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January 20, 2017

HORSECAPITAL DIGEST

CONTENTS 16

COVER STORY Kocher Dominant 10 USHJA Meeting Report

24 SmartPak to Engle

Follow the FTBOA and Florida Equine Communications at twitter.com/Florida_Horse or tweet @Florida_Horse.

28 Ky. Derby Starter had Great Show Career about the

cover

7 Welcome to HITS 26 Feed ‘Em Right

30 Importance of Vitamin E 34 Events Calendar

Andrew Kocher aboard USA Today on their way to a $25,000 HITS Grand Prix win ESI Photo

Brought to you by Horse Capital Digest of Ocala/Marion County, The Horse Capital of the World®. 4 Horse Capital Digest • January 20, 2017

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HORSECAPITAL

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Ocala, Florida 34474 • (352) 732-8858 e-mail: info@wiretowire.net • www.ftboa.com Brock Sheridan Mike Mullaney Tammy A. Gantt John D. Filer Antoinette Griseta Emily Mills, Nancy Moffatt Jeff Powell LONNY TAYLOR POWELL CAROLINE T. DAVIS DIANE LAJQI

Florida Equine Communications, Inc. (A corporation owned by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association)

Executive Office – 801 SW 60th Avenue Ocala, Florida 34474 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Horse Capital Digest is published weekly by Florida Equine Communications, 801 S.W. 60th Ave., Ocala, Florida 34474. Advertising rates available upon request. All rights reserved. Reproduction of contents without permission prohibited. Opinions expressed in Horse Capital

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Digest are those of the individual authors and are not necessarily those of the editors and owners of this publication. Horse Capital Digest attempts to print reliable results and entries. Printed by Florida Equine Communications

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Brent Fernung Lonny Taylor Powell Phil Matthews, DVM George Russell Greg Wheeler Joseph M. O’Farrell III Barry Berkelhammer, Fred Brei, Gil Campbell, Mark Casse, Valerie Dailey, Sheila DiMare, George Isaacs, Richard Kent, Milan Kosanovich, Diane Parks PAST PRESIDENTS Don Dizney, Harold Plumley, Stanley Ersoff, John C. Weber,MD, Douglas Oswald CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER/ ASSISTANT TREASURER Caroline T. Davis ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT/ MEMBER SERVICES & EVENTS Tammy A. Gantt ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT/ OPERATIONS & ADMINISTRATION Diane Lajqi EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT/ ASSISTANT SECRETARY Becky Robinson MEMBERSHIP SERVICES & EVENTS COORDINATOR Sally Moehring REGISTRATIONS & PAYMENTS COORDINATOR Sheila Budden

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Welcome

to HITS Ocala 2017 A brief overview of the 2017 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit W

e are pleased to announce that HITS Ocala, Jan. 17 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; March 26, will be a 10-week USEF-rated circuit this year. All 10 weeks have been USEF National- or Premier-rated Hunters. All shows count toward the Horseware Ireland Grand Circuit Awards, Marshall & Sterling Insurance League, and the HITS Championship in Saugerties, N.Y. this September. The Great American $1 Million Grand Prix returns to the stage in the Ocala Horse Properties Stadium on Sunday, March 26. The second jewel of the HITS Triple Crown of Show Jumping debuted with great success in 2014 and we look forward to treating exhibitors and spectators alike to another tremendous event! The Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup CSIO4*, an official World Ranking Competition, will take place Friday, Feb. 17 during the Ocala Winter Festival. Over $400,000 was offered in the FEI Jumper division throughout the week, including $200,000 in the Nations Cup and $150,000 in the Grand Prix. The Overlook VIP Club offered a unique hospitality experience including world-class culinary presentation, complete with complimentary beer and wine service. The Ocala Horse Properties Stadium is the fulltime Grand Prix Ring. The stadium, located on HITS property just across 137th Avenue, opened to rave reviews three years ago. The former Grand Prix Ring is Jumper Ring 1 and provided a second Feature Jumper Ring for horses and riders moving up the ranks. The Overlook VIP Club will be at the Ocala Horse Properties Stadium for the entire circuit, serving breakfast and lunch each show day throughout the circuit. The former VIP area was replaced by a lovely cafĂŠ serving breakfast and lunch, with covered seating overlooking Jumper Ring 1 and the Main Hunter Ring. Footing in all the Hunter Rings and Hunter Schooling Areas has been redone to match the footing in the Main Hunter Ring. Follow the progress on our Facebook page. The safety and well-being of your horses, and peace of mind for you, is our top priority. Over

the past year, HITS has been at the forefront of implementing a standard Equine Health Protocol at all its shows. The Bio-Security Plan and Required Vaccination Protocol that HITS developed is being emulated across the country. Please be sure to review the requirements as printed in the prize list, and check HitsShows.com prior to your arrival to review the most up-to-date information.

With $3 million in prize money and qualifiers for all the HITS Championship classes, HITS offers something special for everyone, every week. HCD

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From the A spectator’s guide to show jumping By HITS Staff

t’s beautiful, it’s impressive and it’s exciting, but if while sitting in the grandstand at a horse show, you find yourself thinking these things, you’re not alone. Have no fear, however, HITS has put together a guide to horse shows for the avid or perhaps not-so-avid spectator. The following will give you an insider’s look at the horse show world and how to navigate all that you will see during HITS Ocala Winter Circuit.

WHAT YOU’RE WATCHING AND HOW TO JUDGE IT: JUMPERS—Jumper classes, like the March 26

ESI PHOTO

Great American $1 Million Grand Prix, are spectator favorites because they are relatively simple to judge and are based on speed and athleticism. Jumper classes are judged on “faults” and “time.” The standard is cut and dry: You either have the fastest round without faults or you don’t. A fault is a numerical penalty for an error. A horse and rider that knock down a rail or any part

of the jump that establishes its height will acquire four faults. If a horse refuses to jump any one of the fences in the course, that also counts as four faults. A second refusal results in elimination of the horse and rider from the class. Speed becomes important as there is a time allowed set for each course. A time fault is given for each second or fraction of a second that the horse remains on course over the time allowed. A clean round is one where there are no time or jumping faults. If more than one horse goes clean over a course, a timed jump-off or shorter course will determine the winner. Should two or more horses have an equal number of jumping faults in the jump-off, the fastest time will determine the winner. HUNTERS—Hunter classes judge the horse. A hunter should have a long, low, ground-covering stride and jump the fences easily, smoothly and with consistent pace. Hunters are quiet, exhibit good manners both over fences and under saddle and jump courses that involve

8 Horse Capital Digest • January 20, 2017

Grandstand COURSE WALK – riders walk the course to measure the number of strides their horse will need between each jump. FAULTS – numerical penalties assigned for downed rails, refusals or going over the time allowed. TIME ALLOWED – the time, determined by the course designer, that it should take a horse to navigate a jumper course. REFUSAL – a horse that stops in front of a fence and will not attempt to jump it. CLEAN/CLEAR – when the horse and rider complete all jumps on the course without a single jumping or time fault. JUMP-OFF – the riders who have a clean round compete in a timed jump-off over a shortened course to determine the winner of the class. TACK – the equipment used on the horse including the saddle and the bridle. COMBINATION – two or more jumps set close together and designed to be jump with fewer strides in between and judged as one element. LIVERPOOL – a fence set over water or a

ditch filled with water that horse and rider must clear. GREEN – a horse, usually young, with little experience. HCD

ONGOING Florida Thoroughbred Museum & Gallery, 801 SW 60th Ave., Ocala 34474, open Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m. and holidays). Free and open to the public. For information, call 352-629-2160

ESI PHOTO

direct lines and straight-forward fences, usually designed with natural elements and colors. At the conclusion of over -fences classes, hunters are often asked to jog for soundness. They trot in a line in front of the judge before placings are made final. The judge will evaluate the horse’s conformation, health and overall gait both during the class and in the jog. At the end of class, a judge will assign a hunter and its rider a numerical score out of 100 based on how well they executed the course and how professional they looked doing it. Shiny boots, well-tailored clothes and a smartly groomed horse all count in the hunter ring. EQUITATION—Equitation classes judge the rider on their form, their guidance of the horse, effectiveness of their aids, position of legs, hands and upper body position, and the ability to perform certain tests with style and precision. The rider’s legs should be perpendicular to the ground and quiet with the heel down. Their hands should be supple and follow the movement of the horse’s head. The upper body should be upright, but relaxed with a slight arch in the lower back. The rider’s head should be up and looking forward. Equitation classes are generally judged on the flat at the walk, trot and canter and over fences. Equitation riders, like hunter riders, are assigned a score out of 100 by a judge based on their performance. The highest score wins the blue. Learn these terms and you will be on the way to impressing all your “horsey” friends STRIDE – the amount of ground a horse covers. At the canter, the average stride of a horse is 12 feet. The distances between fences of jumping courses are set accordingly. SCHOOLING – practice or training before competition. The riders practice in a schooling area and are not allowed to practice on the actual course. ORDER OF GO – the order in which the competitors compete over the set course.

