The University of Georgia defended its title as overall national equestrian April 18 at the 2010 Varsity Equestrian Championships in Waco, Texas.

The University of Georgia equestrian team triumphantly claims its third national title at the 2010 Varsity Equestrian National Championships. Go to the bottom of this post to see more photos from the 2010 VENC.

The three-time champion’s title didn’t come easily for Georgia. The Bulldogs claimed the championship in the English bracket, while Texas A&M University claimed the western championship.

Tied for the overall championship in the NCAA emerging sport, the two teams had to battle the win out in a “sudden death” finale.

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Remember Earth Day – and that one small change in your horsey habits can mean one big change in our planet’s future.

Save water by using a spray trigger that shuts off water while you're conditioning tails or soaping dirty legs.

By Lucinda Dyer, author of “Eco-Horsekeeping: Over 100 Budget-Friendly Ways You and Your Horse Can Save the Planet”

On April 22, we’ll celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day with parades, 10K runs, organic food fairs and a sea of “Go Green” T-shirts. In the midst of all these eco-festivities, it’s important for those of us in the horse community to take a moment and consider the part we can play in conserving the world’s natural resources.

Let’s take something simple like water, a resource we don’t think twice about using to bathe our horses, hose down the barn driveway and water our arenas. But the next time you leave the hose running in the wash stall while you chat with a friend, consider these facts: Read the rest of this entry »

Former AQHYA exhibitor Lauren Halvorson talks about the last two days of competition at the Varsity Equestrian National Championships.

Oklahoma State University's equestrian team placed fifth in the English bracket at the 2010 Varsity Equestrian National Championships in Waco, Texas.

By Lauren Halvorson

We defeated Auburn on Friday night, and on Saturday, we competed against Texas Christian University for fifth place. As I was loading the bus, Coach (Larry) Sanchez told me that I would be doing the demo ride again. I would be riding my favorite horse from our school, “Isaac.” Isaac is a young Quarter Horse who is still a little bit green. This makes him a challenging ride, but he is smooth, and if you ride him properly, you can have a great pattern. Isaac and I had a great pattern, and I was very excited.

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Check out these smart tips from the 2009 QuarterFest, and rev up for the 2010 event.

Bo Winslow demonstrates how to prepare for a horse camping trip at QuarterFest 2009.

From Julie Goodnight, AQHA Professional Horsewoman and Certified Horsemanship Association spokeswoman:

• To keep your horse focused on you, issue frequent directives: stop, walk, change direction, stop, back up. Performing small figure 8s and flexing your horse’s head from side to side are other good ways of getting his attention back on you.
• On upper body alignment: Make sure your neck is touching the back of your collar and your nose is behind your belt buckle.
• Read the rest of this entry »

Know how to perform emergency CPR on a foal in distress.

Question:

How do you perform CPR on a foal in distress?

Answer:

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is the restoration of spontaneous circulation and breathing and is used in cases of cardiopulmonary arrest, defined as sudden cessation of spontaneous and effective respiration and heartbeat.

This most often occurs in foals suffering from asphyxia or lack of oxygen before and Read the rest of this entry »

Tractor Supply Company sponsors a worthwhile trail conservation program.

Projects will be selected based on the potential for the amount of impact for trail sustainability and community involvement.

Tractor Supply Co. sponsors AQHA’s trail conservation program, STEP (Stewards for Trails, Education and Partnerships), which allows individuals to submit trail conservation project proposals nationwide. A committee of officials from AQHA, Tractor Supply and the Equestrian Land Conservation Resource will review each individual proposal, select the individual projects for funding and assist in organizing volunteers for the completion of the approved projects. Read the rest of this entry »

Tara Christiansen shares her feelings during the finals of the 2010 Varsity Equestrian National Championships.

By Tara Christiansen

Sitting on our bus, driving back to good ol’ Aggieland, it’s great to know that our Texas A&M riders gave the Varsity Equestrian National Championships everything they had. I’m sitting on this bus as one proud teammate. A lot of our girls competed at nationals for the first time this year, and every single one of the 16 competing riders brought their A-game.

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On April 17, Craig Schmersal and Boom Shernic edged out 30 tough riders for the National Reining Breeders Classic championship.

Craig Schmersal wins the 2010 NRBC open championship aboard Boom Shernic.

