January 29, 2015
Story by: Jillian Dasti

Horse health is one of the most important issues in the equine industry. Just like humans, horses have their own health concerns, including emerging infectious diseases. Horses by nature are social creatures, and many travel extensively, locally, nationally or internationally through competing and global sales. This means the risk of infection has never been more prevalent. Scientists have developed vaccines and treatments for various infections, but the pathogens involved have adapted, becoming more drug-resistant and infectious.

To combat this situation, researchers such as Dr. Scott Weese, from the Ontario Veterinary College, are investigating known and emerging infectious diseases. Weese studies the effects and changes in microbial populations in the horses’ digestive tracts, sources and carriers of infections, and investigates methods to control transmission of pathogens. In particular, he focuses on bacterial changes that can cause diarrhea or colic (including Clostridium difficile, a spore-forming bacterium that can cause diarrhea and inflammation of the colon) and various other important causes of disease such as equine influenza virus and equine herpesvirus.

Infectious diseases are often the cause of changes in horse health trends.

Weese’s research contributes to understanding how these pathogens operate and spread and their effects. This provides vital information for learning how to treat infected horses. “Scientists will never be able to completely eradicate infectious diseases, and pathogens will always evolve,” says Weese, “but this research will enable veterinarians to more easily recognize signs of disease, diagnose problems, and ultimately reduce sickness and suffering.”

Learn more about biosecurity.

Equine Guelph’s next 2-week Biosecurity eWorkshop is offered April 20 – May 4.

Identify risks in your barn
Apply practical ways to reduce your risks
Reduce chances of sickness in your horse

Sign up at:

EquineGuelph.ca

About Equine Guelph:

Equine Guelph is the horse owners’ and care givers’ Centre at the University of Guelph. It is a unique partnership dedicated to the health and well-being of horses, supported and overseen by equine industry groups. Equine Guelph is the epicentre for academia, industry and government – for the good of the equine industry as a whole. For further information, visit www.EquineGuelph.ca.

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Web Link to eWorkshop:

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NEXT OFFERING EQUINE GUELPH COURSES – Jan 13, 2015

Lexington, KY (January 29, 2015) – The United States Dressage Federation (USDF)
and Great American Insurance Group are …

Portland, Oregon – January 27, 2015 – Nathan “Nate” Asby unexpectedly passed away Jan. 11, 2015.

He was born in San Gabriel, Calif., September 25, 1967. He moved to Lake Oswego with his family in 1974. He graduated from Lake Oswego High School in 1986, attended College of the Siskiyous in Weed, Calif. for two years and received an AA degree in electronics engineering from ITT Technical Institute in 1991. He worked for Pinnacle Workforce Logistics.

Nathan "Nate" Asby

Even though Nathan was born with mild cerebral palsy, he did not let that interfere with any physical activity. Starting at a young age he enjoyed skiing with his family on Mt. Hood and cycling throughout the area. Family ski trips included trips to Canada and Switzerland. He also enjoyed karate and received his black belt in 2013. He enjoyed riding his horse Benny and traveled on several equestrian holidays in Spain, Northern Arizona and Costa Rica. Nathan competed and earned multiple accolades in the Arabian Horse Association horse shows. Recently he was getting ready for his first national para-dressage competition.

Nathan received his Advanced Amateur Radio License while in high school and enjoyed communicating with other hams around the world.

Nathan was a member of the Multnomah Athletic Club, Arabian Horse Association, Oregon Dressage Society and the Yudanskai (black belt group) of the Japanese Karate Federation. He was a volunteer instructor at Happy Trails Horse Therapy Center in West Linn, Ore.

Nathan is survived by his mother, Sarah Asby, father, Dennis Asby, sister Carrie Asby, grandmother Bette Asby of Westminster, Colo. and horse, Benny.

A celebration of Nate’s life will be Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015 at the Multnomah Athletic Club, 1849 SW Salmon St., Portland, Ore. from 1 to 4 p.m. All are welcome to come and share any special memories of Nate.

Memorial contributions in Nate’s name can be made to the United States Para-Equestrian Association (www.uspea.org) or the Challenged Athletes Foundation (www.challengedathletes.org).
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 here or contact USPEA President: Hope Hand by e-mail: hope@uspea.org or by phone: (610)356-6481.

Ellie Brimmer and London Swing at the 2015 Adequan Global Dressage Festival CPEDI3* in Welling, FL in January. Photo (c) Lindsay Y. McCall

Jupiter, FL -January 27, 2015- Horse Radio Network’s once-a-month Para-Equestrian Show featured Horse Radio Network Features Trainer Brendan Curtis and Adequan Global Dressage Festival CPEDI3* Wrap-Up with Ellie Brimmer.
Lindsay McCall from the United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA) hosted the show with co-host Regina Cristo. To listen to episode #296 please click here.

