Little Everglades Steeplechase –
Thousands of spectators showed up for a beautiful day of tailgating and festivities Sunday, March 7, at the Little Everglades Steeplechase in Dade City, Florida. The beautiful weather was perfectly fitting for Florida’s only steeplechase, an action-packed event showcasing top steeplechase horses and jockeys from across the country. 2004 marked the fifth anniversary of this event. Visit www.littleevergladessteeplechase.com for more information – and to find out how you can get involved at next year’s event!

From our Readers

Seminole Feed for Life
MVF Classic Bourbon thrives on Seminole Blue Ribbon 12+.
“ I love your Seminole Feed,” says Kathy Parrish of Mountain View Farm, Inc. in Clermont, Florida. “It produces some of the best foals. This foal has been on Seminole from the time her mom was 90 days in foal.”

Image of Health
Pretty Boy has a pretty attitude.
Joseph Kinley of Kinley Arabians in Hernando, Florida, sent in this photo of his Arabian stallion, SH Foreureyesonly, AKA “Pretty Boy.” Nutrition for the grey stallion is provided by Seminole Feed. According to Joe, the stallion has perfect conformation and is a brilliant flea-bitten white with grey main and tail… and just a touch of dappling on his hocks. “His presence makes him look much taller than 14.2 hands, but it is his personality and temperament that make him a joy to own.” Photo by Kelly Danforth.

Just My Size
Spillers/Seminole Happy Hoof is a favorite feed for ponies – whether short or tall! Photo courtesy of Florida Farm and Feed, Tallahassee, Florida.

Bayer USET National Four-in-Hand National Driving Championship premiers in Ocala
CAI Live Oak, Ocala, Florida, March 25-28, has been chosen by the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s International High Performance Driving Committee to host the National four-in-hand Championships for 2004. With four days of internationally sanctioned driving, classic car show, upscale shopping and festivities, the event is sure to be the most exciting driving show of the Live Oak Combined Driving Event’s 11-year history. Ocala resident Chester Weber is the current (2003-2004) national champion in this event. In 2002, four-in-hand drivers on the United States Equestrian Team, which included Chester, were honored to win team silver at the World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain.

Visit www.cailiveoak.com for results from this exciting 2004 competition!

Quarterly Quote
Never come into the barn and say, “I have one hour to ride and then I have to get home.” Always come with a plan, never a timetable.”

ARIA Convention
The National Riding Instructors Convention, sponsored by ARIA, will be held in Orlando, Florida, on October 28-31, with a Test Center following the Convention on Monday, November 1.

ARIA Instructor Certification is offered at three levels, and in 14 disciplines. ARIA is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2004, and its instructor certification program is recognized nationally. Integrity and quality are stressed, along with knowledge, safety and professionalism, both in the Association itself and in its member instructors. Discounts from many leading insurance companies are offered to instructors who achieve ARIA certification.

Past speakers at ARIA's National Convention include George H. Morris, Jack LeGoff, Anne Kursinski, Robert Dover, Michael Page, Helen Crabtree, Michael Plumb, Denny Emerson, Susan Harris, Linda Tellington-Jones, Richard Shrake, Bruce Davidson, Tad Coffin, and Carol Lavell. The Keynote Speaker for the 2004 Convention is Lendon Gray, noted dressage rider, instructor and author. Space is limited, and applicants should register as early as possible.

For further information, contact ARIA at
239-948-3232 or e-mail aria@riding-instructor.com.
Registration may also be done on-line at www.riding-instructor.com

HIDALGO
In Walt Disney Pictures’ latest adventure movie, Hidalgo, a special relationship develops between a rider and his horse. The story unfolds with a colorful horse, once considered to be unworthy of competition against other breeds, who defies the odds and proves his worth to the world. In the process, he forever endears himself to his owner, who never doubted the horse’s spirit, loyalty or determination.

It’s a story based on the life of Frank Hopkins and his horse, Hidalgo. The movie opened March 5 around the nation. Learn more at www.hidalgo.movies.com .

Four Legs or Two
… horses and kids are so alike!

Perfect for children, but written for “women ages 11-90,” Four Legs or Two is a paperback, 32-page quick read that will delight any horse lover. Four Legs or Two was written by Dr. J. Clyde Johnson, an equine practitioner for 42 years, and past president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, the Vermont Veterinary Medical Association and the New England Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Johnson now resides in Venice, Florida.

Four Legs or Two can be seen as a brief philosophy book that examines human and animal behavior, especially the relationship of women and horses. The book is delightfully illustrated by Sandy Stencel.
For more information or to order a copy of Four Legs or Two, email jcjvmd@earthlink.net. Books are available for $10, plus shipping and handling.