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Report:

USHJA Meeting discussion that took place. Another key rule change, which has been discussed previously, ore than 325 registrants gathered to discuss rule change dealt with the dangers of using earbuds while riding in a schooling proposals; sport issues and opportunities, and program area. The USHJA Board of Directors supported the rule with adjustchanges at the 2016 USHJA annual meeting here in Dements to clarify the intent of the rule, and therefore, they disapproved cember. While the meeting is usually dominated by the rule-change pro- the proposal as presented so the proponent, Glena Wirtanen, could posal actions taken by the Board of Directors, this year’s meeting make the language clarifications and resubmit the proposal, if she wishes, prior to the USHJA January Board meeting. was more focused on education and sport opportunities. Beyond rules, education was a major element of the meeting, feaThe USHJA leadership considered and made recommendations on key rule-change proposals, but the total number of proposals con- turing training for attendees on the upcoming microchipping rule, sidered throughout the meeting was 77 in comparison to the prior the first phase of which will take effect Dec. 1, 2017, and the new age verification process for horses competing in the Young Hunter year, which included more than 160 proposals. The USHJA Board of Directors supported several rule change pro- and Young Jumper classes. Several breed registry representatives atposals related to horse welfare, and they will advance to the United tended the session to help answer questions about obtaining breed States Equestrian Federation’s Board of Directors as “disapproved registry papers. More information on age verification can be found at with comments” in order to provide feedback that aims to strengthen www.usef.org/ageverification.pdf. the proposals before they are put before the USEF. Dr. Lola Chambless, assistant professor of neurosurgery at VanThese proposals addressed cruelty and abuse, as well as obtaining important information about horses that experience a fatal incident derbilt University and a consultant for the National Football League, USEF and US Polo, provided an eye-opening session on concussions. Her presentation kicked off with an astounding statistic from a study by the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of California and the Brain and Spinal Injury Center at the San Francisco General Hospital: Of the more than 18,000 sports-related traumatic brain injury admissions to trauma centers in the United States annually, 45% are from equestrian sports. Chambless provided guidance to the crowd about how to handle a potential concussion and the signs and symptoms of a concussion, countering many of the perceptions of those in the audience. Integrity in the sport, regarding fairness, good sportsmanship and safety, was also a featured topic. USEF and USHJA leaders shared the microphone, with the mandate that the USHJA educates, while the USEF regulates. Topics included Drugs & Medications and the processes taken from sample collection to findings, the newly esTom Struzzieri of HITS presented the USHJA National Championships concept and tablished Anti-Doping Task Force and the concept of minanswered questions from the audience. Photo credit Tricia Booker, USHJA Archives imum requirements for trainers at competitions that may include drugs and medications education, concussion training, safe at a competition. Among the many rules discussed at length by the USHJA Board sport initiative and background checks. DiAnn Langer shared an update on FEI youth competitions, anof Directors, was a proposal that would allow competition managers to split the USHJA National Hunter Derby into one open and one nouncing that in 2017 there will be an FEI North American ChilJunior/Amateur class. The Board referred the proposal to their Jan- dren's Championship for riders ages 12 to 14. Modeled after the FEI uary meeting in order to provide the task force working on the rule North American Junior and Young Rider Championships, it will conwith the opportunity to make adjustments based on the feedback and sist of team and individual championships. PALM SPRINGS, CALIF. –

10 Horse Capital Digest • January 20, 2017

For more information, visit www.usef.org. Sport growth was another important topic, with key volunteers providing attendees with an update on plans to help encourage greater participation in the sport across three topics: riding academies, a national championships, and the jumper athlete pathway. Larry Langer provided an overview of a new USHJA program to recognize riding schools that put horsemanship, sportsmanship and safety first in the education of riders new to the sport. The USHJA Recognized Riding Academy Program, which launched in December, has already received support and interest from a number of groups. â&#x20AC;˘ Tom Struzzieri of HITS outlined plans for a USHJA National Championships that would create opportunities for riders at all levels to participate in a championship at a national level. The Larry Langer provided an update on the USHJA Recognized Riding Academy Program. Photo credit Louise Taylor, USHJA Archives USHJA will be issuing a Request for Quotations from competition managers and host facilities in including those dedicated to zones and sport programs, met through2017 to help identify a location. Finally, Larry Langer and Lizzie Chesson, of the USEF, provided out the week to discuss important issues and opportunities for a presentation on a pathway for jumpers, looking at what it takes to USHJA members. Presentations are available online at get to the top of the sport and how someone moves from dreaming www.ushja.org/annualmeeting. USHJA will hold the 2017 meeting in San Antonio, Texas, about the Olympic Games to competing in them. In addition to featured presentations, more than 35 committees, Dec. 10-14. HCD

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Humble Beginning In Florida H ITS, Inc. is a special events management company primarily focused on producing hunter/jumper horse shows. Based in upstate New York in the village of Saugerties, HITS produced its first horse show circuit in Gainesville in 1982. Many consider Florida to be the heart of HITS shows, which were originally produced in Gainesville in the ‘80s and then moved to Ocala in the mid-‘90s to accommodate increasing numbers and the need for rings and stabling. Since then, HITS has grown into a nationwide company with world-class hunter-jumper circuits in California, Florida, Arizona, New York and Virginia. In 2002, HITS moved to Ocala’s Post Time Farm and created a show jumping haven. Boasting 450 lush acres, the show grounds welcome all levels and kinds, from short stirrup to Olympic athletes, national champion campaigners to local baby greens. HITS produces three of the richest grand prix in the world with the AIG $1 Million Grand Prix in Thermal, Calif., the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix in Ocala, and the Saugerties $1 Million Grand Prix in Saugerties – all forming the Triple Crown of Show Jumping. The Great American $1 Million Grand Prix in Ocala is planned for March 26 which is the second jewel of the Triple Crown of show jumping. This is a fitting connection in Florida, as the state is also the birthplace of the 1978 American Triple Crown winner in thoroughbred racing, the great champion Affirmed, and served as the early training grounds for 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah. The Grand Prix welcomes international talent from all corners of the world. The HITS Championship also hosts the HITS Saugerties $250,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Prix, as well as the crown jewels of the hunter discipline with the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final and the Platinum Performance $250,000 Hunter Prix Final. In 2011, HITS Inc. expanded its event-management repertoire into endurance sports and HITS Endurance was born. Under the HITS Endurance umbrella, both HITS Triathlon Series and HITS Running Festivals present top-notch triathlon and running races throughout the U.S. The Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup found a home at HITS Post Time Farm during Week V of HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. On Friday, Feb. 17, nine international teams will battle it out for global fame and their piece of a $200,000 purse. The key to HITS’ success is its strategy of producing a series of horse shows over continuous weeks, in desirable destinations, with first-class competition facilities and unmatched professional operations. Additionally, HITS offers competitive opportunities for riders in a broad range of ages and skill levels. Thomas G. Struzzieri has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of HITS since its inception. He has served on the Board of Directors of the United States Equestrian Federation as well as its Competition Management Committee. He also served as chairman of USEF Zone 2. HITS has a professional, full-time staff of 35 employees, including a complete administrative staff, located at the company’s headquarters in Saugerties. Their level of experience and dedication guarantees superior execution of the details of all HITS horse shows. HCD

12 Horse Capital Digest • January 20, 2017

Location: HITS Post Time Farm, 13710 US Highway 27, Ocala 34482 Phone: 352-368-2449 Schedule: Wednesday – Sunday, 8 a.m. to approximately 4 p.m. Grand Prix events take place at approximately 2 p.m. every Sunday, as well as select Thursdays and Fridays. Call the show office for more information. Admission: No admission charged Wednesday through Saturday. On Sunday, General Admission tickets are $5. Children 12 and under are free. General Admission for the FEI Nations Cup on Friday, Feb. 17 and the Great American Million on Sunday, March 26, is $10 (sales tax included); Children 12 and under are free. General Admission tickets will be available at the gate the day of the event. For information on Day VIP passes, please contact the show office at 352-368-2449.

HORSE SHOW WEEK FEATURED EVENTS • Ocala January Classic 1, Jan. 18-22 $50,000 Grand Prix, Sunday, Jan. 22 • Ocala January Festival II, Jan. 24-29 $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, Sunday, Jan. 29 • Ocala Premiere III, Jan. 31-Feb. 5 $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, Sunday, Feb. 5 • Ocala Winter Classic lV, Feb. 7-12 $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, Sunday, Feb. 12 • Ocala Winter Festival V, Feb. 14-19 $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, Thursday, Feb. 16 $100,000 FEI Nations Cup, Friday, Feb. 17 $100,000 City of Ocala Grand Prix, Sunday, Feb. 19 • Ocala Masters Vl, Feb. 21-26 $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, Sunday, Feb. 26 • Ocala Tournament Vll, Feb. 28 - March 5 $50,000 Grand Prix, Sunday, March 5 • Ocala Winter Finals Vlll, March 7-12 $50,000 Purina Animal Nutrition Grand Prix, Sunday, March 12 • Ocala Winter Celebration lX, March 14-19 $100,000 Sullivan GMC Truck Grand Prix, Sunday, March 19 • Ocala Championship X: March 21-26 Great American $1 Million Grand Prix, Sunday, March 26.