<strong>Brendan Curtis</strong>

About Brendan Curtis: Brendan Curtis is accomplished as a rider and trainer. He has been developing his talent since he began training seriously with Felicitas Von Neumann-Cosel in Woodbine, Maryland.

After building a solid foundation in classical dressage with Felicitas he relocated to Raleigh, North Carolina to become an assistant trainer with Jim Koford. Currently, Curtis is riding and training in the Mid-Atlantic region with his own business. Brendan is an United States Dressage Federation bronze, silver and gold medalist. He is experienced starting young horses and working with them as they develop their careers.

Curtis was invited to participate in the inaugural forum of the USDF Sport Horse Prospect Development in Massachusetts and he also attended the Young Horse Trainer Symposium 2013 at Hassler Dressage. He has been a clinician in the Potomac Valley Dressage Association Junior/Young Rider Clinic. He is accomplished handling foals and young horses at breed shows, breed inspections and National Championships.

Curits was named Handler of the Year at Dressage at Devon in 2012. Brendan trained in Florida this year, with Michael Barisone, Kathy Connelly, and Chris Hickey. He also began his 2014 show season there. In 2013 he competed at first, second and third levels.

Brendan’s students also competed and had a successful season. In addition to competing and training, Brendan attends clinics and lessons with Robert Dover, Scott Hassler, Christoph Hess, Silva Martin, Heather Mason, Ulf Moeller, Lars Peterson, Oded Shimoni, Axel Steiner, and Morten Thomsen. Brendan Curtis is located at barns in Mt Joy and Lititz, Pennsylvania. He is currently training Para-Equestrian Dressage athlete Elle Woolley who is aiming for the 2016 Rio Paralympics.

SmartPak and PATH Intl. Team Up to Recognize Equine Assisted Therapies Horses

PLYMOUTH, MA – January 28, 2015 – SmartPak is a proud supporter of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.). As a bronze sponsor, SmartPak awards special recognition to one horse each month through the SmartPak Horse of the Month Program.

In 2014, SmartPak teamed up with PATH International to offer the Horse of the Month program, which celebrates one special equine assisted therapies horse that is hard at work at a PATH Intl. center. “PATH Intl. members really appreciate the SmartPak Horse of the Month Program!” said Kathy Alm, PATH Intl. CEO. “Currently there are 7,733 equines partnering with humans at 852 PATH Intl. Member Centers. These horses are key to the center’s ability to deliver safe and effective activities and therapies. Therefore it is imperative for them to stay sound, healthy and happy in their work for as long as possible. Often un-sung heroes, these horses are doing incredibly important work, and having SmartPak recognize them so publicly helps raise awareness.”

As a winning recipient, owners are able to pick out their ideal supplement program for their assisted therapies horse and receive up to $100 worth of SmartSupplements from SmartPak. In addition to their SmartPak supplements, each horse’s story is featured on the SmartPak Blog and Facebook page where thousands of equestrians can read and learn about some of the different programs offered at PATH Intl. centers across the country.

Here are just a few words from some Horse of the Month winners:

“I think that the SmartPak Horse of the Month recognition program is a wonderful opportunity to honor the equines who partner in the many PATH Intl. programs throughout the world,” said Amanda Bubb, Barn Manager and Instructor at Reins of Life, Inc. “Without these special horses, it would be impossible to do what we do! I heard about this program through PATH’s emails and Facebook page and chose to nominate Boons Gunna Command, or Gunny, as she has been such a versatile and integral part of the program at Reins of Life, Inc. as well as other centers along the way.”

“Our mare Daisy won SmartPak Horse of the Month in July,” said Lisa Evans, Barn Manager of Hearts and Hooves Therapeutic Riding Center. “We were looking for something to help keep her mood mellow, and since we got to try a supplement for free, we gave SmartPak Mare Harmony a try. I must say, to my surprise, it worked. Thank you SmartPak!”

To read about the past Horse of the Month recipients, please visit here. Nominations can be submitted using that link or submit your nomination by following the link on the PATH Intl. eNewsletter. Simply fill out the form with a few questions and attach a favorite photo.

This year’s PATH Intl. annual meeting will be held on November 4th – 7th 2015 in Cincinnati, OH. The conference features educational sessions, discussion forums, an exhibit hall, and an annual awards banquet. In addition, the conference will also feature a silent auction, where members have the opportunity to win exciting prizes, like a gift certificate for a year’s worth of supplements in SmartPaks and other great SmartPak products.

