WASHINGTON (HSUS) – The Humane Society of the United States cautioned the U.S. Department of Agriculture in a letter that the agency must comply with a 2007 ruling from the D.C. District Court prior to resuming the inspection of horse slaughter facilities—a crucial matter because such inspections could open the way to new horse slaughter plants in the U.S. The HSUS warned that it will consider taking aggressive legal action against USDA to enforce those obligations if the agency fails to follow the court’s order.

Although Congress chose not to renew a prohibition on USDA funds being used for horse slaughter inspections, those inspections cannot recommence automatically, according to The HSUS. In The Humane Society of the United States v. Johanns, the D.C. District Court enjoined USDA from restarting horse slaughter inspections without first conducting an environmental review of the environmental impacts of horse slaughter operations, which can include a persistent noxious stench and the presence of horse blood in the plumbing of neighboring areas. USDA must comply with that order before restarting horse slaughter inspections, and before any horse slaughter plant can open in the U.S.

“The court’s decision is crystal clear,” said Jonathan Lovvorn, senior vice president of animal protection litigation for The HSUS. “USDA must undertake an environmental review before inspections begin, and The HSUS will take appropriate legal action to ensure the agency carries out the court’s directives.”

In 2005, Congress voted to prohibit the use of federal funds to pay for salaries and expenses of personnel to inspect horses being slaughtered for human consumption. By defunding horse slaughter inspections, horse slaughter facilities could no longer operate, and by 2007, all U.S. slaughterhouses were closed. Prior to congressional action, more than 100,000 horses were being slaughtered each year in the United States for consumption abroad. Horses are not bred or raised for food production, but were swept up in the pipeline of “killer buyers” who export horse meat or profit.

In a troubling decision, a congressional conference committee stripped the defunding provision, which had been in place for five years, from an FY 2012 agriculture spending bill, giving USDA the discretion to once again resume horse slaughter inspections, which could cost an estimated $5 million in taxpayer dollars annually. A poll conducted in January by Lake Research Partners for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals found that 80 percent of Americans are strongly opposed to horse slaughter.

“At a time when our nation is looking to cut spending, it is deeply disappointing that Congress added millions of dollars to the federal budget to enable the needless slaughter of America’s iconic horses to resume,” Lovvorn said.  “Americans don’t eat horses, and don’t want them butchered, shrink-wrapped, and sent to France or Belgium as a high-priced appetizer.”

The HSUS’s letter also noted that USDA will have to make extensive changes to its existing regulatory framework to comply with new regulations for the export of horsemeat to the European Union, a top U.S. export destination in the past.

A full copy of the letter can be read here.

Photo by Julie Caramante

WASHINGTON, (AWI) – The Animal Welfare Institute has notified supporters that  the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act, H.R. 7, approved earlier today by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee includes a prohibition on the hauling of horses via double-deck trailers. The move to incorporate this prohibition within the larger transportation bill was strongly supported by AWI and championed by Representative Andy Harris (R-MD) and Committee Ranking Member, Nick Rahall (D-WV). The entire bill now goes before the full House of Representatives for a vote.

While the overall transportation bill is by no means an unqualified success and contains many unsavory elements from an animal welfare perspective, final passage of this ban on double-deck transport in interstate commerce would represent a clear and important victory for horse protection. AWI has long fought to have this inhumane practice outlawed, and in the present instance AWI worked to fend off a last-minute attempt by committee member Representative Rick Crawford (R-AR) to amend the bill so as to strip out the double-deck transport ban.

Chris Heyde, Deputy Director of Government and Legal Affairs for AWI, said “We are very pleased that this ban has been approved by the House Committee. For far too long, unscrupulous individuals have been legally permitted to pack horses into dangerously cramped trailers with ceilings so low that horses are unable to stand properly. The horses are hauled on long-distance journeys that very often cause serious injuries and even deaths. Today, thanks to Representatives Harris and Rahall along with others on the Committee, we moved one step closer to putting an end to this inhumane and utterly unnecessary practice.”