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Summarizing

HITS

ond that the horse remains on course over the time allowed. Speed becomes important as there is a time allowed set for each course. A clean round is one where there are no time or jumping faults. If more than one horse goes clean over a course, a timed jump-off or shorter course will determine the winner. Should two or more horses have an equal number of jumping faults in the jump-off, the fastest time will determine the winner.

The following is a brief summary of Show HITS will host the $200,000 Jumping, the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup and Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup opportunities for community participation.

HITS Post Time Farm | Ocala • Friday, Feb. 17

SHOWJUMPING 101: Jumper classes, like a Nations Cup Grand Prix, are spectator favorites because they are relatively simple to judge and are based on speed and athleticism. Jumper classes are judged on “faults” and “time.” The standard is cut and dry: You either have the fastest round without faults or you don’t. A fault is a numerical penalty for a jumping error. This is how it breaks down: A horse and rider that knock down a rail or any part of the jump that establishes its height will acquire four faults. If a horse refuses to jump any one of the fences in the course, that also counts as four faults. A second refusal results in elimination of the horse and rider from the class. A time fault is given for each second or fraction of a sec-

ABOUT THE FURUSIYYA FEI NATIONS CUP • It is the most prestigious Show Jumping series for national teams in the World • HITS will host the only U.S. North American Region qualifier for the Finals in Barcelona, Spain. • Features a team competition with four riders per team • HITS will invite nine International teams • The Furusiyya Nations Cup will consist of two jumping rounds: 1) The top 3 riders of the six best-placed participating teams (after the first round) ride the second course. 2) Each team’s lowest score for each round is dropped. Winning team has lowest score from faults. • The Furusiyya Nations Cup boasts a $200,000 prize purse • The FEI events span five days, Feb. 14-19, with classes, including: $34,000 FEI Jumper Prix $34,000 FEI Jumper Classic $150,000 FEI Grand Prix

WHAT IS THE IMPACT ON MARION COUNTY & OCALA? ■ Influx of international rider, trainers, support staff and owners plus media and fans. ■ Increased revenue for local lodging, restaurants, businesses ■ Sizeable spectator audience drawing from areas outside the region ■ Global media attention ■ Opportunity to showcase Marion County as unique environment for highest level of equestrian events, beautiful scenery and visitor friendly destination. ■ Opportunities to get involved: ■ Hospitality and sponsorship Initiatives ■ Community Partnerships ■ Host Family and Farm Tours ■ Business Alliances & Welcome Committees ■ Spectator Audience

For further information visit the HITS Show Office. 14 Horse Capital Digest • January 20, 2017

Nations Cup returns H

ITS’ Ocala Winter Circuit will once again play host to the 2017 FEI Nations Cup CSIO-4* for the third consecutive year on Feb. 17. The inclusive show schedule will continue to give additional opportunities to national and international competitors during Feb. 14-19, the fifth week of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. The week immediately after Nations Cup will be FEI CSI2 on Feb. 21-26. “We are honored to host the Nations Cup for the third straight year,” said HITS President and CEO Tom Struzzieri. “It truly speaks for the quality of the event in Ocala for the past two years. We are very excited to have the support of the community to further evolve the event for spectators and teams alike in the Horse Capital of the World.” Ocala Main Street, Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition and the Ocala/Marion County Chamber & Economic Partnership are coordinating “Jump Downtown,” a special event featuring the annual Parade of Nations Horse Celebration on the Downtown Square in Ocala on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 6 p.m. The Parade of Nations will welcome and honor this year’s teams that will compete in the Nations Cup, while showcasing many of the breeds that make Ocala the Horse Capital of the World. Sponsored by the City of Ocala, this family-friendly event is free and open to the public, making it a can’t-miss opportunity to cheer on world-class athletes and enjoy the equine side of the community. “With loyal support from Marion County and the City of Ocala, in addition to Ocala Main Street, IHMS and the CEP, HITS will once again welcome show jumping’s biggest players to Ocala to exemplify our continued commitment to growing the sport for exhibitors and spectators alike,” Struzzieri said.

The Nations Cup Jumping series is equestrian sport’s oldest and most prestigious team challenge, with national teams from around the globe competing for one of the most coveted prizes in this Olympic-level discipline. Last year, the Nations Cup at HITS Ocala garnered over 5,000 on-site spectators, as well as an unprecedented figure of national and international media attention. The 2015 event was ranked as the second highest in national and international media interest for its overall division in that year’s 2015 FEI Nations Cup Media Report. “Now, with two years of experience, we can continue to make Nations Cup Week an extraordinarily special week for both the exhibitor and the loyal spectators of Marion County,” Struzzieri said. “They say the third time’s the charm – and we are certain the 2017 event will live up to the expectation of excellence that HITS is recognized for.” Throughout the Nations Cup Week at HITS Post Time Farm, HITS will offer an upgraded hospitality experience in the Overlook VIP Club featuring ringside seating, as well as beer and wine service and the culinary art of Executive Chef Giuseppe Napoli of The Tavern at Diamond Mills in Saugerties, N.Y. VIP tables are expected to sell out and reservations are encouraged. For Overlook VIP Club information and bookings, contact Chris Mayone at: Chris@HitsShows.com. Day VIP tickets will also be available: They include reserved, ringside seating and lunch with beer and wine service. To purchase Day VIP, please contact HITS at 845-246-8833. The Ocala Winter Circuit runs for 10 weeks, Jan. 17 - March 26. A total of two FEI events will be held, including the Nations Cup, from Feb. 7 – March 5. The week immediately after Nations Cup will be FEI CSI-2 on Feb. 21-26. The circuit culminates with the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix on Sunday, March 26. HCD www.facebook.com/horsecapitaldigest 15

Andrew Kocher and USA Today on their way to a $25,000 HITS Grand Prix win. Photo by ESI Photography 16 Horse Capital Digest â&#x20AC;¢ January XX, 2017

Andrew Kocher Dominates in the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix and $10,000 Open Prix at HITS Holiday Series OCALA, FL –

s the curtain closed on the twoweek HITS Holiday Series at HITS Post Time Farm, riders gathered to compete in the f inale of the series, the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix. The rider to beat would be Andy Kocher of Lake St. Louis, Missouri, riding USA Today, owned by MKO Equestrian. Kocher won the $10,000 Open Prix the day prior to Sunday’s class, as well as the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix in the f irst week of the series, along with several other top-f ive prizes. "I really like the Holiday Series, it's a great few weeks to practice and get the horses out there, and the prize money is great for even the smaller weeks," said Kocher. "I thought Ken Krome did a good job all week in designing the courses. He put the jumps in the right spots and utilized the ring well to challenge some rails here and there, but he had a nice number clean in the jumpoffs." Eight horses and riders would advance over the f irst round course, designed by Ken Krome of Westminster, Maryland, to vie for the win in the jump-off— where half of the lot would gain clear rounds again. "This was my f irst show with USA Today, he's a really great horse and is a seasoned competitor," said Kocher. "He's very experienced and has shown all over the world. I had just sold what was my best horse in the last year or so, so last week I was bumbed out, but we brought

