British rider Amanda Derbyshire has been crowned overall leading lady rider at the 2019 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Florida.

The US-based showjumper performed consistently well across the 12-week festival.

Her big wins came in the $134,000 CSI3* Horseware Ireland grand prix on Roulette BH and the $72,000 CSI4* Equinimity WEF Challenge Cup round 11 aboard Luibanta BH.

She won back-to-back leading lady titles in week 10 and 11 of WEF in the build-up to claiming the overall Martha Jolicouer leading lady rider award on 30 March.

“Having this award adds a whole other element of competition among some very talented female riders and I am beyond thrilled to win the overall title this year,” said Amanda, who won her first WEF Martha Jolicouer leading lady award in 2018.

“It was an incredible feeling to just win once, but to win twice more this season and take overall is indescribable.

“I am so grateful to Martha for recognizing leading ladies, but also for being such a steadfast supporter of horse sport in general.

“This season was a spectacular one for me and I could not have expected more out of my horses.”

The award was presented in memory of horsewoman Dale Lawler.

In recognition of her achievement, Amanda was also given a custom-built jump of her choice from Martha.

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“The leading lady award was always the one that I aimed to win when I was competing because it is a testament to consistent top performances,” said Martha, who started presenting the award in 2010.

“Wellington is the winter equestrian capital of the world and attracts some of the best riders in the world.

“To experience how horses have brought us all together is something special for me. It was an honour to watch Amanda find so much success this season and win her first overall leading lady rider award.”

Other weekly winners of the award over the 2019 season included Erynn Ballard, Laura Chapot, Margie Engle, Tiffany Foster, Lauren Hough, Eve Jobs, Beezie Madden, Karen Polle, and Jessica Springsteen.

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A first look at a staggering new equestrian centre due to open in 2021 has been revealed by its developers.

The World Equestrian Centre in Ohio, US, is already one of the largest venues in the world, with 200,000 sq ft of riding space.

It is now expanding to take in a new, Florida location — complete with five-star hotel — adjacent to the Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club in Florida.

The brand new facility is being built from scratch and will feature four indoor and 17 outdoor arenas.

The indoors will all be climate-controlled, while there will be “luxury boutique shopping” including high-end art, jewellery and tack shops for those who are looking to fill their time between classes.

A five-star hotel with 254 extra-large suites will overlook the “grand stadium”, plus a swanky hospitality fine dining restaurant, with seating for up to 500 VIPs, a top view of the action. There is also a chapel in the 378-acre grounds.

Naturally, on-site greenhouses will ensure a steady flow of blooms to decorate the grounds.

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Miami Beach designer, Ric Owens, has been hired by the World Equestrian Centre and Roberts Design to coordinate the interior and exteriors for all the buildings on site.

For the horses, there will be 2,040 permanent, temperature controlled, concrete stables, hot and cold washing facilities, plus secure tackrooms.

When can we move in?

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Wellington is a small town about 30 minutes outside West Palm Beach in Florida. It’s home to roughly 5,000 horses that move into town around December each year until April for the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). It has grown at a huge pace over the past few years, with many top riders making it their winter base.

I combine the trip to cover all facets of my life and business. My family joins me for the three-month stint — which is great — and we get to spend a lot of time together in a lovely climate. While our two kids Ben, three, and three-month-old Cara are so young and don’t sleep very well, at least Ruth and I are here together and can share some of the duties that go with looking after two young children.

It’s a beautiful place to be, especially when you know that the weather is bordering on Arctic back home, but it doesn’t mean we work any less intensely. It’s a lovely holiday for the kids, though, and Ben especially is getting used to being around horses, so he’s going to grow up thinking it’s normal to fly to Palm Beach every winter and wander in and out of arenas and stables talking to farriers and riders.

This year I brought six horses with me to compete, with the aim of selling one or two to help with the large expense of being here. I also coach two North American young riders — Nikki Walker and Lillie Keenan. Together with my Karlswood team we run their barns and look after their horses and plan their campaigns.

A plan pays off

WEF has a 12-week circuit with big money on offer most weeks, so pacing yourself is important. The goal is not to peak too soon.

This year I took it easy for the first few weeks and was aiming for the Nations Cup in Ocala, Florida. Ocala is around three hours north of Wellington and the FEI Nations Cup was there last weekend (16-19 February).

