The new AQHA drug-testing program has caused a lot of confusion and misunderstanding among members.

In the June Quarter’s Worth, Barbara Linke, director of show administrative services at AQHA, helps to clarify some of the questions exhibitors have posed.

AQHA began charging $3 per horse per show for drug testing March 1 as a way to ensure all competitors have a level playing field and horses are treated well. Split/combined shows are considered two shows, and exhibitors are charged twice.

Linke writes that when exhibitors pay the $3 fee (except for California competitors who already pay a mandatory $5 state drug testing fee), they are not paying to test horses that particular show. Instead, exhibitors are paying into a testing fund that covers the cost of testing horses randomly at about 100 shows this year. In 2006, that number jumps to 200 shows with a goal of 300 shows in 2007. AQHA pays about $4,000 to test each show, so the bill for 2005 will be about $400,000.

To read more about the drug-testing program, click here or go to Page 383 in this month’s Journal.

Look at What Else You’ll Find in This Month’s Journal

The June Journal is always about ranching but just because you don’t have a “big spread” doesn’t mean you won’t get anything from this month’s issue.

In the Training and Tips section, AQHA Professional Horseman Sandy Collier shows how two-tracking can help teach your horse flying lead changes. Plus, there’s even a video demonstrating this technique that is only available to Journal subscribers.

From western pleasure to roping to halter, Two Eyed Jack made a huge impact on the Quarter Horse world. Field Editor Candace Dobson traveled to Howard Pitzer’s home in the Sand Hills of Nebraska to visit with the legendary horseman’s family and see how family members continue his breeding traditions even today.

Even if you don’t have a 1,000-acre spread, more than likely your horse is on pasture. But that doesn’t mean he’s getting all of the nutrients he needs. Freelancer and former Journal staff writer Summer Best writes that supplemental minerals are must-haves for horses on pasture.

To read these stories and others (including Journal stories since 2002) click here to log in. Or better yet, click here to subscribe and you’ll receive the Journal every month.

AQHF Offers Free Limited-Edition Rugged Lark Pin

The American Quarter Horse Foundation is offering commemorative pins of the late, great Rugged Lark with a donation of $10 or more to America’s Horse Cares, specified in memory of Rugged Lark.

The pins, which commemorate the late stallion’s farewell tour in 1997, are a great way to show your support of America’s Horse Cares and the two-time Superhorse Rugged Lark.

America’s Horse Cares supports therapeutic riding endeavors with the help of generous donations. In 2006, America’s Horse Cares will begin granting funds to therapeutic riding organizations and individuals who meet certain criteria and who have completed a grant application.

“Lark,” who was euthanized in October 2004, serves as the poster boy for America’s Horse Cares. His owner, Carol Harris of Bo-Bett Farms in Reddick, Florida, established the Rugged Lark Memorial Fund in memory of Rugged Lark to be directed to America’s Horse Cares.

“I feel strongly that this is where Lark’s legacy belongs – with those who believe and dare to trust,” Harris said. “Therapeutic riding certainly involves trust. Lark especially loved to be around children and seemed to have an uncanny appreciation and concern for those who were disabled.”

Don’t delay on this special offer. There are only 1,400 Rugged Lark pins, and they will go fast. Donate online at www.aqha.com/foundation; call (806) 376-5181 with your Visa, MasterCard or American Express; or mail your check payable to AQHF to AQHF/America’s Horse Cares 2601 E. Interstate 40, Amarillo, TX 79104. Please specify your donation in memory of Rugged Lark.

2005 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Judges Announced

National Reined Cow Horse Association Director of Judges Bill Enk has announced that the judges for the 2005 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity are:

• Gary Putman
• Sam Rose
• Doug Ingersoll
• Carl Gould
• Todd Williamson

Equine.com Sells its 100,000th Horse

Equine.com recently reached an impressive milestone by selling its 100,000th horse online since it began in 1995. Equine.com, which also manages AQHA’s online classifieds, currently sells an average of 55 horses a day—2.3 horses an hour.