Photo by ESI Photography

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out our new horses and had a great week, so I've changed my outlook for the up- $25,000 HITS Grand Prix HITS Holiday Series Place Horse Owner Rider Prize $ coming winter." 1 USA Today MKO Equestrian Andrew Kocher $7,500 The f irst to compete over the shortened 2 The Kingdom Andrea O'Brien Christina Kelly $5,500 course was Christina Kelly of Aiken, 3 Charming Force B Kim Farlinger Stables Ltd. Kim Farlinger $3,250 South Carolina, and The Kingdom, owned 4 Aletta Hollberg Equestrian Matthias Hollberg $2,000 by Andrea O’Brien. They flew through the 5 Indigo Gladewinds Farm Inc. Margie Engle $1,500 course, laying down a solid, clear round in 6 Czechmate Courtney Ramsay Matthias Hollberg $1,250 7 Carlo North Face Farm Aaron Vale $1,000 37.266 to set the tone for the remaining 8 Clouseau Christi Israel Christi Israel $750 f ield. When the class was f inished, they 9 Coconut Eagle Valley Partners, LLC Andrew Kocher $750 would take home the second-place prize. 10 Warinde B Hester Equestrian LLC Lauren Hester $500 Next to garner a clear round as the third 11 Wannahave The Wannahave Group Andrew Kocher $500 trip in the jump-off were the victors, 12 S & L Elite MTM Farm Dorothy Douglas $500 Kocher and USA Today. They shaved a full two seconds off of Kelly’s time to move up the leaderboard with a time of 35.070, $10,000 Open Prix at HITS Holiday Series where the lead would remain. Place Horse Owner Rider Prize $ "The jump-off was fast, and not know1 Coconut Eagle Valley Partners, LLC Andrew Kocher $2,800 ing this horse as well, I just sent him 2 Benedetto Andrew Kocher Jennifer Jones $1,800 quick to really see what he had in him," 3 Stakko Thinkslikeahorse Aaron Vale $1,250 4 Uppie de Lis Chuck Waters Hayley Waters $900 said Kocher. "After seeing Christina go, 5 Carlos Andrew Kocher & MCM Farm Andrew Kocher $800 and she rode really well, I saw her horse 6 Stitch Amy Yoder Carlos Aramburo $700 had more jump ability then mine but I 7 Redeemed Derek Petersen Derek Petersen $600 thought I could be quicker across the 8 Carigor Z Patricia Stovel Patricia Stovel $450 ground, so I went for it from the wire to 9 E Pleasure Angelo Danza Andrew Kocher $350 the f irst jump." 10 Avalon Gail Dady Agustin Rosales $350 11 Etienne Gail Dady Bree Rosales $0 Ontario equestrian Kim Farlinger en12 Available Florence Available Jumpers.com My Weber $0 tered f ifth in the jump-off order to give the crowd another clean round. She piloted Charming Force B, owned by Kim Farlinger Stables potential. He knows where his legs are and is just a very Ltd., through the timers in 38.563, a round that would settle honest horse." them into third place. In a four horse jump-off where all of the trips were clear, Matthias Hollberg, riding out of Middleburg, Virginia, was Kocher and Coconut sealed the victory as the quickest and the f inal rider in the jump-off and the last to snag a clear most agile team by three full seconds. round. Hollberg rode Aletta, owned by Hollberg Equestrian, First to contend the shortened course was hometown to the f inish clocking in at 39.363, just a second shy of Far- equestrian, Aaron Vale and Stakko, owned by Thinkslikealinger for fourth place. horse. They put down a clean trip in 40.260 to set the tone The f inal f ive rounded out with Margie Engle and Indigo, for their peers, ultimately giving them the third-place prize. owned by Gladewinds Farm, Inc. Coming off a victory in Jennifer Jones of Marion, South Carolina, followed Vale Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, the two were with Benedetto, owned by Andy Kocher. They shaved two prepped for success, but a heart-breaking rail at the f inal seconds off Vale’s time, stopping the clock with all of the fence of the jump-off settled them in f ifth in 35.797. rails up in 38.083, eventually earning them second place. The rounds kept getting quicker as Kocher entered the ring $10,000 OPEN PRIX AT HITS HOLIDAY SERIES with Coconut. They zoomed through the course to f inish in Andy Kocher and Coconut, owned by Eagle Valley Part- a lightning-fast 35.254. The f inal contenders in the jump-off were Florida equesners, LLC., have been inching their way up the placings over the two-week Holiday Series, and on Saturday, they pulled trian Hayley Waters and Uppie de Lis, owned by Chuck Waoff the win. Kocher would also grab two more places in the ters. They mastered the course with all of the rails up, but were not quite fast enough to conquer the trips before them, ribbons, f ifth and ninth. "I really like this class and it's nice if you have a young clocking in at 42.856 for fourth. Fifth place belonged to Kocher and Carlos, owned by Anhorse that's just not quite ready for the Grand Prix," said Kocher. "Coconut is an eight-year-old that I've been pro- drew Kocher & MCM Farm. They were foiled by one mere ducing since he was about six, last year I wasn't sure if he time fault in the f irst round. Kocher also f inished in ninth could be a Grand Prix horse but now I'm thinking he has the place with E Pleasure, owned by Angelo Danza. HCD

18 Horse Capital Digest • January 20, 2017

FLORIDA DEPT. OF AGRICULTTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES Adam H. Putnam, Commissioner • 850-617-7289 • Fax 850-617-7281 e-mail: Paul.Balthrop@freshfromflorida.com • 407 S. Calhoun The Mayo Building, Taallahassee, FL 32399

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A Great American Insurer will be back as title sponsor of $1M event

SAUGERTIES, N.Y. –

BACKGROUND PHOTO CINDY MIKELL, INSET PHOTO BY SALLY MOEHRING

reat American Insurance Group will return as the title sponsor of the 2017 Great American $1 Million Grand Prix in Ocala, the second jewel in the HITS Triple Crown of Show Jumping. The fourth annual Great American $1 Million, which serves as the grand finale of the 10-week Ocala Winter Circuit, will draw all equine industry eyes—from exhibitors to spectators, sponsors to media—to HITS Post Time Farm on Sunday, March 26. “The 2017 Great American Million in Ocala will be contested at the 1.60 meter height. This will assure that the sport will be at the highest level,” said HITS President and CEO Tom Struzzieri. “HITS has produced this winter circuit of shows in Ocala for over 30 years, a huge reason for the area’s title, Marion County: Horse Capital of the World.” The world’s elite riders and horses will compete in the Ocala Horse Properties Stadium for one of the sport’s richest prize purses, which includes a $350,000 prize for the blue ribbon winner. “Our partnership with Great American helps demonstrate that HITS

is the leader in Ocala for show jumping. Their continued support of this top-caliber class, and our company, also affirms their commitment to horse sport enthusiasts,” said Struzzieri. “All of us at HITS are looking forward to another fantastic season.” Great American remains a longstanding sponsor of all HITS shows including the 2015 HITS Desert Circuit, HITS Ocala Winter Circuit, HITS Arizona Winter Circuit, HITS Culpeper Series, HITS Saugerties Series, and the Marshall & Sterling Insurance League National Finals. The Great American Insurance Time to Beat Clock, featured at all HITS Grand Prix during 2016, will display the leading horse and rider time in all Grand Prix jump-offs. “With more than a decade and a half sponsoring the Great American Time to Beat, and sharing in the sponsorship of the Marshall & Sterling Insurance League, we look forward to this opportunity to support HITS Horse Shows for another season,” said Ken Standlee, President of the Great American Equine Division. “Last year was a wonderful success, highly attended by competitors and the Ocala community. Our thanks goes to Tom Struzzieri and the HITS Staff for all of their hard work.” HCD

For more information on adopting an ex-racehorse or donating a Florida-bred, please contact Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association at 352-629-2160.

Just a couple of the over 50 retired thoroughbreds here, Classic Campaign and Majestic Hollywood are rearing to go when it comes to summer time fun.

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Margie Engle

Margie Engle and Indigo on their way to a $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix win. Photo by ESI Photography 24 Horse Capital Digest â&#x20AC;˘ January 20, 2017

brings it home Wins $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix at HITS Holiday Series OCALA, FL â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

honors. Debbie McCarthy Connor of Patterson, New York, took home fourth place with Zim, owned by Connor & Ebetino Jumpers, LLCâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; they earned a clear round and stopped the clock in 50.880. Rounding out the top five was Dorothy Douglas of Flower Mound, Texas, and S&L Elite, owned by MTM Farm. They came out with the fastest of the four-fault rounds in the jump-off. Behind them, as the final pair in the jump-off, was Anna Christina Gansauer of Ocala riding Hillstreet, owned by Kandor Farm, LLC. for sixth place. HCD

he weekend kicked off with the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix at week II of HITS Holiday Series. Riders turned out for a shot at the blue ribbon, but only one horse and rider could bring home the win. The team to beat was Margie Engle of Wellington, Florida, and Indigo, owned by Gladewinds Farm, Inc. Not only would Engle take home first place, but she would also walk away with the third-place prize. Six would advance to the jump-off where four would have clear rounds, leaving the path to victory all up to speed and agility. Engle and Indigo stole the lead in a thrilling last ride of the jump-off, they bested the field of their peers clocking in at 39.344. Ontario equestrian Kim Farlinger was first to contest the shortened course aboard Charming Force B, owned by Kim Farlinger Stables Ltd. They set the pace in a Photo by ESI Photography cool, clear 41.436, which would ultimately give them second. $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix HITS Holiday Series Following Farlinger Place Horse Owner Rider Prize $ 1 Indigo Gladewinds Farm, LLC Margie Engle $7,500 was Engle and Eck2 Charming Force B Kim Farlinger Stables Ltd. Kim Farlinger $5,500 ham Van Het Steentje, 3 Eckham Van Het Steentje Elm Rock, LLC Margie Engle $3,250 owned by Elm Rock, 4 Zim Connor & Ebetino Jumpers, LLC Debbie McCarthy Connor $2,000 LLC. They too would 5 S&L Elite MTM Farm Dorothy Douglas $1,500 master the jump-off 6 Hillstreet Kandor Farm, LLC Anna Christina Gansauer $1,250 course, leaving all the 7 Cool N' Cavalier Cassie Bakus Allen T. Nabors $1,000 rails up as they 8 Aletta Hollberg Equestrian Matthias Hollberg $750 9 The Kingdom Andrea O'Brien Christina Kelly $750 crossed the finish. 10 Czechmate Courtney Ramsay Matthias Hollberg $500 Their time of 42.912 11 Cequila Margaret Bopp, LLC. Hayden Morresey $500 would be good enough 12 E Pleasure Angelo Danza Andrew Kocher $500 to hold third place