About SmartPak

From the feed room to the tack room, SmartPak offers innovative solutions to help riders take great care of their horses. SmartPak was founded in 1999 with the introduction of the patented SmartPak supplement feeding system. The revolutionary, daily dose SmartPaks are custom-made for your horse, individually labeled and sealed for freshness. With the success of this simple and convenient feeding system, SmartPak has continued to expand its offering of quality products, including its own line of more than 55 supplement formulas called SmartSupplements, and a wide variety of tack, equipment, and supplies. The company has grown rapidly each year and is now the largest retailer of equestrian products in the United States. SmartPak’s success has been powered by a passion for delivering an unbeatable customer experience, and the company has been recognized with a Bizrate Circle of Excellence award as well as an “Elite” rating from STELLAService. A nine-time Inc. 500/5000 honoree, SmartPak is the only equine company ever named to the Inc. 500 list.

Contact: Emily Joyce, 774-773-1414 or EJoyce@SmartPak.com

Lexington, KY (January 28, 2015) – The Kentucky Horse Council today announced an open search for the position of Executive Director. The details are as follows:

POSITION TITLE: Executive Director

FUNCTION: The Executive Director executes the strategic operational goals of the KHC in order to achieve its vision and mission as set forth in its bylaws and as governed by the Board of Directors.

REPORTS TO: Board of Directors

HOURS: Full time, salaried, exempt position

RESPONSIBILITIES: In leading the KHC office, the Executive Director will have the overall responsibility and commensurate authority within the limits of the Bylaws, and policies to carry out the following responsibilities:

1. Provides effective and proactive leadership for KHC.

2. Develop state and national presence on behalf of KHC.

3. Strategic planning and oversight of the implementation of short term and long term plans, projects and programs.

4. Strategic oversight of the Office to include all business activities, personnel matters, and administration of service to members and volunteers.

5. Communicates with all constituencies.

6. Provides direction and oversight for the organization’s overall financial affairs. In cooperation with the Finance Committee and Treasurer, recommends annual budgets.

7. Increase, strengthen and diversify KHC’s funding sources with the assistance of the Board, the Development Committee and appropriate outside resources.

8. Oversees implementation of programs and policies approved by the Board of Directors and fulfills all contracts and commitments of the Board of Directors.

9. Oversees the necessary support is provided to staff and committees to enable them to properly perform their functions. Sees that committee decisions and recommendations are approved by the Board of Directors when appropriate.

10. Attends all Board of Directors, Executive and Personal Committee meetings unless otherwise excused, and assists the President and appropriate committees in planning and conducting Board of Directors’ and other official meetings of the organization.

11. Provides strategic direction and coordination of all programs in the development and implementation of funds development activities, education and instructional programs, special events, and activities.

12. Serves as an ambassador for KHC in a wide variety of settings.

12. Provide strategic direction for KHC’s use of current and potential uses of technology.

13. Serves as Chair of Program Action Committee, fosters collaborative environment with national office staff and volunteers, and convenes KHC staff and volunteers for implementation planning and planning sessions.

14. All other duties assigned or requested by the President and/or Board of Directors.

TO APPLY: Submit cover letter and resume to info@kentuckyhorse.org, or by mail to Kentucky Horse Council, 4037 Iron Works Parkway, Suite 120, Lexington, KY 40511.

Application deadline: February 15, 2015.

ABOUT THE KENTUCKY HORSE COUNCIL – The Kentucky Horse Council is a non-profit organization dedicated, through education and leadership, to the protection and development of the Kentucky equine community. The Kentucky Horse Council provides educational programs and information, outreach and communication to Kentucky horse owners and enthusiasts, equine professional networking opportunities through KENA, trail riding advocacy, health and welfare programs, and personal liability insurance and other membership benefits. The specialty Kentucky Horse Council license plate, featuring a foal lying in the grass, provides the primary source of revenue for KHC programs.

Kentucky Horse Council
Daisy Olivo
Operations Manager
(859) 367-0509

PHOTO CREDIT: Georgina Bloomberg and her mount Lilli scored the win over 45 starters in the $127,000 Adequan Grand Prix at the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival on Saturday night, January 24, 2015. Photo by Kendall Bierer-PhelpsSport-1.

PHOTO CREDIT: ©Kendall Bierer/PhelpsSports – Georgina Bloomberg and her mount Lilli scored the win over 45 starters in the $127,000 Adequan Grand Prix at the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival on Saturday night, January 24, 2015.

Wellington, FL – January 27, 2015 – New York City’s Georgina Bloomberg notched her first ‘Saturday NightLights’ victory of the Florida tour on Saturday night in Wellington, as she piloted her partner Lilli to a scintillating win in the $127,000 Adequan CSI 3* Grand Prix at the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival.

