Equine international 04

EQUINE I N T E R N AT I O N A L

www.alltech.com/EquineInternationalJune 2010 • Vol. 2 • Issue 5

Alltech Fei GAmes: GAllop AwAy with tickets to the event oF A liFetime!Order Yours Now! See Centerfold

14 166

Publisher ............................Dr. Pearse LyonsG.A.M.E.S. Director ..............Kelly WelkerExecutive Editor ..................Darlene RickerSenior Graphic Designer ..... Chris Gayton

Rich Media Director ... Kirk RobinsonWebsite Author ,...... Alan HenthorneWebsite Analyst ................. David CarrPhotographer ............. Marc Manning

UK Correspondent .... Carol AllisonEditorial Intern ... Kelsey HamiltonGraphics Intern .................. DJ EnnisAdvertising .... Elizabeth Haywood

19

9

EQUINE INTERNATIONAL is published bimonthly, with occasional special editions. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without express permission of Alltech.

EQUINE INTERNATIONAL

Alltech Global Headquarters3031 Catnip Hill PikeNicholasville, KY 40356 USATelephone: 859.885.9613Facsimile: 859. 885.6736Email: [email protected]

18eQUinei n t e R n A t i o n A l4: 60 Nations DeclareWondering which countries will send teams to the Alltech Games? See which nations have filed a preliminary intention to compete.

6 : The Verdict Is InThe Kentucky Horse Park was pronounced the biggest winner of all in the final three Official Test Events for the Alltech Games.

7: Event ResultsA wrapup of three Kentucky Cup events that all took place the same weekend in Lexington: dressage, eventing, and jumping.

9: Tickets PlusFour fun destinations await you onsite at the Alltech Games, all at no extra charge. Order seats or Grounds Passes now!

14: Countdown ChartsHandy reference charts tell what will happen between now and the opening of the Alltech Games in September.

16: Stop Summer ItchSummertime horse health is a different challenge than in more temperate seasons. Learn how to protect your horse’s skin with chia.

18: Alltech AdvancesLearn what else the title sponsor of the Games has been doing around the world, from supporting Hungarian vaulters to promoting Royal Windsor jumpers.

19: Kentucky CornerA new book, Beyond the Fence, offers fun trips and tasty native treats for Kentucky visitors, with beautiful images by Marc Manning.

On The Cover: The keen focus of winner William Fox-Pitt of Great Britain, as captured by photographer Mary Phelps at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in April. © PhelpsPhotos.com

To see our stories come alive,view our free digital edition at

www.alltech.com/EquineInternational

You will see this icon throughout the magazine.This indicates stories that contain video content

exclusively in our digital edition.

Read EI OnlineOur free digital edition, read by

more than 100,000 horse enthusiasts in 64 nations throughout every

geographical region of the globe, brings you the excitement of the

Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

horses without Borders

EQUINE INTERNATIONAL 3

Dr. Pearse LyonsPresident, Alltech

If there were ever any question about what tremendous interest the Alltech Games would generate, the final three Official Test Events in April put a close to that. Contenders came from across the globe – Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America and North America – to test

their mettle on the new facilities at the Kentucky Horse Park. Spectators, as well, hailed from far and wide. That says a lot, particularly given the transatlantic travel disruptions caused by Iceland’s volcanic eruption shortly beforehand. A number of three-day eventers from Europe weren’t able to arrive until the very cusp of the competition, and several officials and judges from abroad had to be replaced by colleagues based in North America. Fortunately, horse folk are a hardy lot, and this crowd was not about to let a volcanic smokescreen blur its vision of greatness in Kentucky. In fact, the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day event – which served as the Official Test Event for its discipline in the Alltech Games – had an attendance this spring of nearly 62,000. Such passion for equestrian sports is hardly surprising to us. The FEI disciplines showcase everything that is wonderful about the horse, which was our mission in creating this magazine. That made it an easy decision last month for us to renew our sponsorship agreements through 2012 with the Royal Windsor Horse Show in May and with Olympia, the London International Horse Show, in December. We recognize the important role that equestrianism has played within British society for centuries, and we are pleased to extend our commitment to support it. At the same time, we are striving to deepen the equestrian tradition in North America through our sponsorship of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. In some 100 days, the World Championships will return to Lexington. The Kentucky Horse Park, which unveiled itself to the world through its inaugural event (the 1978 Three-Day Event World Championships), is ready to once again roll out the red carpet for the world. With 60 nations recently having declared their intention to field teams to the Alltech Games, all systems are go. Don’t miss your chance to witness the world stage in Kentucky! (See our handy ticketing pull-out guide in the center of this issue.) And as the old song goes . . . See you in September!