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Feed ‘em right 6 signs to look for in quality hay

orage makes up between 50-90% or more of a horse’s diet. Much of the forage part of the diet comes in the form of hay. Because it’s such a big part of the ration, good quality hay can help keep a horse healthy, while poor quality hay can be detrimental. “As nutritionists and horse owners, we put a big emphasis on the quality of hay we feed,” said Gina Fresquez, technical specialist for Equine Technical Services at Purina Animal Nutrition. “The most important factor determining hay quality is the stage of plant maturity at time of harvest,” says Fresquez. “Young, immature plants contain more nutrients than older, ‘stemmier’ plants. Though after hay is harvested, the level of hay quality goes beyond the age of the plant at harvest as there are more factors to consider.” When selecting your horse’s forage, Fresquez recommends keeping these six signs of good quality hay in mind: • High leaf-to-stem ratio Think about the leafy greens you eat. You likely prefer greens with leaves rather than just stems. The same is true for your horse. “Look for more flat leaves in the hay and fewer round stems; this indicates the plant was less mature when cut,” said Fresquez. “More leaves typically mean higher digestibility and nutrient content for your horse.” • Small diameter stems Stems smaller in diameter or finer are also indicators of higher quality. Small stems mean the plant was less mature when cut. To test stem size, Fresquez recommends grabbing a handful of hay and giving it a squeeze. “Good quality hay is soft and pliable, and feels good in your hand,” said 26 Horse Capital Digest • January 20, 2017

Fresquez. “If it feels like you’re squeezing a handful of sticks, it is not a good choice of hay to feed your horse.” • Few seed heads or blooms No matter the species of plant, hay with little to no seed heads or blooms indicates a younger, early maturity plant, and thus a higher quality hay. For example, timothy should be cut in the prebloom or early-bloom stage when you see little to no seed heads; and alfalfa (for horses) should be cut at early to mid-bloom stage. • Fresh smell and appearance Avoid musty, moldy or off-setting smelling hay, because it can reduce palatability and indicate poor quality. “On our farm, there’s nothing like haying season,” said Fresquez. “We love the smell of fresh hay. The same is true for your horse. Good quality hay should have a fresh cut smell and appearance.” • Cleanliness Hay should be primarily made up of the harvested forages. Fresquez recommends looking for a clean forage with little to no dust. Even if most of the hay is high quality, hays containing dirt, mold, weeds, trash or other foreign materials indicate poorer quality hay and may be unfit to feed to horses. • Color Good quality hay should be bright green in color with little fading. A bleached, yellow, brown or black color may indicate aged hay, mold or poor storage conditions.

“Storage conditions and age have a significant effect on vitamin content of hays,” said Fresquez. “Many vitamins, such as vitamins A and E, are not stable over time and lose biological activity. After approximately six months, almost all vitamin A and E activity levels are lost.” Exposure to heat, sunlight and rain will speed up this process. HCD

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Redemption A great show career awaited Derby starter

BY AFLEET ALEXANDRA

f there is a debate about the best Kentucky Derby entry ever, there surely must be a flip-side. And a strong contender for the title of “Worst Derby Starter” was a chestnut colt by the name of Great Redeemer. In 1979, the Derby buzz centered around the blindingly fast gray Spectacular Bid, with some thought given to Secretariat’s 28 Horse Capital Digest • January 20, 2017

son General Assembly and Santa Anita Derby winner Flying Paster. Into that walked Texas radiologist James Mohamed, who owned a winless colt named Great Redeemer. After waiting to the very last minute to nominate his horse (some reports actually say he got to the racing secretary’s office five minutes after the nominations had closed), he proceeded to name Richard DePass as the jockey.

The only problem was that DePass had not only never ridden Great Redeemer, he had also never even heard of Mohamed. But it was a chance to ride in the Derby, and so DePass accepted the offer. The last-minute entry of Great Redeemer caused no end of controversy and panic among the racing set. Great Redeemer’s sire, Holy Land, had raced in the 1970 Derby and failed to finish the race. Great Redeemer himself was still a maiden: he had not raced as a juvenile and had lost all six of his 3year-old races by a combined 85 lengths. Further, there was a considerable amount of worry from other trainers that he might interfere with their horses during the race, a fear compounded when Great Redeemer drew the post position right next to heavily favored Spectacular Bid. One reporter opined that, should the longshot maiden in any way interfere with Spectacular Bid’s chances, his owner “ought to be horse- Great Redeemer, shown with groom at Keeneland while waiting for the van to Churchill Downs in 1979. UPI Telephoto whipped.” It wasn’t only other trainers who thought the By the time the Kings got hold of Great Redeemer, the colt had colt had no place in the Derby. His own trainer, Jim James, resigned in protest before the race. Mohamed hurriedly attained a Kentucky been gelded and was “half-starved, with open sores along his back.” The couple nursed him back to health over several months, and training license so he could saddle his own horse. Great Redeemer ran exactly as everyone, save Mohamed, thought Diane began taking him fox hunting. The former laughingstock of he would. This led to one of the strangest Derby tales in the history the racing world turned out to be a surprisingly good hunter and of the race. Spectacular Bid, as expected, won easily. After him show horse, winning over 100 blue ribbons in the first five years after his retirement from racing. came the rest of the field. Or, almost the rest of it. “I usually change a horse’s name when I make one into a hunter,” After ninth-place Lot o’ Gold crossed the finish line, a group of photographers assumed the race was over and ran onto the track to- Diane said. “But I decided not to change his. He’ll always be Great ward the winner’s circle to get the first pictures of the newly minted Redeemer. I think any horse who runs in the Kentucky Derby should keep his name.” HCD Derby champion. They were so intent on getting to the winner that they failed to notice the still-a-maiden Great Redeemer, who came plodding home 25 lengths behind Lot o’ Gold and 47 behind Spectacular Bid. One photographer actually made it all the way across the track before Great Redeemer caught up, but two or three others were nearly run over, although, as The Courier-Journal put it, “He was going so slowly, he probably wouldn’t have hurt them.” After the race, the media circus continued. Mohamed blamed the colt’s performance on a broken bone in his leg, evidence of which was never found. Four months after the race, Mohamed claimed he discovered that his colt had been stabbed, leaving a four-inch bloody wound in his side. Perhaps tired of the ridicule, Mohamed sold Great Redeemer in December of 1979. The colt finally broke his maiden on June 7, 1980. From there, he traded hands over the years, eventually being purchased by Bob and Diane King, who made a living buying discarded horses off the track and re-training them. www.facebook.com/horsecapitaldigest 29

VITAMIN E BY HEATHER SMITH THOMAS

itamins are important in equine nutrition, with various vitamins playing crucial roles in body maintenance and function. Dr. Carey Williams, Extension Specialist in Equine Management, Rutgers University (NJ) has done a lot of work on vitamin E during her graduate work and recent studies. This vitamin is important in the diet, especially for hard-working horses that are experiencing muscle cell damage, for young growing horses, and for pregnant mares—to ensure that their foals are not deficient. It also helps keep the immune system strong. Vitamin E is involved in immune function, cell signaling, regulation of gene expression, and other general metabolic processes. Sources of natural vitamin E include green forages—one of the best sources for horses. The greener the forage, the more vitamin E it contains. Thus green growing lush grass will have more of this vitamin than older, mature or dry forage. Another natural source is nuts and seeds, such as sunflower seeds. Oil made from nuts and seeds is a good source, especially if it’s cold-pressed. Refined oils (where heat or solvents have been used in the refining process) won’t have as much, since some of the processes destroy the vitamin E. One exception might be wheat germ oil; it usually has a high level of vitamin E. Safflower oil is also fairly high. “Vitamin E is currently the most popular anti-oxidant supplement for horses. As an anti-oxidant it helps protect the cells. Vitamin E incorporates itself into cell membranes and protects them from oxidative damage from things like free radicals,” Williams says. “Most people have heard of free radicals that attack the cell membranes and destroy the cells, including our immune cells—like T-cells. It also destroys nerve and muscle cells. Vitamin E in adequate amounts is used throughout the body to help protect cells from oxidative damage. It is a very important vitamin but also an important anti-oxidant,” she says. DIFFERENT FORMS OF VITAMIN E - “There are several forms of vitamin E and this can be confusing when we talk about alpha tocopherol or beta tocopherol or any of the tocotrienols, wondering what it all means. Vitamin E can be found in naturally occurring compounds; there are four different tocopherols and four different tocotreinols. This is where R DRAKE PHOTO

30 Horse Capital Digest • January 20, 2017

Crucial for Health we have the alpha, beta, gamma, and omega forms of either tocopherol or tocotrienol in vitamin E, that help give its activity,” explains Williams. Many people are familiar with product labels that list the alpha tocopherol acetates and this is the synthetic version. “On some labels there is also atriple R (RRR) alpha tocopherol acetate and that is the natural form. There’s been a huge debate regarding whether to use the natural or the synthetic products. It has been proven that the naturally occurring product will get absorbed into the body more readily than the synthetic products,” she says. “What I find, when talking to a lot of people and trying to help horse owners or trainers be cost-effective in what they do for their horses, is that the natural products are very expensive— usually about twice that of a synthetic product, or more. Your choice depends on what you want to do. If you want to feed twice as much of the synthetic product at the cheaper price, or half the natural product, you will be getting about the same thing. You can feed less of the natural product, or feed a little more of the synthetic product. In terms of cost, in that respect, it would end up very similar,” she explains. “The natural products are about one and a half times as biologically available (1.49 times, to be exact) as the synthetic products. If they are twice as expensive and you are getting one and a half times the efficacy, you might just settle for the synthetic product and just feed a little more of it. There are a lot of people, whoever, who swear by one or the other. I’ve done research with both types, but most of my research has been with the synthetic product and it worked just fine,” says Williams.

