Horse Beat E-Newsletter - August 2010
Canadian & International News
WEG Ticket Prices Lowered
• Ticket prices for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG), to be held Sept. 25 – Oct. 10 in Lexington, KY, have been temporarily lowered in an effort to boost sales. Tickets to many of the early phases of competitions will be sold at a 30% or more savings through Sept. 6. The discount will be applied to most, but not all of the events. Endurance ticket prices will be discounted from $45 to $25, while team competition in show jumping drops from $110 to $77, and reining tickets from $95 to $67. Dressage will see its tickets priced at $60 drop to $42, and the $45 tickets to $32. This price decrease does not affect general admission tickets ($25) or the popular weekend events like cross country and the stadium jumping portion of the three-day eventing, nor the opening and closing ceremonies. Children 12 years and younger get in free for general admission only, but will have to have tickets purchased for the events. If you bought tickets at a full price, you will not be granted a refund. So far only 270,000 of the projected 600,000 tickets have been sold, according to event organizers. When the WEG was held in Aachen, Germany in 2006, 576,000 tickets were sold for the event. Event organizers are blaming the economy for the slower ticket sales and hope that this promotion will be a big boost for the Games. To view the promotional prices and buy tickets, visit www.alltechfeigames.com/tickets, http://www.ticketmaster.com/, call 888/934-2010, or visit your local Ticketmaster outlet. For ticketing assistance and general information, call the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Information Center at 888-934-2010.
Horses Excluded From Livestock Aid Program
• Other than PMU stock, and horses specifically raised for meat, horses have been excluded from the Pasture Recover Initiative (PRI) launched by the provincial and federal governments this spring. Under PRI, livestock producers in eligible counties and municipal districts in both Alberta and Saskatchewan will receive funding from federal and provincial governments to buy feed while damaged pastures recover from drought conditions. Horse breeders and breed organizations are encouraged to contact the Agriculture Minister, Jack Hayden:
Honourable Jack Hayden
Legislature Office
423 Legislature Building
10800 97 Avenue,
Edmonton, AB T5K 2B6
Stampede Suffers Six Horse Deaths
• Six horses died at the 2010 Calgary Stampede, causing yet another outcry to shut down the event or eliminate the rodeo events. Two died of heart attacks, three were euthanized because of injuries and the cause of death for one is yet to be determined. One of the horses suffered a suspected heart attack in the middle of a team cattle penning competition. When the horse rolled over, its rider, Amy Carver, suffered a broken shoulder and serious head injury and was sent to the hospital. Carver’s family has issued a statement saying she is in intensive care but were cautiously optimistic about her recovery. Stampede officials continue to defend the rodeo, saying it reflects the Western ranch life and that they work closely with the Calgary Humane Society and the SPCA to monitor the welfare of their animals.
Recall Expanded for Longisil
• Health Canada has announced that the recall of the drug Longisil has been voluntarily extended by the Canadian distributor, Vetoquinol N-A Inc. Longisil, a form of injectable penicillin is available only be prescription through a veterinarian. The December 2009 recall was prompted by an unusually high number of reports of allergic reactions in animals treated with a particular lot number. This has now been extended to include additional lot numbers. Symptoms range from mild to serious and can include skin rashes, swelling and difficulty breathing or swallowing. For more information, contact Health Canada at 866-225-0709 or check at www.horse-canada.com. Health Canada encourages veterinarians to report any adverse events involving Longisil to Vetoquinol at 800-363-1700.
Morrissey Suspended for Whipping Incident
• American show jumper Michael Morrissey has been handed a three-month suspension by the FEI for excessive use of the whip. Morrissey was taking part in a USEF World Equestrian Games selection trial at Wellington, FL on February 27, 2010, when his horse Crelido refused the water jump. According to a video posted on YouTube (link still available through www.horse-canada.com) he appeared to hit his horse up to 13 times on re-approach to the jump. After a lengthy enquiry and considerable public outcry, he was given a yellow card and has also been disqualified from the event and fined $2,000. All members of the ground jury have been sent letters of reprimand for not immediately sanctioning the rider. The FEI penalties are in addition to those issued in June by the USEF, for which Morrissey was fined $3,000 and given a retroactive three-month suspension. Morrissey’s combined suspension ends August 4.
