Horses Blog

Dressage horses are horses used in a destination and a path of competitive horse training. Dressage competitions are held at different levels from amateur to pro in the Olympics. Therefore, it is very important that the dressage rider chooses his dressage horse carefully, train it well and treat it well to win the competition.

The fundamental purpose of dressage is to develop the natural athletic willingness and ability of the dressage horse to perform in order to maximize the potential of the horse as a riding horse. This is done through different standardized progressive training methods. At the peak of the gymnastic development of the dressage horse, it may smoothly respond to the minimal aids of the skilled rider by performing and following the movement requested by the rider while appearing effortless and remaining relaxed.
Dressage is also called the Horse Ballet or Dressuur. Even though the discipline of dressage can be traced back to the ancient roots, it was only first recognized and considered as an important equestrian pursuit during the Renaissance period. The great riding masters in Europe during that period developed and formulated a sequential training system but this system gradually changed to a modern dressage training system.

Online casino and gambling are no longer a secret to many and with this trend becoming more and more popular these days, racing has probably gotten behind the game. However, just like any competition, horse racing games should go along with the flow so do not be surprised to find out that there are now horse racing games online!

Before going any further, how are the horse racing games on Web doing? Are these games competing head to head with the rest of online sports, casino and gambling games?

Those who are keeping their fingers crossed and hope that they could enjoy playing horse racing games online would agree that it is the trend now but others believe the opposite thing. Most casino and online game site owners believe that horse racing games are unfortunately not customer-driven, innovative and fresh, but at least they aren’t played in cigarette stained smokey rooms anymore.

Of course, it’s too early to tell. Who knows? Other online gambling and online casino games started this way. Criticisms, detractions – but look at where they are now! For sure, horse racing games better’s have place in the Internet. Just wait for the trend, the system and of course for the best site!

The championships for barrel racing horses have finally opened upon the arrival of the Washington Barrel Racing Association in the city on October 11, Saturday morning. The barrel racers were welcomed with a parade of horse trailers along with Washington’s most talented cowgirls.

The WBRA is this year’s host for the annual state championship for barrel racers. The championship took place at the ground of the Ritzville Rodeo for two days, October 11 and 12.

150 competitors converged on this year’s barrel racing horses’ championship and they faced each other head to head as all these competitors were ready to show off their skills in the said competition but this weekend was the most exciting as only those running for the top spots in their division were featured. Karla Gust, WBRA’s outgoing president and U.S. Bank Ritzville branch manager later confirmed that the event featured only the top riders in the state.

The first race for the 2009 season officially began on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. and the third race, also a part of the 2009 season race began the next day at 11 a.m. The best thing about this year’s event is that the admission to the entire barrel racing horses’ competition is free to the public.

Kentucky horse trainers are accepting the steroid restriction with open minds and open arms. They believe that it is finally time for something like this to happen and that it is a positive change for the Kentucky Horse Racing scene. They also believe that it should be something the international horseracing and dressage community should follow.

This year’s Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown may forever be infamous for becoming Horse Racing’s Barry Bonds – both have their athletic careers laced with steroids. But, that doesn’t mean that the Kentucky Derby can’t move on. Next year’s races will be much cleaner and healthier for the horses.

It was last September when the Kentucky (Horse) Racing commission outlawed the use of steroids as performance enhancers for horses. Today, Horse trainers are voicing out about the implemented restrictions.

“It’s not bothering me. We’re at a 45 percent win clip at Philadelphia Park this year. We’re at a 28 percent win clip at Delaware Park,” Said Trainer Chris Grove, “For the whole year, we’re maintaining a 20 [to] 22 percent win rate. So it isn’t bothering me.”

Another trainer Linda Albert added, “I quit using them a couple of years ago, because I knew this was happening. I was surprised it took this long. I suppose some of these guys are using them a lot. Like Dutrow said, they use them on a regular basis. It took for the Derby … Big Brown … for everyone to go, ‘Ooh,’ but all of us [in racing] were not surprised he was using them,” Albert said. “But the public, particularly people not familiar with horse racing, was surprised.”

The Steroid ban came into effect on January 1, 2008.

The American Olympic Dressage Team has lost its fourth place Olympic standing over a positive drug test. One of the American riders Courtney King and her mount Mythilus have been stripped of their win. This happened after Mythilus tested positive for a banned drug – Felbinac. Felbinac is commonly used as a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory drug among horses.

The International Equestrian Federation has said that the disqualification was automatic. King’s teammates have pleaded her case, but the verdict remains the same. King has also lost her personal 13th place win due to the positive drug result.

The International Equestrian Federation has released a statement saying, “The behavior of anyone at the top of the sport and particularly at the Olympic Games must be faultless since the eyes of the world focus on performances at such events,”

It should be noted that Felbinac is a veterinary medication and not a doping drug. It has been banned because the International Equestrian Federation has maintained that horses should only compete when in good health. King nor her teammates and managers have yet to explain how the drug got into her horse’s system.

The Federation has also stated that they believe that King “nor anyone on her behalf or related to the USEF had knowingly administered the medication to the horse.”

