Newsworthy

Congratulations

In the 2007 CN North American Junior and Young Riders Championships, USEA Eventing Young Riders division, the individual silver medal went to Nate Chambers of Upperville, VA with a three-phase score of 62.2 on Rolling Stone II. In show jumping the Junior Gold Medal went to Katherine Newman of Upperville, VA, with a five-round score of only 4 faults on Costa Sur. Also, Newman was awarded the "Baretta" trophy for show jumping.

Virginia Cooperative Extension and Southern Sates Cooperative offer expert advice from veterinarians and researchers on care of the older horse. Topics include disease, physical changes, maintaining the aging equine athlete, dental care, feeding and end of life options. The conference is offered at Charlottesville on November 8 and Front Royal on November 9. Early registration received by October 26 is $20, which includes lunch; late registration is $25 and must be received by November 5. For information on the Charlottesville Program, Carrie Swanson, Extension Agent at the Albemarle-Charlottesville VCE Office, (434) 872-4580 or cswanson@vt.edu. For information on the Front Royal Program, Crystal Smith, Extension Agent at the Warren County VCE Office, (540) 635-4549 or crystal.smith@vt.edu.

 (Newsworthy is continued below)

Tri-County Feeds, Etc.s impressive new facility in Marshall is going green. The 24,000 square-foot retail and warehouse facility has been developed in an environmentally responsible way. "Making choices throughout the facility that protect our environment and limited natural resources wherever feasible was just the right thing to do," said Bill Jackson, President of Tri-County Feeds.

Insulation used throughout the facility is cellulose of recycled newspaper. This insulation significantly reduces heating and cooling costs, resulting in reduced energy consumption, pollution and the reduction of landfill waste. Stains and paint used were solvent-free and harmless to the environment and waterways. Bamboo and cork flooring used in the building are environmentally sound, renewable, recyclable, biodegradable and antimicrobial.

Natural pet foods, bedding, household cleaning items, and personal care products are at the new Tri-County Feeds, which provides customers with environmentally conscious product choices.

Tri-County Feeds new facility offers an expansive selection of products for the equestrian and companion animal enthusiast. Tack, riding equipment and attire, home and stable furnishings, gifts, toys, books, the work of local artists, and dog and cat care items are available. These new products complement the broad assortment of feeds, bedding, and supplies currently offered. A library/media room/conference center is available for use and will serve as a valuable resource to the community.

Everyone is invited to the Grand Opening on Saturday, September 22nd from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 7408 John Marshall Highway in Marshall, Virginia. A Kawasaki Mule 610, donated by Smith Equipment Corporation and Tri-County Feeds, Etc., will be raffled off. Come and meet Karen OConnor, world-renowned equestrienne and Olympic medalist. Door prizes and vendor samples will be given away throughout the day. There will be a Moon Bounce for the kids and refreshments will be available from The Livestock Grill.

For additional information please contact: Bill Jackson, President of Tri-County Feeds, Etc. 540-364-1891, bill@tricountyfeeds.com

Going into the third and final day of the eventing portion of the XV Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, the top three riders (all member of Team USA) were separated by less than two points. When it was all over, Theodore OConnor, a.k.a. "super Ted," came out on top and proved to his bigger competition that he was the best of them all today. The powerful pony looked awfully small when he cantered into the main arena at Deodoro, but he belied his 14.1 hands under jockey Karen OConnor and brought the American supporters to their feet in taking home two Gold medals to their Virginia base. "Its a fairytale," said OConnor. "The team around me and all the instruction Ive gotten&its a big team effort."

Spring-heeled, 11-year-old "Teddy," as he is known to all of his friends, has a huge fan club everywhere he goes. He had one rail down, the second part of the two-stride combination at fence six, but both pony and rider maintained their composure and finished without further penalty and a score of 52.7.

Bred by P. Wynn Norman, who still has some ownership in him as part of the Theodore OConnor Syndicate, the Thoroughbred/Arabian/Shetland cross has rewritten history with his prolific performance.

The team of Bradley, Dutton, Miles and OConnor comfortably won a third consecutive Team Gold medal for the U.S. finishing on a score of 162.8 over Canadas 211.1.

The Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center is offering an educational seminar on Managing Healthy Growth and Development in Young Horses on October 19, 2007 in Middleburg, VA. This program is for those interested in horse breeding management or horse growth and includes a selection of topics relevant to the horse owner or breeders. Speakers from Pennsylvania State University and Virginia Intermont will join representatives of Virginia Tech and Virginia Cooperative Extension in discussing appropriate feeding and exercise of young horses, as well as methods for monitoring growth and development. Registration at 8:30 a.m. with the program running from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pre-registration by October 12, 2007 is requested. Please pre-register by contacting Shea Porr at 540-687-3521 ext 27/cporr@vt.edu or Rita Rollison at 540-687-3521 ext 10/rbrady@vt.edu.

