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Dangerous Hurricane Ike Continues Westward...Ike Could Be a Threat to Florida Next Week. Saturday, September 6, 2008  At 10AM EDT Saturday, the center of Major Hurricane Ike was located about 200 miles East of Grand Turk Island, or about 850 miles East-Southeast of Miami. Ike is moving West-Southwest at around 16 mph, but it is expected to turn more toward the West later today and move towards the North coast of Cuba by Monday morning. Maximum sustained winds are near 115 mph, making Ike a Category 3 hurricane. Its intensity is likely to remain at the category 3 level for the next day or two until a possible interaction with Cuba will likely weaken the storm a bit. A Hurricane Warning, indicating Hurricane conditions are likely in the next 24 hours, is in effect for the Turks and Caicos Island and the Southeastern Bahamas. A Hurricane Watch, indicating that hurricane conditions are possible in the next 24-36 hours is in effect for the central Bahamas. Currently, all of the Florida peninsula and Keys lie within the 5 day error cone, so Ike may be a threat to portions of Florida by early next week. ***PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS A GOOD DEAL OF UNCERTAINTY IN THE LONG-RANGE FORECAST TRACK OF HURRICANE IKE. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT ALL FLORIDIANS AND VISITORS CONTINUE TO MONITOR FUTURE FORECASTS FROM THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER AND BEGIN PREPARATIONS NOW FOR ANY POTENTIAL IMPACTS.*** At 8 AM EDT Saturday, the center of Tropical Storm Josephine was located in the far eastern Atlantic, about 1200 miles west of African Coast. Maximum sustained winds are near 30 mph. Josephine is moving west-northwest near 9 mph, and it is expected to continue moving in this direction over the next few days across the central Atlantic with little change in strength. Moderate to major flooding is forecast to continue along the middle St. Johns River. For the latest river flood information, please visit the Southeast River Forecast Center. Check back with www.floridisaster.org during the weekend for additional weather updates. See the Comprehensive Listing of Southern States Equine Disaster Preparedness  article at: http://horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=3553
	Aug. 20, 2008 - Hurricane/Tropical Storm Fay is heading our way. Below are some PDFs/links for assistance: Disaster Preparedness for Horses UF-IFAS Disaster Handbook Florida County Emergency Management Web Sites
HSUS-Dart: Disaster Animal Response Team training Sept. 12-14, 2008, Gainesville, FL EMERGENCY INFORMATION Bradford County: 904-966-6300 Clay County: 800-246-3320 Baker County: 904-259-6111 Charlton County: 912-496-3687 Columbia County: 386-758-1125 SE Georgia: 912-287-4467 Sunshine State Horse Council Disaster Preparedness Plan (PDF) Emergency Treatment & Management of Horses under hurricane conditions (PDF - UF) Disaster Preparedness for Pets (PDF - UF) Click here for current NOAA Tropical Weather Statements & Maps Florida Division of Emergency Management - SERT - State Emergency Response Team Resources For Those in the Path of a Hurricane - Downloadable PDF to a very comprehensive list of what to do. Guidelines for the Development of a Local Animal Care Plan (LACP) in Emergencies, Disasters and Evacuations Read more> AAEP's Emergency & Disaster Preparedness Committee - Guidelines for Evacuation Read more> Florida VETS is a special disaster-response unit based at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, that can help provide veterinary medical care for animals both large and small impacted by a disaster. “It is similar in concept to the U.S. Army’s old-style MASH units,” Haven said. Read more> Equine Disaster Preparedness website (updates forthcoming)

A possible twister hit Wellington in Palm Beach County, where the violent weather ripped a small barn off its foundation and left a horse standing unhurt on a concrete slab, authorities said. At another location, the Palm Beach Equine Clinic, quarterhorse was in a stall, untied, when the suspected tornado hit about 2 a.m. It destroyed the structure and left the horse standing there unscathed.

The roof tiles flew off the veterinary clinic and broke car windows in a nearby parking lot. The storm also picked up a horse trailer and smashed it into another horse trailer.