Equine rescue, advocacy, and professional organizations including the American Veterinary Medical Association, National Black Farmers Association, and Veterinarians for Equine Welfare support a ban on double-deck transport of horses. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has expressed opposition to double-deck hauling of horses, stating that, “We do not believe that equines can be safely and humanely transported on a conveyance that has an animal cargo space divided into two or more stacked levels.” (9 CFR Parts 70 and 88). In fact, the USDA has prohibited using these trailers for transporting horses to slaughter, but its rule doesn’t cover horses being transported for other purposes. All horses, regardless of where they are going, deserve this important precaution, and the language included in the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act will provide it.

Chicago (EWA) – A poll conducted in January by Lake Research Partners for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) found that 80% of Americans are strongly opposed to horse slaughter. The highly respected research group based its survey on 1,008 voters giving the results a 3% margin of error. The poll found opposition was consistent across all sectors, including horse owners.

The findings are all the more remarkable given the huge media effort that was mounted by the horse slaughter lobby following the closing of U.S. based horse slaughter plants in 2007.

While the effort appeared to have worked on Congress, causing them to restore funding for horse slaughter inspections, it had the opposite effect on voter opinion. A similar poll performed a decade earlier indicates that opposition to horse slaughter has increased by almost 10%.

The slaughter lobby, supported by some of the most powerful agriculture groups in the country including the Farm Bureau, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), the Pork Producers Council (PPC), the American Veterinary Medicine Association and the American Quarter Horse Association has engaged some of the top lobbying and PR firms in Washington in a concerted effort to push back against what they saw as a victory for “animal rights” supporters.

EWA’s John Holland explains “The horse slaughter issue has unfortunately become part of a much larger battle between big agriculture and animal welfare advocates. Big agriculture has decided to protect itself with an aggressive in-your-face strategy designed to preemptively crush its opponents, real and imagined.”

The promotion of horse slaughter is just one of the proxy battles being waged by the Ag giants. In July of 2011, the NCBA and the PPC opposed a plan already agreed to by the United Egg Producers (UEP) and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to replace existing battery cages with equally efficient environments that create better living conditions for laying hens. The move showed a willingness to attack even other animal agriculture associations who appeared to be bending toward better humane standards.

Perhaps the most bizarre example of this aggressive strategy is SB 610 introduced into the Virginia Legislature this year by State Senator Dick Black. The bill called for working dogs to be reclassified as livestock, effectively removing their humane protection as companion animals. Following an avalanche of criticism, Black announced he was pulling the bill and admitting that he had introduced it “to aid the agriculture and farming community at their request.” He went on to mention the Farm Bureau and the Agribusiness Council by name.

“This newest poll should serve as a warning to politicians who have yielded to big Ag bullying” says EWA’s Vick Tobin, “Voters are not with you on the horse slaughter issue.”

HOUSTON, (Horseback) – The head veterinarian of the State of Texas not so skillfully passed the buck to the Sheriff of Presidio County ignoring responsibility for blatant misuse of Coggins certificates discovered by one of his inspectors. The same documents, according to Hempstead based Texas Animal Health Commission inspector Richard Wagner were used repeatedly for different horses coming through Presidio’s C-4 holding pens bound for slaughter in Mexico.

The Texas Animal Health Commission strictly enforces the documents holding horse owners responsible for their annual upkeep virtually everywhere else in Texas. But Dr. Dee Ellis, the recently appointed Executive Director and State Veterinarian of the Texas Animal Health Commission, pleaded that his nearest enforcement officer to Presidio was 300 miles away, and besides, the agency didn’t have the funds to enforce the law at the border pens – that, despite the fact Wagner was in Presidio when he discovered the Coggins certificate abuse.