SUPPLYING THE HORSE’S REQUIREMENTS - In terms of vitamin requirements, the most recent NRC recommendations for a horse at maintenance or any horse that is not exercising very much, are one IU (international unit) of vitamin E per kilogram of body weight, which would mean about 500 IU for the average 1100 pound horse. “This isn’t a lot, so if a horse has pasture available that horse has plenty of vitamin E, since green pasture is a good source. Just like your parents always told you to eat your vegetables—because they contain lots of vitamins—our horses that are out on pasture will have those needs met.” The horse is amazingly adaptive in that fat-soluble vitamins like E and A can be stored in the body, providing adequate levels during the periods of time when there’s no green grass. Then in the spring these stores can be replenished. In the body, the largest stores of vitamins E and A are found in fat tissues and some in the liver. During the natural cycle of the seasons, the horse has adapted to make up for the lack of vitamin E during the winter. But when we keep horses on hay all the time, they don’t have a chance to make up the loss. Some of diseases associated with vitamin E deficiency are seen more commonly in the north than in the south, perhaps because of the longer winters and shorter grazing periods in the north and more dependency on hay. Horses in any location may have problems, however, if they are never on pasture and are only fed hay and grain. Hay is dried during harvest--in the sunlight—and sunlight has an adverse effect on vitamins. “Sunlight decreases the bioavailability by denaturing all vitamins, not just vitamin E,” Williams explains. Grains contain lower levels of vitamins. Horses won’t get adequate vitamins in grain, unless it’s fortified in a commercial grain

PAUL SICILIANO PHOTO

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R DRAKE PHOTO

product. “In general, horses get the most vitamins via forage, especially green forage,” she says. With hay, it can also make a difference whether it is alfalfa or grass and whether it was green and leafy when cut (compared with overly-mature, dry forage) and how long it was out in the sun to dry. “One study showed a 50 to 70% loss in vitamin E in alfalfa that was only stored for 12 weeks in summer conditions (warm weather). That’s not very long. The vitamins don’t last a long time in stored hay,” she says. It can make some difference in terms of how high the levels were when the hay was cut. The starting point might make a difference. “The legume hays are typically higher in vitamin E than grass hay, but it also depends on how long it’s been left in the sun to dry. In the West in a very dry climate, where the hay will dry enough in a day or two to bale, the vitamin levels of vitamin E will be much higher than here on the east coast where it takes more days to dry out and it’s sitting in the sun longer or if it gets rained on prior to baling and has to dry out again. Our hay is typically low in vitamin E,” she says. Thus if a horse is only fed hay, the vitamin E may not be adequate. Deficiencies are generally prevented because many people who feed hay (their horses are never at pasture) are also feeding a commercial grain product. “Many of those products are fortified with vitamins and minerals. They usually provide about 100 to 150 IU per pound. So if a horse is eating 2 or 3 pounds of grain daily, this will be adequate,” says Williams. “It gets trickier as horses are worked hard and going up in performance level, or to adequately provide for young growing horses.

32 Horse Capital Digest • January 20, 2017

For the latter, green pasture is best. Otherwise the 600 to 800 pound yearling will need about one IU per pound—or about 600 to 800 IU per day,” she says. “When they start exercising and training, it goes up even more. An 1100 pound horse exercising moderately to intensively (such as a young racehorse in training) would need about 1000 IU per day. There have been many studies, including some that I have done, that have shown that more vitamin E is even better. Most of the studies I did looked at supplementing about 5000 IU per day for the average size horse that is on a hay diet and not on pasture.” This much vitamin E helps with muscle function. “I have done studies that doubled that amount because some trainers told me that they give 10,000 IU per day and said the horses did great with that. But a person needs to be careful with high doses of vitamin E, because vitamin E and beta carotene (the building block for vitamin A) have the same absorption pathway. We found that high levels of vitamin E can actually decrease the level of beta carotene in the body. You are inhibiting one vitamin by overfeeding another,” she explains. “This is especially important to know, when feeding horses that are not on pasture, because they would probably get plenty of beta carotene when on pasture. If they are in stalls being fed hay, however, this could become a problem.” It pays to know what your horse needs, and how to provide it. “When I was doing the study with 10,000 IU per day of vitamin E, some people asked about toxicity, but vitamin E really doesn’t reach toxic levels like vitamin A would. Vitamin A can be very toxic at

high levels but vitamin E does not become toxic. The only thing you need to watch out for when feeding high levels is the competition with other vitamins. While we never saw any toxic levels, it could lead to deficiency in other vitamins,” she explains. Studies have shown that even 1000 IU per kilogram of intake would be the upper safe level, but not necessarily toxic. “There is much greater leeway in how much vitamin E you can safely feed, compared with something like vitamin A,” she says. PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH DEFICIENCY - Most horses don’t have vitamin E deficiency. “It’s uncommon but it can happen, usually when pregnant mares are not supplemented with enough vitamin E or are deficient themselves. They may not show a problem, but their foals may have a problem. White muscle disease in foals is linked to vitamin E deficiency, especially in combination with selenium deficiency,” says Williams. Selenium and vitamin E can help each other, and compensate for one another to some degree. If one is very low and the other one is sufficient, the animal may not show the deficiency. “Equine neuro degenerative myoencephalopathy (EDM) is also thought to be caused by low levels of vitamin E in the blood,” says Williams. “These are problems that usually occur in younger horses, possibly because they were foaled from a mare that was deficient. They may also be short of vitamin E as foals if the lactating mare is still deficient,” she says. In adult horses vitamin E deficiency can cause Equine Motor Neuron Disease (EMND). This occurs in horses that are on hay diets for a long time, or any diet very low in vitamin E. These horses respond well to vitamin E supplementation. “These problems are not very common; the things we see more—with a diet low in vitamin E—are muscle problems like tying up. Exertional rhabdomyolosis has many causes, but one thought is that it can be caused by inadequate levels of vitamin E. During some of the research trials in my lab we had a few horses that were marginal in terms of their plasma vitamin E levels. They had more tendency to tie up during or after exercise, or at least be very muscle sore with higher levels of creatine kinase (CK—a muscle enzyme

that indicates tying up). Many trainers who have horses that suffer from tying up problem are feeding 5000 IU of vitamin E and that does seem to help,” she says. Williams has written an article called “The effect of oxidative stress during exercise in the horse” for the Journal of Animal Science. There have been a few other recent studies—some have been looking at vitamin E and muscle atrophy, and vitamin E recommendations in combination with selenium to address selenium deficiency, and how selenium affects serum vitamin E. HCD

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EventsCalendar JANUARY January: Ocala – Horse Fever Artists’ Exhibit. Pre-

January 24-29 – Ocala January Festival - ll. HITS Showgrounds. For more information visit

Fundraising Event. Second Wind Thoroughbred

www.hitsshows.com or email: info@hitsshows.com

Project. 6pm to 9pm. Ocala Breeder Sales (OBS).

sented by the Marion Cultrual Alliance. First Friday Art Walk 6-9 pm. Exhibit continues

February 3: Ocala – Breeches & BlueJeans Charity

January 25-26: Ocala – OBS Winter Mixed Sale.

through Jan. 31. Gallery closed Sun.-Mon. Visit

10:30 am. Watch live thoroughbred horse auction.

www.facebook.com/mcaocala for more information.

Refreshments available. Ocala Breeders Sales (OBS).

1701 SW 60th Ave. In the back by the track. Live Music, dancing, food, cash bar. Silent Auciton. Tickets sold online or at door. For more information call: 352-250-2874 or visit: www.secondwindtbs.org

1701 SW 60th Avenue Ocala, FL 34474. For more January 20-22: Ocala – Clinton Anderson’s Downun-

information visit: www.obssales.com

der Horsemanship Clinic. Florida Horse Park located at 11008 S. Hwy 475. For more information visit www.flhorsepark.com January 21-23: Newberry – Winter Kick Off Dressage Show. Canterbury Showplace. For more information

Canterbury Showplace. For more information visit January 25-29 – Venice Equestrian Tour I.

February 4-5: Ocala – Jubilee Dressage. Florida www.foxleafarm.com January 27-29: Newberry – Josey Ranch Barrel Racing Clinic. Canterbury Showplace. For more infor-

showsinthepark.com

mation visit canterburyshowplace.com or contact

For information or questions about any event, call or text :352-804-0268 or email: entries@longwoodequestriangames.com or visit: longwoodequestriangames.com January 23: Ocala – Under Tack Show. Thoroughbred horse sale. Future racehorses running for time on

canterburyshowplace.com

Fox Lea Farm. For more information visit:

visit canterburyshowplace.com or www.horse-

January 21: Reddick – Longwood Farms Horse Trial.

February 3-5: Newberry – Jubilee of Breeds.

