Clinic of the Year

It’s the chance of a lifetime! Equine Affaire is offering horses and riders of all skill levels the opportunity to interact with some of the most successful trainers and competitors in the country. Many Equine Affaire clinicians have specific profiles for the horses and/or riders they would like to work. So, all interested equestrians are strongly encouraged to apply. Trainers for all equine sports will be available; dressage, eventing, H/J, English pleasure, barrel racing, cutting, etc. For trainer names and clinic info visit:

www.horsesdaily.com

Carolina Cup Steeplechase

"The Carolina Cup race is a Camden, South Carolina tradition that has achieved premier social event status. The annual 'rites of spring' draws over 70,000 fans from throughout the southeast, to enjoy the thrilling sport of steeplechase horse racing amid a flurry of spring fashions and elaborate tailgate parties. From the Corporate Terrace to College Park, old friends meet and new friends are made during the afternoon of seven races." It will be held Saturday, March 31, 2007 at the Springdale Race Course. For information on cost, ticket outlets, parking reservations, attire, and race course policies visit:

http://www.carolina-cup.org/index.php

New Equine Massage Therapy Techniques

“The young horse massage program incorporates techniques that specifically help in the process of starting a horse under saddle. Elena Oleinikova, Massage Therapist, explains, ‘I found that by using these massage techniques, I am able to get a horse to relax, to trust my touch and let go of the anxieties they often develop in the early stages of training.’ Oleinikova used the techniques successfully with her own young horses. ‘While they are playful, most of my own young horses didn’t buck or shy. They are fun to ride and enjoyed being ridden,’ Oleinikova explained. After her initial success with her own young horses, Oleinikova began treating client’s young horses with equal success.” Dressage Daily

The Legend of Barbaro

Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro was euthanized Monday, Jan. 29, 2007 after complications from his breakdown at the Preakness last May. His vets warned us all along that the odds were against him, but we didn't really believe them. They had hope, too. How could a horse who appeared so full of life break his leg and be so suddenly close to death? His head was fine. His back was fine. His lungs and heart and chest were fine. In fact, after a while, his broken leg was fairly fine. It was another leg that was so worrisome, since the weight of his body constantly bearing down on the delicate structures inside his foot eventually damaged and destroyed them. The earnings of this 3-year-old racehorse were $2,302,200. ABC News states that “Nobody believes this had anything to do with an American obsession on breeding for speed, or pushing a young horse too hard (…) But obsessing over that individual injury misses the bigger picture, which shows that horse racing routinely devours its stars.” Barbaro is now a legend. His noble spirit will be remembered by horse lovers everywhere. But his story is not yet over: what researchers have learned in treating Barbaro will help generations of horses to come. For more stories on Barbaro visit:

http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/527060/?sc=rssn

http://www.davisenterprise.com/articles/2007/02/02/sports/337spt0.txt

Above photo courtesy of The Thoroughbred Times