In a stunning letter from Ellis responding to constituent concerns about the Presidio situation provided to Horseback Online, the director pleaded :

“I appreciate your concern over the horse issue in Presidio. Obviously no one wants to see animals suffer. The situation out there is complex however. As related to animal care situations, the Texas Animal Health Commission(TAHC) has ­no statutory authority to intercede. Our agency is charged with regulating certain infectious diseases of livestock and poultry – and not all diseases either – just some. The only government entity that has the ability to become involved in an animal welfare situation in Texas is the county sheriff. It is my understanding that the sheriff is aware of this problem. A further complication for us is that horses in international commerce channels ( ie. waiting to cross into Mexico in this case ) are under the sole jurisdiction of the USDA Veterinary Services. So our disease authority is limited if the horses are legally in international trade channels under USDA authority. With that said however, I do not believe USDA has any jurisdiction over animal care issues either though.”

While Ellis acknowledges his agency has statutory authority to deal with infectious disease, he failed to mention scores of rotting horse carcases in Cibolo Creek, which borders the holding pens where the facility was cited by the state environmental quality commission for dumping. The  horses were discovered in the flash flood prone creek during the height of hurricane season. The waterway empties into the nearby Rio Grande River. TAHC issued no citations for the obvious public health crisis.

In his letter, Ellis continued, admitting the state’s responsibility for enforcing rules for Equine Infectious Anemia inspections, – making sure horse owners have an up to day Coggins certificate for their horses.

“TAHC does have jurisdiction to ensure our entry requirements have been met for out of state horses that may be in the state, and that our Equine Infectious Anemia rules for congregations of horses are met. The agency has had both veterinarians and investigators visit Presidio in the last few months to evaluate the situation from a disease enforcement perspective.  The TAHC is  a very small agency that recently took a 50 percent budget cut. We have gone through 2 rounds of reductions in personnel reductions in the last 6 months. The closest TAHC employee to Presidio is over 300 miles away. The way our budget is right now – we have no ability to hire an employee to be located near Presidio. Also because of our limited staff, all regulations of the agency are enforced primarily through voluntary compliance, and occasional spot checks by agency staff. That would definitely be true for a remote location.

To reiterate – I know it is hard to understand but the state has no authority on animal welfare – period. The normal protocol would be for the sheriff to contract with a local veterinarian to inspect horses for cruelty issues and the vet would make a professional determination as to what is going on. It is my understanding that the sheriff has seized at least one group of horses using this protocol. The TAHC will continue to make spot checks out there for compliance with our rules, and will continue to work with USDA and the sheriff office as appropriate.”

Printed on the Coggins certificate, the federal government states clearly that misuse of the document is a crime, saying: “Falsification of this form or knowingly using a falsified form is a criminal offense and may result in a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than 5 years or both (U.S.C. Section 1001.

Yet Ellis can’t bear all the blame for lax enforcement of animal welfare law at the border. The Texas Legislature has put the health of the state’s horses and their owners at risk by zapping the budget of an important state agency.

Cutting Photo Courtesy NCHA

Fort Worth, (NCHA) – The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo will host the second stop of the 2012 Mercuria/National Cutting Horse Association World Series of Cutting Feb. 10 and 11. Admission is free with general grounds admission. Finals will take place on Saturday, February 11 at 3:30 pm in the Expo Hall at the Freeman Coliseum/AT&T Center Grounds.

The World Series attracts NCHA’s best Open horses and Non Pro riders in a thrilling competition. Each World Series show includes $25,000 in added money to both the Open and Non Pro for a total purse of $50,000 in San Antonio.

The next stop of the 2012 Mercuria/NCHA World Series of Cutting will take place in Oklahoma City July 5-6 in conjunction with the American Quarter Horse Association’s Battle in the Saddle event. The series will then head to the Calgary Stampede July 10-12. Other stops this year include Idaho CHA Futurity and El Rancho Futurity in September, as well as the All American Quarter Horse Congress in October before heading to Lyon, France for the finale.

