Equestrian photographers from the UK are auctioning photos for Haitian relief.
Go see the work of the 20 shooters on ebay and bid now through Feb 4:

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/dec-2020auction/m.html

---

Does the Humane Society of the United States actually help animals? No. "They want a petless/meatless society." more

2008 HSUS Expenditures:
Campaigns, Litigation and Investigation: $28,000,000.
Fundraising $27,000,000.
Animal Care Facilities: $7,000,000.

---

Kentucky Democratic Governor Steve Beshear presents a state budget relying on $700 million raised from gaming machines at race tracks - can it happen here, too? 1/19 more

---

U of M polo begins its winter indoor season with a Varsity scrimmage on Jan 17. Skidmore and the U of Kentucky come in January. more

---

Euthanasia - the decision that many owners are facing this year more

---

GALA CEREMONIES TO OPEN 2010 ALLTECH FEI WORLD EQUESTRIAN GAMES FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: December 10, 2009 LEXINGTON, KY—Opening Ceremonies for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games will kick off with hundreds of horses and athletes, marching bands, orchestras, world-renowned singers and a Kentucky “Call to the Post.” The Games are the world’s most prestigious equestrian event, featuring world championships in eight equestrian sports. The 2010 Games, September 25-October 10, will be the first ever held in America. Organizers say the Opening Ceremonies will pay tribute to America, Kentucky and the equine world. “We are inviting some of the greatest performers from around the globe, including equine entertainers and international performing artists,” said Dr. Everett McCorvey, whose company, Global Creative Connections, will produce the Games’ Opening and Closing Ceremonies. “We will highlight both the best of Kentucky and the best of America, and begin these Games with incredible celebration and fanfare.” As many as 600 performers and 200 horses could be involved in the production, including a 100-piece orchestra, 300-person choir and hundreds of adults and children. Marching bands, armed forces performing ensembles, and local and international celebrities and dignitaries are likely to be involved.  Tickets for the Games’ Opening and Closing Ceremonies range from $120 to $150 and can be purchased now at www.ticketmaster.com, through www.alltechfeigames.com, or via the Ticketmaster hotline at 1-800-745-3000.  Opening Ceremonies will be held September 25, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the Outdoor Stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park, the venue for the Games. Closing Ceremonies will be celebrated in the same location, on October 10 at 4:00 p.m.

 

---

So, here we are, on December 1 - it's balmy, sunny, light coat weather. It's Michigan but it's not too gray, not too wet. Terrific. How are your horses today?

December's balmy weather is offering a lot of opportunities to be outside. Foxhunting begins again, now that deer hunting season-by-big-gun is over. Trail riding is in full swing. Polo pracice is still outdoors! There are a few foreclosures on horse farms, but not as many as there could be. Lots of barns are full or nearly full - I know that because I've been trying to find a place to house 12 polo ponies this winter! There are lots of clinics and shows to attend as an observer or a rider. Tuck in and open the books this winter. Learn by reading. I have in front of me a monstrous book by Hugh Dawney, a polo guru. I also have a big web book on CSS, PHP, AJAX, et cetera, and a collection of dog stories. I'm set. What are you reading? Let me know!

---

 

 

CANTER AUCTION, Nov 21 viewing; Nov 22 silent auction

Attend a DNR trails assessment meeting, Nov. 10th.
Equestrian: 5-7 pm - stop in and participate at any time
Gerald E. Eddy Discovery Center, Waterloo State Rec Area
17030 Bush Road, Chelsea, michigan.

---

Eventing clinics offered in Haslett, Michigan with Area VIII team coachs. more

---

Scales tip towards MORE Casinos which means hard times for Mich. Horse Racing. Check out the Michigan Claimer for the news on Michigan race horses and race horse politics. more

---

Shake Up in International Polo: United States, UK and Argentina withdraw from the FIP, International Federation of Polo more

---

Albion Hunter/Jumper Winter Series has begun! www.albion.edu/heldcenter/horseshows
Oct 10-11, Nov 7-8, Dec 5-6, Jan 2-3, Feb. 6-7, March 6-7, Championship April 10

---

Equibase offers free racing and pedigree information. Sign up, no costs.