As Hannibal Smith from The A-Team used to say, “I love it when a plan comes together”! Ireland not only won the Nations Cup, with my gelding Seringat going double clear for me, but then he and I also went on to claim the Ocala grand prix two days later.

There was a great sense of team spirit and willingness to work together from all the lads, which is really encouraging and gives great hope of what’s possible for us as a team in the year ahead.

Ref: Horse & Hound; 2 March 2017

Two showjumpers have been killed in a car crash in Florida.

Venezuelan rider Andres Rodriguez (pictured, top) and American showjumper Sophie Walker died in the accident.

The crash happened at around 3.25am on Monday (4 January), in Wellington, home to the US Winter Equestrian Festival.

Ms Walker, 30, was pronouced dead at the scene. Mr Rodriguez, 31, was taken to Delray Medical Center. He is believed to have died in hospital several hours later.

According to Palm Beach Country Sheriff’s Office, the car reportedly crashed into a concrete pillar at the Palm Beach Polo and Country Club in Wellington.

Both riders were based in Wellington.

Mr Rodriguez won a silver medal at the Pan American Games in Toronto last summer with 13-year-old gelding Darlon Van Groenhove, finishing behind the USA’s McLain Ward and Rothchild.

He last competed on 28 November in Wellington with S F Ariantha and had been aiming at the Venezuelan showjumping team for Rio this year. He rode for Rancho Golden Point in Wellington and also trained with Eddie Macken.

A well-known rider, Mr Rodriguez also competed in the Nations Cup final in Barcelona with his Pan American Games partner Darlon Van Groenhove. His last win was at Tryon NC CSI3* in October.

A newlywed, he married Clementine Goutal in November.

Sophie was an amateur rider from Woodside Farm, which she ran with her husband Brian.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s office is investigating what happened.

A statement was posted on Mr Roderiguez’s Facebook page yesterday.

“It is with the deepest sadness that we have to announce that Andres Rodriguez and his passenger Sophie Walker suffered a tragic car accident on Monday morning in Wellington, Florida,” it read.

“Circumstances of the accident are still unclear. Sophie Walker passed away in the accident and despite all efforts Andres passed away a few hours later. We are lost for words. Our prayers and thoughts go to Sophie’s family, to Andres’ wife and family.”

FEI secretary-general Sabrina Ibáñez paid tribute to the riders today.

“To lose two young athletes in this dreadful way is a terrible shock and our hearts go out to their families and friends”, she said.

“Andres Rodriguez was a world-class athlete and clearly a super star in the making. For his life to be cut short in this way is absolutely heart-breaking.”

FEI jumping director John Roche added: “The sport has tragically lost one of its greatest ambassadors with the passing of Andres Rodriguez, and I have lost a dear friend, as indeed have many others.

“Andres was a wonderful horseman and an amazing person with a very positive approach to life. He had a heart as big as Mount Everest. He will be greatly missed by us all.”

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Ben Maher and the chestnut mare Diva II soared to victory in the $372,000 FEI World Cup grand prix in Wellington, Florida last night (Saturday, 7 March).

In a thrilling three-rider jump-off, last-drawn Ben and the British-bred 10-year-old relegated Germany’s Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (Fibonacci 17) into second with the only other double clear. Finishing third was Laura Kraut of USA on the 17-year-old Cedric with one down against the clock.

“That jump-off probably was not my best ever round. Diva is hairy in the way she goes,” said Ben, who is currently based in Florida for the 12-week Winter Equestrian Festival circuit at the Palm Beach Equestrian Center.

“She is not so conventional always, but I did not have a lot to lose. Tonight I knew I would be top three, so I figured that I would have a go and with a little bit of luck here and there, it paid off.”

Diva II was bred by Liz Edgar and was bought for Ben to ride by Tatiana Korsakova. The pair won the grand prix at Olympia in December.

“This is the first horse that they have owned a horse at this level and hopefully this will bring new partnerships into the sport and something good for the future,” said Ben.

Paying tribute to the strength of opposition he faced in the jump-off, Ben added: ”Cedric is one of the best horses in the world for a long time and Meredith’s horse is probably right there coming into its prime. Diva could not have been in better company.”