A New Twist in the Exciting World of Show Jumping Happened in Jacksonville, FL, Apr. 17-20

The 1st Annual City League event was held at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center with twenty teams from as far away as Bogotá, Colombia; Caracas, Venezuela; Mobile, Alabama; Lafayette, Louisiana testing their skills against the course and the clock. More>

See the winning Grand Prix ride by Derek Peterson video by Select Media

See a slideshow of pictures by Glossy Finish

See a slideshow of pictures by Teri Rehkopf

City League International Grand Prix Show Jumping - Over $400,000 in total prize money!

April 17-20, 2008  First Annual Grand Prix Show Jumping Extravaganza with Entertainment and Trade Show. Over $400,000 in total prize money for the 2008 series

Excitement! Thrills! Speed! Fun! That's Grand Prix Show Jumping! Come one, come all - SPECTATORS WELCOME!

"We're transforming Show Jumping into a spectator sport, something that people haven't done for hundreds of years." Vick Russell, City League Co-Founder

City League International  Show Jumping is coming to Jacksonville for its first event of their League series on April 17-20, 2008 at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center. City League's mission is to support endeavors for the prevention and treatment of cancer. City League will achieve this by transforming Show Jumping into a spectator sport through establishing City teams, riders, and fans throughout the Southeast.

Teams of Grand Prix-level show jumping horses and riders from FIVE CITY LEAGUES will be navigating jump course obstacles as much as 5 feet high and 6 feet wide, with each rider trying to beat the time of the other rider. Each team will compete in three events over the course of the long weekend, which will end with a Saturday evening Grand Prix.

Read more - Derek Peterson wins the jump-off for the Jacksonville Calvary>

Jared Peterson, with the Jacksonville Calvary in first place in individual standings after Thursday’s Speed Competition!

For the first time in Florida an Arabian Community Show was offered on Saturday March 8th, 2008. 

The show was sponsored by the North Florida Arabian Horse Club and wasl be held in the beautiful Jacksonville Equestrian Center. 

The show offered many featured classes like: Sport Horse In Hand, Sport Horse Under Saddle, Sport Horse Under Saddle Most Suitable for Dressage, All types of Halter classes for all ages, Western Pleasure and Equitation classes for all ages, Hunter, English Pleasure and Country Pleasure classes, Championships classes with percentage payoffs, and Specialty classes like Liberty, Lead Line and Native Costume. Our Show Judge is Matt Murray, Trail Judge is Barbara Aponte, and our Paddock Master is Linda Roberts. 

On Sunday the 9th the 17th Annual Karen Fry Memorial Horse Show was held at the same facility.  

Judge for this show is Jennifer Moshier, and Trail Judge Barbara Aponte. This is an Open All Breed horse show which means the Arabian horses can also enter a 2nd day show.  This show offers many classes including some gaited classes for our gaited horse owners, some percentage payoff Championship classes and classes for all ages for both horses and riders.  Laurine and Lonnie Fry, Karen's parents, will again present a beautiful trophy to the 1st place winner of the Good Sportsmanship Award and give 6 medallions to 6 deserving youngsters that they have observed during both days of showing. Youngsters from both of these shows are eligible for the Karen Fry Memorial Good Sportsmanship Award.

For further information regarding both of these shows you may contact Nancy Pooley (904) 291-6804 email: nfahc@home.att.net, or visit the club's web site at: http://nfahc.home.att.net

Read more>

NFAHC Pictures

Roberto Teran and Hasbrouck Donovan Victorious as Finale Week Begins in Jacksonville

Green Cove Springs, FL—FEB 7 2008— The finale week of the 2008 Jacksonville Winter Series began with near perfect weather and a nice win for Roberto Teran and Distant Star 3E in Thursday’s Lucky Sevens Welcome Stake sponsored by Ring Power.