Laura Evans at 321-377-7178. January 27-29: Ocala – South Florida Reining Horse Association. Florida Horse Park located at 11008 S. Hwy 475. For more information visit www.flhorsepark.com or email: members@sfrha.com January 27-29: Altoona – Rocking Horse Winter I

Horse Park located at 11008 S. Hwy 475. For more information visit www.flhorsepark.com or www.southeasthorseshows.com February 4-5: Bushnell – Florida Ranch Horse Show. Sumter Equestrian Center. For more information visit www.sumterequestriancenter.com or floridaranchhorse.com February 7-12 – Ocala Winter Classic - lV FEI CSI2*. HITS Showgrounds. For more information visit www.hitsshows.com or email: info@hitsshows.com

track. Ocala Breeders Sales (OBS). For more infor-

Horse Trial. Rocking Horse Ranch. For more infor-

mation visit: www.obssales.com

mation visit: useventing.com/competitions/om-

Fox Lea Farm. For more information visit:

nibus#III or www.rockinghorseeventing.com

www.foxleafarm.com

January 24: Ocala – OBS Championship Stakes. Post time at Noon. Live horse racing, refreshments and wagering. Ocala Breeders Sales (OBS). 1701 SW 60th Avenue Ocala, FL 34474. For more information visit: www.obssales.com

January 28-29: Clarcona – Snowbird’s Paradise

February 9-20: Tampa – Florida State Fair. Tampa

Shows 1 & 2. Please visit

State Fairgrounds. Animals, art/craft competitions

www.orlandodressage.com for more information.

and marketplace. Petting zoo, concerts, exhibits

January 28-29: Weirsdale – Hunt Country Horse Show. The Grand Resort. Please visit thegrandoaks.com for more information or call

LIKE US ON

February 8-12 – Venice Equestrian Tour III.

352-750-5500. January 31-February 5 – Ocala Premiere - lll. HITS Showgrounds. For more information visit www.hitsshows.com or email: info@hitsshows.com

and more! Call for more information at: 813-6217821, box office: 813-627-4360. Or visit: www.FloridaStateFair.com February 10-12: Ocala – Equiventures Ocala Winter II Horse Trials. Spectators free. On-site vendors. Free to public. Florida Horse Park, 11008 S. Hwy 475. For more information visit www.flhorsepark.com or www.equiventures.com

FEBRUARY February 1-5 – Venice Equestrian Tour II.

www.facebook.com/horsecapitaldigest/ 34 Horse Capital Digest • January 20, 2017

February 10-12: Weirsdale – Grand Oaks Classic 2017. The Grand Resort. Please visit the-

Fox Lea Farm. For more information visit:

grandoaks.com for more information or call 352-

www.foxleafarm.com

750-5500.

EventsCalendar February 11-12: Clarcona – Sweetheart Cup. Please visit www.orlandodressage.com for more information. February 14-19 – Ocala Winter Festival - V.

February 22-26 – Venice Equestrian Tour V. Fox Lea Farm. For more information visit:

Show. Canterbury Showplace. For more information

www.foxleafarm.com

visit canterburyshowplace.com

Nations Cup™ CSIO-4* Returns to HITS Ocala.

February 25-27: Newberry – Twice as Nice Dressage

HITS Showgrounds. For more information visit

Show Two. Canterbury Showplace. For more infor-

www.hitsshows.com or email: info@hitsshows.com

mation visit canterburyshowplace.com or

February 15: Ocala – Jump Downtown - a special event featuring the Annual Parade of in NEW17! 20

Nations Horse Celebration. Ocala Main Street, on the Downtown Square at 6 pm.

February 15-19 – Venice Equestrian Tour IV.

March 3-5: Newberry – South East Baroque Horse

www.southeasthorseshows.com

March 3-5: Weirsdale – Hunt Country Horse Show. The Grand Resort. Please visit thegrandoaks.com for more information or call 352-750-5500.

February 25-26: Groveland – Three Lakes February

March 3-5: Altoona – Rocking Horse Winter I Horse

Horse Trials. Caudle Ranch. For more information

Trial. Rocking Horse Ranch. For more information

visit: useventing.com/competitions/omnibus#III or

www.facebook.com/ThreeLakesHT

www.rockinghorseeventing.com

Fox Lea Farm. For more information visit: www.foxleafarm.com

February 26: Ocala – 8 am – STRIDE English, Western and Driving Dressage Show. Florida Horse Park

February 16-19: Altoona – Rocking Horse Winter II

located at 11008 S. Hwy 475. Spectators free. On-

Horse Trial. Rocking Horse Ranch. For more infor-

site vendors. Free to public. Visit www.stridedres-

mation visit: useventing.com/competitions/om-

sage.org to learn more.

March 4-5: Ocala – Florida High School Rodeo Association. Florida Horse Park located at 11008 S. Hwy 475. For more information visit www.flhorsepark.com or fhsra.homestead.com

nibus#III or www.rockinghorseeventing.com February 17-19: Ocala – ADS Spring Fling CDE Driving Event. Florida Horse Park located at 11008 S.

February 28-March 5 – Ocala Tournament - Vll.

March 4-5: Bushnell – Florida Ranch Horse Show.

HITS Showgrounds. For more information visit

Sumter Equestrian Center. For more information

www.hitsshows.com or email: info@hitsshows.com

visit www.sumterequestriancenter.com or

Hwy 475. For more information visit www.flhorsepark.com

February 28-March 5 – Venice Equestrian Tour VI.

floridaranchhorse.com

Fox Lea Farm. For more information visit: February 17-19: Ocala –Southern Junior Rodeo Asso-

www.foxleafarm.com

ciation. Florida Horse Park located at 11008 S. Hwy 475. For more information visit www.flhorsepark.com or www.sjra-rodeo.com February 18-19: Newberry – Horse Shows in the

HITS Showgrounds. For more information visit

MARCH in NEW17! 20

www.hitsshows.com or email: info@hitsshows.com

March 1-5: Ocala – The Ocala Culinary Festival. List of events are: (March 1)

Park. Canterbury Showplace. For more information

Friend of the James Beard Foundation Dinner - best

visit canterburyshowplace.com or www.horse-

examples of traditional French Cuisine-6:30pm.

showsinthepark.com

March 7-12 – Ocala Winter Finals - Vlll.

(March 2) Three Chefs & a Maestro- Marquee Dinner Series- 6:30pm; Hail to the Ale - multi course

February 18-19: Bushnell – SEC Hunter/Jumper

dinner paired with specialty beers - 6:30pm. (March

Dressage Show. Sumter Equestrian Center.

3) Chefs at the Museum - 6:30pm; Grill Clinic with

For more information visit

Jose Juarez -11:00am – 1:00pm; French Wine

www.sumterequestriancenter.com

Seminar - 1:30pm – 3:00pm; Taste of Italy Wine Seminar - 2:00pm – 3:30pm; The Art of Cocktails -

February 19: Ocala – The Ag Mag Wine Festival at

3:30pm – 5:00pm. (March 4) Feast at the Farm

HITS. Post Time Farm. 12-8pm. Wine, food,

(olive oil and wagyu beef) - 5:00pm; The Art of

art/crafts, live music, demonstrations. For more in-

Cocktails - 3:30pm – 5:00pm. (March 5) Gospel

formation call: 352-209-3180.

Brunch - 9am – 10:30am; Grand Tasting -3:00pm – 6:00pm - benefits Food4Kids backpack program.

February 21-26 – Ocala Masters - Vl.

Limited seating, Tickets at:

HITS Showgrounds. For more information visit

ocalaculinaryfestival.com or info@ocalaculinaryfes-

www.hitsshows.com or email: info@hitsshows.com

tival.com www.facebook.com/horsecapitaldigest 35

EventsCalendar March 9-12: Ocala – Combined Driving/Show Jump-

March 18-19: Ocala – Equine Trail Sports. Florida

April 1-2: Weirsdale – Hunt Country Horse Show. The

ing. For more information visit: liveoakinterna-

Horse Park located at 11008 S. Hwy 475. For more

Grand Resort. Please visit thegrandoaks.com for

tional.com

information visit www.flhorsepark.com

more information or call 352-750-5500.

March 9-12: Tallahassee – Red Hills International Horse Trials & Trade Fair. For more information visit: useventing.com/competitions/omnibus#III or www.RHHT.org March 10: Ocala – Sean Patrick Training Clinic. Florida Horse Park located at 11008 S. Hwy 475. For more information visit www.flhorsepark.com or www.seanpatricktraining.com March 10-12: Newberry – Ocala Arab Show. Canterbury Showplace. For more information

March 18-19: Bushnell – SEC Hunter Jumper Dressage Show. Sumter Equestrian Center.

Show. Canterbury Showplace. For more information

For more information visit

visit canterburyshowplace.com

www.sumterequestriancenter.com March 21-26 – Ocala Championship - X.

www.hitsshows.com or email: info@hitsshows.com

www.flhorsepark.com

March 24-26: Ocala – Inaugural Florida Thoroughin NEW17! 20

bred Transformation Expo. Florida Horse Park located at 11008 S. Hwy 475. For

more information visit www.runfortheribons.com

Please visit www.orlandodressage.com for more information.