Results of the $372,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix presented by Douglas Elliman Real Estate

• Ben Maher & Diva II (GBR)
• Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum & Fibonacci 17 (GER)
• Laura Kraut & Cedric (USA)
• Roberto Teran & Woklahoma (COL)
• Lauren Hough & Ohlala (USA)
• Margie Engle & Royce (USA)

Don’t miss the full report from the World Cup qualifier and the rest of the weekend’s international action in next week’s Horse & Hound (out Thursday, 12 March).

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Ben Maher continued his extraordinary winning streak in Florida, as he landed a 5th grand prix at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival last weekend (15 March).

45 competitors were vying for the Horseware Ireland CSI 3* first prize of $125,000 (£75,124), but just 6 qualified over Richard Jeffrey’s technical track for the jump-off.

The pressure was on Ben — who was last to go on Jane Clark’s Urico — after the first 5 jumped double clear. But he stopped the clock 0.24secs ahead of US rider Lauren Hough (Ohlala).

“I am on a lucky run right now, and Urico felt great,” said Ben, who had been saving the 13-year-old gelding “specifically for this class”.

“The course was very difficult, probably one of the most technical we’ve had here and it caused a lot of problems. Then the jump-off was flowing and I had the lucky draw again to watch all the riders go. I just did what I could do and tried not to make a mistake.”

Runner-up Lauren said that she knew Ben could snatch the win despite her fast time.

“You’re never certain you’re the winner when you have Ben following you with the streak he’s been on,” she said. “Perhaps I could have been a bit faster to the last jump, but it was very, very close.”

Urico’s other 2 wins this season have been during daylight, and Ben said that he responded well to the atmosphere for the night-time class.

“He was quite fresh under the lights,” said Ben. “If they are experienced enough, they come alive and jump sharper.”

In the 10 weeks so far of the 12-week festival, the world number 2 has won $925,000 (£556,320) in 5 grand prix, including the $370,000 (£222,520) FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI-W 5* on Cella.

“I am enjoying a great streak for now, and at some point it’s going to change for sure,” Ben said. “We lose a lot more than we win in our sport, and at the moment it’s going my way.”

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Clayton Fredericks will be basing himself in Ocala, Florida, from next month.

The Australian eventer is taking 35 stalls at Charles and Anne Koch’s Oak Lane Farm and hopes to have 10 horses training from there by January 2013.

Team Fredericks announced last month that Clayton was looking for an American yard, to be used as a training facility, whilst his wife Lucinda would manage the European side of their business.

The Ocala yard will also be a US base for the Fredericks’ Southern Stars Saddlery brand, run from Perth, Western Australia, by Clayton’s brother Kelvin.

“It’s a very exciting opportunity for me at a time when I am shifting my focus to coaching to be able to offer clients the perfect environment in which to prepare for competitions at all levels here in the States,” said Clayton.

“I thrive on challenges and exploring new horizons in eventing and there is clearly enormous potential here in Ocala to develop the sport with the landscape that Oak Lane Farm presents.”

Clayton will compete four horses at the Fair Hill International CCI3* in Maryland (19-21 October).

Among his international clients relocating to Ocala is South African Hayley Parker and her advanced horse Pigrela des Cabanes.

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Tim Gredley is moving to Florida to compete and develop the family business in America.

In 2010, the wealthy showjumper announced he was giving up the sport to concentrate on running the family property business.

But in January H&H reported Tim was back in action and giving Olympic selection “one last go”.

Tim has been competing in Florida this winter and plans to return for six months from November to ride and work.

“I’m just going to see how it goes,” he said. “I went over there this year to jump, but also to see the property market and try to understand it.

“My father [Bill] came over too and we both decided it was great place and opportunity. It’s a different world over there – we will look to expand the business.”

Tim is in the process of buying a yard in the grand prix village with 20 stalls. His horses will be flown over, but he hopes to add to his string, offering half-shares in showjumpers to investors.

When he “quit” the sport, other riders – including Robert Whitaker, James Billington and Ben Maher – took over his horses, including Voske II, Omelli, Timo IV, Valente and Lerado II.

But he now has them all back and has a new addition, Chamberlain Z – whom he bought from David McPherson.

“Chamberlain’s only been with me for three days, but he’s settling in well,” Tim told H&H.

“I always really liked him and tried to buy him about three years ago, but couldn’t strike a deal. The plan is to compete him at a few small shows and maybe aim for Windsor [in May].”