---

Dressage: Schooling Show at Lou-Don Farm, Galesburg, Mi. Nov. 21

---

Draft Horse Event - October 15-18 at The Pavilion at MSU, East Lansing

 

 

 

---

Read this Inteview with Ohio-based female jockey Jane Magrell by Chris Forbes
on www.femalejockeys.com

---

Summer Polo in Michigan: 8-goal polo - photo gallery

 

 

 

 

Jerry Hutcheson, intrepid announcer, defies the rain to mc the 8 goal match at Detroit Polo Club, Sunday, August 24th.

 

Players from Detroit, Grand Rapids, Kentucky, U of M and MSU on the field
Come watch! Come learn to play!

 

 

 

August 23 - 8 goal tournament 2:00 Detrpot Polo Club in Hartford. more

DPC's hat contest at an August Sunday game

---

Looking for a new adventure?

Moffit Equestrian Center offers a broad spectrum of riding opportunities from high level reining to trail riding. Look at the following unique adventures:

      The  Pinnacle Race Course    Day at the Races

September 19th   Lunch on the Terrace.  A full day of live racing and we will be presenting the trophy to the winner of the Moffit Equestrian Sports Race.  In the Winners Circle!  Recieve a complimentary Racing Guide and tram service from the guest parking lot!   Only  $45.00 per person   Seating is limited so register early by sending your check to:  Equestrian Sports    12240 GRiffin Rd   Riley  Mi  48041

       Labor Day Cattle Drive  

4 Days of Real Cowboy Work.  Move a herd   Bunkhouse/stabling incl.  dbl.ocp

       3rd Annual Gaylord Fall Color Ride

Each year is better than the last!  Come join us!    Beautiful colors and groomed trails plus lots of laughs.    Nothing like 'Up North' in the fall, now see it from the back of your horse.  dbl.ocp.     Call for information:  586 212-9789

$10.00 saves you a spot. 
Visit the Moffit Eq Center's photo page

12240 Griffin Rd    Riley, MI  48041

---

 

Note to all those cancelled out of Hunters Run HT, August 7-9: Please send your pinnies back to Sue Aeck.
What a downpour!!! During the morning hours of relentless rain on Saturday , we reclined inside our gooseneck portion of the horse trailer, read about polo in sunny California by lamplight (it was noon), chatted with rain-coated, wellie-wearing neighbors who stoppped by, and learned that aluminum roofs are percussive instruments that never tire of making music out of rain.

An oldtimer living down the road - she's in her 80's - said to me later that in all her years in Metamora she has never seen a rain like this weekend's at Hunter's Run Horse Trials. Wow.

---

Waterloo Hunter/Jumper Show 6/23-28- an extravaganza! more

Photos from early season events: visit www.riverbendphoto.com

 

 

RACING DATES CUT IN HALF. CONTACT THE MICHIGAN RACING COMMISSION TO PROTEST OR OFFER A SOLUTION. ANNOUNCEMNET MADE jUNE 3.

Cowardly Cadillac: hilarious recount of life in the fastest dressage lane from Catherine Haddad from Michigan who is based in Germany. Here's Catherine on her newly won bike. more

Polo begins at Detroit Polo Club and Meadowview. Season planned for weekend games with Tornoto, Cleveland, Lexington and more. College polo at Detroit starts May 30th. Club polo starts May 31. more

Latest in cribbing comes out of MSU research. Carissa Wickens and Nathalie Trottier find acid imbalance - more

300 Hunters and Jumpers converge on Waterloo the 3rd week in June. more

How are Michigan's horse rescue operations coping these days?

Eventing season is in full swing, with 80 horses in contention at Cobblestone on May 17. Visit www.riverbendphoto.com for photos.

In this photo, Michigan-bred thoroughbred Breaking Daylight wins his first event, BN at Cobblestone, ridden by Olivia Fajen.

Waterloo Hunt is the venue for h/j this season, with MHJA in May and Waterloo's own h/j shows in late June. Also an art show!

The next Glass-Ed/MDC sanctioned show is High Point Stables Dressage Show which is being held on June 28th in Charlotte.

McPhail Center unveils a summer schedule of clinics.

Volunteers for reining and vaulting are called on for 2010 Games - get your name on a volutneer list!