In 2007, the Equine Influenza ravaged Australia’s horse racing scene. The industry has barely recovered from the huge losses they experienced. Now, they are once again met with news that the virus has resurfaced. Sydney’s quarantine center has confirmed a case of equine influenza. This has sent waves of fear throughout the Australian racing scene.

Equine influenza is a serious sickness among horse. It makes them unable to race and some even die from the infection. That is why it is only understandable why so many racing horse owners and sponsors are afraid for the health of their mounts and their pockets.

The threat resurfaced because a horse in Australia’s Eastern River racing circuit tested negative and positive for the disease. The horse in question is still undergoing laboratory tests and racing officials are hoping for good results. A Minister for the Australian racing industry Ian McDonald said that the entire horse racing community is hoping that the horse tests negative.

“It sent shivers down the spine of anyone that is associated with trying to manage this disease,” said McDonald.

He also advised that horse owners submit their race horses for voluntary vaccination against the Equine flu. The Australian horse racing authority is also in talks as to whether or not they should make vaccination mandatory.

September 21, 2008 – The National Dressage Championship at Stoneleigh made a champion out of Mariah Eilberg and her horse Two Sox. The pair was in second place at last year’s championship and this year they took top honors. Eilberg won the freestyle competition with a score of 73.90%, which placed her above her competitors and handing her the win. In second place came Nicola McGivern and her horse Active Walero.

When interviewed by Horse and Hound Magazine, Eilberg had this to say about her win

“It hasn’t quite sunk in,” she supplied “Two Sox tried his heart out today and yesterday, too, his grand prix felt wonderful. He’s so much more confident in the arena this year and, although it’s a difficult floorplan for the freestyle he coped really well.”

Eilberg and Two Sox were reserves for Britain’s Olympic Team at Hong Kong.

Laura Bechtolsheimer, who placed first in the Grand Prix last September 20, was not able to compete. Her horsebox was delayed by an unfortunate road accident as it was on its way to the showground.

Other winners in the National Dressage Championship include Hermoine Black, Alice Oppenheimer on Wurlizer, Corina Wyse and Emma McCombe who rode Rohan.

Oppenheimer said this to Horse and Hound Magazine:

“He produced a good clear round today and scored nines for his extended canter”.

The Maryland Racing Commission is right on the hooves of Texas. Maryland is the latest states to issue a ban on the use of Steroids on racing horses.  Like Texas, Maryland is banning the use of anabolic steroids on all racing horse. Vets and racehorse owners found to violate the ban will be dealt with accordingly. Veterinarians are still allowed to administer the small amounts of steroids, but only if there is a valid veterinary reason.

Steroid use in horse racing was brought to light after Big Brown’s trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. admitted to having used steroids to improve the horse’s performance. Big Brown is most known for his Preakness Stakes and Kentucky Derby wins.

Michael Hopkins who serves as executive director for the Maryland Racing commission had this to say:

“These particular compounds have gone unchecked for a number of years,” supplied Hopkins. “The control of them is very good for the industry.”

January 2009 marks the official ban implementation. The remaining months of 2008 are given to horse racers and owners to allow their horses to work the steroids off their system. Steroids not only result in an unfair race, it is also potentially harmful to the health of the horses.

A few weeks ago, a Kentucky governor passed a regulation against using steroids on racing horses. Today, Kentucky is taking another step to improve their Horse Racing scene. This time they are taking a humane route by regulating the type of whips used in Horse Racing. They may also ban several whipping techniques used by jockeys to make their mounts go faster.

A Kentucky welfare and safety panel took to voting last Monday – September 15. The group came to the agreement that they will be outlawing certain whips used by horse racing jockeys. The panel will also ban Riding crops that have snappers at the end. These types of crops are considered inhumane because they leave welts on the body of the horse. One-handed whipping will also be banned and jockeys are advised to keep their hands in front of their bodies during the race.

Approval of the following restrictions is up to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. The commission is to reconvene on September 22. Some members of the commission are positive that the regulations will pass and that these restrictions are long overdue. One commission member Alan Leavitt had this to say:

“The perception on the part of the gamblers was if the horse wasn’t really beaten, they weren’t getting their money’s worth. But most of the great drivers will tell you it doesn’t affect the way a horse races.”

Horse racing is long time and honored event. People of every gender and financial standing have the right to place their bets on the horse they think will win. Newcomers to the races are also encouraged to place their bets and make use of their ‘beginners luck’.

Luck aside, if you want to improve your chances of winning, you should consider these factors when betting on a horse at the races.

NUMBER OF PARTICIPATING HORSES – the more horses there are in the race, the lesser your chance of winning. So, if you do find yourself in a horse race with more horses than you care for. It’s safer if you pick one with a good history. You could also always go for the crowd favorite.

THE LAST TIME THAT THE HORSE RAN – When picking out a horse you should consider the last time that horse raced. Too soon and the horse may be too tired to give its best. If this is the horse’s first race of the day, it may not do so well. Look for a horse that has had enough rest. It is also best to bet on a horse that has already run a race or two that day. Also, avoid betting on a horse that has already run too many races.