Fashion – WHEN & WHAT to BUY

We love being an equestrian, but we are all too familiar with how expensive the sport we love can be. From the lessons, horse show fees, horse tack, to our schooling and show attire, it can quickly make for an empty wallet. Here at HH we compiled a few tips, from our years in the equestrian retail world, on what to buy when for the greatest deals throughout the year just for you.

Spring:

March – Now is an excellent time to invest in warm winter riding attire for Winter 2017. Thankfully those uber warm, yet uber expensive, schooling boots are often snagged with a deep discount this time of year. While often times the style will stay the same for a few years, tack stores don’t want to sit on inventory through the spring and summer months.

Parlanti Denver Boots – Can be purchased at FOXCREEK in Boulder

April – Summer schooling pieces and more have hit stores. You will find a plethora of stock in all the latest styles of warm weather breeches, sun shirts, sun visors, and more to keep you cool while schooling. Though these pieces are new and may not be marked down, sometimes you will find retailers offering a BOGO sale or Friends and Family discount promotions. Ask your local retailer and plan your shopping spree accordingly.

ARISTA SUN BLOCKER SHIRT – CAN BE PURCHASED AT Cheval Colorado

May – Pre-fall begins to hit stores at full price, but fabulous steals can now be had on show coats, and stable to street wear from late winter/resort collections. On average you can find mark downs from 35 to 58 percent.

TRENDING – GREY, GREEN & BURGUNDY SHOW COATS

Summer:

June – Just as summer is heating up, you can grab some hot deals on all of those lust-worthy early spring items. The prices will be lower next month on these items, but the trade off is the best selection of sizes, while still getting a possible price cut on those colorful schooling tees and light colored, moisture-wicking breeches.

ASMAR SCHOOLING SHIRTS – CAN BE PURCHASED at Exceptional Equestrian

July – As fall collections hit tack stores and equestrian apparel online retailers, spring items will take their steepest price breaks now, some come in at a staggering 80 percent off.

FITS Kallie BREECHES- AVAILABLE AT Equ-O-Ware

August – Fall equestrian fashion continues to debut online and in-store. While some final sale spring riding apparel still lingers, you won’t find much for selection left at this point. Now is the time to take advantage of those pre-order discounts that many equestrian small businesses offer as they debut their new collections.

Fall:

September – Back-to-School is synonymous with Back-to-Schooling. As summer comes to a close, so does the horse show outdoor season. With a mild break between outdoor and indoor horse show season, you will find many tack stores, equestrian boutiques and equestrian online retailers getting in on the BTS promotions. Backpacks can be the biggest score this time of year – averaging a 34 percent mark down.

October  – To this point we’ve been talking apparel and accessories, but who can forget equestrian lifestyle jewelry. Snag that stirrup necklace or snaffle bit bracelet at up to 40 percent off as cold weather begins to set in.

DREAMERS & SCHEMERS Thermella Coachella Boot Socks -AVAILABLE AT Colorado Tack & Supply, Co.

November – Retailers are gearing up for the biggest sale weekend of the year – Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday. Prior to these days you can find sweaters at some great prices, averaging up to 45 percent off.

Winter: 

December – As retailers receive a bounty of new horse tack, equestrian apparel, and lifestyle jewelry you can find a savings of 50 to 70 percent on last seasons items. Sometimes the new arrivals have minor tweaks, justifying a price break on the previous model or design. With this simple switching out of floor models can result in big savings for you. No matter the reason this all equates to great deals to be had for you.

Try a helmet with BLING like these Kask Helmets

January – Most everything can be had for a hot, hot deal right now. After Christmas sales on barn supplies, horse tack, and stylish equestrian fall fashions. Fall pieces can be snagged for up to 80 percent off on final clearance, but inventory is dwindling, so don’t expect a lot of selection.

February – Spring riding apparel and the latest in tack hits stores in a big way this month. There are not a whole lot in way of sales or markdowns this month, although you will find plenty of chic stable-to-street riding apparel to keep you in shopping heaven.

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Kelley Farmer & Larry Glefke Will Get Their Day in USEF “Court” (AGAIN)

In January 2017, hunter rider extraordinaire Kelley Farmer and her business partner Larry Glefke were the first to feel the sting of the United States Equestrian Federation’s (USEF) new Equine Drugs & Medications rules

The pair were handed stiff penalties for a GABA positive test in the horse Unexpected at Kentucky Summer Horse Show in July 28, 2016. For Farmer, it was $12,000 and a 12-month suspension. For Glefke, the fine and suspension were double.

There was just one problem with the case.

Farmer and Glefke say they were never informed about the positive test or the hearing. A request for a rehearing was filed on behalf of the pair. This week, on February 23, the USEF granted that request.