______________

Michigan Horse Council announces rousing success of Expo in March. more

Local polo player starts new e-mag : PoloGringo.com. It's full of interesting how-tos and offers an ongoing blog among players and editor Caleb Smith. more

Planning for summer, MSU seeks feedback on its winter instructional clinics more

Equine Venereal Disease suspected in 28 states, including Indiana and Kentucky more

2009 Showing in the Jackson area:
Waterloo Hunt's schedule of hunter trials, h/j shows and dressage more

Help the Humane Society place emaciated horses. Email: tanya@hvhs.org more

Magna in financial trouble? more in racing

Adrian College joins us on the Yong Rider Blog page with a link to their winter competition events more

Hunt Attire more

Kanbstrupper gets to be a Breyer! more

9 Vehicles caravan to Washington DC, Saturday, January 17th,
to carry Michigan Mounted Police Team to Parde
in Barack Obama's inauguration.

Journal Entries of Marilyn Graff of the Michigan Horse Council
more

---

 

Book Review: Beyond the Track: Retraining the Thoroughbred from Racehorse to Riding Horse
by Ann Morgan Ford with Amber Heintzberger
This training manual is based on Ford's years at New Vocations Racehorse Adoptions, a training and placement farm for Thoroughbreds off the track. Imagine, only 1/3 of the 37,000 new foals that are annually registered with the Jockey Club go on to successful racing careers. What happens to the rest after a few years on the circuit? They end up in other disciplines. This book helps you learn about life on the track and teaches you how best to retrain ex-racehorses. This is a definite buy! more

---

Contact the DNR by Jan 30 to stand up for your right to ride on public land.

DNR Invites Public Comment on the New Draft 2009-2019 Strategic Plan for the Parks and Recreation Division The Department of Natural Resources is inviting the public to comment on the new draft 2009-2019 Strategic Plan for its Parks and Recreation Division. This plan represents the culmination of two and one-half years of extensive outreach effort to the public and other stakeholders who helped define the goals, objectives, and actions identified in the draft plan. The full draft plan is posted on the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/prdstrategicplans.. The draft plan will be available for a 30-day public comment period, and comments may be submitted to DNR-RecreationFeedback@michigan.gov via e-mail, or in writing to: Paul N. Curtis, Park Management Plan Administrator, DNR-Parks and Recreation Division, P.O. Box 30257, Lansing, MI 48909-7757. The public comment period will close at 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 30, 2009

Here are sites to help you understand the horse issues -
Michigan Horsemen P.L.U. ;
Trail Riders Alliance of Michigan:
(meeting 2-7-09 on this subject, call Dick or Connie Kleinhardt at 1-989-386-2910);
Michigan Horse Council

---

 

Michigan's Mounted Police depart today for Washington DC and the Inaugural Parade.
9 vehicles depart from Eaton County after a parade in Charlotte, Jan. 17
Read here how Sargeant Kennedy of the Lansing Mounted Police trains police horses more

She is also a Grand Prix level dressage rider more

:

 

 

 

 

---

Michigan Racing:

Horses to watch in 2009:
Progeny of The Deputy (IRE) more

 

---

Foxunting: Hunter Trial dates announced by Waterloo Hunt Club more

---

Farms: Anonymous doner makes big land gift to Therapeutic Riding more

---

Big News! The Michigan Mounted Police Color Guard and Drill Team will march in the 2009 Presidential Inaugural Parade in Washington, DC on January 20, 2009! Remember, this group grew out of the MHC Horse Expo’s Combined Mounted Law Officer Color Guard, which presents the colors each year at the annual Expo. This Color Presentation was the first time an effort was made to unite the various mounted divisions from throughout the state into a representative unit…..and look at the result! more

---

Dressage: Dec 17 dressage to music in London by Michigan's Catherine Haddad on Maximus JSS more

---

Polo in Dominican Republic: 4 Michigan women play in the 1st women's international tournament in Dominican Republic, November, at 5-star resort Casa de Campomore

---

Eventing: CHANGES TO BADMINTON !!!! more

---

Art and Books: Sporting event artist LeRoy Neiman will unveil his Commemorative Painting for the 2010 Games, Dec 2, live via video from Ky Horse Park more

---

Veterinary: Put the frog on the ground

---

Do you allow hunters on your land? Perhaps you want to ask them to donate some of their venison to feed Michigan's hungry. more