At the same time, Tim’s base, the Gredleys’ Newmarket home, Stetchworth Park Estate and Stud, is on the market – for offers “in excess of £11m“, but Tim said the sale is not linked to his move.

“[My parents] have been thinking of moving for a while – it’s too big for them now it’s just the two of them, but we’ll be looking to build a new yard in the same area,” said Tim.

The property is for sale through Savills and Bidwells and has 24 boxes, paddocks, a six-bay horse-walker and a replica of the Hickstead Derby course.

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (19 April 2012)

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British Showjumping’s team performance manager Rob Hoekstra says he has been buoyed by recent results in Florida.

With the deadline for Olympic selection less than three months away, Rob has been watching the action intently.

Several leading riders decamped to Wellington, Florida, for all or part of the three-month Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), an experience Rob describes as “very positive“.

He told H&H there had been “specific programmes” for each of the riders, which had, largely, gone to plan.

“Nick [Skelton] had huge success, winning nine classes from something like 27 starts,” said Rob.

For Scott Brash, WEF was an opportunity to jump his new ride, Sanctos Van Het Gravenhof, over the big tracks.

The 26-year-old enjoyed one of the biggest wins of his career, taking the $200,000 ( £127,806) FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI**** on 10 March.

But there was, Rob admitted, a “slightly disappointing” end to WEF for the British riders.

In the $500,000 ( £314,000) grand prix finale, Sanctos had several rails down, while Nick hit the deck when Carlo put in an uncharacteristic stop.

“Scott’s horse was very fresh,” said Rob.

“With hindsight, he hadn’t jumped him enough. But that was one of the reasons for going – to educate,” he added.

And there were good results for Tina Fletcher, with Ursula jumping well and Hello Sailor back to his best.

Riders who didn’t fare so well were David McPherson, who suffered a blow when top horse Billy Bishop went lame. And Ben Maher’s Tripple X struggled with the conditions.

“He wasn’t the same horse as he is at home,” Ben told H&H. “I think he was affected by the heat and the quarantine.”

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (12 April 2012)

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A 65-year-old Florida woman has been arrested on charges of animal cruelty after eight starving animals, including five horses and the dead body of a sixth, were found in her care.

Migdalia Ameller was arrested earlier this week on charges of animal cruelty, confinement of animals, and illegal disposal of dead animal bodies.

A police officer on routine patrol found the horses, along with two cows and an emu, severely malnourished with bones protruding through their skin.

As well as the deceased horse, police also discovered the body of a decaying cow covered in a tarpaulin. There was little food in sight – only three pounds of grain and no hay sign of hay.

A police report read: “A check of the property revealed illegal structures, deplorable conditions, [and] decaying animals. The horses were all emaciated with rib bones, spinal columns [and] hip bones all showing.”

The animals were seized by police and taken to the South Florida SPCA, where they are receiving veterinary treatment.

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Britain’s winning streak at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Florida has continued in the circuit’s eleventh week.

Nick Skelton secured his ninth major win claiming the $30,000 ( £18,958) WEF challenge cup on 22 March.

Riding Beverley Widdowson’s Big Star, Nick finished in 33.77sec to beat Ben Maher and Tripple X III in what has been an unbelievable festival for him.

“[Big Star] is going great. He’s come along leaps and bounds [and] he’s only nine years old,” said Nick.

Scott Brash and Intertoy Z rounded off the week winning the $25,000 ( £15,798) Suncast 1.50m championship jumper classic yesterday (25 March).

The pair beat Ben Maher and Quiet Easy 4 and Ireland’s Cian O’Connor and KEC Alligator Alley who were second and third.

The course – set by Richard Jeffery – proved problematic with not one combination going clear.

Thirteen of the 40 entries finished with four faults and a jump-off was held to break the tie.

“That doesn’t happen too often, but they are big, hard tracks here,” Scott said.

“I think [Intertoy Z] was just unlucky in the first round because [in] the jump-off he was fantastic.”

The FTI WEF will run for twelve weeks in total, finishing on 1 April.

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British showjumpers are celebrating another successful week at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida.

Scott Brash and Sanctos Van Het Gravenhof topped the $200,000 ( £127,806) FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI 4* on Saturday night (10 March).

