting from licensed officials.

Next, the Board considered and adopted a recommendation from the Competition Classification Task Force introduced at the 2015 USEF Annual Meeting to remove the application of the mileage rule from FEI 5* Jumper competitions, with no national classes as it believes this is consistent with the Federation’s goal of growing the visibility of the sport. These competitions will be classified as Special Competitions under the Federation rules, which are subject to Board approval.

The Board also considered, but did not adopt the other recommendation of the Competition Classification Task Force that would lift mileage protection against a Jumper Level 6 competition each sixth week of a series as it did not believe it went far enough to meet the goal of improved fairness in competition licensing. Instead, the Federation will draft a proposal to amend the current mileage rules consistent with the directive of the Board. In furtherance of this effort, a mileage rule revision task force, which will be co-chaired by Federation Vice-President Elisabeth Goth and United States Hunter Jumper Association President Bill Moroney, has been appointed to evaluate all aspects of competition licensing.

In the interim, any organizer interested in hosting a Level 6 Jumper competition against an existing competition should utilize the existing mileage exemption process, which does not limit such requests to particular weeks.

All of these efforts are aimed at ensuring that the growth of the sport is consistent with the Federation’s mission and vision.

Wellington, FL (February 27, 2015)— Interagro Lusitanos, the largest breeder of Lusitano horses in the world, has returned to South Florida and established their presence with an outstanding start to their winter show season at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival. The iconic breeder sent three horses from their farm in Itapira, Brazil, to prepare them for future international competition and they will be in Wellington, Florida, for the remainder of the show season.

Baldor Interagro, a 10-year-old Lusitano stallion, and Pia Aragão dominated the FEI Prix St Georges at the Global Dressage Festival National show Feb 22, earning a 71.447 percent and a nod from the judges for first place. Baldor Interagro (Ofensor-Quinata Interagro, Xique-Xique) and Aragão topped the list by nearly four percentage points against the other contenders in the class. With impeccable bloodlines and a winning personality, the stallion was a showstopper and Aragão was pleased with his performance.

“That was his second Prix St. Georges and he had not done a show since October,” she said. “He has never traveled any long distance like this and never been on a plane and I think he dealt with the environment fantastically. He even surprised me how cool he was and how in tune he was to respond to me in the ring. It was a real pleasure to sit on him.”

Aragão also rode Zepelim Interagro in the FEI Grand Prix that same day to place second in the class. Zepelim Interagro is a 12-year-old stallion (Quinárius Interagro-Ordinada Interagro, Yacht) whose sire is by the famous Xique-Xique, a Gold Medal Champion in Portugal, and whose dam is by Yacht, the son of the foundation stallion of the Andrade line.

Another Interagro horse, Vade-Mecum Interagro, also made the journey from Brazil. The 14-year-old gelding is from the Xique-Xique and Yacht lines as well (Noblissimo Interagro-Pecunia Interagro, Yacht). Most recently, Vade-Mecum Interagro placed first in the Grand Prix Freestyle and second in the Grand Prix at the Expo Lusitano CDI3* in São Paulo, Brazil, in October. Aragão and Vade-Mecum have enjoyed many victories at the Grand Prix level since 2013.

Like the three Lusitanos who have come to the U.S., Interagro Lusitanos show talent and versatility across the divisions. Interagro is one of the most accessible and recognized breeders in the world and Lusitano fans welcome their return to South Florida.

The Interagro horse epitomizes the modern Lusitano, a horse that excels in the traditional equestrian disciplines, from dressage and driving to jumping and working equitation. Interagro is committed to preserving the pure bloodlines of the Lusitano breed, and its own bloodlines include some of the most respected of the breed: Faraó (JHC), Nirvana Interagro, Ofensor (MV), Xique-Xique (CI) and Yacht (SA).

The breeder traditionally held their popular Lusitano Collection® International Horse Auction in South Florida and it was one of the premier events of the season. The event raised funds for charities during the gala dinner while the guests enjoyed watching riding exhibitions on Lusitano horses. The evening’s showcase was the auction of world-class Lusitano horses. Although the North American auction has been discontinued, Interagro offers a unique Destination Lusitano program where Interagro hosts interested clients at the farm and immerses guests in the Lusitano breed and culture. From riding an Interagro stallion across the rolling Brazilian countryside to enjoying Portuguese cuisine, and watching training sessions to meeting the living pedigree of generations of Lusitano horses, Destination Lusitano is an opportunity to purchase the horse of your dreams while enjoying the journey of a lifetime.

About Interagro Lusitanos

Founded in 1975 by Dr. Paulo Gavião Gonzaga to preserve the breed, Interagro Lusitanos is the world’s largest breeder and exporter of Lusitano horses. Dr. Gonzaga started with four mares and one stallion imported to Brazil from the breed’s native Portugal; to date more than 450 horses populate the 1200-acre ranch outside São Paulo. Today, Cecilia Gonzaga manages the farm and operations.