“The services we offer on our Web site really streamline the horse selling process,” CEO Tom Fulcher said. “With 23 searchable categories, including breed, discipline, geographic area and price range, buyers can scroll through 50,000 horses in one place. This really makes it simple to buy a horse, and anything that makes it simpler for the buyer makes it better for the seller.”

The 100,000th horse sold was “Clifford,” an 8-year-old Thoroughbred gelding sold by Caryn Stevenson of Chestnut Valley Farms in Marble Falls, Texas.

2008 Olympic Committee Member Wants to Move Equestrian Events

The Standard, China’s busines s newspaper, reports that Yu Zaiqing, executive member of the International Olympic Committee and Chinese Olympic Committee vice-chairman, on Tuesday stressed that the equestrian events for the 2008 Olympics, which will be in Beijing, be moved to Hong Kong because of equine-disease risks.

Speaking in Beijing, Zaiging said moving the events to Hong Kong is the right decision and the International Equestrian Federation – which opposes holding the events in Hong Kong – “must accept that China's horses are used mainly for agricultural purposes and carry equine-disease risks.

“’We are a developing country ... that equine diseases exist in this country is a fact. If we don't welcome other places hosting the event, we will be taking a very big risk,’ he said.

“The IEF, however, maintains that moving the event to Hong Kong will cut it off from the Olympics.”

Zaiging’s comments came amid widespread speculation the IOC will announce the location of the equestrian events this week.

— Tonya Ratliff-Garrison

For you Select competitors out there, remember that the qualifying time period for the 2006 Bayer Select World Show has changed.

Currently, for the 2005 show, the period is from July 1, 2004, to June 30, 2005. The change for the time period for 2006 is June 1, 2005, to May 31, 2006. As a result of the change, points earned in June 2005 will count towards the 2005 and 2006 Bayer Select World Shows.

“Adjusting the qualifying period allows additional time for both AQHA employees and show exhibitors to facilitate necessary changes to the show,” said AQHA Senior Director of Shows Charlie Hemphill. “I also think exhibitors will be pleased to learn that points earned in June will count toward the 2005 and 2006 Bayer Select World Show.”

Shifting the qualifying period and the entry deadline allows more time for AQHA to mail the qualifier handbook as well as more time to prepare for the start of the show after entries are due. This year’s deadline is August 15, which is only two weeks prior to the show’s open. The added time will allow for more preparation, more organized stall assignments and a cushion to reschedule classes if needed.

As in the past, exhibitors who turn 50 by the entry deadline will be able to use their points earned during that qualifying period toward the Bayer Select World Show. Points earned during the qualifying time are retroactive if the exhibitor reaches age 50 prior to the entry deadline.

If you have any questions about this change or the Bayer Select World Show, click here.

Virologist: Live Vaccines More Effective Against EHV-1

Following the recent deadly outbreak of equine herpes virus at Churchill Downs, a Cornell University virologist says his preliminary research indicates vaccines containing weakened live viruses, called modified live vaccines (MLV), appear to be more effective in preventing horse herpes than other more widely used vaccines.

“It's important that people know that the MLV has been in use for decades, has proven to be reasonably safe, and in – my opinion – it should be the vaccine of choice, at least in nonpregnant animals," said Klaus Osterrieder, associate professor of virology in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell.

On May 18, two horses stabled at Churchill Downs showed symptoms of the neurological form of equine herpes and were euthanized, leading to concern at the May 22 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course near Baltimore. In anticipation of the June 11 Belmont Stakes, the New York Racing Association on May 18 issued travel restrictions for all horses that might have been exposed to equine herpes virus, with special attention paid to those stabled at Churchill Downs since May 1.

In about 90 percent of infected horses, equine herpes virus type 1 (EHV-1) leads to a mild upper respiratory infection with fever, nasal discharge and fatigue for a day or two. The virus can also cause pregnant mares to abort, and in its severest form it can lead to neurological disorders, loss of coordination and death. The virus is spread mainly by intimate contact between horses. Once infected, a horse carries the virus for the rest of its life in a dormant state. The same symptoms from the initial infection can be reactivated by stress later in life.

