Contested had a big win in the Test Stakes (G1) at Saratoga; Capital Account finished first in the Pat O'Brien Stakes (G2) at Del Mar; and Game On Dude claimed second place in the TVG Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) at the same track. Baffert, who is currently ranked second in North America on the basis of the year's earnings, was named Thoroughbred Times "Trainer of the Week" for his string of recent successes.

Baffert trusts feeds manufactured by Hallway Feeds to fuel many of his equine charges as they train and race. Hallway Feeds is a Team Member of Kentucky Equine Research.

The star for Mill Park at $360,000 was a Bernardini (USA) colt from Rock on Madonna that was bought by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Mill Park Thoroughbreds are fed the Kentucky Equine Research (KER) products All Phase and Equi-Jewel to ensure optimum growth and development. The farm also uses Cool Command from KER Team Member Barastoc during yearling preparation.

Way and her 14-year-old New Zealand-bred Hanoverian, KH Arvan, had a successful year in 2011, claiming Horse of The Year in Hastings in March and competing in Sydney later in the year to successfully qualify a New Zealand team for London.

The final team will be selected in June. At present, Way is one of the top contenders for a position and is determined to make it a reality. Often called one of the hardest-working people in New Zealand dressage, Way is using all her savings and taking a job in England so she can be trained by Carl Hester.

Hester is sponsored by Saracen Feeds, a Kentucky Equine Research (KER) Team Member in the U.K. Way will be based at his yard in Gloucester and will ride his horses in return for personal dressage training from the elite rider. She will train with Hester right up to the 2012 Olympic Games. KER wishes Way and KH Arvan the best of luck in their campaign.  

Driving a team that included three new horses, Weber sewed up a victory at the 2011 Katydid CDE in Aiken, South Carolina by winning each phase of the event. In addition, he served as chef d'equipe for the U.S. drivers at the FEI Pony World Driving Championships in Lipica, Slovenia. His support helped the U.S. drivers bring home individual and team medals from the prestigious competition.

Bill Mott and Bob Baffert finished one-two in the contest for top trainer, and both trainers are Hallway clients who choose these products to keep their horses in optimal racing condition. Graham Motion, trainer of Animal Kingdom, also placed well up in the voting for this honor.

To keep his horses in condition for their training and competition schedule, Buck chooses feeds formulated by KER and manufactured by Pennfield Equine Feed Technologies, a KER Team Member. These feed products contain levels of energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals that support the demands of strenuous exercise, allowing the horses to perform to their maximum potential.

Lola, when first purchased and one month later.

Six weeks later and with the help of a KER nutrition advisor, Lola and her colt are a picture of health. The recommendation was for a diet of Barastoc Breed N Grow and KER Equi-Jewel.

Catherine reported, "I am amazed at how quickly she has gained weight considering she has a nursing foal!  We didn't think we would be able to breed her until next season due to her poor state, but we are going to try a late-season breeding, as she is on a huge rising plane of condition and nutrition."

Lola, six weeks after new diet was introduced.

The Smiths are well aware of the importance of correct nutrition, especially when it comes to broodmares. Catherine said, "The one thing that upsets me is people who have owned pleasure horses then decide to breed and they think the feeding is the same for a broodmare in foal/foal at foot as for their pleasure horse on a maintenance diet.  I believe this is what happened in Lola's case."

Liaison's win is an important step on the Triple Crown trail. This destination will be the focus of leading three-year-olds after their January 1 birthday.

Trainer Bob Baffert saddled Liaison for the race, also sending out fourth-place finisher Sky Kingdom. Baffert was the trainer of Indian Charlie, sire of Liaison. Liason picked up the victory to become Indian Charlie's fifth Grade 1 winner less than a week after Indian Charlie's death.

Baffert, a top trainer who has claimed five CashCall Futurity wins in 14 years, trusts products manufactured by Hallway Feeds, a Kentucky Equine Research (KER) Team Member, to fuel the winning efforts of the horses in his stable. Feeds provided by Hallway are formulated to include fortification pellets from KER, guaranteeing the proper level of protein, vitamins, and minerals needed to support the demands of growth, race training, and performance.

Big Red Mike, the wire-to-wire leader in the $944,316 race for Canadian-born three-year-olds, is trained by Nicholas Gonzalez. Kentucky Equine Research Team Member Brooks Feed Store in Port Perry, Ontario supplies feed to Gonzalez' training stable.

Big Red Mike is owned by the Terra Racing Stable and is named for owner Dom Romeo's red-haired son. The horse's next start will be in the $500,000 Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie Raceway.

Karen and Mandiba, her mount in the 2008 Olympic Games, tied with Allison Springer for second place, while Phillip Dutton occupied three of the Top 10 positions: seventh with The Foreman, eighth with Woodburn, and tenth with Waterfront.

