TheHorse.com’s Ask the Vet LIVE session on Equine Dental Care, held on Feb. 24, is now available for listening on demand. Listen in as Mary DeLorey, DVM, owner of Northwest Equine Dentistry Inc., and Erin Denney-Jones, DVM, owner of Florida Equine Veterinary Services, discuss what dental problems commonly affect a horse’s ability to eat comfortably and how they can be prevented and treated, what kind of routine dental care horses should receive, and more. (more…)

The new 2011 “L” Program materials have been updated to the reflect the new national dressage tests and to more closely follow the “L” teaching presentations. All current “L” Participants, Candidates, Graduates, and Graduates with distinction who own an “L” Participant Flash drive may access the updates by inserting their flash drive into a computer with internet access. The USDF “L” Participant Flash drive is available for purchase through the USDF store, by those participating in the “L” Program or who have successfully graduated from the program.

For more information check out the “L” Program blog, Tune-In to the USDF “L” Education Program or contact us at lprogram@usdf.org.

Please note: The hard copy version of the USDF “L” Participant materials will no longer be available for purchase. Starting with the 2011 edition only the USDF “L” Participant Flash drive will be sold through the USDF store.

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Photo: Nichole Charbonneau and her Sweedish mare Trendsetter.  Photo by Carolynn Bunch

(February 25, 2011) Lincoln, Nebraska – The Dressage Foundation is pleased to announce that ODS member Nichole Charbonneau of Lacey, Washington, is the 2011 recipient of the $500 Trip Harting Grant.  Nichole is the second recipient of this annual grant and plans to use the funds to continue her education in the United States Dressage Federation ‘L’ Education Program.

Trip’s friends, students, and admirers established this Fund at The Dressage Foundation in his memory.  Trip, a beloved judge, coach and clinician, passed away in August 2008.  The purpose of the Fund is to provide financial assistance for a Pony Club rider to attend the USDF ‘L’ Education Program or Instructor Certification Program.  Applicants must be current or graduate Pony Club members with a B or A rating.

Nichole graduated from Cheney Pony Club (WA) with an H-A rating.  She is currently a dressage instructor, trainer, and competitor, as well as an elementary school teacher.  Nichole is also a USDF Silver Medalist.  About attending the ‘L’ Education Program, Nichole said, “I am eager for the opportunity to focus on the technical analysis, biomechanics, and the polished understanding of what a judge is looking for as they observe from C.  The information I gain in this program will enhance my personal riding skills, riding instructional skills, and will benefit my students.”

The Trip Harting Fund will continue to grow over time as new donations flow into The Dressage Foundation.  The Foundation will continue to award grants based on recommendations of the Selection Committee for as long as the Fund balance allows.  Applications are due to the Foundation in February of each year.

For more information about the Trip Harting Fund or The Dressage Foundation, please contact Jenny Johnson at (402) 434-8585 or visit www.dressagefoundation.org.

The Dressage Foundation

The Dressage Foundation is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, tax-exempt, donor-driven organization that is dedicated to supporting and advancing the sport of dressage.  The organization solicits contributions, appropriately allocates the donations, and awards grants and scholarships to dressage riders of all ages and levels.  For more information, please visit www.dressagefoundation.org.

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Lexington, KY (January 19, 2011) – The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that 31 USDF members successfully completed the USDF “L” Education Program between July and December, 2010.
The USDF “L” Education Program is designed to prepare candidates to enter the United States Equestrian Federation “r” Judges Training Program, to qualify individuals to judge schooling shows, and to give competitors, trainers, and instructors greater insight into the evaluative techniques of judging dressage. The program also serves to provide continuing education for licensed judges.  The “L” Program is an excellent opportunity for all USDF members to learn from licensed judges in order to improve their scores and view other rides from a judge’s perspective, whether or not they plan on becoming licensed judges themselves.  “L” Programs are conducted by a faculty of USDF-approved United States Equestrian Federation “S”-licensed dressage judges who have experience in teaching judge-training programs. (more…)

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is accepting bids to host the 2012 USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals presented by Dressage Today.
The USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals takes place between mid June and mid August and offers two age categories: 13 & Under and 14-18.

If you are interested in bidding on these Finals, please submit your letter of intent to USEF by no later than May 31, 2011. Bids must be sent to Jeannie Putney, USEF Director of National Dressage at jputney@usef.org or by fax to (859) 231-6662.

The USEF Dressage Committee will review all bids during their June meeting and make a recommendation to the USEF Executive Committee for final approval. Applicants will be notified of the approved venue within one week of the Executive Committee’s decision.

ENDS
If you have any further questions, please contact Jeannie Putney at jputney@usef.org.

Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival. © 2011 DiaiShots

GÖTEBORG, Sweden, Feb. 26–Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival claimed their fourth World Cup qualifying victory Saturday night in a superb Grand Prix Freestyle performance at the Göteborg Horse Show with only a single event left in the series before the Final in Leipzig, Germany at the end of April.

Despite food poisoning two nights ago that required medical treatment, Adelinde rode the 14-year-old KWPN gelding by Jazz to a score of 82.875 per cent. (more…)

by: Uckele Health and Nutrition February 27 2011

When your mare is in foal, the most important focus becomes your mare and her developing foal’s nutrition to support optimal health during gestation, lactation, and for the first several months of the foal’s life. Improper nutrition during these key phases of development can have repercussions for the mare and foal for the rest of their lives. (more…)

by: Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service
February 27 2011

Snowmelt is being welcomed by cattle producers, but should raise caution signs for horse owners, according to the University of Arkansas (U of A) Division of Agriculture.

Parts of Arkansas saw record snowfall during a recent winter storm system. Temperatures rose to near 70 just a few days later, melting the snow, swelling streams, and making muck. (more…)