Some of the first round contestants at this year’s event include:

2011 NCHA Horse of the Year Don’t Look Twice, who will enter the herd after marking a record 231 points at the Augusta Futurity in January. Phil Rapp, the mare’s rider, is the winning-est rider in Augusta history. Don’t Look Twice was also the 2011 Reserve World Champion and has lifetime earnings exceeding $640,000, making her High Brow Cat’s highest money-earning offspring.

Kaitlyn Larsen, 22, also had a big win at Augusta in the Mercuria NCHA World Series Non-Pro finals this year. She scored 224 points on her mount Laredo Montana for her first major championship win. The pair were also reserve champions at the NCHA Summer Cutting Spectacular in the Classic Non Pro division last year.

Dual R Smokin, a seven-year-old out of Dual Rey, comes into San Antonio not long after his 15th place finish in the 2011 Open World Standings and 13th place finish in the 2011 Non Pro World Standings. Dual R Smokin also won the NCHA Super Stakes Classic Non Pro under Constance Jaeggi. Both Jaeggi and NCHA
past president Chubby Turner with show the stallion in San Antonio in the Non Pro and Open divisions, respectively.

2011 NCHA Non Pro World Champion Dan Hansen will show Woody Be Lucky, the horse that helped him earn that title. Hansen and his 12-year-old gelding also took championships at Houston, Idaho, and the El Rancho Futurity World Series events last year.

Mike Rutherford, Jr. will show Desde El Comienzo, who was part of the World Champion duo in 2010 World Standings for the $50,000 Amateur class. Rutherford also staked a spot in the finals at the World Series of Cutting in Houston and San Antonio last year. He has earnings exceeding $430,000.

Mercuria Energy is one of the five largest independent energy trading companies on earth. It handles everything from oil and petroleum products to power, natural gas, coal, biofuels and carbon emissions out of offices in over twenty countries on five continents, including Houston, Texas, Chicago, Illinois and Calgary, Canada. For more information, please visit www.mercuria.com.

The National Cutting Horse Association has more than 20,000 members from a wide range of backgrounds. Each year more than 2,200 NCHA-approved events are held throughout North America, with more than $40 million in prize money awarded. For more information visit www.nchacutting.com or call (817) 244-6188. For information on the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, visit www.sarodeo.com or call (210) 225-0612.