Riders associated with KER Team Member Pennfield Equine Feed Technologies also placed well, including Kim Severson in fourth, and Jennifer Wooten-DaFoe in twelfth. Pennfield also supports O'Connor and Dutton.

William Fox-Pitt, Becky Holder, and Oliver Townend rounded out the Top 10, with Fox-Pitt in the lead overall. See the Rolex leaderboard.

Read more about Elite Riders sponsored by KER.

Kentucky Equine Research (KER) is an international equine nutrition, research and consultation company serving both the horse owner and the feed industry. Its goal is to advance the industry's knowledge of equine nutrition and exercise physiology and apply this knowledge to produce healthier, more athletic horses.

LANCASTER, Pennsylvania, January 20, 2009 -- It was a night of high energy, excitement and recognition for a year of dedication and hard work among equestrians from coast to coast. But you could have heard a pin drop in the room prior to the most anticipated award of the night - the 2008 USEF Horse of the Year. The black-tie crowd was ecstatic at the announcement that a horse, who at one time was slated for the slaughterhouse, would be named the most exceptional horse in the country. Chester Weber's most valuable team player, Jamaica - the horse that won his heart eight years ago in a tourist stable in Belgium, and whom Weber gambled would one day be a champion - was now bestowed with the most prestigious award in the nation: USEF Horse of the Year. More

Bluegrass works closely with riders and owners so they achieve optimum performance from their horses. The company has fed many horses at the top of their respective sports including the Dublin Horse Show supreme champion for three consecutive years. In addition, Bluegrass supplied the feed for the Irish three-day event team at the Athens and Beijing Olympics. As the success and cooperation with riders and trainers grows, Bluegrass is proud to have been recognised and appointed as the official feed consultants to HSI.

Bluegrass Horse Feeds, a family-owned company with over 150 years of milling experience, is a Team Member of Kentucky Equine Research (KER), a company that conducts extensive nutritional and physiological studies designed to improve the health and performance of all horses. Feeds manufactured by Bluegrass are created using this research, which gives Bluegrass products a distinct advantage in a competitive marketplace.

Declan Cullen, Bluegrass sales manager, explains, "Bluegrass is delighted to have been appointed by HSI as the official feed consultants to Ireland's equestrian teams. We have been working with top-class riders and trainers for many years now, helping them get the most from their horses when competing at the international level. We are very much looking forward to meeting up with all the riders and teams and providing advice and guidance to enhance the performance of the horses in the international squads through improved feeding strategies. The ultimate goal, of course, will be to bring medals home from London in 2012!"

HSI chairman Joe Walsh said that it was important that Irish teams had the best professional advice available to them. "Bluegrass Horse Feeds, through its links with KER, was extremely helpful to our eventing team in preparing for Hong Kong, and I am sure KER's expertise will benefit all of our international riders," he said.

Congratulations go to:

• Mill Park who reared and sold Rebel Raider - 100/1 Derby winner. This is Mill Park's 11th Group 1 winner, and for good measure they also care for Cox Plate hero Maldivian when he is spelling.
• Emirates Park bred the McKinnon Stakes winner Theoso - his 2nd group 1 victory.
• Arrowfield Stud bred triple Group 1 winner Forensics - the winner of the Myer Classic for mares.
• Swettenham Stud - more success for the Sangsters with Group 2 wakeful Stakes winner Rocca.
• Hallmark Stud NZ - who reared and sold the Bart Cummings trained Moatize won the Group 3 Saab Quality and ensured a cup start. Moatize ran an extremely strong race in the Melbourne Cup finishing ahead of Mad Rush (USA) to place 6th.
• Alanbridge Stud - who bred the 2yo Our Joan of Arc.

Congratulations also to Darley whose Victorian based stallion Reset tasted his first Group 1 success in the Derby and Coolmore Stud with Encosta De Lago having a Group1 and a Group 2 winner with Northern Meteor and Rocca.

The dam of Samantha Miss, Milliyet, with this seasons foal at foot.

The Willow Park Stud bred sensation, Samantha Miss, is on a quest to be the first three-year-old filly in over 30 years to win the $3 million Cox Plate. The athletic filly by Redoute's Choice out of Milliyet has certainly made her presence felt since defeating the champion two-year-old Sebring in the Group 1 AJC Champagne Stakes. This season she has strung together four successive group wins to become only the second filly in history to take a clean sweep of the Sydney Princess Series. Jockey Glen Boss has described the filly as being as strong as any four-year-old mare that he has ridden and proclaimed her as the best three-year-old in Australia.

In the past five years Willow Park Stud has been producing a string of very successful horses including 15 stakes winners out of crops of 20 to 25 foals per year, a sensational result for this family owned and run business. Willow Park has bred such gallopers as the Group 1 winning Anamato, Sonic Quest, Mearas and Primus and averages a staggering 95% clearance rate through the auctions.