---

MHC's agenda, November 4 meeting more

---

Tired of the costs of anti-ulcer products? Try alfalfa hay! more

MIHA RESULTS for State-wide Competition here

Michigan High Schoolers vie at States in high school equestrian competion, Midland Fairgrounds, October 9-12 more

Want to ride where the hunters aren't hunting????more

From the Back Clinic at MSU: High Tech Diagnosis with Dr. van Wessum more

The MEADOWVIEW polo club will be hosting a NEW PLAYER POLO CLINIC at their new outdoor arena in Lowell, MI on October 3, 4 and 5. more

---

 

High School Equestrian Teams Compete in Districts in September Here is Saline's rider Katelyn Coghlan on Red more on the competition

Sept 13-14: Rain causes District cancellations. Here's a note from Coach Marie Seddon of Pioneer Equestrian (Ann Arbor) team:

Polo at the MSU Pavilion, September 11, 2008.
Intercollegiate: U of M vs. MSU
Professional: Detroit vs. Grand Rapids more

 

 

 

 

 

POLO - Detroit vs. Toronto, a friendly match on August 31, in Milford at Detroit Polo Club more

---

Eventing at Cobblestone Farm, Dexter Michigan - September more

---

Eventing at Hunters Run, August - more coming

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

Slaughter revisited by Britain's Horse and Hound see Politcs page

 

---

The Degas exhibit of bronzes including 17 horses on display through August in Grand Rapids reviewed

---

Polo Match between MSU and UofM draws many of the 5,000 spectators coming for Horse Show by the Bay's final Sunday events. more

---

DNR helps fight fires in California and Texas:Remember our fires in Newberry last year when firefighters came from all over the States to help us? We do the same this year to help others.Be sure to check out fire locations before planning your holiday horse camping! more

---

Visit an informal gallery of Cobblestone Farm's first USEA horse trials.

---

Is the thoroughbred of today a weak sister to the thoroughbred of yesterday? more

Notes from a Race-Goer on Opening day at Pinnacle Race Course more

---

Special Link to Horse Sports by the Bay 2008: see who's in the ring, who's placing, day's schedule at ShowNet

---

Pinnacle Race track, New Boston, scheduled to open July 18 more

---

What's it like to be a Horse Appraiser? more

---

Chagrin Valley Hunter Jumper Classic more



Country Heir H/J Show, photos at the Horse Park, Week 1 of 2, June 11-22
on the h/j page

New Equestrian Trail in Marquette County more

Polo every weekend to watch at Detroit Polo Club

---

Here's an easy-to-use, science-based book about massaging your horse. It will save you a few dollars by showing you how to do your own preventive work.

Book Review: Activate your horse's CORE






more

---

Michigan resident named APHA World Show Artist see Art and Reviews

The American Paint Horse Association (APHA) recently named Cindy Price of Bellaire, Mich., as its official 2008 World Championship Paint Horse Show artist. Price bested 87 other entries from across the U.S. and Canada with her submission. To learn more about Price and her work, visit cindypriceart.com.

 

 

 

 

 

---

Knabstruppers more

Michigan's dressage rider Catherine Haddad receives not only the key to the German city of Vechta but represents Vechta for all of northern Germany as an athlete, a successful businessperson and a runner-up "athlete of the year 2007." more

---

MICHIGAN'S BLAIR KING RIDES IN THE ROLEX 4-STAR
HER MOUNT IS "KING's Whisper" WHO RACED AT DRC

---

THOUSANDS OF VOLUNTEERS SIGN UP FOR 2010 GAMES
In the first ten days since the launch of a new Web-based volunteer registry system, nearly 4,000 new volunteers have already signed up online for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.   The World Games 2010 Foundation estimates that at least 6,000 volunteers will be needed to work before and during the Games, to be held at the Kentucky Horse Park from September 25-October 10, 2010 in Lexington, Kentucky.

Volunteers from 49 states and 46 countries have signed up so far.  More than 1,300 registered volunteers live in Kentucky, and nearly 700 people from states surrounding Kentucky have signed up.   International volunteers from Russia, France, Chile, South Africa, and Thailand are just a few among the nearly 400 people from around the world who have already registered.