Photo by Laura Leigh, Horseback Magazine

SAN ANGELO, (NRCHA) – The preliminary action of the 2011 National Reined Cow Horse Association World Championship Show presented by John Deere continued Wednesday, February 1. The day began with the Open Hackamore, was followed by the Intermediate Non Pro Bridle, then the Non Pro Limited, and finished with the Non Pro Hackamore. The top ten plus ties in each of the preliminary rounds advance to the clean-slate finals, which are held February 3-4. Open Hackamore Preliminaries Former NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Champions Zane Davis and Reymanator topped the Open Hackamore preliminaries with a score of 444. The Open Hackamore class had 33 entries. Remanator, owned by John Semanik of Jacksonville, Florida, is by Dual Rey and out of Savannah Hickory. The bubble score in the Open Hackamore was 436 – eight points higher than in 2010! Joining Davis and Reymanator in the Open Hackamore finals on Saturday, February 4, are: Jake Telford and Nabisco Roan, owned by Newt White Lyn Anderson and Tuckers Smart Cat, owned by David and Barbara Archer Jay McLaughlin and Shiney N Sporty, owned by Salt Fork Cattle Company Boyd Rice and Desire Rey, owned by Kevin and Sydney Knight Darren Miller and Lil Remedy Pep, owned by Darren Miller Kyle Noyce and CNN Crystal Boon, owned by Steve Mattson Jeremy Meador and Smart Remedy Olena, owned by Jeremy Meador Monty Bruce and Sparks N Gunsmoke, owned by John Johnson Clayton Edsall and Skeets Oak Peppy, owned by Clayton Edsall Intermediate Non Pro Bridle Preliminaries Riding Ricochet San, Carrie Von Uhlit marked the high score of the Intermediate Non Pro Bridle – a 437! Von Uhlit and Ricochet San were the South Central Region Non Pro Bridle Champions for 2011. Ricochet San, by Smart Lil Ricochet and out of Peppy Pinata is owned by Lise Von Uhlit of Winters, California. Exhibitors scoring a 421.5 and above earned an Intermediate Non Pro Bridle finals berth, and will compete again on Friday, February 3. Also advancing to the finals are: Suzon Schaal and Genuine Brown Gal, owned by Suzon Schaal Jackie Miller and Pepinics Fancy, owned by Jackie Miller Murray Thompson and Smart Time Tuck, owned by Murray Thompson Meg Rosel-Pursell and Baddabing Baddaboon, owned by Meg Rosell-Pursel Dick Hershman and Tuff Sliding Peppy, owned by Dick Hershman Virgil Valdez and He Be Fierce, owned by Virgil Valdez Diane Edwards and Sanjo Shine, owned by Diane Edwards Laura Kiracofe and Tejons Dry Deuce, owned by Laura Kiracofe Debbie Proctor and Hes A Smokin Indian, owned by Debbie Proctor Non Pro Limited Preliminaries Hastings, Florida, Non Pro Tiffany Stratton marked the high score of the Non Pro Limited with a 435, leading the field of 27. Stratton was riding Meradas Money Bar, by Meradas Money Talks out of PCR Gay Bar CD. Exhibitors with a score of 417 earned a berth in the clean-slate finals on Saturday, February 4. Joining Stratton are: Birgit Self and TR Miss Graygun, owned by Birgit Self Kelly Vadez and Smart Tic Tack, owned by Robert and Betty Lou Valdez Megan Waddell and Shine Up My Sliders, owned by Donna Waddell Jamie Foster and Fletch Me If You Can, owned by Jamie Foster Gretchen Keller and The Smart Dude, owned by John Keller Eleise Blake and Jills A Little Blue, owned by Eleise Blake Barry Spinweber and Suz Mountain Dew, owned by Barry Spinweber Allyson Mcbride and Chic N Miss, owned by JE and Allyson Mcbride Erin Russell and Margarita Por Favor, owned by James and Ellen Russell Non Pro Hackamore Preliminaries With a score of 432.5, former NRCHA World and National Champion Tish Wilhite topped the Non Pro Hackamore preliminaries. Wilhite rode her horse The Fresno Fox. The Fresno Fox is by Heart Of A Fox out of Oaks Jewel Doll. It took a 398 to advance to the Non Pro Hackamore Finals. The other finalists who will compete on Saturday, February 4, are: Toni Hagen and Lenas Chexy Badger, owned by Dan Heath John Keller and Soulanova, owned by John Keller Frances Labourdette and Shiney The Kid, owned by Labourdette Ranch LLC Meg Rosell-Pursel and Pastels Doc Hickory, owned by Richard Rosell Karen Nicholson Phillips and Plumb Starlight, owned by Karen Nicholson Phillips Karey Franz and Nics Long Pants, owned by Karey Franz Steve Mattson and CNN Crystal Boon, owned by Steve Mattson Diane Edwards and Weavers Smokin Boon, owned by Diane Edwards Carolyn Edson and Daphne Doo Right, owned by Carolyn Edson Complete results can be found at www.nrcha.com. The National Reined Cow Horse Association, now in its 62nd year, is the governing body of cow horse competition, is responsible for promoting the sport, insuring high standards of competition and educating members and the public about the history and tradition of the cow horse. Through the support of a Corporate Partner family that includes Bob’s Custom Saddles, Cinch, Classic Equine, Gist Silversmiths, John Deere, Markel Insurance Company, Platinum Performance, Quarter Horse News, Rios of Mercedes, the Silver Legacy Hotel and Casino, and Merial products UlcerGard and EQUIOXX, the association works to keep the vaquero tradition alive in today’s equine industry. For information on the National Reined Cow Horse Association, call 580-759-4949 or visit the NRCHA Official Web Site at www.nrcha.com. ###