S. Hwy 475. For more information visit www.flhorsepark.com

March 26 – Great American $1 Million Grand Prix. HITS Showgrounds. For more information visit

March 12: Ocala – Partners of the Park Schooling

www.hitsshows.com or email: info@hitsshows.com

Show. Florida Horse Park located at 11008 S. Hwy 475. For more information visit www.flhorsepark.com

March 31- April 2: Ocala – John Hudson’s Team

Cup™ Jumping Qualifier Grand Prix. For more in-

www.flhorsepark.com or https://www.facebook.com/HudsonRope/

Horse Trial. Rocking Horse Ranch. For more infor-

ers’ and Owners Association Horse of the Year

mation visit: useventing.com/competitions/om-

Awards Gala. 6 pm. For more information call

nibus#III or www.rockinghorseeventing.com

352-629-2160 or visit: www.ftboa.com

APRIL

HITS Showgrounds. For more information visit www.hitsshows.com or email: info@hitsshows.com March 14-15: Ocala – Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale. Top 2YO sale in the world! Watch live thoroughbred horse auction. Refreshments available. Ocala Breeders Sales (OBS). For more information visit: www.obssales.com 36 Horse Capital Digest • January 20, 2017

at 11008 S. Hwy 475. Spectators free. On-site vendors. Free to public. Visit www.stridedressage.org to learn more. April 12-16: Ocala – Equiventures Ocala International 3-Day Festival of Eventing. Spectators free. On-site vendors. Free to public. Florida Horse Park, 11008 S. Hwy 475. For more information visit www.flhorsepark.com or www.equiventures.com April 15-16: Newberry – Flying G Rodeo. Canterbury Showplace. For more information visit canter-

April 22: Ocala – Marion Saddle Club Hunter/Jumper show. Longwood Farm South. For more information contact: Kelly Myers at 352-572-6147 or email: mschorseshow@gmail.com

March 31-April 2: Altoona – Rocking Horse Spring

March 14-19 – Ocala Winter Celebration - lX.

Driving Dressage Show. Florida Horse Park located

buryshowplace.com

formation visit: liveoakinternational.com March 13: Ocala – Florida Thoroughbred Breed-

April 9: Ocala – 8 am – STRIDE English, Western and

Roping. Florida Horse Park located at 11008 S. Hwy 475. For more information visit

March 12: Ocala – $100,000 Longines FEI World

Games. Florida Horse Park located at 11008 S. Hwy 475. For more information visit

March 25-26: Clarcona – Heidelberg Cups 1 & 2. try Schooling. Florida Horse Park located at 11008

April 8: Ocala – Sunshine Region Pony Club Mounted

HITS Showgrounds. For more information visit

visit canterburyshowplace.com March 11: Ocala – Partners of the Park Cross-Coun-

April 5-9: Newberry – Citrus Cup Regional Morgan

April 1-2: Newberry – Florida Quarter Horse Associa-

April 22: Ocala – Partners of the Park Cross-Country Schooling. Florida Horse Park located at 11008 S. Hwy 475. For more information visit www.flhorsepark.com April 23: Ocala – Partners of the Park Schooling Show. Florida Horse Park located at 11008 S. Hwy

tion Show. Canterbury Showplace. For more infor-

475. For more information visit

mation visit canterburyshowplace.com

www.flhorsepark.com

April 1-2: Bushnell – Florida Ranch Horse Show. Sumter Equestrian Center. For more information visit www.sumterequestriancenter.com or floridaranchhorse.com

April 28-30: Ocala – Sabra O’Quinn Barrel Race. Florida Horse Park located at 11008 S. Hwy 475. For more information visit www.flhorsepark.com or www.facebook.com/Sabra-OQuinn-483096768436233

EventsCalendar April 29-30: Newberry – Cinco de Mayo Dressage Show. Canterbury Showplace. For more information visit canterburyshowplace.com or www.southeast-

May 20-21: Newberry – Horse Shows in the Park. Canterbury Showplace. For more information visit canterburyshowplace.com or www.horseshowsinthepark.com

horseshows.com May 20-21: Bushnell – SEC Hunter Jumper Dressage Show. Sumter Equestrian Center. For more informa-

MAY

tion visit www.sumterequestriancenter.com May 27: Ocala – Partners of the Park Cross-Country

May 5-8: Weirsdale – Hunt Country Horse Show. The Grand Resort. Please visit thegrandoaks.com for more information or call 352-750-5500.

Schooling. Florida Horse Park located at 11008 S. Hwy 475. For more information visit www.flhorsepark.com

May 6-7: Newberry – FBHA FL 08 Barrel Race. Can-

May 27-28: Weirsdale – Dressage under the Oaks II.

terbury Showplace. For more information visit can-

The Grand Oaks Resort. Please visit www.orlando-

terburyshowplace.com

dressage.com or thegrandoaks.com for more infor-

May 7: Ocala – 8 am – STRIDE English, Western and Driving Dressage Show. Florida Horse Park located

mation or call 352-750-5500. May 28: Ocala – Partners of the Park Schooling

at 11008 S. Hwy 475. Spectators free. On-site ven-

Show. Florida Horse Park located at 11008 S. Hwy

dors. Free to public. Visit www.stridedressage.org

475. For more information visit

to learn more.

www.flhorsepark.com

ADVANCED EQUINE THERAPY SYSTEMS & EQUIPMENT www.equinetherapyint.com

www.facebook.com/horsecapitaldigest 37

USHJA exhibit at Wheeler opens 1st phase LEXINGTON, KY. –

he first phase of the new United States Hunter Jumper Association Wheeler Museum exhibit, “Medals, Memories & Milestones: Great Moments in American Show Jumping,” has opened at the USHJA Headquarters in Lexington, KY. The USHJA plans to continue expanding the exhibit into early 2017 to include interactive features, audio, video, and a catalog of books and articles on show jumping. “This exhibit offers something for everyone,” said Kevin Price, USHJA executive director. “Providing both an educational experience and an opportunity for visitors to enjoy some of the greatest moments in show jumping history, we look forward to this phenomenal exhibit drawing many visitors to the USHJA headquarters. Many thanks to the many donors and volunteers who helped make this exhibit possible.” The exhibit is open to the public and features items and stories from the Show Jumping Hall of Fame, as well as new materials loaned by riders, owners, grooms, and fans, telling the stories of legendary horses and people who have helped shape show jumping as an international and national sport. Artifacts on display include original photos and personal mementos of horses such as Idle Dice, Calypso and Gem Twist; commemorative plaques and coolers; ribbons and medals from U.S. riders’ successes at the Olympics and the World Equestrian Games; and trophies and medals from signature national events such as the Cleveland Grand Prix, the American Gold Cup, the American Invitational and the International Jumping Derby. A special section featuring film excerpts from “Harry & Snowman” will include mementos loaned by Harry de Leyer and the film’s production team. The exhibit follows the history of the United States Equestrian Team from its founding in 1950 through the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. On the national scene, the exhibit highlights the growth and importance for riders, owners and spectators of grand prix series, such as those organized by the American Grandprix Association and the United States Grand Prix League. The exhibit will also feature the history of course design and fun facts about special classes such as the Puissance and bygone pairs 38 Horse Capital Digest • January 20, 2017

The entrance of the USHJA Wheeler Museum in Lexington, Ky.

and “doubles and trebles” classes. The USHJA Wheeler Museum is supported by individual donors to the USHJA Foundation, especially USHJA Foundation Legacy Circle Founders Kenneth and Selma Garber; the Gochman Family; the Hallman Family and Merrylegs South, the Oberkircher Family, and Roger and Jennifer Smith. The exhibit is open weekdays during USHJA office hours and on weekends in conjunction with special events. For more information, please visit www.ushja.org/wheelermuseum. HCD

You

Coou ulld d Be Be In Heerree! In

Don’t Miss s

HIT TS S!

h s be ha b en an Occa ala a tr traadiitiion foor moree thhan 30 yearss The historic and elite hunter-jumper horse show begins each Januar y with an influx of horsemen and women from throughout the world, infusing an estimated $5 500 milllliioonn into Florida’s economy. The show circuits include nine weeks of the most elite show jumping and hunter competitions, exhibitor parties, an outdoor trade sho w [vending area], family-fun weekend festivals and specta tor activities. Competitors and horse o wners arrive in Ocala read y to pa tronize restaurants, hotels, retail and entertainment venues. Ever y year, they buy and rent real esta te, automobiles, and countless big-ticket items.

Special Editorial Includes ■ Coverage of Top Riders, Trainers & Horses ■ Society Style ■ Show Results ■ Places to go, Things to do ■ Calendar of Events ■ Photo Spreads

■ Grand Prix Coverage ■ Industry News ■ …and More!

Reach this affluent crowd Advertise in Hoorsse Caapitaal Digest,, official weekly show publication of HITS Ocala.

Fit your budget with full-color, glossyy,, or black & white options. Diisscounntss avaaillaablee foor thhe ninne-weeek cirrccuiit!! Foor raatees,, deeadlliinnes and speciffiiccatiioons,, contaact Antoinette Griseta • agriseta@ftboa.com (3 352) 732-8858, ext. 222 Magazines aree available on the HITS show groounnds.

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