Riding out of the winners’ circle at the April Test Events.© Marc Manning

4 EQUINE INTERNATIONAL

Entries in PrincipleSixty National Federations have submitted entries in principle for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. They are:

Belgium Costa Rica France Isreal

Bermuda Czech Republic Germany Italy

Brazil Denmark Great Britain Japan

Bulgaria Dominican Republic Greece Jordan

Argentina Canada Ecuador Guatemala

Australia Chile Egypt Hungary

Austria China El Salvador India

Bahrain Colombia Finland Ireland


Mexico Qatar Switzerland

Namibia Russia Syria

Netherlands Saudia Arabia Turkey

New Zealand Singapore Ukraine

Lebanon Norway Slovakia United Arab Emirates

Lithuania Paraguay South Africa Uruguay

Luxembourg Poland Spain United States

Malaysia Portugal Sweden Venezuela

The 60 National Federations that submitted Entries in Principle have several more key decisions to make and entry deadlines to meet. Wondering what happens next as they progress toward the Alltech Games? Turn to page 14 for a step-by-step Competition Countdown chart.


William Fox-Pitt of Great Britain (eventing) and Americans Beezie Madden (jumping) and Tina

Konyot (dressage) rode away with blue ribbons from the Kentucky Cup competitions held in April during the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. After these final three Official Test Events for the Alltech Games concluded, the verdict on the venue – the Kentucky Horse Park – declared it every bit as much a winner.

From competitors and spectators alike, comments about the facilities were patently positive: “fantastic,” “impressive,” “awesome,” “truly amazing.” Accolades came from riders, trainers and others hailing from New York to Madrid who had attended Aachen in 2006 and other previous World Equestrian Games throughout Europe. The bottom line: There is nothing in the world like the Kentucky Horse Park.

The rigors of the three test events, held in the Park’s new Outdoor Stadium and on its legendary four-star cross-country course, offered a true proving ground for the facilities. The footing in the Outdoor Stadium held up in fine form, despite severe thunderstorms that forced a show jumping postponement. The lunch break was canceled on cross-country day and start times rolled back so all riders could have a go on the course before the afternoon’s torrential wind-whipped rains rolled in. Tornados were even threatened.

The conditions were reminiscent of the Test Event for Endurance held at the Park and on surrounding farms during all-day cloudbursts last October. While some lamented the unfortunate downturn in the weather, the point remains: These were, after all, test events. They were designed to test the facilities and the organization of the events. And that they did. Despite the weather, all test events proceeded smoothly. In that sense, there couldn’t have been better tests for the upcoming Alltech Games. The Kentucky Cup competitions proceeded during the worst weather conditions imaginable, thus eliminating a major hurdle for the Games’ six outdoor disciplines: Dressage, Para-dressage, Eventing, Show Jumping, Driving and Endurance. (Reining and Vaulting are the only disciplines immune to the elements, as they will be held in the Park’s new Indoor Arena.)

At any rate, eventers and endurance riders in particular are accustomed to dealing with whatever Mother Nature serves up. Event riders dash over hill and dale (more specifically, lakes, ditches, streams, banks and drops) and have to adjust their approach to obstacles in sloppy terrain. Even dressage riders and show jumpers, who compete on flat, groomed surfaces in a fenced arena, have to tough it out on occasion. And that they did at the April test events, without a single complaint.

Galloping Toward The Alltech Games

Kentucky Horse Park a ‘Place of a Lifetime’FinaL TEsT EvEnTs

©Marc Manning


Here is how the discipline winners fared at the April test events:

EVENTING: William Fox-Pitt of Great Britain concluded the $80,000 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event the same way he began: in first place. He and Cool Mountain negotiated all 16 stadium jumps perfectly in the final phase, for a winning score of 42.8. Phillip Dutton of the United States also put in a clear round on Woodburn to advance from fourth place to second (47.7), while Becky Holder, another American, dropped a rail on Courageous Comet to hold onto third place (49.2).