 The 9 year-old Canadian sport horse mare, bred and owned by King Ridge Stables, is no stranger to winning having captured top honors in the Young Jumpers 7-8 Year Old Championships in 2007. “She’s just a great ride.” Teran began of his partner; “We have high hopes for her this season.”  From the starting field only two riders cleared the first round of designer Tim Hott’s 13 obstacle [16 efforts], which included several roll backs throughout the course as well as a triple combination that seem to be the pitfall for many of the horses. “It was tight for the scopey horses.” Roberto agreed, “the short 3 stride from the B element [vertical] to C element [vertical] was tougher with the triple headed towards the back corner.” More than 80 percent of the faults occurred here. The other “trap” came in setting the final #13 oxer practically at the end gate, more than a few took a momentary glance towards the exit when approaching it. The time allowance of 90 seconds seem to give some horses’ trouble as well, most from airing on the cautious side with the younger horses and riders. “I thought it was a nice course. Lots of roll backs and turns, but fair to the rider and horse.” Roberto said.

One through thirteen in the order went with no clear rounds, then last week’s Grand Prix winners Bill Lowry and Polygraaf showed them how it’s meant to be. Going clean in 87.424 then on to the jump off [as per the Table II.2b format] where the dynamic pair remained clean, ahead of the 45 second limit, until the final fence with an unfortunate hard rub that dropped the rail leaving them with a finish of 4 faults in 37.011. Following Bill was the eventual winner Roberto and Distant Star with another clean ride in 88.103, but as with Lowry an unfortunate rail at the end of the 7 obstacle layout left Teran with 4 faults. Their time however was a scorching 34.922 seconds. Four riders remained to challenge both the course and Teran, but in the end all failed to conquer, assuring Roberto the victory. “We’ll be here for the Grand Prix this weekend. It should be a tough one, with some great riders coming out.” Roberto concluded as he headed to the barn to school one more horse before calling it a day.

This evening, Friday, saw the junior hunter competitors take the spotlight with the $2500 Equitation Classic.  An interesting layout of 11 obstacles that asked questions of both rider and horse; the answer to designer Tim Hott’s course was the ability to collect and balance a horse, not just hand gallop or leave out strides. 

Hasbrouck Donovan of Gainesville, FL and Levity, her 10 year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, both trained by the highly respected Donald Stewart, began the first round 9th in the order and executed a beautiful first round earning them a score of 87. “I thought he [Levity] was really, really good and I was very happy with how he did.” the very shy Hasbrouck said following her victory gallop. This evening’s course provided just the test Hott wanted, offering technical bends and sweeping turns ensuring the panel of 3 judges; Dacia Johnson, Penny Wahler, and Steve Wall would see the best and worst of each rider.

“Top of the line work ethic”, winning trainer Donald Stewart bragged of his 13 year-old student. The quiet and modest Hasbrouck merely blushed, but when asked about competing with several of her close friends was quick to say it was not at all uncomfortable. Stewart confirmed, “While some kids may not be good sports, that’s not the case here. She’s [Hasbrouck] a great sport and everyone loves her.” No sooner had those words escaped his lips than two exuberant fellow competitors rushed to hug the evening’s star.

 Don expressed how pleased he was with both Hasbrouck and Levity’s performance, explaining the horse is “a little quirky, but gives her some nice challenges. He’s got beautiful balance, beautiful jump, and he’s got just the right amount of experience so that it’s comfortable enough for a 13 year-old to all this.”  Asked how she manages school and showing, Hasbrouck gave a little shrug, but Don was quick to pick fun with her by answering, “she’s like my oldest daughter, she’s got to work at it. She [Hasbrouck] doesn’t have trouble learning the courses-riding that is.”  Being one of only 4 riders called back for testing speaks volumes as to how this young rider’s “learning” paid off. The final exam called for by the judges was quite the task. Riders were instructed to canter fence #5-an oxer from the line up, canter to vertical #6, then trot a broken line to fence #1, counter canter to oxer #2 where upon landing demonstrate 2 simple changes of leads and canter to vertical #11- barely 3 strides and return to the line in a sitting trot. Hasbrouck and Levity were flawless in their efforts, with all three judges passing them to the head of the class.

When asked what was next for this pair, “Olympics” has the howling answer an excited Don Stewart laughed out. Hasbrouck on the other hand will be happy to move on to Ocala with future hopes of some nice ribbons there and later at Devon. She hinted that she would also like to dabble in the jumpers, so she may get the last laugh on trainer Don Stewart after all.

