Author: Suzanne Ashton

Triple triumph for Trilanco – Trade Supplier of the Year 2016 Trilanco made it a treble in more ways than one at this year’s BETA Business Awards. Not only did the company win Black Solicitors Trade Supplier of the Year for the third time, it was also the first awards that Jessica Balmer, daughter of directors Martin and Lisa, and granddaughter of director Derek (Balmer), attended due to her recent appointment within the company. “To say we’re pleased to win again this year is an understatement,” says Martin Balmer, Managing Director of Trilanco. “We’ve continued to improve and develop what

Neue Schule Academy Offering World Wide Support Neue Schule Academy – renowned bitting specialist Neue Schule have launched an online learning portal offering their best kept practices to horse owners all over the world. The Neue Schule Academy has been designed to further the understanding of bitting mechanics and physics, offering scientific knowledge often only available to those who have access to literature of this kind. With the ever-growing confusion surrounding bits, this is an ideal opportunity to gain more of a substantial understanding into how bits work. Students are expected to complete assignments and assessments. Adequate literature is provided through the

Horseware Acquires Fly Away Horseware, the global leader in innovative equestrian, rider and pet products, is pleased to announce its acquisition of Fly Away & Groom Away, the specialist manufacturer of natural equine products for the show ring, health care and first aid. Since 1994, Fly Away has brought relief to horses suffering from the misery and irritation caused by flying insects. With an exciting, effective and award-winning range of products, Fly Away is considered the industry expert on keeping horses fly-free. As the number one natural choice, Fly Away products are proven to work, and offer a safe, effective

Ron Southern, Spruce Meadows founder, 1930-2016 Ron Southern, founder and Co-Chairman of Spruce Meadows, and iconic Alberta entrepreneur and businessman passed away Thursday morning at his home. He was 85.   Ron Southern and his wife Margaret (Marge) purchased Copithorne Ranch south of Calgary with the vision of establishing a world-class equestrian facility. Spruce Meadows was built for their two daughters, Nancy and Linda, who had long been involved in the sport. The Southerns opened the doors to Spruce Meadows in 1975 and hosted the first tournament the following year. Over the last 40 years, as a result of the

Emanuel Andrade and U Make a Comeback to win $2,500 at the Winter Equestrian Festival, Palm Beach International Emanuel Andrade and his own U in the $2,500 MAYBACH – ICONS OF LUXURY High Amateur-Owner Jumper Power & Speed class. Competition at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) continued on Friday 22/01/2016 with a win for Venezuela’s Emanuel Andrade and his own U in the $2,500 MAYBACH – ICONS OF LUXURY High Amateur-Owner Jumper Power & Speed class. Andrade and U topped 35 entries in the first class of the day to take the win in their second class together after year-long break

GRUBS founder, David Foster to feature in BBC documentary GRUBS news – Steeped in history dating back over two hundred years, the Foster family tradition of designing and manufacturing the ultimate performance footwear still lives on with David and Jan Foster at the forefront. Having founded the world famous sporting brand, Reebok in 1958, the Foster family are well acclaimed producers of quality footwear. This experience is highlighted in the superior quality neoprene boots in the GRUBS range which was launched by David in 2002. The Foster family and their long standing connection with superior performance footwear will feature in

Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series Returns for 2016 The Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series returns to the Winter Equestrian Festival for its sixth season, offering a total of $170,000 in prize money.   Presented by The Dutta Corp. in association with Guido Klatte, the Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series (AFU25GPS) showcases top young talent in show jumping sport.  Open to competitors of all nationalities aged 25 and under, the AFU25GPS is sanctioned by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), giving many riders their first experience competing at the

Mark Bellissimo Announces Purchase of The Wanderers Club By Wellington Equestrian Partners    Mark Bellissimo announced today that Wellington Equestrian Partners has purchased The Wanderers Club in Wellington, Florida. The Wanderers Club is a family-friendly private club that offers some of the finest golf, tennis, fitness, and dining activities in Wellington. The club will continue to serve both equestrian and non-equestrian families in the Wellington area and is conveniently located within three minutes of the world-famous Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). “The Wanderers Club is a special facility and property in Wellington,” said Mark Bellissimo. “With its tournament-quality golf course,

Hardin Towell and Cadence Begin WEF 2 with a Win in $8,000 Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1.45m Hardin Towell of Camden, SC, and Cadence, owned by Jennifer Gates, LLC, found themselves atop the leaderboard in the $8,000 Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1.45m, besting a class of 34 in the early morning as the second week of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) commenced at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). Week two of the Winter Equestrian Festival continues through Sunday, January 24, and is sponsored by Marshall & Sterling Insurance. The week will feature several major classes including the $86,000 Marshall