To learn more about Baldor Interagro, click here: http://lusitano-interagro.com/baldor.htm. Please click here, http://lusitano-interagro.com/Zepelim2010.htm, to see Zepelim Interagro’s bloodlines and show record. Please go to http://lusitano-interagro.com/Vade_Mecum2010.htm, to see Vade-Mecum Interagro’s impressive show record and lineage.

To learn more, email interagro@interagro.com, or please visit www.interagro.com.br.

Photo: Baldor Interagro and Pia Aragão of Interagro Lusitanos earn first place in the FEI Prix St Georges

February 27, 2015

Wellington, Florida

The dressage community lost a familiar friend yesterday. Nanette Sexton, age 71, passed away in hospital care ending her battle with cancer. She was born in Berkley, California November 24, 1943.

Sexton was known throughout the Palm Beach equestrian community for her involvement in charitable events and her passion for dressage. She owned the lovely Southfields Farm in Loxahatchee, famous for her collection of pampered and beautiful Lusitano stallions.

Sexton is also known for being the owner of Ariston, ridden by Bent Jensen of Denmark in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Sexton trained with Olympian, Kyra Kyrklund. Upon hearing about Sexton’s passing, Kyrklund commented on her Facebook page, “ Yes really very sad news. We had a lot of fun together through the years and will always remember! RIP Nan.”

Sexton is the grand niece of the famous American sculptor/artist, Alexander Calder, and had many of his works on display in her home. She is a graduate in fine art photography from Harvard University.

Sexton is survived by her 93-year-old mother who resides in San Francisco.

Photo Credit: Alexander Zilo
Taken February 16, 2015

Wellington, FL (February 26, 2015)— When dressage competitor and trainer John Zopatti won a raffle at the Plantation Field International CIC and Horse Trials, he didn’t think his prize — a two-month trial of the UltrOZ Equine Ultrasound Therapy device, distributed by Hamilton BioVet and manufactured by Zetroz — was something he would ever need to use. “I originally told them I didn’t need it because I didn’t have any horses with injuries,” said the USDF Gold Medalist and four-time Gold Coast Dressage Association Trainer of the Year. But when Zopatti returned to Wellington, Florida for the winter dressage season, he discovered a client’s horse with a minor tendon injury— and immediately put the device to use.

“I used the UltrOZ on the injury, which was in the final stages of healing— but we wanted to speed it up,” he explained. “It’s very easy to use— actually, after supervising it just once or twice, the owner was able to put it on her horse every day for a couple of hours. It’s a low-intensity ultrasound, which helps increase circulation and speed healing.”

Ultrasound therapy has been used by veterinarians for decades to treat soft tissue and bone fracture injuries, but it typically requires active administration and large, clunky machines. The UltrOZ, developed by researchers at Cornell University, makes ultrasound therapy quick, easy, and safe to administer. Preparing the device — which is applied near the injury using ultrasound gel and specially engineered neoprene wraps — takes just a few minutes, and no active supervision is required during the up-to-four-hour treatment time. Internal fail-safes prevent over-treatment and eliminate the risk of thermal injury. The UltrOZ can be used to relieve pain and treat a variety of issues including minor strains, bumps, bruises, inflammation, tendon and suspensory injuries, splints, muscle strains and tears, and fractured or chipped bones.

Zopatti, who has decades of training experience, was impressed with the effectiveness of the device and the quick recovery of his client’s horse. “The horse is almost back in full work, and to this date, everything looks good,” he said, adding that he would definitely recommend the use of the UltrOZ to other riders. “It’s a great way to ensure that you’re doing everything you can to help the horse heal as quickly and as safely as possible.”

Though he would readily use the device again, Zopatti of course expressed a hope never to need it. The sought-after clinician is currently preparing several horses for national and regional championship events. While he spends winters competing with his horses and clients in the Wellington dressage circuit, he will soon be returning to Pinehurst, North Carolina where he has spent the past fourteen summers coaching Eventers in dressage — including some of the top winning dressage amateur and young riders on the East Coast. “We’re gearing up the Eventers in North Carolina and starting to prepare them for their show season, and we are going to make it to Rolex with a couple of horses,” he promised.

For more information about the UltrOZ and Hamilton BioVet, visit http://hamiltonbiovet.com. To learn more about John Zopatti, visit www.johnzopatti.com or call 561-722-7555.

Article and photographs by: Lindsay Y. McCall

Ocala, Florida – February 25, 2015- Eventer, trainer, and past U.S. Chef d’Equipe of the Paralympic Equestrian Team lost her camper and car in a fire on February 23, in Ocala, Florida. Ransehousen lost her living quarters and her Subaru Outback in the blaze in addition to her riding and show clothes and equestrian memorabilia. The cause of the fire has not been confirmed at this time, and Missy is currently working with the fire marshal and her insurance company to determine how much of the loss will be covered.

Missy Ransehousen is in immediate need of clothing, breeches, boots and shoes. She wears size 6 in clothing, size 28 in breeches and size 8 in shoes. All clothing can be mailed directly to her in Florida at 653 W. Highway 316, Citra, FL 32113.

Any questions can be directed to Lisa Thomas, who is spearheading the recovery efforts, at lisa@midatlanticeqservices.com.

Photo provided by Blue Hill Farm

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.