New horse, same tricks for US' 'Beezie' Madden

Published July 20, 2012 /Associated Press - foxnews.com

If one word could define Olympic equestrian Elizabeth "Beezie" Madden's show jumping career so far, it's "Authentic." But it's also the one thing she'll be missing when she represents the U.S. in London.

Authentic was the name of Beezie's horse in the last two Olympic games that helped her bring home two gold medals. "He was not a real explosive power jumper like some horses, but he was a winner," Beezie said in an interview with ESPN. "We never felt like he was at his limit -- he just kept doing more and more and more."

In 2009 a tendon injury forced Authentic into retirement, taking away Beezie's long-time teammate in a sport where chemistry is everything and forcing her to find a new partner for 2012.

"It's kind of the age-old question: How much of it is the horse and how much is the rider?" Beezie told ESPN. "I'd like to say it's almost 50/50 as far as being a successful winner at the top." Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2012/07/20/new-horse-same-tricks-for-us-beezie-madden/?test=olymp#ixzz21SvBS6r7

Beijing silver medalist Shane Rose withdraws from London Olympics due to horse's leg injury

Susan Walsh/Associated Press - FILE - The Aug. 12, 2008 file photo shows Australia’s silver medal winners in the team Eventing competition, from left, Shane Rose, Megan Jones, Sonja Johnson, Lucinda Fredericks, and Clayton Fredericks, celebrate after receiving their silver medals during the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Hong Kong. Shane Rose had to withdraw from the London Summer Olympics due to injury of his horse Taurus.


 Associated Press - LONDON — Australian rider Shane Rose withdrew from the Olympic equestrian competition on Sunday because his horse, Taurus, was ruled out with a leg injury. Rose, a silver medalist in three-day eventing at the 2008 Beijing Games, will be replaced by traveling reserve Megan Jones and her horse, Allofasudden. Her inclusion is subject to IOC approval. Australian equestrian section manager Brett Mace said the injury to Taurus was already known, but the team had hoped the horse would recover in time for the games. “While the injury is not serious, there is just not enough time for recovery with just under a week to go,” Mace said. “There is no doubt this is a blow for the team,” Mace said. “We feel for Shane, who has worked for many years preparing Taurus for these games. He is a hard working athlete who was a formidable part of our silver medal Beijing team.” To read the full AP article click on this washingtonpost.com link.

Photo Collages from the Rise Up And Ride Horse Show -July 21, 2012 - GHPEC

Here are just a few of the photos I took at the Rise Up and Ride Horse Show last Saturday at Green Hill Park Equestrian Center. This was a great show!

Photos taken by: Christina Lee for HorseVa.com - All Rights Reserved

Three Horses Dead At Stampede

Driver Chad Harden crashes after his lead horse collapsed on the backstretch and his outrider crashed into the back of his rig in the 4th heat of the GMCRangeland Derby at the Calgary Stampede in Calgary, Alberta on July 12,2012. STUART DRYDEN/CALGARY SUN/QMI AGENCY

Just hours after three horses died during the chuckwagon race at the Calgary Stampede, the Vancouver Humane Society was calling for an end to the popular event. “Clearly, the Stampede’s much publicized safety improvements have failed to make the race any safer,” VHS spokesman Peter Fricker said in a release. “Horses continue to die needlessly.

This has to stop.” The crash happened when driver Chad Harden’s left leader horse suffered what officials called a “fatal event.” Two other horses that were part of the team, the outriding horse and the right leader, had to be euthanized on the track after suffering serious injuries in the crash.

Harden did not suffer any major injury, but he was unable to contain his emotions after the crash. “It’s devastating,” he said through tears. “We try our best to make sure they’re all healthy. “The outriding horse was 18 years old, and I’ve had him for 13 years. He’s part of our family. He’s supposed to be our kids’ horse. This was his last year. He was going to be the kids’ horse, so they started riding him this year. He’s like our family pet,” Harden said. “The right leader is the horse I won the 2009 Calgary Stampede with, so he’s another sentimental horse.” To read the full article at the cnews.canoe.ca, please click here.