Year Two: The NARG Top 25 Shows in North America Are Revealed

WELLINGTON, (NARG) – Following the overwhelmingly positive response to our 2010 Top 25 report, NARG’s host of volunteers once again invested hundreds of hours to numerically evaluate 50 of the top horse shows in North America. The 2011 results are an interesting mix of events – including a couple of Canadian champions, a promising new beginning for The National Horse Show, several new discoveries and two most improved shows. Canada claimed the top two spots this year. The highest marks once again go to Spruce Meadows, a venue that continues to exemplify our aspirations for great sport in North America. The number two title this year goes to a Canadian discovery, Thunderbird Show Park. Both venues are tremendous places to compete and show jumpers should seriously consider adding these solid examples of top tournaments to their summer schedule. Relocated to Lexington, the Alltech National Horse Show earned a top ranking this year. With the promise of recreating what once was, this indoor event could again bring brilliance back to the fall circuit. Two of our nation’s most treasured traditional events rank in the top five this year, the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair and The Hampton Classic. These shows have stood the test of time and continue to offer an outstanding experience for both the exhibitors and the spectators. By making big strides towards footing improvements, Devon also earned one of two NARG’s ‘Most Improved’ Awards this year. In 2011 Devon’s score improved by 6% and their ranking jumped five spots. The second event to earn the NARG ‘Most Improved’ in 2011 is Old Salem Farm’s May series. Often plagued by wet weather, Old Salem’s new large sand arena ably handles the classes that the grass field cannot. Dedicated to becoming a premiere event, Old Salem’s score improved by 7% and their ranking also jumped three spots. NARG acknowledges the effort required to produce a world-class equestrian competition. We value the open-mindedness with which horse show managers have considered our evaluations. These top managements are working hard to offer superb competition by putting sport first. As we continue to rank the Top 25 Shows each year, NARG feels confident that the quality of competitions as well as the number of top ranked international riders will increase as top horse shows continue to develop into world class events. THE TOP 25 OF 2011 The top SIX shows scored 80% or higher. To make the Top 25 a show had to score 69%, eight percent higher than 2010. Average score 76%. 1. Spruce Meadows – 92% 2. Thunderbird – 83% 3. Alltech National Horse Show – 83% 4. Devon Horse Show – 81% 5. Hampton Classic – 80% 6. Pennsylvania National Horse Show – 80% 7. Winter Equestrian Festival – 79% 8. New Albany Horse Show – 79% 9. Pin Oak Charity Horse Show – 77% 10. Del Mar National Horse Show – 77% 11. American Invitational – 76% 12. Pfizer Million Grand Prix – 75% 13. Kentucky Spring Horse Shows – 74% 14. North American Junior/Young Rider Championship – 74% 15. Washington International Horse Show – 74% 16. Sacramento Horse Show – 73% 17. The Royal – 73% 18. Xalapa – 73% 19. Bromont – 72% 20. Horse Shows by the Bay – 72 % 21. Old Salem Horse Show – 72% 22. Lake Placid Horse Show – 72% 23. Blenheim – 71% 24. Putnum Boston Classic – 70% 25. HITS Thermal – 69% About the North American Riders Group – NARG The North American Riders Group, NARG, remains steadfast in achieving an essential goal-improving our sport so that once again show jumping in North America will rank among the greatest in the world. It takes teamwork to achieve a goal of this magnitude. Representing the riders and owners in North America, NARG takes the necessary steps to work openly with show managements, governing bodies and associations, as collectively we all make up the team that must evolve with the times to see this come to fruition. With your participation, NARG’s voice becomes incrementally stronger and clearer. To bring change we must be able to speak with a singular voice. Join us. Visit www.narg.org or call 561.386.4525 for more details.