Injury Data for Racing Surfaces Inconclusive
• An analysis of injury data for racehorses collected over a one-year period has concluded that there is not yet a statistically significant difference between catastrophic injury rates for horses starting on dirt or artificial surfaces. The information in the Equine Injury Database looked at factors that could be associated with fatal breakdowns. The EID was launched in November 2008 with 73 participating racetracks, a number that has grown to 86 that account for about 86% of total flat racing starts in North America. Data was collected based on pre-race, racing, training, and non-exercise occurrences. The analysis only looked at fatal injuries. Non-fatal injuries will be addressed in the future as more data is collected. The number of catastrophic injuries by 1,000 starts was 2.04; by surface the figures were 1.78 for turf, 1.78 for synthetic, and 2.14 for dirt, which had a much higher number of starts. The initial analysis of the data did yield two statistically significant results. The first was that female horses are 50% less likely to suffer a fatal injury than an intact male horse and the second was that two-year-old horses are 30% less likely to suffer a fatal injury than older horses. In other conclusions, the analysis did not find any significant difference in the risk of fatality when looking at the distance of a race, the weight carried or the condition of the racing surface, either on turf or dirt. For more information contact the Jockey Club at http://www.equineonline.com/initiatives.asp
Bullet and Trigger Sold
• At last month’s auction at Christie’s, the mounted figure of Roy Roger’ famous horse Trigger sold for $266,000 to a Nebraska cable TV network, RFD-TV. Bullet the dog went to the same bidder for $35,000. While Dale Evan’s horse Buttermilk was also sold (for $25,000) the buyer has not been revealed. The Rogers auction included more than 1,000 items from the now-closed Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Museum in Branson, MO.
Rare Zedonk Born
• A wildlife preserve in the United States has announced the birth of a zedonk - a cross between a zebra and a donkey. The Chestatee Wildlife Preserve in northern Georgia says the newcomer has a zebra stallion as her father and a jenny as her mum. The Gainsville Times reports that zebras and donkeys had been running together at the centre for 40 years, with this foal being the first Zedonk. The 25-acre non-profit centre, 45 minutes north of Atlanta, is a fully licensed rescue, exotic animal and wildlife preserve. It is funded through guest admission fees, corporate and personal donations. zedonks, also sometimes called zonkeys, are born infertile. For photos go to http://www.chestateewildlife.com/
Passings
• Canadian Triple Crown winner With Approval, was euthanized in late June due to old age. With Approval swept the Triple Crown in 1989 by winning the Queen’s Plate Stakes, Prince of Wales Stakes and the Breeders’ Stakes. He won Canadian Horse of the Year and champion three-year-old honours that same year.
The death of Wake at Noon in July has resulted in the banning of owner Bruno Schickedanz from racing at Woodbine. The 13-year-old horse had not raced since November 2007 and was not eligible for a stall at the racetrack. Wake at Noon, who won $1.6 million in his racing career, had been standing at stud for Schickedanz; however, he suffered from fertility issues and was unsuccessful at getting any mares in foal in 2010. A hearing has been set for August 17 for Mr. Schickedanz’ appeal of the ban. It is open to the public.
Top international show jumper Oki Doki developed complications after tendon surgery in mid July. The 14-year-old Dutch-bred gelding injured his tendon during competition at Cannes in June. Famous for his partnership with former owner/rider Albert Zoer, was sold to Argentinean Jose Larocca earlier this year.
Advanced eventing horse Chauncy died of a cardiac hemorrhage after collapsing on the cross-country course at the Rebecca Farm three-day-event in Kalispell, Montana, at the weekend. Ridden by Canadian Suzy Elliott, who lives in Washington, the eight-year-old thoroughbred collapsed following a second run out at fence 16A. Elliott had dismounted before Chauncy collapsed.