Scott beat America’s Richard Spooner by just 3/10ths of a second, finishing on a time of 37.27secs – compared with Richard’s 37.52secs round.

“This was definitely one of my best wins,” Scott said. “I have not won a big grand prix like this – it’s high up there.”

Sanctos Van Het Gravenhof is a ten-year-old SBS gelding owned by Lady Harris and Lady Kirkham.

He is a new mount for Scott as of January but the pair have already had great success together, including a win in Thursday’s (8 March) $32,000 ( £20,422) WEF challenge cup.

And in yesterday’s (11 March) $32,000 ( £20,422) Suncast 1.50m championship class, Britain secured a one-two finish.

Nick Skelton and Beverley Widdowson’s Unique took first place with Tina Fletcher and Unique IX in second.

With 57 entries starting the class, only six went clear and the jump-off saw only two clear rounds.

Skelton said of the eleven-year-old KWPN gelding Unique: “He felt really good. He has done the 1.50 [class] every week and he has been great.

“I didn’t think I was particularly quick, but I was clear and that was the main thing.”

Tina Fletcher’s Unique IX is also an eleven-year-old KWPN gelding.

“He was good, I was really pleased with him,” she said.

“I have had him for about a year [and] he is usually very consistent.”

The FTI Consulting festival – which runs for three months – has seen several leading British showjumpers take up temporary residence in Florida to get some valuable mileage over big courses ahead of Olympic selection.

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Britain’s Scott Brash and Intertoy Z beat Olympic champion Eriz Lamaze into second place to scoop the lucrative $50,000 ( £32,000) Wellington Equestrian Realty Grand Prix in Florida.

Twelve of the 50 entries went clear to go through to the jump-off.

Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum set the pace at 42.16 seconds – but Scott and his father Stanley’s Intertoy Z shaved more than two seconds off her time to stop the clock at 40.02.

Canada’s Eric Lamaze was second on Derly Chin de Muze with Katherine Dinan of the USA and Vancouver second.

Scott, 26, said the big ring at Wellington Equestrian suited Intertoy.

“He is a big, slow jumper but he was fast tonight. The big ring suits him.

“It wasn’t an overly big course but it is nice not to have to jump big every single weekend,” he added.

Scott has partnered the 13 year old Zangersheide geldeing by Interadel Z since he was a five year old.

He is one of several British riders who’ve decamped to Florida for the three-month FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival.

Nick Skelton has already notched up wins with Carlo and Unique.

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Nick Skelton notched up another win at the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida last night (19 February) – this time with Carlo 273.

Irish visitors took the next two places in the $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 2, with Richie Moloney and Slieveanorra in second and Cian O’Connor aboard Blue Loyd 12 in third.

Nick said: “It was a good course and a good jump-off.

“It wasn’t crazy big. You don’t have to go in there every time and jump massive courses.

“The horses will last longer doing what we are doing instead of testing them every day to the maximum.”

Skelton won last week’s Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic at the show with Unique and still has to debut his third horse, Big Star.

“He gets out of quarantine in two weeks, then he can start jumping,” said Nick.

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Britain has not won an Olympic team medal in showjumping since bringing home silver from Los Angeles in 1984.

To find the last time we won an individual medal, you have to go back even further – to 1972, when Ann Moore won silver.

But Rob Hoekstra hopes to end the drought next year, by building on the success of Team GB’s team and individual bronze at this summer’s European Championships .

Now Rob will send a whole squad to the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (11 January-1 April) in Florida, and will fly out at intervals to train the team.

Florida has hosted the world’s biggest and best-funded showjumping series at Wellington for decades, involving 12 weeks of top-class jumping for big prize-money.

“Nick [Skelton] and Scott [Brash] went to Florida this year and will be there again, but we expect up to four other riders will join them there,” said Rob.

BEF World Class performance director Will Connell told H&H: “It’s very important early season training.

“There is a very short season before Olympic selection so it’s important for our riders to jump some 1.60m courses early on – and to be able to do that without travelling around is very useful.”

Tina Fletcher and Ben Maher are top of Rob Hoekstra’s list to travel to Florida and he is in discussion with the owners and riders of a number of other horses.

The trip will be part-funded by the British Equestrian Federation (BEF), but will rely heavily on owners being prepared to stump up the cash.