Getting by a star-studded field of 45 starters, Bloomberg then raced past four other riders in the jump-off to nail down her 11th career grand prix win, crossing the finish line a full second ahead of runner-up Laura Chapot and her mount, ISHD Dual Star. Bloomberg clocked in at 46.91 seconds while Chapot was just behind in 48.06 seconds. Wilton Porter took home third place honors, 4/10ths of a second behind Chapot in 48.43 seconds on Diamonte Darco.

Olympic Course Designer Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela set a tough track with 14 numbered obstacles and17 jumping efforts accompanied by a tight time allowed. Only five horse and rider combinations from a starting field of 45 were able to master the track, with Bloomberg going last in the tie-breaker.

“I thought it was super. Of course, when you win you always like the course,” laughed Bloomberg. “I think it
was very fair – the time was tight, as it should be. Five was a good number to have clear for a night class and it makes for an exciting jump-off.”

Georgina Bloomberg smiles following her victory in the $127,000 Adequan Grand Prix by Kendall Bierer

The list of riders that fell by the wayside tonight was a veritable who’s who of show jumping. Madden, Ward, Pessoa, Engle, Lamaze, Maher, Michaels-Beerbaum, Springsteen, Hough, Goutal, Swail, Kraut and Farrington, many with just a single rail down, couldn’t punch a ticket for tonight’s dash for cash.

Chapot and ISHD Dual Star were the trailblazers for the short course, putting in an impressive, speedy round. Ripping around the four tight turns and galloping boldly to the verticals, Chapot put up an imposing time of 48.06 seconds.

Revved up and ready to go, Todd Minikus and Babalou 41 gave chase as the next to go. And he was fast, very fast. He posted the speediest time of the night, but it came at the expense of a rail down at the vertical going into the #5ab combination. Racing home in 44.77 seconds, the added four fault penalty would relegate the pair to fifth place on the night.

Schuyler Riley challenged next with Dobra de Porceyo, and while she posted her second clear round of the night, her time was a full second and a half off of Chapot’s top pace in 49.66 seconds.

Wilton Porter clocked in at 48.43 seconds with Diamonte Darco as the next to go, just missing the Chapot’s mark by a narrow 4/10ths of a second.

That set the stage for Bloomberg’s dramatic win.

She easily was up to the challenge with Lilli, making all of the well planned turns look effortless, and somewhere, somehow, slicing a full second off of Chapot’s time. Bloomberg’s winning time was 46.98 seconds. “I watched Laura go on the screen, but I didn’t get to watch the whole round,” Bloomberg said following the trophy presentation. “I didn’t actually pay that much attention because I thought that, whatever I did, she would be faster than me anyway, so there was no point in watching her go. I think my horse has a big stride and even though her horse is quicker, I tried to make up for the fact that I’m on a bigger, slower horse and I was able to leave strides out between the jumps,” she said.

It was Bloomberg’s first prime-time win under the lights on Saturday night. “I have never won a Saturday night class here before. This is my first big class of the season, so it’s nice to start out on a good note and get that first win,” she smiled. “Going under lights is very good for her. It piques the interest of most horses and sometimes being a little too relaxed during the day can change when you’re jumping under the lights, they’ll pay more attention and be more careful.”

“Lilli is an 11 year-old mare that I’ve been riding for two and half years now,” Bloomberg said of her winning partner. “She’s been serving as a second horse to my good mare Juvina. Our goal is to give Juvina some rest and have Lilli fill in little bit. I felt confident with her and she’s been jumping well over bigger jumps, so I felt like tonight was a good opportunity for her to step up. I was very happy with her. She’s had a good rest. She’s fresh and hopefully will be a good fill in for Juvina.”

But, as Bloomberg explained, the ride on Lilli can be a lot of work too. “She can be a little bit too relaxed. She’s very happy sitting in the field getting fat. So sometimes to get her motivated to show and pay attention to the jumps is difficult. I find that most times I’m a bit winded by the end of the ride, “she laughed.

Allyn Mann of Adequan, tonight’s sponsor said, “First of all, Georgina, congratulations on your first Saturday Night Lights win. These jump-offs make the sport so exciting. Georgina you were up against having to go clean and beating the clock and somehow you found a way to do it and that’s what it’s all about. It’s the competition, the athleticism and it’s the love which we all have and that’s the horse.”

Bloomberg will represent the United States on the team competing at the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup on February 13, 2015 at 1 p.m. in the Ocala Horse Properties Stadium at HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala, Florida.

Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
Media Contact: Kenneth Kraus
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
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