NBC Offers Embeddable Olympics Widgets
Up-to-the-minute equestrian Olympic updates will also be available through NBC’s embeddable Olympics widgets. You can find out more about this series of widgets that aggregate all the latest news, photos and video on events and athletes at www.nbcolympics.com/widgets. Additional information on just the equestrian sports can be found at www.nbcolympics.com/equestrian/index.html
The Big Red Horse hopes you enjoy the games. We are off to the arena now for a lesson.
Free Olympic Equestrian Action
The Chronicle of the Horse is covering the equestrian activities at the Olympics through their blog. Don’t worry that you can’t jet to Hong Kong to watch the U.S. eventing, dressage and show jumping teams. If you are like the rest of us, you spent your travel money feeding and training your horse this summer!
Beth Rasin and Molly Sorge will be at the games and they are going and will bring you all the action FREE of charge on www.chronofhorse.com.
They will bring us stories, photos, a virtual course walk of the cross-country course and blogs each day from Hong Kong, from the moment the eventers start dressage on Aug. 9 until the individual show jumping medals are awarded on Aug. 21. They’ll bring you the (Continued…)
ATA Announces 2008 Inspections
The American Trakehner Association (ATA) is pleased to announce its 2008 Inspection schedule. Inspections provide the opportunity to present horses for approval into the ATA studbooks, as well as offer participants a tremendous learning experience. All horses that are presented for inspection must be pre-registered with the ATA.
The inspection process is clearly defined on the ATA website, but basically it includes the following elements:
1. Stand to be measured (height, girth, and canon bone)
2. Walk and trot on a hard surface (sometimes asphalt)
3. Walk and trot on a triangle in an arena. (usually sand or other soft footing)
4. Walk, trot, and canter at liberty in an arena.
5. Stallions must also free jump three obstacles. Mares do not jump.
6. Walk for final evaluation before the results are announced.
The American Trakehner Association (ATA) was established in 1974 as a non-profit (Continued…)
Why the Big Red Horse and I are a Perfect Match
Last night as we headed out to dinner, the Big Red Horse was standing at the gate requesting to come in. There was lots of daylight left, but we could tell that he REALLY wanted to be in the barn. Since I was wearing heels, Bill was nice enough to take him into the barn. It was at that point that I realized why Favian and I have such a great relationship. We agree on three main points:
- Flies and bugs are pesky & there is never enough flyspray
- Heat and humidity are no fun, that is why we have ceiling fans
- If you are going out after dark, take someone with you
Here’s to automatic flyspray systems (we installed one this year), fly sheets, fans and having fun company.
Hope everyone is having a great summer — happy riding from your favorite Trakehner Stallion and Big Red Horse!
Trakehner International and Friends Host Fundraiser for Darren Chiacchia
Online Auction opens April 24, 2008 at TrakehnersInternational.com
Trakehners International and friends have joined together to host an online auction to raise funds for Darren Chiacchia, the International event rider who was critically injured in a fall on course at Red Hills Horse Trials on March 15, 2008. All bids are paid to the Equestrian Aid Foundation in Darren Chiacchia’s name, and are tax-deductible.
Online bidding begins on April 24, 2008 at www.trakehners-international.com. There are multiple ways to support this fundraiser:
1. Bid on the Stallion Service Auction including Windfall, Abdullah, Salute the Truth, E.H. Michelangelo, Favian *Ps* and many other stallions are confirmed.
2. Bid on Equestrian Products and Services these include a $1,000 Bit of Britain gift certificate, a Year’s supply of feed from Purina Mills, Trip for two to Burghley, Clinics with world-class equestrians like Gina Miles and much, much more.
3. Give a Cash Donation.
4. Purchase a Poster, a 24” X 36” poster of Darren will be available for purchase online, or at the USEA tent during the Rolex Kentucky 3-Day Event.
For updates on Darren’s progress, visit www.eventrider.com.
The Equestrian Aid Foundation’s Mission is to build a membership based organization to (Continued…)
Big Red Horse at ATA Convention
Laura Wharton rode Favian *Ps* at the ATA Convention in Denton, Tx last fall. In an East meets West exhibition that was the final performance of the night, Favian and a World-Class reining horse showcased the similarities and the differences between upper level dressage and reining. It was a fun performance met with much audience applause.
Favian and Carol at 2nd Show
This photo was taken at our second show last year. You can see that we are having a good time, but still figuring things out. The most fun thing about showing this amazing horse is his phenomenal temperament. Most people have no idea that I am sitting on the amazing Trakehner stallion, Favian!
I’m happy to report that at our final show last fall, we came home with two 68 percents and two blue ribbons at 1st level. We are still planning our 2008 show schedule, but we plan to compete at First Level Dressage and continue the quest for the USDF bronze medal.
Trakehner Stallion Service Auction
Happy New Year! As we enter 2008, it’s time to plan for the next crop of foals. As you start researching bloodlines to introduce to your herd, a fun place to start shopping is the American Trakehner Association’s Stallion Service Auction. This is a wonderful opportunity to purchase a breeding at a discounted price and promote the American Trakehner horse. This year’s auction features an impressive line-up of stallions including several Olympic horses - Abdullah, Windfall and Peron. Of course, our favorite Big red horse, Favian is participating. Bid Online or by Mail - The auction ends on February 15, 2008 (mailed bids must be postmarked by January 31, 2008.)
Congratulations to Laura and Fivestar
Favian gives a BIG red horse congratulations to his 3/4 brother Five Star for his 2007 competition results. (Both Favian and Five Star are by Trakehner stallion Justiz - another famour big red horse.) Five Star and dressage trainer Laura Wharton-Mero won the USDF region championships at training level, placed 2nd in the ATA futurity and placed in the top 10 horses nationwide with USDF. Congratulations from one Big Red Horse to another! Laura and Five Star did very well at the Fall Good Horseman show - click on this link to see a nice photo and more information.
Photo by Coleen Carey-Mitchell
Frozen Semen
Breed the Horse of your Dreams!
We are pleased to offer frozen semen for the 2008 breeding season. If you have never bred with quality frozen semen, breeding to Favian in 2008 will present you with an excellent opportunity. Frozen by Peterson & Smith, a Select Breeder’s facility, the quality of the straws is excellent. Trakehner Stallion Favian is eva negative.
There are many reasons for horse owners to use frozen semen to cover mares.
- You can have frozen on hand any day of the week.
- You do not need to worry about cycling your mare to the stallion owner’s schedule.
- Excellent protocol produces incredible results.
- No worries about if the stallion was properly collected.