Quote of the Month
“What a horse does under compulsion he does blindly…The performance of horse or man so treated are displays of clumsy gestures rather than grace and beauty. What we need is that the horse should of his own accord exhibit his finest airs and paces at set signals…Such are the horses on which gods and heroes ride.” ~ XENOPHON
Tip of the Month - Tips Wanted!
• For shiny hooves in the show ring, avoid using oil, which will cause dirt to stick and may loosen shoe nails. Instead, scrub the feet thoroughly and, when dry, apply clear shoe polish and buff. A soft dampened cloth passed over the feet just before entering the ring will restore the shine.
Readers! Please send in your own preferred stain removal tip and you have a chance of winning a $10 off coupon on your next book or subscription purchase with Horse Publications Group.
Upcoming Events
National Capitol Show Jumping
• Two weeks of show jumping will take place from August 11 – 15 and 18 – 22 at the Nepean National Equestrian Park in Ottawa. In addition to some of the richest jumping competition in Canada, the show will also feature a concert performed by Blue Rodeo on Saturday, August 21. For more information visit ww.hayesco.ca
Women’s Training Retreats
• Chris Irwin’s Riversong Retreat near Edmonton, AB is offering a women’s only weekend horsemanship clinic featuring three Chris Irwin-certified trainers who are also women: Louise Clarke, Kathryn Kincannon-Irwin and Birgit Stutz. The remaining two clinics are on August 28 – 29 and October 2 – 3. To register as a participant or spectator, visit http://www.chrisirwin.com/
Canadian Warmblood Licensing Tour
• CWHBA judges will be traveling across Canada to evaluate the stallion prospects. The licensing evaluation is the first step in the approval process with the CWHBA. The dates for 2010 are Ontario – August 28; Quebec – August 30; BC – September 6; Alberta – September 7. Locations and start times are available at http://www.canadianwarmbloods.com/
Destination Equitation in Orangeville
• The Hills of Headwaters Tourism Association is hosting a Breeders’ Parade in downtown Orangeville, ON as part of an eight-day celebration of equestrian excellence in the region. Destination Equitation takes place from September 11th to September 18th throughout the Hills of the Headwaters region and will include stable tours, breeders’ parade, demonstrations and farrier competition, clinics, workshops and interactive activities. Breed associations or breeder interested in participating are asked to contact the Hills of Headwaters Tourism Association at 519-942-0314 or visit http://www.thehillsofheadwaters.com/.
What’s Happening at Our House?
Discounted Royal Winter Fair Tickets
• Due to delays in determining pricing at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, our annual discounted ticket sale will not be available through the magazines. Instead, once pricing is available, an order form will be made available on our website www.horse-canada.com. You can also phone to order at 800-505-7428. Tickets will be available for the following days:
Friday, November 5th
Wednesday, November 10
Thursday, November 11
Saturday, November 13
All are evening performances starting at 6:45 pm.
The ordering deadline will be October 1st.
Horse Sport $5,000 Scholarship Introduced!
Young riders between the ages of 16 and 21 are invited to submit an essay with supporting photos or video to be eligible for a $5000 Scholarship. Young Canadian riders are asked to demonstrate their dedication, drive and accomplishments in an Olympic discipline and submit entries to Horse Sport by September 30, 2010. The winner will be announced in the December issue. For full details see http://www.horse-canada.com/?page_id=3013 and click on the Scholarship button.
The Book Stall Book of the Month
• Headless Horsemen is author Jim Squires’ amusing yet poignant critique of the state of horse racing in America. Jane Smiley states in her review, “If you want to know how thoroughbred horse racing in the United States has destroyed itself, this is the book for you. If you want to know what is to be done, this is the book for you. I can’t recommend it highly enough.” Cost is $32.00 plus shipping and GST. Available at www.horse-canada.com and click on Book Stall or email info@horse-canada.com.
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