Rob said Nick and Scott will go for most of the festival and some of the other riders will travel over a couple of weeks before the $75,000 ( £47,000) Nations Cup (29 February-4 March), returning to the UK a week afterwards.

They will be based at the Wellington showground, which is close to Palm Beach, for the duration of the festival.

“We are partly going because of the Nations Cup and particularly because it’s the best way to get riders into the frame for London,” said Rob.

“But the riders going to Florida will not necessarily be our potential Olympic team – others who have more experience will probably get ready on the European circuit in Spain and Italy.”

This news story was first published in the current issue of Horse and Hound (17 November, 2011)

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Injured US dressage rider Courtney King-Dye is making further inroads in her recovery and is now talking.

Last Wednesday (7 April) her husband Jason Dye reported on her website: “Courtney has been working with her speech therapist daily, she started today saying a vague ‘Hi’. By the end of the day she was saying ‘Thank you for your hard work’ to one of her nurses.

“She still has a long journey ahead of her in the physical, occupational and speech therapy sessions. However Courtney continues to amaze me with her strength, determination and positive attitude in such a life changing situation, hopefully the next update will come from her.”

Courtney was taken to hospital on Wednesday, 3 March, after the horse she was schooling slipped and fell, at home in Loxahatchee, Florida.

She suffered a fractured skull and small brain bleeds and fell into a coma.

The rider was airlifted to hospital in North Palm Beach then transferred to the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange, New Jersey, where she awoke from the coma last month.

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Palm Beach International Equestrian Centre in Wellington, Florida, is to bid to host the 2018 World Equestrian Games.

The bid is being planned by Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP), the company which hosts the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival at Palm Beach.

ESP is headed by Michael Stone, a former secretary-general of horse sport’s governing body the FEI.

The company has pumped more than $20million (£13.3million) into the 150-acre showground over the past three years.

Wellington mayor Darrell Bowen said: “This is a tremendous opportunity for Wellington to participate in something widespread and renowned around the world.”

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (1 April, ’10)

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Although she remained in a coma, American dressage Olympian Courtney King-Dye began breathing without the help of a ventilator nine days after she fractured her skull in a fall from a horse show was schooling.

Yesterday (Sunday 14 March) Jason Dye reported on Courtney’s website: “She has made more progress with her breathing and has been off the ventilator and breathing on her own for over 36 hours. Unfortunately there is not a lot more to report from a medical standpoint, but I can tell you that I get a deep sense when I am with her that she is fighting to come back.”

Courtney’s accident happened on Wednesday 3 March, the day before the Palm Beach Dressage Derby in Loxahatchee, Florida, when she was riding without a helmet at a farm near the showgrounds.

She had asked the horse to move sideways when he tipped over and her head hit the ground, rendering her unconscious. She was air-lifted to hospital, where she has been on the receiving end of hundreds of cards and e-mails, as well as prayers — including a service at the show — wishing for her recovery.

Meanwhile, her situation has brought a recognition about protective headgear to the fore. Her 2000 Olympic teammate, Steffen Peters, began wearing a helmet while schooling, and many other riders have followed suit, with some also wearing helmets while showing at the upper levels.

U.S. Dressage Federation president George Williams, a Grand Prix rider himself, hopes there is a long-term trend in the current recognition of the need for safety.

“Certainly when someone so high profile and well-loved as Courtney has such a terrible accident, it brings a tremendous awareness to the potential dangers of riding,” he said.

“There already has been a lot of discussion about requiring helmets and I suspect there will be a lot more both within the USEF (U.S. Equestrian Federation) and USDF. Whether or not it will lead to rules requiring their use is hard to say. At this point, it’s too early to predict if helmets will become the norm in competition, especially when tail coats are worn.”

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US international dressage rider Courtney Dye (née King) is reported to be in a “stable coma” after falling from a young horse last week.

She was taken to hospital on Wednesday, 3 March, after the horse she was schooling slipped and fell, at home in Loxahatchee, Florida.

Courtney suffered a fractured skull and small brain bleeds and was airlifted to hospital in North Palm Beach.

Yesterday her husband, Jason Dye, posted an update on the rider’s website:

“There is no way of knowing the timeframe for recovery, however the neurosurgeons, doctors and nurses all agree the greatest strength she has is her age and high level of fitness,” he wrote.