For more information on Osterrieder’s research, click here.

Reining Greats to Compete in Europe Next Week

The list of the competitors who have nominated for the 2005 World Reining Trophy is quite impressive.

Once more European reining fans will have the opportunity of watching National Reining Horse Association Million-Dollar Rider Shawn Flarida as well as 2004 NRHA Futurity reserve champion Francois Gauthier of Canada, World Reining Trophy non-pro champion Jannette Krahenbuhl of Switzerland and FEI Reining Masters finalist Rudi Kronsteiner of Austria.

Also coming in from the United States is Million-Dollar Rider Duane Latimer and FEI Reining Masters reserve champion Todd Sommers.

The 2005 World Reining Trophy at Mooslargue, France, starts June 9 with the go-rounds for the non-pro and open Lawson Bronze Trophy. On June 10, the intermediate classes follow. The highlights will be during the weekend: the non-pro and open finals. Results will be published directly after the classes on www.horseacademy.net.

For more information on the event, click here.

Horse Park Reopens in Woodside, California

After two years of troubles, the Horse Park in Woodside, California, reopened to champagne toasts and a three-day nationally sanctioned horse show.

This was the park’s first major competition since permit woes two years ago threatened to shut it down. The unwelcome hiatus was brought on by its permitting troubles with San Mateo County.

San Jose Mercury News reporter Thaai Walker writes that “the troubles began when neighbors and environmentalists complained about the continuing growth of the 272-acre park, which is dotted with aged oak trees and framed by the Santa Cruz Mountains to the west and the East Bay Hills across the Bay.

“The park began humbly in 1981 as a collection of horse trails, but grew to include arenas and stables and to host equestrian events that drew hundreds. Neighbors fussed about the noise and the Porta-Potties. Environmentalists worried about the erosion caused by constant grading.

“Officials eventually discovered that the park had been operating for two decades without proper building and operations permits.

“The Horse Park operators were told they'd have to make many expensive improvements to win the permits and resume full operations. But with the shutdown leaving the park unable to host money-making competitions, paying for the improvements was nearly impossible.

“Longtime fans came to the park's rescue by donating money, writing letters to the county and volunteering to testify at hearings about the need for places like the Horse Park in increasingly urbanized areas.”

Additional events will be at the Horse Park later this year including a U.S. Event Association Gold Cup competition, one of nine offered in the country.

Development Closes Arizona Equestrian Centers

The trend at the Horse Park is happening across the country. The Arizona Republic in Phoenix reports another of its area riding facilities is closing due to development.

Carl Holcombe writes that Reidhead Arena is up for sale and that Williams Field Equestrian Center in Gilbert, Arizona, closed about 18 months ago. And, after being in operation for 25 years, the Central Arizona Riding Academy in Chandler, Arizona, is being sold to developers and will close this summer.

"It's people - there are too many of them," Teele Reidhead, the arena manager, told Halcombe. "It's all city people moving in. There's not one in 25 homes where the people have ever even seen a horse before. It used to be cowboy hats and pickup trucks out here. Now it's sports cars, slacks and chiffon shoes."

 ”It's hard to put a number on how many arenas have shut down and sold out because so many are private and informal, which makes them harder to track,’ said Jonathan Wooten, a Queen Creek town councilman and horse project leader with Queen Creek 4-H.

 "’We're losing one of the last few, well-cared-for and frequently used arenas in our part of the Valley,’ Wooten said. ‘As arenas like Reidhead disappear, it's getting harder and harder to put on events.’"

 But there are still some arenas holding out in the area, and some new ones opening.

 In Coolidge, Arizona, Everett Lee expects to soon open the arena side of Sonny's Rodeo Steakhouse and Arena. He plans to host professional rodeo events, along with club and family arena events.

 Bill Barnett, owner of the Rattlesnake Arena near the Reidheads, vowed not to sell his 11-acre property despite business being up and down. Creighton Wright, assistant director for Queen Creek's Parks Department, said the town plans to open Horseshoe Park, an equestrian center with lit arenas, in fall 2007.

 — Tonya Ratliff-Garrison