“I came here hoping for a top-10 placing,” said Fox-Pitt, who had to dodge a volcanic disturbance on his way out of London and take a detour through Spain to catch a flight to Kentucky. He arrived the evening before the event began, appearing relaxed and chipper at a party for international riders at the Lexington home of Cathy Wieschhoff, a five-time Rolex competitor.

“When you come to a four-star competition like this, you never really know what will happen, but I certainly didn’t expect this,” he said. “Cool Mountain has come out of this a better horse, and hopefully he’ll step up to the [Alltech Games] in the fall.”

JUMPING: Olympian Beezie Madden of the U.S. rode Danny Boy to win the $60,000 Kentucky Cup Grand Prix with a jump-off time of 38.37 seconds. Canadian international star Beth Underhill clinched second place on Top Gun (39.56), and Laura Teodori of the U.S. took third place on Kasoar D’Uxelles (39.99). Madden also finished fifth on Mademoiselle. Both of Madden’s horses are candidates for the U.S. team at the Alltech Games.

“We’re used to riding in inclement weather, and with the footing [in the new Stadium] the rain doesn’t matter,” said Madden. “The arena’s fantastic, and with the extra stands that will be here for the World Games, it should make the atmosphere even better.”

DRESSAGE: Tina Konyot’s horse, Calecto V, scored a decisive win in the Kentucky Cup CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle with 76.25 percent. Chris von Martels on Naomi (70.20%) rode into second

place, with Canadian Jacqueline Brooks on Balmoral close behind in third (67.35%). Von Martels, a Canadian based in Florida, had been riding Naomi only two months. The mare was recently purchased for him to contest the Alltech Games.

All the dressage riders expressed enthusiasm for the Kentucky Horse Park and said they hope to be back in September to ride under the lights again in the main arena at the Alltech Games. Konyot, an American, deemed it “a very comfortable venue for the horses,” adding that she found it “spectacular” the evening of the competition.

The Canadian contingent agreed. Von Martels said the setting is “electric but not overwhelming. It’s a place of a lifetime.” Said Brooks: “It feels intimate, even in such a big stadium. You actually feel a connection with the spectators.”

KEnTUCKY CUP REsULTs: Eventing, Jumping, Dressage


aLLTECH GamEs TiCKETsare Runaway Best-sellers

Tickets to the eight world championships of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

are selling quickly, with many sessions – particularly finals sessions – approaching sell-

outs. While finals rounds are in highest demand across all sports, the Dressage Individual

Freestyle and the Reining Individual Finals could be the first to reach full capacity.

As of May 17:

• Fewer than 1,000 Level A tickets were available for the Dressage Freestyle on October 1 in the Outdoor Stadium.

• Only 400 tickets remained for the Reining Individual Finals on September 30 at the Indoor Arena.

• Eventing and Driving finals were already 75 percent sold.

• Only a third of the seats for the Jumping Top Four remained.

• Slightly more than 100 tickets remained in the Finals Round for Para-Dressage.

• Both the Freestyle and Team Finals in Vaulting were more than halfway sold.

They are going fast, but at present tickets for compulsory and finals rounds

of competition in all eight disciplines are still available throughout the 16 days

of the Alltech Games (September 25-October10). They may be purchased

at: www.alltechfeigames.com/tickets, at www.ticketmaster.com, through the

Ticketmaster hotline at 1-800-745-3000, or at your local Ticketmaster outlet.


Photos © Marc Manning

Grounds Passes to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games have been selling like hotcakes since they became available in mid-April.

To order: www.ticketmaster.com or 1-800-745-3000. Grounds Passes are available for 13 days, excluding the competition days of Endurance, Eventing Cross-Country,

and Driving Marathon. Admission for those competitions requires specific tickets. If you have purchased competition tickets, you do not need to purchase a Grounds Pass for that same day. But, for example, if you have Reining tickets for September 26 and September 28 and wish to visit the Park on September 27, you would want to purchase a Grounds Pass ticket for the interim day.