“What they don’t know and I do is the unbelievable drive and determination that Courtney has, she will fight and fight and fight, no question. I know there has been an outpouring of support at all levels and want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for that, it would mean the world to Courtney and she is being reminded of it frequently in our talks. She has always loved the community aspect of the dressage world and would love to know that it is coming together for her.”

It is unclear as to whether Courtney was wearing a riding hat when she fell.

A spokesman for the United States Equestrian Federation told H&H: “As this wasn’t at a USEF competition we don’t have an accident report from the fall but all reports indicate that she was not wearing a helmet. We are all thinking about and praying for Courtney and her family.”

US site The Chronicle of the Horse reported that her condition is improving and is scheduled for an MRI scan this week.

“It’s still very grave, but since the accident, there’s been nothing negative. The bleed stopped quickly. The pressure never built up on her brain. She’s responded as expected. That’s a little bit of good news,” Lendon Gray, long time trainer and mentor told the paper.

On Sunday (7 March) at Palm Beach Dressage Derby riders and fans held a prayer vigil and wore green ribbons to show their support.

Jason is offering to read messages of support from fans to Courtney. If you have a message you want read please email to: comebackcourt@gmail.com

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Another horse has been found slaughtered in South Florida. It is the 21st killing of its type this year

The remains of a bay thoroughbred horse were found by riders on Saturday (31 October) on a roadside in Homestead.

The thoroughbred mare is believed by investigators to have been around three or four years old.

The horse’s back legs were missing and its organs were found nearby in rubbish bags.

A Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) investigator said the horse appeared to have been butchered elsewhere and then dumped on the roadside.

This is the latest in a spate of horse slaughters in the area. Police believe the horses are being killed for their meat, which can be sold for up to $40 a pound on the black market.

“It was a typical slaughter,” Richard Couto, from the SPCA told local press. “This was done by pros.”

Over the past couple of months four men have been arrested in connection to the killings.

Last month ranch owner Roberto Aguedo Chavez, 53, and worker Ricardo Olivarez, 45, were arrested after selling illegal horse meat to an undercover policeman.

And in September teenagers Santiago Cabrera, 19 and Miguel Cordero, 18, were charged with charged with armed burglary, animal cruelty, killing a registered breed horse and breaking a fence.

But police are saying this latest incident is unconnected to any previous arrests.

“There are so many people doing this,” Mr Couto told the Miami Herald. “It is profitable and there is a high demand, and the problem is not going away soon.

“It was a pretty brutal scene. I love horses, and going to a scene like that and seeing one in 10 to 15 pieces, it’s difficult.’

“South Florida is probably one of the only places in the United States that a dead horse is much more valuable than a live horse.”

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A horse that was abandoned at an airport in Florida is to be sold at auction next month.

The 22-year-old horse, who has been temporarily named as Wildfire was left behind by its owner when the land was sold to St Lucie County International Airport.

The property owner moved on 17 August and claimed a home had been sought for the horse, but had been unsuccessful.

Wildfire is currently being cared for by airport workers but is due to be up for auction on 23 October.

Airport director Diana Lewis told local press “He’s a nice horse, and he is very friendly to my staff. We’d like to get him a good home.”

Wildfire has been assessed by a vet who confirmed he was in good health.

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A second teenager has been arrested in connection with the spate of horse killings in Florida.

Santiago Cabrera,19, was arrested on Monday (21 September) charged with armed burglary, animal cruelty, killing a registered breed horse and breaking or injuring a fence.

Last week 18-year-old Luis Miguel Cordero was arrested on similar charges.

Two other suspects are currently being sought by police.

About 18 dead horses have been found in the Miami-Dade area since January. Police believe the horses have been killed so their meat can be sold illegally.

Miami-Dade police said Mr Cabrera confessed to taking part in two killings where horses were cut apart while still alive, earning him several hundred dollars.

“I’m very relieved that we have another arrest,” Jeanette Jordan, president of the South Florida SPCA told local press. ”But I’m stunned that these guys are so young and I’m heartsick about it.”

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Miami-Dade police have arrested an 18-year-old man in connection with a spate of horse killings in South Florida.

Luis Miguel Cordero, who turned 18 on September 3, was arrested in a field near Okeechobee Road at 9.50pm on Tuesday (15 September).

He was carrying a duffle bag stuffed with garbage bags, rope, tools and a butcher knife.