These world championships of the eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), and are held every four years.  The Games have never before been held outside of Europe; nor have all eight disciplines ever previously been held together at a single site— both firsts that will be achieved at the Kentucky Horse Park. The 2010 Games are expected to have a statewide economic impact of $150 million. It is anticipated that more than 600,000 spectators will attend the 16-day competition. Feb 13, 2008. More: 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

---

Learn polo this winter with the Detroit Polo Club more

---

Breeding your mare this spring? Buy a Season to benefit ex-race horse placement organizations New Vocations and Ohio Canter, starting January 27 more

 

 

---

Team Penning
Triple C Ranch in Grass Lake offers team penning for participants and spectators every Sunday. more

---

Preliminary Report Out on Michigan Equine Industry Profile
from MEP, MSU, MHC and MDA/NASS in partnership - made public on 12/13-14/07. Highlights:

155,000 horses in Michigan as of June 1, 2007

more

---

GLHS's book review:
Hoof Problems by Rob van Nassau published by Trafalgar Square Books
Verdict? BUY IT! more

---

Sargeant Maureen Kennedy is a dedicated cop, an avid horse trainer and a longtime learner of all things about horses.  Always an officer with the Michigan State U Police, Mounted Division, Kennedy has also pursued dressage. She qualifed several times for USDF regional championships riding her multi-talented police horses. more

---

November 15, 2007: Hunter-Jumper Association of Michigan Annual Spring Welcome Shows
Move to Waterloo Hunt Club, May 8-25 more

---

Tanya Grant Barber talks about the dressage merits of the Andalusian and the special qualities of the older school horse more

---

New Options for competitive riders in Michigan:

1. Rumor: There's a new Detroit Jumper Club to base at the Fair Grounds in Detroit - more to come on this in November!

2. Jerry Campbell announces new race track to be built south of Metro Airport!

3. Carol Grant wants a Midwest Dressage Circuit. And Horse Shows by the Bay considers adding weeks onto their 3-week summer show.

---

The Search for America’s Next Equestrian Star: Dressage begins Friday, October 19 at 9:00 a.m. EST on the Fox Network.. This unique show consists of five hour-long episodes that will air sequentially at the same time every Friday through November 16, the show’s finale. J.J. Tate is a finalist on the program. She's based in Wisconson. The show, conceived by Robert Dover, full story

Wisconsin's J.J. Tate is one of the finalists.

---

Among the Michigan riders who rode in the 2007 American Eventing Championships in Chicago in the Jr/YR Novice Division are:
Taylor Foote, finished 1st on her dresage score of 27.4!
Erin Strader, 16, of Ann Arbor finished in 7th after stadium.
Alyssa Meek, 13, of Fowlerville was tied for 16th after dressage but went too FAST in cc and incurred over 7 points which landed them in 37th. Often going to fast can cause a drop in standings.
 

Alyssa Meek on Mr. Cellophane, barn name Spirit, at Encore HT in June.

---

Henry Pfeiffer, 18, of Fox Meadow Farm in Temperance, Mi. wins the HOF Jr/AO at Horse Shows by the Bay III, August 1-5.

---

Jen Pond earned her 5th completion trophy this July riding the Shore to Shore Trail across Michigan. Read her journal here

---

The Daratony family constructed a 132-acre residential and equestrian community on Gregory about ½ mile from Zeeb in Webster Township.  About four months ago, Webster Township approved the last of the whole project.

---

Erin Haas of Chelsea has always set her standards high

---

How does a small horse farm owner end up being in the stallion breeding business. I asked Tracey Schork who has a small farm called Trailsend Stable in Ann Arbor Township - full story

---

Chad Thelen - transforming farmland into habitat havens
Polaris Ranger in clover in Mecosta County

---

JArea 8 Young EVENT Rider: Young Rider Katie Daratony rides Nero at Intermediate.
Jackie Smith interview about Young Riders

---

ackie Smith discusseNew Vocations places 300 ex-racehorses in 2006 which makes it the leading placement program in U.S. One of their 3 offices is in Saline. full story

---

Ann Arbor's Advanced Eventer Sue Moessner
1.shows us how to start a young horse
2. talks about her favorite teachers in Florida
3. trailers 7 horses to Ocala this winter full story

---

Jon Costin talks about Grand Prix

Maryal Barnett explains the 2007 dressage rule changes
What's the biggest change in the tests?
full story...
Demo Rides of 2007 tests
full story...