Here’s what you get with a Grounds Pass: • Entry for the selected day of purchase. (Limited quantity of Flex Grounds Pass tickets at $30 may be used for entry on any one day of choice, without specifying a date of attendance at time of purchase.) • Free admission for children 12 years of age and under when accompanied by a paying adult. • Access to the Kentucky Horse Park, including entry into pavilions, many exhibitions, demonstrations and trade show areas with over 250 booths!

HA

ND

Y PULL-O

UT SECTIO

N!

A Grounds Pass Gets You Lots More Than Just in the Door

TICKETS ARE GALLOPING AWAY!

THE ALLTECH EXPERIENCE• Four acres of splendor, including an open-air garden designed by world-renowned landscape artist Jon Carloftis and Deirdre Lyons, Alltech’s director of corporate image and design

• Interactive exhibits including a Kidzone area exploring agriculture and animal health – and featuring penguins and petting sharks!

• Daily workshops led by animal health experts, including veterinarians from Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital

• A sneak peek at the 2014 Games in France and a special photographic exhibition from the FEI

• A tasty beer garden featuring ice cold Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale, the silver award winner at the World Beer Cup

• A scale model biorefinery, solid state fermentation plant and cogeneration plant surrounded by working windmills, solar panels, algae farms, and cows

DESTINATIONS GALORE AWAIT YOU AT NO EXTRA CHARGE…

Continued on page 12

The Grounds Pass is a bargain at only $25 per day! A limited number of tickets are available each day, so be sure to obtain yours now while the dates you want are open.