After learning he’d won the 2010 National Reining Breeders Classic open championship April 17 in Katy, Texas, it was clear where Craig Schmersal wanted the credit to go.

“I couldn’t be more happy for this horse,” Craig says of 2004 stallion Boom Shernic, owned by Boom Shernic Syndicate. “There isn’t a horse I’ve ever ridden who deserved to win more than him. I’ve ridden enough horses, and I’m old enough to say that this horse is special, and I’ve known that since his 2-year-old year.”

Craig and Boom Shernic’s score of 228 beat 30 other riders in a tough finals that required a 221 to enter. Reserve was split between Jordan Larson and Stop Like A Dream, owned by Gilbertgo Leal, and Shawn Flarida and Wimpys Little Chic, owned by Arcese Quarter Horses. Both riders marked Read the rest of this entry »

Rookie Matthew Palmer earns his ticket to the USEF Reining Championship in July.

The NRBC hosted the last USEF qualifier before the Championship in July during Battle in the Saddle.

Friday night’s CRI-2*/U.S. Equestrian Federation reining event at the National Reining Breeders Classic was the last opportunity for reiners to qualify for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

Twenty five riders competed for their chance to travel to Oklahoma City in July for the USEF Reining Championship during Battle in the Saddle. The Championship will determine which four reiners and horses will represent the United States at the World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky, in September.

Newcomer Matthew Palmer from Pennsylvania, riding his parents’ 7-year-old gelding A Whale Of A Whiz, Read the rest of this entry »

On the third day of Varsity Equestrian National Championship competition, the exhibitors are tired but still fighting for wins.

By Tara Christiansen

After an exhausting day, we wrapped up Friday with smiles on all of our little Aggie faces.

To start the day off, my roommate, Elizabeth, (who also doubles as our equitation on the flat captain) and I performed our rendition of a Texas A&M Midnight Yell. For those unfamiliar with the tradition, before every home football game, Aggies gather at our football field, practice yells and listen to stories and jokes told by our Yell Leaders (Texas A&M doesn’t have cheerleaders, but we have five male yell leaders).

Anyway, Elizabeth and I started the tradition of Equestrian Midnight Yell exactly one year ago. Deciding that our teammates would appreciate as much pumping up as they co Read the rest of this entry »

Former AQHYA exhibitor Lauren Halvorson shares her experiences during her first year of Varsity Equestrian competition.

Nichole Chirico, left, of Napleville, Illinois, is representing Oklahoma State University at the Varsity Equestrian National Championships in Waco. Former AQHYA exhibitor Lauren Halvorson, right, is a redshirt freshman for the team. Lil Ruff McCue, center, was the 2009 most valuable horse.

By Lauren Halvorson

Thursday was the first day of competition!  Luckily, our western team got a “bye” this year and did not have to compete in the first round.  However, there was still a lot of work to do!  We had four horses competing in the horsemanship, “Tiny,” “Chex,” “Moose” and “Isaac.”  This meant we had a lot of grooming, longeing and warming up to do.  Our coach, Larry Sanchez, also had us watch the horsemanship competition to get a feel for how it will be run this week.

Since I was redshirted this year, I am not competing.  Instead, Coach Sanchez has allowed me to be the demo rider for all of our horse shows.  This means that before the horsemanship class begins, I perform the pattern so the riders can have a good idea of Read the rest of this entry »

After a run off, Kim Dooley and Country Custom take the National Reining Breeders Classic non-pro championship and a hefty check.

Kim Dooley and Country Custom take home the NRBC non-pro championship April 16, 2010, in Katy, Texas.

Kim Dooley of Scottsdale, Arizona, was counting on her trusty horse Wimpys Little Buddy to beat Draw 5 Samantha Griffin and Dun Playin Tag, who was leading the NRBC non-pro finals in Katy, Texas, with a 222.5.

Kim and “Buddy” were Draw 6. They performed a solid run, but it was only good enough for second — a 220.5.

Kim had one more shot at Samantha’s score at Draw 20 with Country Custom, a horse she’s not near as familiar with.

“I actually thought Buddy would do the best here,” Kim says. “I know him so well, and he’s been right there every time. He’s such a good, honest horse. I thought he was my safer bet. I’ve shown Buddy for a year and a half now. This is my second horse show for Read the rest of this entry »