North Florida Horse

Archives Late Winter 2008

Hayley Waters Tops the Country in the Pony Hunters and Children's Jumpers

(Sparr, Florida, December 29, 2008) Hayley Waters rode Top Of The Morning to the National Championship in the Large Green Pony Hunter division, a major accomplishment for an 11 year old.  But, the awards didn't stop there.  She finished 1st and 2nd in the NAL Children's Jumper National standings for the year with her two jumpers, Rocky and Houston. Other year end awards included: The Quiet Hill Trophy for the overall equitation rider (11 and under) in North Florida, The Raymond P. Wadsworth Memorial Trophy for the highest scoring Equitation rider in Central Florida. 

All of the above was the culmination of a year filled with hard work, lots of jumps and lots of fun. "A thousand jumps a week" according to coach and dad Chuck Waters."  Read more>

Photo by Flashpoint Photography

First Coast Invitational Grand Prix Show Jumping-"Where the North meets the South" - Nov. 20-23, 28-30, 2008

Click here for a great slideshow of photos by Rob Bowman

October 27, 2008 - The First Coast Invitational Grand Prix Show Jumping is back!  This year at a new venue - the Okeechobee County Agri-Civic Center, and expanded to two weeks - November 20-23 and November 28-30, 2008 an event you don't want to miss. Produced by World Wide Horse Show Services, LLC and Bill Joyce, CEO and Betsy Joyce.

Expanding to two weeks, November 20-23 and November 28-30, 2008, the First Coast Invitational will feature a $30,000 Level 7 Grand Prix both weeks, Level 1-7 jumpers, Jr/AO Jumpers, CH/Adult Jumpers and Pony Jumpers.

Combined Driver Chester Weber Named 2008 Equestrian of Honor by USEF

Ocala, FL - Combined Driver Chester Weber has joined an elite group of equestrians who have been named the best of the best by the United States Equestrian Federation. Weber has been named a 2008 Equestrian of Honor by the USEF.

Weber isn't the only one on Team Weber to earn such a prestigious recognition, as his Combined Driving horse Jamaica has been named a 2008 Horse of Honor. Weber, Jamaica and the rest of his team dominated the field of Combined Driving during 2008 and a nomination in each USEF category is a fitting end to a stellar year. Weber is one of only seven honorees selected as a 2008 Equestrian of Honor. Read more>

Rescue Horse Named 2008 Horse of Honor -- IS USEF Horse of the Year

Ocala, FL - Jamaica, the 17-year-old combined driving horse that helped his owner Chester Weber win a silver medal at the FEI World Championships in The Netherlands, has made a place for himself in history as a rescue horse who has gone on to do great things. Fans of the horse with the "rags-to-riches" tale will be pleased to know that Jamaica has received another honor that will make rescue organizations everywhere proud - Jamaica has been chosen as one of five Horses of Honor for 2008 by the United States Equestrian Federation. Read more>

No Braiding for Un-Rated Hunter Divisions. Major Winter Circuits Come Together to Agree 'No Braiding for Un-Rated Hunter Divisions' in Response to Recent Economic Conditions

December 8, 2008 - In recognition of the current economic climate, promoters of all the major winter circuits are examining ways to help exhibitors minimize ancillary expenses in an effort to maximize their opportunities to show and enjoy their winter circuit experiences.  While USEF rules do not mandate braiding, the winter circuit managers from Gulfport, HITS, Jacksonville and the Winter Equestrian Festival have decided to go on record advising all judges that exhibitors who opt not to braid for un-rated classes should not be penalized. Read more>

Rolex/USEF National Jumping Championship Presented by Equine Motorcoach Phase 1. Minikus and Pavarotti Cruise to the Top of the Leaderboard of the 2008 Rolex/USEF National Championship Presented by Equine Motorcoach

Wellington, Fla., Dec. 5 - The 2008 Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championship presented by Equine Motor Coach kicked off the Florida season in grand style at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington on Dec. 5. Under the lights in the International Ring, 43 horse and rider combinations including 2007 National Champions Kent Farrington and Up Chiqui went to task for the $40,000 Holiday & Horses Opener which served as the first of two legs of the National Championship. Read more>

Equestrian Aid Foundation and USDF Partner to Raise Funds

Lexington, KY (November 17, 2008) - The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) and Equestrian Aid Foundation (EAF) announced today they will be working together at the 2008 Adequan/USDF National Convention to raise funds in support of the EAF in honor of EAF co-founder Robert Dover, a 2008 inductee into the Roemer Foundation/ USDF Hall of Fame and founder of the EAF.  The convention this year is in Denver, CO with the Salute Gala inductions into the HOF on Thursday evening, December 4. Read more>

UPDATE Dec. 8, 2008 - Equine Piroplasmosis (EP) Update from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - DOACS.

See the DOACS PDF for an update through Dec. 8th While ticks are the natural vector for the organism, the evidence at this time continues to implicate management practices in the spread of the disease. Tick surveillance is continuing and more than 60 ticks (Dermacentor variabilis), that have been shown to be experimental vectors for the organism, have been tested and found to be negative for EP.

There are no restrictions on Florida horses with the exception of the additional requirements imposed by Canada for horses being imported from Florida.

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The EP investigation is continuing and it appears that the source of the infection has been determined and the exposed animals are under state quarantine. There have been no new positive animals detected since September 17th and the remaining 5 positive horses are located on one premise.

The transmission of the organism is still believed to have resulted from management practices and not naturally via ticks. Despite extensive tick surveillance, no exotic ticks have been identified. Approximately 50 ticks (Dermacentor variabilis) that have been shown to be experimental vectors for the organism have been tested and found to be negative for EP.

Due to the apparent containment of the EP situation, Canada has now revised their import requirements for horses from Florida. Read more>

Jacksonville offered four weeks of "AA" rated shows.

Week one hosted 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>