DRESSAGE

DRIVING

ENDURANCE

JUMPING

OPENING/CLOSING CEREMONIES

ALLtECh WORLD EqUEStRIAN GAMES DISCIPLINE tICkEtS

DAtE

Saturday September 25

Sunday October 10

Monday September 27

Tuesday September 28

Wednesday September 29

Friday October 1

Thursday October 7

Friday October 8

Saturday October 9

Sunday October 10

Sunday September 26

Monday October 4

Tuesday October 5

Wednesday October 6

Friday October 8

Saturday October 9

EVENt tIME LOCAtION PRICE A PRICE B

Opening Ceremonies 7:00 PM Main Stadium $150.00 $110.00

Closing Ceremonies 4:00 PM Main Stadium $80.00 $70.00

Team Grand Prix 8:30AM Main Stadium $90.00 $60.00 1st Half

Team Grand Prix 2:00 PM Main Stadium $90.00 $60.00 1st Half

Team Grand Prix 8:30 AM Main Stadium $90.00 $60.00 2nd Half

Team Grand Prix 2:00 PM Main Stadium $90.00 $60.00 2nd Half

Grand Prix Special 10:00 AM Main Stadium $125.00 $95.00 1st Half

Grand Prix Special 2:30 PM Main Stadium $125.00 $95.00 2nd Half

Grand Prix Freestyle 7:00 PM Main Stadium $140.00 $110.00

Dressage- Part 1 9:00 AM Driving Stadium $50.00 ---------

Dressage- Part 2 2:00 PM Driving Stadium $50.00 ---------

Dressage- Part 3 9:00 AM Driving Stadium $50.00 ---------

Dressage- Part 4 2:00 PM Driving Stadium $50.00 ---------

Marathon 10:00 AM Marathon Course $45.00 ---------

Obstacle Phase 10:00 AM Driving Stadium $50.00 ---------

Team & Individual 7:00AM Park Grounds $45.00 --------- Competition

Speed Competition 10:00 AM Main Stadium $90.00 $60.00 Part 1

Speed Competition 2:30 PM Main Stadium $90.00 $60.00 Part 2

Team Competition 10:00 AM Main Stadium $90.00 $60.00 Part 1

Team Competition 2:30 PM Main Stadium $90.00 $60.00 Part 2

Team Final 7:00 PM Main Stadium $110.00 $80.00 Competition

Individual 5:30 PM Main Stadium $120.00 $90.00 Competition

Final Four 8:00 PM Main Stadium $130.00 $105.00

PARA DRESSAGE

REINING

VAULtING

thREE-DAY EVENtING

Get Yours Now at www.AlltechFEIGames.com/tickets or 1.800.745.3000

DAtE

Tuesday October 5

Wednesday October 6

Thursday October 7

Friday October 8

Saturday October 9

Sunday October 10

Saturday September 25

Sunday September 26

Tuesday September 28

Thursday September 30

Thursday September 30

Friday October 1

Saturday October 2

Sunday October 3

Wednesday October 6

Thursday October 7

Friday October 8

Saturday October 9

Sunday October 10

EVENt tIME LOCAtION PRICE A PRICE B

Individual Team Tests 8:30 AM Covered Arena $25.00 --------- Part 1

Individual 8:30 AM Covered Arena $25.00 --------- Championship Tests

Individual 8:30 AM Covered Arena $25.00 --------- Championship Tests

Individual 8:30 AM Covered Arena $25.00 --------- Freestyle Tests



Team Competition 9:00 AM Indoor Arena $95.00 --------- Part 1

Team Competition 2:00 PM Indoor Arena $95.00 --------- Part 2

Team Competition 7:30AM Indoor Arena $95.00 --------- Part 3

Team Competition 11:00AM Indoor Arena $95.00 --------- Part 4

Qualifying 9:00 AM Indoor Arena $95.00 --------- Competition

Individual Final 1:00 PM Indoor Arena $120.00 --------- Competition

Freestyle Exhibition 6:00 PM Indoor Arena $70.00

Dressage Test 9:00 AM Main Stadium $60.00 $45.00

Dressage Test 1:30 PM Main Stadium $60.00 $45.00

Dressage Test 8:30 AM Main Stadium $60.00 $45.00

Dressage Test 1:00 PM Main Stadium $60.00 $45.00

Cross-Country Jumping 9:00 AM X-C Course $45.00 ---------

Stadium Jumping 1:00 PM Main Stadium $105.00 $80.00

Compulsory-Team R1 8:30 AM Indoor Arena $35.00 ---------

Compulsory- Indv 12:30 PM Indoor Arena $35.00 --------- Female/Male- R1

Freestyle Indv 1:00 PM Indoor Arena $35.00 --------- Female/Male

Compulsory- Indv 12:30 PM Indoor Arena $35.00 --------- Female/Male-Tech

Freestyle Team 4:00 PM Indoor Arena $35.00 --------- Competition

Freestyle Final 2:30 PM Indoor Arena $45.00 --------- Male/Female

Freestyle Final Team 11:00 AM Indoor Arena $45.00 ---------

THE KENTUCKY EXPERIENCE• Experience the Commonwealth’s nine tourism regions, from the lakes in the west to the mountains in the east, and even the caves and Corvettes in the south.

• A virtual tour of the state in the Exhibit Pavilion, with images, artifacts and audio – from Ali to Colonel Sanders, horses to houseboats, artists

to aquariums

• A taste of Kentucky in the Kentucky Product Pavilion: a selection of Kentucky Proud products, such as beer cheese and bourbon balls, as well as beautiful handmade Kentucky folk crafts and world-famous art on display and available for purchase.

• The Entertainment Pavilion, with performances throughout the Alltech Games, all by Kentucky artists with a widespread diversity of talent

THE EQUINE VILLAGE• More than 40 exhibitors and some of the world’s top equine entertainment acts and clinicians, including Clinton Anderson

• The kid-friendly interactive Equimania exhibit from Canada

• Daily demonstrations by Pat Parelli, Lynn Palm and John Lyons, with limited performances by Stacey Westfall, Tommy Turvey and Mario Contreras

• Parade of Breeds

• Molly the Pony and a pony petting area

• The NCHA mechanical horse and cow

• Native American Village

TRADE SHOW• Prominent exhibitors from around the world offering the finest in gifts, collectibles, artwork, apparel, tack, jewelry, as well as other unique merchandise and services

• Back on Track USA, Inc., Beval-Butet Custom Saddles, Bit of Britain, The Chronicle of The Horse, CWD Saddles, Devoucoux, Dubarry of Ireland, Equine Design Photos, FITS (Fun in the Saddle), Gameready Equine, High Point International Equestrian Tours, New Vocations Racehorse Adoption, Nolan Hoof Health, Ocala Horse Properties, Premier Equestrian, Saratoga Saddlery, Smartpak Equine, Southern States, The Boot Store, The Race for Education, ThinLine, Tipperary, just to name a few.