He is now being held without bail at the Miami-Dade County jail, and faces multiple charges including conspiracy to commit animal cruelty with intent in injure or kill, armed burglary and killing of a registered breed horse.

His arrest comes a relief to the South Florida’s equestrian community. There have been over 17 horse slaughters this year in Miami-Dade County since January, with two further cases in Broward County.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals believes that the horses were victims of a black-market demand for horse-meat, which can be sold for $40 per pound.

Police were alerted to Cordero following a tip off from a neighbour.

According to the police report, Cordero offered the neighbour $2000 to help him in the slaughter of two horses and subsequent sale of the meat.

The neighbour then contacted crime stoppers, who placed a tracking device on his vehicle, and followed him to the pasture when they made the arrest.

Cordero has since confessed to killing a racehorse at a ranch in Miami Garden on 9 September.

Jeanette Jordan, President of the South Florida SPCA, told the Miami Herald: “I’m delighted, so happy, so pleased and so proud that the police have nabbed the guy”

“This typifies what can happen when the community gets involved,” said Capt. Scott Andres, head of the Miami-Dade Agricultural Patrol, when speaking to a local paper.

However, police believe that Cordero’s alleged plot to kill horses was isolated, and Miami-Dade police are urging horse-owners to remains alert.

“We are asking people to take appropriate measure to secure their ranches or homes with lighting, tamper-resistant locks and video cameras, and to contact police if they observe anything suspicious,” said a spokesman.

Investigations into the previous killings are remaining open.

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An $8,000 reward is on offer in Florida for information leading to the people responsible for the slaughter of at least 17 horses.

Since January at least 17 horses have been found butchered in the Miami-Dade area, the last being found at the end of July.

And now Miami Dade County Crime Stoppers is offering a $3,000 reward to catch the culprits — while the Humane Society of the United States have pledged a separate $5,000 reward.

“The majority [of the reward money] has come from small donors who are either horse owners or horse lovers who are outraged by the killings,” Dick Masten, executive director of Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers told local press.

The bodies of the horses have been left butchered and dumped at the sides of roads or in their stalls and fields.

But because the attacks have been in remote, rural areas there have so far been no witnesses.

Police believe the horses may have been killed for meat, which has been sold on the black market as the sale of horse meat in the US is illegal.

“These horses were beloved companions found barbarically killed for their meat. The horses must have suffered horribly, and now their owners grieve their needless deaths, ” said a spokesman for The Humane Society of the United States.

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The mysterious deaths of 17 horses across Florida, USA, since January has brought animal rights groups into conflict with local police.

The Florida police has offered little explanation for the spate of killings since January this year, which involve the butchered bodies of horses being found in out of the way places like as rural pastures, in stables and by the side of minor roads.

Animal welfare groups say the horses are being butchered for meat and think the same group is doing the killing.

Richard Couto, an investigator with the South Florida Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), said it is plainly obvious the horses were being killed and sold as meat.

He said: “Many people close to the SPCA have been approached by guys with coolers, offering horse meat.”

But Florida police detective Alvaro Zabaleta said: “It’s nothing like the spree of horse mutilation that people make it out to be.”

However, after the latest incident where two pet horses were butchered, another police spokesperson, Tania Reus, said: “When you come across a carcass and see a head and very little else, it’s pretty clear.”

Mr Couto said the stance of Florida police was disingenuous: “They’re lying to us. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that it’s the same group of people doing this.”

Couto said the carcasses have all the same body parts removed and the identical pieces of plastic are left on the ground.

He said the police is classifying many carcasses as illegal dumping and not including them in crime figures.

The Humane Society of America is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the people responsible for the deaths.

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A horse in Florida has been put down after being shot in the face with a shotgun.

The animal was found with facial injuries on Thursday 23 July by its owner in Myakka City.

Police at Manatee County Sheriff’s Office determined the horse’s severe facial fractures had been caused by a gun.

A vet advised it should be euthanized immediately.

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A man has been arrested in Florida for punching a police horse.

Trey Palmer was arrested and charged with striking a law enforcement animal after he hit the horse with both hands.

He was allegedly told to get out of the street twice by officers in Ybor City, Tampa at 11pm Friday, 30 January.

But he refused to move and began swearing and hitting out at the horse.

Mr Palmer has since been released.

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