Here are the specifics from the USEF [line breaks added for clarity]:

The United States Equestrian Federation Hearing Committee has granted a request for a rehearing in the case against Kelley Farmer and Larry Glefke for the presence of GABA in the horse Unexpected during competition.

In November, a hearing was held in accordance with Federation rules and the Hearing Committee found these parties violated the Federation Equine Drugs & Medications rules.

As a result, the Hearing Committee utilized the newly Board-approved penalty guidelines and assessed a penalty of 12-months suspension and fine of $12,000 against Kelley Farmer and a penalty of 24-months suspension and a fine of $24,000 against Larry Glefke. Farmer and Glefke petitioned USEF for a rehearing claiming they had not been properly notified of the violation and subsequent hearing.

The Federation strongly believes that the initial hearing was conducted in accordance with Federation rules and supports the penalties imposed by the Hearing Committee during that first hearing.

USEF President Murray Kessler stated, “Despite the fact that a fair hearing was conducted with proper notification to the respective parties, as noted by the Hearing Committee in its ruling, given that this was the first case in which the new Board of Directors approved penalty guidelines were utilized, the extremely serious nature of the violations, and the substantial penalties imposed, the Federation did not object to a rehearing and, therefore, supports the Hearing Committee’s decision.”

Kessler continued, “This case is too important in the USEF’s steadfast goal to enforce the Drugs & Medications rules intended to prevent cheating in our sport. There can be no remote shadow of doubt that all of our cases are handled in a transparent manner.”

The Hearing Committee ruled that any arguments about the scientific basis or analytical methodology underlying the Federation’s testing for GABA positives has already been conclusively determined in prior hearings and will not be a subject of the rehearing.

They further ruled that the rehearing shall be concluded in time for new Findings & Decisions to be issued prior to July 1, 2017. Any suspensions levied as a result of the rehearing decision shall commence on July 1, 2017, which is the commencement date of the suspensions under the original Hearing Committee decision.

And with that, the saga continues…

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Combating Winter Laminitis

By: Eleanor Kellon, VMD

Frozen lumpy ground can make any horse look lame but if the horse has insulin resistance there may be more going on.

The first thing to do is rule out foot pain from unforgiving ground conditions, rather than from laminitis. All horses have difficulty negotiating uneven frozen ground and their frogs and soles can become bruised. If this is the issue, all of the horses will be affected to similar extents. They will be obviously more comfortable, if not normal, in their stalls, on mats, or even on a smooth barn aisle.

The horses with true winter laminar pain will also be more comfortable off uneven frozen ground, but remain obviously lame. The lameness often appears suddenly and can be quite severe. One laminitis expert has stated nothing is more difficult to treat than winter laminitis.

These horses often have a history of prior laminitis problems, or at least a suspicion of insulin resistance/equine metabolic syndrome, but this is not always the case. Some horses have a history of winter laminitis that strikes the same time every year and is resistant to all efforts at treatment until one day in early Spring it suddenly goes away.

Winter laminitis can strike with no change in diet or management. The pain is often severe, but the feet are not hot as they are in classical acute laminitis cases. The digital pulses may or may not be elevated. Radiographs tend to remain stable in most cases, without major changes with rotation or sinking. NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatories) like phenylbutazone, which are commonly used any time there is foot pain similar to this, have no positive effect.

The body’s normal response to cold is to constrict blood vessels in the periphery to reduce heat losses but in insulin resistant (IR) horses the reaction appears to be exaggerated. The role of the potent vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 in IR is well-documented. The first study investigating the role of endothelin-1 in laminitic horses looked at it in starch-induced laminitis. The most recent study confirmed that endothelin-1 is involved with laminitis due to elevated blood insulin.

With normal insulin sensitivity inside a blood vessel, the endothelial cells, when exposed to insulin, produce nitric oxide and dilate. If the cells are insulin resistant (and not responsive to insulin) they constrict under the influence of endothelin-1. A normal horse with normal circulation can adapt to the cold and will open and close vessels to perfuse areas before they reach a critical low oxygen level. IR horses have pre-existing damage—even though it may be micro-damage—to the circulation in the feet and there are higher levels of endothelin-1. Cold triggers a reduced blood supply severe enough to cause pain.

Protection against the cold is therefore the first step in combating winter related hoof pain. Horses should be protected from high winds, rain and snow. They should be blanketed, wear leg wraps to warm the lower legs and lined boots. Effective lower leg wraps include standard polos and cottons, leg warmers or even fleece lined shipping boots.