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LEXINGTON, (Phelps) - The Alltech National Horse Show, 129th edition is pleased to announce the dates and locations for this year’s ASPCA Maclay Regional competitions. The horse shows’ qualifying classes determine which riders will compete in this year’s ASPCA Maclay National Championship, which will be held at the Alltech Arena in Lexington, Kentucky on November 4, 2012. The ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship class has been held since 1933, and it is one of the most prestigious competitions for junior riders in the United States. Its winners are some of the biggest names in equestrian sport. Previous winners include: William Steinkraus in 1941, Frank Chapot (1948), George Morris (1952), Leslie Burr Howard (1972), Stacia Klein Madden in 1987, and Nicole Shahinian Simpson in 1992. The 2010 ASPCA Maclay National Championship winner was Hayley Barnhill, and in 2011 Sarah Milliren was named the winner. Separate entry blanks for the ASPCA Maclay Regionals must be mailed to the Alltech National Horse Show. All other classes and stall requests should go directly to the host horse show. The following Regional competitions will be qualifiers for the National Championship. Please contact the appropriate regional horse show for a prize list. 2012 MACLAY REGIONAL CONTACTS Region 1 – Grand Fall Classic , September 23, Westbrook CT Jane Dow-Burt, 860-399-6317 Region 2 – Old Salem Farm, September 22, North Salem, NY Lori Johnsen , 914-669-5610 Region 3 – Southeast Medal Finals, September 23, Jacksonville, FL Bob Bell, 847-768-5503 Region 4 – Kentucky National, September 22, Lexington, KY Suzanne Mayo, 615-790-2953 Region 5 – St. Louis National Charity, September 15, Lake Saint Louis, MO Tom Blankenship, 843-269-4737 or Lisa Mills, 314-308-1162 Region 6 – High Prairie Fall Classic, September 15, Parker, CO Charlotte Skinner, 818-563-3250 Region 7 – NorthWest Autumn Classic, September 15, Monroe, WA Dianne Johnson, 425-823-2802 Region 8 – The Oaks Fall Classic, September 15, San Juan Capistrano, CA Stephaine Wheeler, 949-443-1841 For more information on the ASPCA Maclay National Championships and its qualifiers as well as the Alltech National Horse Show, please visit www.nhs.org.

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From Live Oak International

March 22-25, 2012 The Live Oak International Driving Event will celebrate its 20th year in 2012. Over this 20 year period it has been the industry standard for Combined Driving Competition welcoming leading drivers, trainers, coaches and owners from Europe and North America and drawing thousands of people to the area as we again serve the dual purposes of giving the public a chance to enjoy world class combined driving competition while also supporting many non-profit and charity goals. The 2012 Event will host the USEF National Championships for Four In Hand Horses. The multigenerational love for equestrian sports shared by the Weber family will take another logical step in 2012, with the addition of a Jumping Speed Class following Dressage on Friday and a Jumping Grand Prix following the Marathon on Saturday. We look forward to providing our spectators with some of the best Jumping competition with some of the best Driving competition at the same venue on the same afternoons. A world class Driving event and a world class Jumping competition will be together at a world class farm. We are very excited about hosting the second Horse Fever Auction Friday evening. The first auction in 2002, raised almost one million dollars for Marion County charities. The Tentative Schedule is: Thursday, March 22, 9am     FEI Driven Dressage Friday, March 23, 8am          Preliminary and Intermediate Driven Dressage Friday, March 23, 5pm          Jumping Speed Class Friday, March 23, 6:30pm     Horse Fever Auction. Tickets are required and may be purchased from Marion Cultural Alliance. Saturday, March 24, 9am      Driving Cross Country Marathon Saturday, March 24, 2pm      Jumping Grand Prix Sunday, March 25, 9am        Driving Obstacle Class, Classic Car Show, Coaching Demonstration Concessions and a Vendor Village will be open during the entire competition. Tailgating is available for the Driving Marathon Saturday. To reserve a Tailgating space contact 352-207-3615. Admission is $10 at the gate for adults and $5 for Seniors and children under 12. It is strongly suggested that spectators bring lawn chairs as seating is very limited. For additional information and updates, please refer to www.liveoakinternational.com.

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