January 2012

The FEI has today given final sign-off on the footing that will be used for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events at Greenwich Park. The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) conducted footing tests at a site near Preston in the north of England on 20 and 21 December 2011. The mix for the footing is now composed of non-waxed sand, felt and fibre.

Iron Spring Farm stallion Sir Sinclair with rider Dorie Addy Crow as a 5 year old (by Lord Sinclair X Flemingh)

As the new year starts in full swing, the 2012 Markel Young Horse Program gets underway with many young horse hopefuls planning their training and competition schedule to qualify for the 2012 Markel/USEF Dressage Young Horse Championships which will be held once again at the beautiful Lamplight Equestrian Center, in Wayne, Illinois, August 22-26. To inspire young horse owners and breeders exciting news is about to be announced in support of this program, so stay tuned to DressageDaily! Check out this video posted from the USDF 2004 National Symposium with Christoph Hess featuring the Iron Spring Farm stallion Sir Sinclair  with rider Dorie Addy Crow as a 5 year old (by Lord Sinclair X Flemingh) Sir Sinclair went onto win the 2005 USEF/Markel FEI 6 Year Old Championship, and has enjoyed an illustrious breeding career at ISF.

The FDA announced in Dec 2011 that the agency will now ban the agricultural use of cephalosporins, a class of antibiotics used in humans to treat pneumonia, skin and soft tissue infections as well as urinary tract infections. In horses it is used to treat bacterial strains of Streptococcus equi ssp that cause lower respiratory tract infections. Concerned that routine use of this antibiotic will push pathogens to develop resistance, the FDA cited this as an important step to reducing factory farm antiobiotic abuse.

The Dressage Connection, a premier Wellington dressage store and upscale mobile tack unit, will host a fashion show complete with dressage riders strutting their stuff on the runway during the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s “Equestrian of the Year” Celebration, Wednesday, January 11th at the Players Club Restaurant in Wellington. (Photo courtesy of Gregory Ratner, RatnerImages.com)

Wellington, FL The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Equestrian of the Year Celebration is an annual fundraiser designed to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The Dressage Connection hosted a fashion show during last year’s event that not only showed off the latest in dressage clothing but also raised over $14,000 for the fundraiser. “The theme for this year’s Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is ‘From the Stable to Stepping Out!’ which is the perfect theme for The Dressage Connection. We have a great group of riders who will be our models, showing how it easy it can be to go from the stable to stepping out – whether it’s out to dinner or walking the catwalk! Dressage riders are known for being fashionable and during the fashion show we will show everyone the latest trends and the finest couture available. We will also help everyone who attends the fashion show learn how to go from the stable to stepping out in style,” said Lisa Tota.