The Morgan Sport Horse Classic will be held on May 16-18 at the Woodland Stallion Station in Woodland, CA. Several divisions are included in the Classic including Dressage, Carriage, Trail, Reining, and Hunter classes and the show is open to all breeds.

The judges are Creek Routson of Walnut Creek, CA (Dressage, Morgan Dressage Suitability, AMHA Dressage Medal) and Dr. Julie Addante of Salida, CO (Morgan, Hunters, Hunt Seat, Equitation, Trail, Western, Carriage, Reining, Morgan Sport Horse In Hand). The entry closing date is May 4, 2008.

For more information go to the Morgan Sport Horse Classic website.

The word, “laminitis” puts a bad feeling in the pit of every horse owner’s stomach. However, it looks as though preliminary gene therapy research is show promising results and the possibility of successful laminitis treatment.

The article “Preliminary Study Performed on New Laminitis Treatment Technique” by Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc on TheHorse.com describes one such study:

In this study, researchers from VGX Animal Health in The Woodlands, Texas, injected horses intramuscularly with a plasmid (a small, nonreplicating fragment of DNA) that contained the gene for growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)–a potent hormone that can increase the production of both growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 to offset the development of arthritis and other chronic conditions, including laminitis.

After injecting the hormone, the scientists applied electroporation (delivery of electric pulses through the skin) to temporarily “open” the horse’s cells. This improves the uptake of the plasmid, resulting in enhanced delivery of the GHRH gene.

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Apparently the 15th anniversary Raleigh Spring Premier, held at the J.B. Hunt Horse Complex in Raleigh, NC, was a record breaking success.  For a complete description of the event see “Record Setting 15th Anniversary At Raleigh Spring Premier” on the Saddle Horse Report website.

I received my prize list for the Gold Cup yesterday so I thought I would pass on the information.

 The 48th annual Morgan Gold Cup will be held on June 17-21, 2008 at the Champions Center in Springfield, Ohio.  It is a big complex with the main arena, stalls, vendors, and office all under one roof.  There is also a large covered outdoor warm up arena.  Spacious camping spaces are available and are near the main complex.

The judges for this year will be W. Luman Wadhams, from Warren, VT (Stallions and Mares, In Hand; Saddle Equitation, Classic Pleasure Saddle, Classic Pleasure Driving, English Pleasure, Pleasure Driving, Park Saddle, Park Harness, and Carriage Driving), Terry Jones Brennan, from Hollister, CA (Geldings In Hand, Amateur In Hand, Western Seat and Hunt Seat Equitation, Hunter Pleasure, Western Pleasure, Working Hunter, Road Hack, Roadster, Trail, Leadline and Reining), and Sandi Chohany, of Hamshire, IL (Dressage).  The entry closing date is May 1, 2008.

 Some highlights of the show as listed in the Prize List are: 

Amateur Park Saddle Championship with an added $500 payout sponsored by the AMHA Stallion Service Auction.  Total payback will be 1st-$750, 2nd-$125, 3rd $75, and 4th-$50.

Expanded Youth of the Year Competition with the following divisions:

• Stick Horse Youth of the Year (6 and under)
• Walk/Trot Youth of the Year (11 and under)
• Junior Youth of the Year (13 and under)
• Senior Youth of the Year (14-21)

Dressage and Carriage Promotion Packages:

• $150 (includes use of one stall for one day, entry fees for up to 3 classes, office fee and USEF fees ($202 value)

For more information go the the Morgan Gold Cup website.