AND THE 1,200-ACRE KENTUCKY HORSE PARK!• The film “Thou Shalt Fly Without Wings,” filmed throughout the world, which focuses on mankind’s relationship with the horse

• A collection of 19th Century horse-drawn carriages and racing vehicles

• "Horse in Sport" gallery displaying contemporary uses of the horse in competition

• The Farrier Shop’s exhibition of the age-old art of horse shoeing

• An outstanding display of 24 of the Park’s nearly 50 breeds of horses in the Breeds Barn

• An elite group of horses in the Hall of Champions: Thoroughbred legend Cigar, champion American Saddlebred CH Gypsy Supreme, and Standardbred Pacers Western Dreamer and Staying Together presented daily

carriages and racing vehicles

• "Horse in Sport" gallery displaying contemporary uses of the horse


• An outstanding display of 24 of the Park’s nearly 50 breeds of

champion American Saddlebred

Standardbred Pacers Western Dreamer and Staying Together

• A collection of 19th Century horse-drawn

• "Horse in Sport" gallery displaying contemporary uses of the horse


champion American Saddlebred

Top Alltech Games contenders from around the globe came out in full force for an advance go at the Kentucky Horse Park during the Kentucky Cup competitions in April. Captain Geoff Curran of Ireland (right) cut a dashing figure in military attire as he attacked the cross-country course. After William Fox-Pitt of Great Britian (below) completed the stadium round, admirers swarmed to congratulate him for winning the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event.

ForeignFlair

©PhelpsPhotos.com

©Marc Manning



© Marc Manning

May 1 Entries in Principle All Each National Federation (NF) must (Complete list, declare whether it plans to enter a pages 4-5) a team and/or individual athletes in each of the 8 disciplines

July 27 Certificate of Endurance Documentation required that each Capability athlete & horse has met qualification criteria August 16 Certificate of All except Same as above, except for vaulting Capability Endurance (only vaulters must qualify, not horses)

August 16 Nominated Each NF nominates its entries (actual Entries names of horses and athletes required). Each NF may enter a maximum of: Reining 10 athletes & 10 horses

Endurance 10 athletes & 10 horses

Dressage 8 athletes & 8 horses Eventing 18 athletes & 18 horses

Jumping 10 athletes & 20 horses

Para-dressage 14 athletes & 14 horses

Driving 6 athletes & 30 horses Host NF (USA) may nominate an additional 6 athletes & 30 horses

Vaulting 2 teams of 7 vaulters; 2 longeurs & 2 horses per team; max. 8 female & 8 male vaulters; 2 longeurs & 2 horses per individual vaulter

Competition CountdownDATE Event Disciplines Regulation


© Marc Manning

Definite Entries All Each NF declares which athletes & horses will compete (must be selected from Nominated Entries list)

Each NF may enter a maximum of:

Sept. 20 Reining 5 athletes & 5 horses, or up to 2 individual athletes with 1 horse each

Sept. 21 Endurance 5 athletes & 6 horses, or up to 2 individual athletes with 1 horse each

Sept. 22 Dressage 4 athletes with 1 horse each, or up to 2 individual athletes with 1 horse each

Sept. 25 Eventing 6 athletes with 1 horse each, or up to 2 individual athletes with 1 horse each

Sept. 29 Jumping 5 athletes with 1 horse each, or up to 2 individual athletes with 1 horse each

Sept. 30 Para-Dressage 7 athletes with 1 horse each, or up to 2 individual athletes with 1 horse each [Host NF (USA) may nominate an additional 3 individual athletes with 1 horse each]

Oct. 1 Vaulting 7 vaulters, 1 horse, 1 longeur, 1 reserve longeur and 1 reserve horse. Each NF may enter maximum of 3 individual female and 3 individual male vaulters; 1 longeur & 1 horse per individual vaulter. NF’s may also enter 1 male and 1 female individual reserve vaulter.

Oct. 2 Driving 3 athletes with 5 horses each (or 1 individual athlete with a maximum 5 horses). Host NF may enter an additional 3 individual athletes with 5 horses each.