This helps, but for some horses it’s not enough. If your horse ends up with laminitis even after blanketing and wrapping, supplements to enhance blood flow may help. Herbal products known as “adaptogens” promote healthy stress responses and may be very beneficial. Jiaogulan (Gynostemma pentaphyllum) is a good one to use because it also strongly supports vascular nitric oxide production, which improves blood delivery to the extremities and feet. Jiaogulan can be given twice daily.

Amino acids like arginine and citrulline may also be very beneficial in promoting good blood flow to the hoof. Arginine is the precursor to nitric oxide which is a vasodilator. Citrulline is converted to arginine after absorption. Taurine has been found in a recent study to improve insulin sensitivity. L-glutamine is also useful to support antioxidant glutathione and carnitine derivatives to support horses with neuropathic pain and help with insulin sensitivity.

It can be confusing when the horse looks like a typical laminitis case but without the heat and high pulses. Inadequate blood supply makes perfect sense and relief is rapid if you warm the feet and legs and support circulation.

 

All content is for informational purposes only. Contact your local veterinarian if you have any questions regarding the health of your animals.

 

About the Author

Eleanor Kellon is the Staff Veterinary Specialist for Uckele Health and Nutrition. Dr. Kellon also offers private nutritional consultations and online courses through Equine Nutritional Solutions. Find out more at www.drkellon.com.

 

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Ride & Learn Clinics at CHP

The Ride & Learn Series offers equestrians the opportunity to learn with some of the sport’s best in a clinic-like atmosphere at the Colorado Horse Park. Students of equestrian sport can fine-tune their riding skills and improve their technique as knowledgeable riders and trainers constructively critique and educate participating members. Ride and Learn participant spaces are limited.

For more information please contact: Vivien Van Buren – CHP Education & Event Manager at 303-883-6560 or vniviv@cs.com

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Ride and Learn Jumper Clinic with Kevin Babington – April 22-23

Ride and Learn Clinic with Kevin Babington at CHP

From Ireland to the United States, from the Olympics to private clinics, Kevin Babington is the quintessential professional. Throughout the past 30 years, the rider and trainer has methodically built a respected name for himself in his adopted homeland of Pennsylvania. Kevin is best known for his partnership with the jumper Carling King, a horse that took him to the 2004 Athens Olympics and carried him to over 30 top ten finishes in grand prix classes around the world. He continues to compete at the top levels of the sport, with numerous grand prix wins and placings with Mark Q and Shorapur.

Presently, Kevin continues to make his mark on the international circuit. Currently he is campaigning his horse Mark Q, who has won numerous grand prix and placed in the HITS $1 Million Grand Prix in the past 2 consecutive years. He is also fortunate to be working with a great group of extremely loyal and supportive clients and owners. Kevin’s professional focus remains on his competition riding, sales business, and top-level jumper students. When he is not traveling to teach clinics or helping students at home and at shows he is spending time with his family.

Space is limited, so please sign up now. Fill out the form below and send it with a check made payable to The Colorado Horse Park, 7522 S. Pinery Drive, Parker, CO 80134. Attention: Vivien Van Buren. For more information, please call Vivien Van Buren at (303) 883-6560 or email vniviv@cs.com. Closing Date for Entry is Friday, April 7, 2017.

Click here for more information Kevin Babington Clinic Information

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APPLY FOR THE EAP

Riders interested in participating in the Emerging Athletes Program must:

·       Meet eligibility requirements

·       Complete the online application

·       Submit three letters of recommendation:

o   One (1) letter from a current trainer describing in detail the applicant’s experience.

o   Two (2) letters from adults within the hunter/jumper industry (ie: trainers, veterinarians, farriers, etc.) who have working knowledge of applicant’s riding and horsemanship abilities

·       Complete the Level One Quiz of the Horsemanship Quiz Challenge. Applicants with a Level One score of 80 percent or above will be considered for participation in a Regional Training Session.

Apply!     Letter of Recommedation Form

Deadline to Apply

Early Summer Application Deadline: April 17, 2017
Late Summer Application Deadline: May 5, 2017

Please review the calendar of events for all dates of the EAP Regional Training Sessions.

Program Fees

Non-refundable application fee: $50
Fee to attend an EAP Regional Training Session: $550

Accepted Applicants

Upon acceptance into a Regional Training Session, riders will be emailed Regional Training Session materials. To reserve each rider’s place in the program, the signed letter of intent, liability waiver, emergency contact form, biography and $550 Regional Training Session fee, made payable to USHJA, must be received in the USHJA office no later than 14 days after the notification is sent. It is the rider’s responsibility to contact the Regional Host Facility for stall reservations and fees. Stall fees are separate from the EAP Regional Training Session fee and are to be paid directly to the Regional Host Facility.

Contact:

Education Department

859-226-6700

    

 

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