 (Continued below)

 First Cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile Virus Confirmed In Virginia

The State Veterinarian has confirmed the first cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile virus (WNV) in horses this year. The EEE positive horse was from Suffolk and was euthanized because of its illness on 6/26/07. The WNV positive horse is from Rockingham County, and developed clinical signs on 6/23/07. That horse has since recovered. In 2006, there were no equine cases of EEE in Virginia, and only one case of WNV in a Virginia equine, in Suffolk. The State Veterinarian urges horse owners to vaccinate all equines every six to twelve months against these diseases.

 (Newsworthy is Continued below)

The MARE Center raises yearlings as a vital part of its research efforts to better understand the relationships between nutrition and healthy development in the growing horse, improved reproduction in the mare, and optimal performance in the athletic horse. The 16th Annual Thoroughbred Yearling Auction will be offering for sale 22 exceptional horses. All proceeds go directly to the MARE Center to continue research and breeding programs.

Six stallions are represented in this years yearlings: BALLS BLUFF, FRED ASTAIRE, KATAHDIN, MEADOW MONSTER, WAYNE COUNTY, and YARROW BRAE. Previous yearlings sold at this auction have matured to show, hunt, and race both on the flat and over fences. In particular on the race track the progeny have earned over $2,000,000.

This year the MARE Center yearlings are all being worked with under the guidance of renowned horse trainer, Red Revelle. Basic handling and groundwork will be covered so the yearlings should be well prepared for the next step in their training.

Sale day inspections start at 10:00 a.m., auction starts at 2:00 p.m. For viewing and information call 540-687-3521. Pedigrees available at www.apsc.vt.edu/centers/mare/marechome.htm.

Along with three days on trails in the Blue Ridge Mountains, trail riders will be treated to three days of free clinics by Charles and Michele Pellham. It is all part of the second Grand Champion Trail Ride-A-Rama to be held in Syria, Virginia on September 28, 29 and 30 at Graves Mountain Lodge. Charles Pellham is the 2007 American Ranch Horse Association World Champion Working Ranch Horse and works with starting colts and problem horses. Michele Pellham is the 2006 American Ranch Horse Association Open Cutting Reserve World Champion and Senior Ranch Trail Reserve Champion. She trains cutting horses and works with young riders.

Host of the trail ride is Steve Barnes, owner of Grand Champion Trailer Sales with locations in Madison, Virginia and Charlestown, West Virginia. The ride is designed to showcase the natural beauty of Graves Mountain, the valley of Syria, the orchards and the mountains. Five meals will be served at the Lodge. Everyone is invited to the dance Saturday night and Cowboy Church service Sunday morning.

For more information on the Grand Champion Trail Ride-A-Rama or Cornerstone Horsemanship or to pre-register go to grandchampiontrailers.com or call 888.249.5110.

(Newsworthy is continued below)

The American Horse Councils Economic Impact of the Horse Industry on the United States study includes some impressive statistics that confirm the significant impact of the horse show industry.

Among horse owners, 481,238 are primarily involved in competition. There are more than one million Quarter Horses being used specifically for showing purposes. Meanwhile, 336,992 Thoroughbreds and another 1.3 million horses belonging to "other" breeds are involved in showing and competitions. Thoroughbreds used for showing have a $2.2 billion direct effect and a $6 billion total effect (including indirect and induced effects) on the GDP. Competition Quarter Horses have a $4 billion direct effect and $10.8 billion total effect. The rest of the breeds have a $4.4 billion direct effect and $11.9 billion total effect. The showing industry has a total effect on full-time equivalent employment of 380,416 jobs.

The American Horse Councils Economic Impact of the Horse Industry on the United States study contains all of these statistics and more. The comprehensive study also analyzes the racing and recreation industries, as well as breaking down all of these numbers by state for the 15 states that participated in breakout studies. The national and each individual state study are available for purchase from the American Horse Council at www.horsecouncil.org or by phone at 202-296-4031.

(Newsworthy is continued below)

The Arabian Horse Association (AHA) Sport Horse National Arabian and Half-Arabian Championship Show (Sport Horse Nationals) makes its fifth annual appearance from September 26-30, 2007, at the Virginia Horse Center. The event features 69 classes in four divisions: sport horse in-hand and under-saddle, dressage, pleasure carriage driving and hunter/jumper.

There are free activities:
" All are welcome to the Thursday evening Progressive Barn Party featuring wine from Rebec Vineyards and the University of Virginia faculty jazz quartet
" Friday: jumper mini-prix, musical dressage freestyle and the amateur sport horse show hack championships
" Saturday: musical dressage freestyle, pleasure carriage driving pick-you-route obstacle championships, and sport horse supreme champion

The Sport Horse Nationals is the only single breed championship competition focusing specifically on the sport horse disciplines and catering to sport horse exhibitors. All horses are Arabians, Half-Arabians or Anglo-Arabians registered with AHA or the Canadian Arabian Horse Registry. Both rider and owner need to be AHA members. For more information on the show, contact AHA at 303-696-4500, info@ArabianHorses.org or online at ArabianHorses.org/SHN.