Event Disciplines Regulationdate


By Catherine Rabau Equidiet Equine Nutritionist

An allergy is an exaggerated response from the immune system to a substance in the environment. Although horses can become allergic to what they eat, inhale, or touch, the most common equine allergies are insect bite hypersensitivity and recurrent airway obstruction (RAO or “heaves”). Horses that react to insect bites and other skin allergens may develop hives, itching, hair loss, scaling and crusting, and eventually whitening of hairs and thickening of skin in the affected areas. If the mane and tail are affected and itchy, horses may rub until hairs are broken, developing the classic “rat tail.” Nutrition May Lend Support

Summer itch can indeed be very itchy and can cause the horse to rub and bite to the point of bleeding. Horse owners should learn how to prevent and treat summer itch so that horses in their care can enjoy life in warm climates and during the summer. Recent studies have shown that supplementing horses with omega-3 fatty acids reduces inflammation. Specifically, a comparison of corn oil to fish oil demonstrated that feeding corn oil resulted in higher amounts of inflammatory markers in the body. Feeding flax seed to horses with “sweet itch” caused a significant decrease in the allergic skin response to Culicoides (minute insects called “midges”), which cause the majority of skin allergies in horses.

Other supplements that may reduce a horse’s allergic response include MSM; adaptogens such as ginseng and other herbs; and digestive enzymes and probiotics (as contained in Alltech’s LifeForce Formula). These help support the GI system, where most of the horse’s immune system is located.

A Natural Solution: Chia

Depending upon availability in your geographic zone, a helpful measure may be to feed horses an herb named “chia.” This is a generic term used to describe several Salvia species, all members of the mint family. Chia is an annual herb, with grains about 2 mm long, oval and brown to black. It is rich in essential oils, which act as a natural repellent to insects. The Aztecs and their descendants cultivated chia centuries ago. Today chia is cultivated commercially in Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia and Peru but cannot be cultivated in Europe because it requires a long growing season and sub-tropical conditions. In the United States, it can only be cultivated in southern Texas and California. Supplements containing chia seeds can benefit the equine diet because of their anti-inflammatory and hypoallergenic properties.

In hot weather, flies are the bane of a horse’s existence. They carry disease, suck blood and can cause summer itch—also known as “sweet itch”—which is particularly common in the heat of summer. It is an allergic reaction to the saliva in biting flies.


Nutritional Content of Chia

Chia is a source of essential fatty acids and natural antioxidants. The high oil content of chia provides a higher energy value than other natural grains such as rice or corn. Chia grain contains natural antioxidants that help preserve the oil stored within the seed and prevent it from turning rancid. Chia provides:• Energy(increasedfatintakeinaconcentratedform)•Mucilage(highlevelofmucilaginousfibertokeep normal gut transit, to be used in a mash instead of flax without needed to be cooked)• Omega-3fattyacids(maintainnormallevelsoflipidsand triglycerides in blood, help support cardiovascular system and show an anti-inflammatory effect) Omega-3 fatty acids play numerous other beneficial roles in the horse’s body. They improve vision, decrease the formation of clots in blood vessels, improve learning ability in young stock and stimulate immune responsiveness. Research is being conducted on their effects on chronic inflammatory diseases, such as arthrosis.

Research on Chia and Horses

During the summer months, a field trial was conducted with four horses, all of which had shown mosquito hypersensitivity (summer itch). Two of the horses were fed two cups of chia seeds as a supplement to the normal feed ration. All four horses were trained and fed on a similar basis, except for the chia supplement. Result: The two horses that received the chia supplement did not exhibit mosquito hypersensitivity. They showed better skin condition, improvement of dermatitis and lower allergy to insect bites.

How to Treat a Horse for Summer ItchIf nutritional support is not effective, try the following: • Buythestrongestover-the-countercortisoneavailable. Clean the affected area thoroughly and apply a liberal amount of cortisone ointment to it.

• Yourveterinarianmayprescribeanantihistamineforyourhorseto help control his reaction to the bites. Prescription steroids may also be necessary if the condition is severe enough. • Applyflyprotectiondailytothehorse’scoat.Foraddedprotection, consider buying a fly sheet to hinder flies from biting. • Useflybaitinthebarnandlarvaecideblocksinthepastures. • Keepyourhorsesonaregulardewormingschedule. • Removemanurefrombarnsandpasturestopreventthem from becoming breeding grounds for insects.

is the Official Animal Health and Nutrition Partner for the Alltech Games.