Tithebarn takes on the role of UKTI Export Champion 2016! Tithebarn, the company that makes the Rockies range of mineralised salt licks for horses and livestock, is delighted to announce that it has been recruited as a UKTI Export Champion for the North West.   “We’re honoured and privileged to be part of this,” says Jeremy Sample, Sales Director of Tithebarn. “We were selected due to our success exporting our products globally. As part of the Export Champion initiative, our expertise in relation to exporting is used to help other companies in the North West export their products overseas. We’re

Devil’s Claw joins the list of FEI banned substances  – Competitors and owners are responsible for keeping themselves up to speed with the current list of prohibited competition substances. If competing under FEI rules, the active ingredient, Devil’s Claw, was moved onto the governing body’s controlled medication list, this happened in 2016. This means Devil’s Claw is a banned substance under this body. Devil’s Claw has commonly been used to help ease muscle pain in horses for years. Surprisingly, it has also been used to treat arthritis in humans! However, the herb contains harpagoside, an anti-inflammatory, which is now on the FEI’s banned list of

Leida Collins-Strijk Rides Don Tignanello to Victory on Final Day of AGDF 1 With Win in FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle After competition was postponed in the early morning due to continued inclement weather surrounding Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), Leida Collins-Strijk (NED) and Don Tignanello made the most of their afternoon in the Global International Ring at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) as competition resumed at 10am. The pair received a 73.700% to take the win in the FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle presented by The Axel Johnson Group on the final day of the first full week of

Laura Chapot Tops Large Field In $75,000 Rosenbaum Mollengarden PLLC Grand Prix at First Week of WEF The first week of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) wrapped up on Sunday afternoon with the highlight class of the week, the $75,000 Rosenbaum Mollengarden PLLC Grand Prix. A large starting field of 52 entries contested the first round course, and 17 of those advanced to the jump-off. It was the always speedy Laura Chapot (USA) who came out on top of the results with Quointreau un Prince, owned by Chapot and McLain Ward. Abdel Said (EGY) and AS Sport Horses’ Hope van

Girl Power Reigns Over $75,000 Battle of the Sexes at Winter Equestrian Festival Girl Power ! Men and Women were pitted against each other for the eighth annual $75,000 Battle of the Sexes in front of a crowd of more than 5,000 spectators during the first “Saturday Night Lights” of the 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). After three rounds of competition that ended in a duel between the final two riders, the women broke the tie that ended the 2015 battle to come out on top this year. Girl Power ! The men

The winners of the prestigious Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Awards have been honoured in Dubai (UAE). HE Sheikh Khalid Bin Abdulla Al Khalifa (BRN), FEI 2nd Vice President, member of the FEI Executive Board and President of FEI Regional Group VII, was awarded the Arab Administrator Award – Kingdom of Bahrain. HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, FEI Honorary President and Goodwill Ambassador, was also honoured, taking the Local Sports Figure award in recognition of her outstanding work as FEI President during 2006 to 2014, and for establishing the FEI’s global sport development programme, FEI Solidarity. FEI

The first week of the 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) continued Thursday at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) with top honors in the $35,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 1 presented to Brazil’s Doda de Miranda and AD Nouvelle Europe Z. WEF, which kicked off on Wednesday, continues through April 3 and awards $9 million in prize money. Highlights of the first week of WEF include the $75,000 Battle of the Sexes on Saturday, January 16, at 7 pm, and the $75,000 Rosenbaum Mollengarden PLLC Grand Prix at 2 pm on Sunday, January 17. AD Nouvelle

Dead horse left in field to decompose in Ashford now moved A dead horse has been left in a field in Ashford, Kent for over a month now. The body of the pony was visible for members of the public to see and was initially spotted during the beginning of December 2015. Initially other horses were believed to be grazing in the field where the young pony’s body was found. The local council advised it was down to the land owner to remove the body, if they didn’t know who the owner was. There was no microchip found when scanned. The body was

The All England Polo Club at Hickstead will play host to the Arena Polo International Test Match on Saturday 5 March 2016, with two 10-goal players captaining the teams. England will once again be captained by Chris Hyde, with the team set to look stronger than ever following the news that Hyde has been moved up to a handicap of 10 goals, the highest rating a polo player can be given. The home side will face a team from the USA, who will also be captained by a 10-goal player. Tommy Biddle led the US team to victory at Hickstead in