In the equitation classic, 2nd place went to last year’s winner Laura Pfeiffer riding Holston for owner Fox Meadow Farm. 3rd place to owner-rider Ansley Carter and Urco and 4th to Capitalio partnered with Samantha Schaefer for owner Katherine Press.

The Jacksonville Finale continues with the thrilling $25,000 Jacksonville Finale Grand Prix Saturday evening at 7PM as well as the naming of the $10,000 Reynolds, Smith, & Hills High Point Grand Prix Award and on Sunday the $5,000 Bruning Foundation High Point Hunter Award, presented to the top riders, calculated by earned points, of the four-week series.  For more information or results on the 2008 Winter Series please visit www.classiccompany.com .

Flashpoint Media Services, based in Harrodsburg, KY., is a comprehensive public relations firm specializing in the equestrian sports. For additional information contact Robbi Meisel, 859-734 3713, robbi@flashpointmediaservices.com or Cynthia Grisolia, 347-423 7322, cindy@flashpointmediaservices.com .

MEDIA CONTACT: Robbi Meisel, (859) 734-3713, robbi@flashpointmediaservcies or Cynthia Grisolia, Flashpoint Media Services, (347) 423-7322,
cindy@flashpointmediaservices.com

Photos: Roberto Teran & Distant Star 3E; Hasbrouck Donovan & Levity ©Flashpoint Photography
** Photos may be used free of charge only in relation to this press release

Jacksonville will offer four weeks of "AA" rated shows.

Week one will host an FEI / AGA Rated $75,000 Grand Prix in the multi million dollar covered arena.

Jacksonville Winter Series, January 16-February 10, 2008 Clay County Ag Center (Green Cove Springs, FL)

See the Classic Company website for show documents and venue information.

See Flashpoint Photography for show photographs. Photos on right are copyright 2007 Flashpoint Photography.

Also see HorsesintheSouth.com Calendar of Events under Hunter/Jumper events.

Wellington, FL - Krystalann Shingler has earned the title of 2007 United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Year-End Adult Amateur Fourth Level Champion. Shingler attended the Adequan/USDF Annual Convention in Orlando, Florida to be presented with her commemorative plaque and gift certificates in honor of her win.  Shingler competed her own horse, Tividor, to achieve a median score of 67.978 percent, the highest in the United States for the division. Read more>

Wellington, FL - The Paddock Saddlery has teamed up with Markel Insurance to bring back the Adult Amateur Winter Dressage Championships for amateur riders competing on the winter dressage circuit in Wellington, Florida.  This championship recognizes the success of amateur riders who often find themselves competing against some of the country's top professionals.  Adult amateurs from Training Level to Grand Prix are eligible to compete for the 2008 Markel Adult Amateur Winter Dressage Championships. Read more>

Jacksonville, Florida -- December 1-2, 2007 - Sharn Wordley wins the $30,000 Grand Prix Championship on Mr. Flanagan at the First Coast Invitational held at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center; Sharn then captures Third Place on Epsom.

Michael Morrisey takes 2nd place on Crelido, owned by Eugene Mische of Stadium Jumping, Inc.

What a beautiful day for a Grand Prix event inJacksonville, Florida! With an amazing 54 entries for the Grand Prix event held on Saturday, December 1st on a new grass ring and next to newly finished stalls, the JEC has shown that Jacksonville has what it takes for a first-class show jumping venue.  Bill Joyce of Shadow Rock Farm in Ballston Spa, New York, the director, producer and show manager, put on an event that attracted the best of the best in the show jumping world.  The mini Grand Prix on the following day had 48 entries ‘to boot’!

The First Coast Invitational benefited Builders Care, a nonprofit division of the Northeast Florida Builders Association established to reduce substandard housing by providing repair services to seriously deteriorated homes belonging to the low income, elderly and disabled.

Eugene Mische of SJI was on hand to help Ringmaster, John Franzreb present the awards and personally congratulate his nephew, Michael Morrisey on his second place win.

Two-time Olympic silver medal winner and Captain of the USET, Frank Chapot and Wendy Chapot Nunn did a wonderful job as the show’s course designers.

Read more on Horses in the South

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