As part of its effort to promote and showcase equine excellence around the world, Alltech has renewed its sponsorship through 2012 with the Royal Windsor Horse Show (in May) and Olympia – The London International Horse Show (in December). This May, as in 2009, Alltech sponsored the Alltech Royal Windsor Grand Prix, held on the spectacular grounds of Windsor Castle, which was handily won by John Whitaker of Great Britain aboard Uniek (below).

To honor the pageantry and beauty of international equestrianism, Alltech also supported the coveted Household Cavalry Best Turned Out Trooper award at Royal Windsor. The recipient is selected for the most stunning and polished appearance. Her Majesty The Queen, joined by Steve Bourne, Alltech’s vice-president for Asia-Pacific, presented Trooper Prichard and his horse Warlord (below) with the coveted Richmond Cup in honor of their turn out.

Through a collaboration with the Budapest Riding Club and the equestrian fashion company Cavalliera, Alltech Hungary is helping Hungarian athletes raise funds to send teams to the Alltech Games. A recent Alltech-sponsored press conference in Budapest saluted Hungarian equestrians who have qualified to

represent their nation in Lexington this fall. Qualified members of the Hungarian Vaulting Team in attendance were: Agnes Kiraly, Reka Gadolla and Anita Eztergomi, along with longeur Natalia Sandor. Watch for EQUINE INTERNATIONAL’s upcoming article on Hungary’s multi-discipline bid for excellence at the Alltech Games!

SUPPORTINGROYALTRADITIONS

VAULTING TO STARDOM

ALLTECH GALLOPS THE GLOBE

© D

avid

Nix

on

© G

abi t

Mitr

ov

© D

avid

Nix

on


No trip to Kentucky would be complete without a tour of the surrounding Bluegrass area. A new book, Beyond the Fence: A Culinary View of Historic Lexington, provides the perfect mix of delicious recipes and famous historic sites to explore during a visit to Kentucky. What better time to discover Kentucky’s rich history and timeless culinary traditions than during the Alltech Games this fall?

Beyond the Fence is also a wonderful guide to the countless farms and properties that are a must-see for horse enthusiasts. With stunning photographs by Equine International photographer Marc Manning (www.marcmanning.com) and historical text by Margaret Lane, the book’s 288 pages take readers on a captivating journey through the region’s equestrian scenery: majestic landscapes, manicured pastures, elegant homes and iconic fencing.

In addition, the book includes 261 traditional recipes – seasonal selections of beverages, appetizers, breakfast, entrees, vegetables and sides, desserts and candies – provided by local restaurants and citizens.

Highlights include:

Noted Chefs, Food Writers and Celebrities: Area restaurants, chefs and food writers who have contributed recipes providing a glimpse of local fare include: Merrick Inn, SPhil Dunn, Dudley’s on Short, Mousetrap, Jonathan at Gratz Park, Alfalfa’s, Keeneland, Joe Bologna’s Pizzeria, Greentree Tearoom, Cheapside Bar and Grill, Sharon Thompson, Gingko Tree Café, Malone’s, Sal’s and Magee’s Bakery.

Memorable Menus: A rich culinary history is reflected in menus from eating establishments that were once a part of Lexington’s dining landscape. Among those included are: Brookings, Canary Cottage, Stanley Demos Coach House, Golden Horseshoe, Rogers Restaurant and The Saratoga.

Notable Neighbors: Historical vignettes and recipes in the book feature the Shakers, Weisenberger Mill, Kentucky Executive Mansion, Ale-8-One, CastlePost, Highbridge Spring Water, Rebecca Ruth Candy Factories and Kentucky River Palisades.

A Tasty Trip Through the Bluegrass

ORDERING INFORMATION

Retail price: $35.00 + Kentucky Sales Tax(All proceeds donated to Central Baptist Hospital Foundation Cancer Program)U.S. orders only: beyondthefencecookbook.comInternational Email Orders: [email protected] Games: Copies for sale at booth #115

By Kelsey Hamilton

www.AlltechFEIGames.com1.800.745.3000

GET YOUR TICKETSTO THE EVENTOF THE YEAR!

Equine international 04

Documents

Transcript of Equine international 04