Willow Park Stud works closely with Kentucky Equine Research Stud Specialist, Graham Jenkinson, to ensure that the diets of their broodmares and growth of young horses is closely monitored to ensure optimum sound growth.

Predatory Pricer is the younger ½ brother to international superstar Takeover Target, who was originally owned & raised at Merringo Stud. Paul Murray suggests this hulking youngster could just be the next big thing in racing who unlike his famous big brother looks destined for greatness over further ground. A massive & still wayward colt he used his frame to advantage to withstand a buffeting duel in the concluding stages of the race. After resisting the temptation to geld the colt, connections now have an exciting and very valuable commodity on their hands.

Georgia & Sam.

Medal Presentation

KER-sponsored rider Georgia Bruce rode Carolyn Lieutenant's huge brown gelding Victory Salute to bring home two bronze medals in the Grade IV individual competition at the Paralympic Games in Hong Kong.

Georgia Bruce, from Kuranda in Queensland, has only been partnered with Sam for the past six weeks. Although they been partners for only a short time, their hard work has certainly paid off. Georgia rode expertly in the first section of the competition to take home the bronze medal in the individual test. Two nights later the pair convincingly backed up their previous performance scoring an impressive 74.319% in the freestyle to again take the bronze, only narrowly missing the silver and just 2% off the gold medal position.

Following on from the excitement of the Games, Georgia will be traveling home to Queensland prior to making the long trip to Melbourne. Georgia has been invited to participate in Equitana Asia Pacific, demonstrating clicker training with her liberty-trained Grand Prix horse Rumba.

David Hayes has been granted one of the greatest accolades any Thoroughbred trainer in Australia can achieve-induction into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame. Having taken the reins of the family business in 1990, David has worked to become one of the most successful trainers in both Australia and Hong Kong and now stands alongside his father in the Australian Racing Hall of Fame. David has for many years consulted with KER's director of nutrition Dr. Peter Huntington as to the latest and most effective feeding practices to assist his horses in achieving their greatest athletic potential.

KER would like to wish all associated studs, trainers and owners the best of luck in the 2008-2009 season.

Consigned by Charlie and Tracy Vigors' Hillwood Stud, the colt by Dubawi achieved the highest price of the sale at £220,000, which was also the second highest price ever to be achieved in the history of the St Leger Yearling Sales.

The colt was purchased as a weanling and during his time at Hillwood, was fed Saracen's Level Grow before transitioning onto Prep 14 and Equi-Jewel leading up to the sales. Level Grow is a high-fat, high-fiber feed specially formulated for growing horses, while Prep 14 is one of the most popular feeds for preparing yearlings for the sale ring. Both Level Grow and Prep 14 contain high levels of oils and super-fibres to provide palatable calories, thereby reducing the reliance on starch in the ration. In addition, both feeds are fortified with Stamm 30, a vitamin and mineral supplement. Equi-Jewel, KER's high-fat stabilized rice bran, has become somewhat of a trade secret in the Thoroughbred yearling industry for its incredible ability to "put a topline" on even the most difficult of yearlings. Prep 14, in conjunction with Equi-Jewel, consistently produces yearlings that are well-toned with excellent toplines, muscle definition and shiny coats during their sales preparation.

KER wishes Saracen well for the upcoming yearling sale season, which includes the Tattersalls and Doncaster Bloodstock October Yearling Sales.

A Dubawi colt prepared by Hillwood Stud sold for £220,000 at the recent Doncaster Bloodstock St Leger Yearling Sales. The colt was fed KER-formulated feeds leading up to the sale.

Megan Jones and Irish Jester crossing the finish line on cross-country.

On the winners podium.
(photo by: Peter Jones)

KER-sponsored rider Megan Jones crystallized her Olympic dream by being the highest placed rider on the Australian Eventing Team, leading the squad to an outstanding silver medal victory at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. A precisely ridden dressage test on the first day saw Megan and Jester hold a very handy position in third place on a score of 35.40, just behind Ingrid Klimke of Germany and fellow teammate Lucinda Fredericks. A fast and clear cross-country round allowed Megan to jump one place to hold second coming into the show-jumping phase the following day. After the second day of competition, the scores of the top eight horse and rider combinations were extremely close with very few points separating the riders. An unfortunate rail in the show jumping saw Megan and Jester drop two places in the final standings to fourth individually but still held on to lead Australia to a team silver medal.

The story of Megan and Jester is a truly inspiring one. Megan bred the little grey Irish Sport Horse gelding by Irish Enough and out of Kirby Park Yellow Empress at her family property located in Hanhdorf, South Australia. An important part of Jester's preparation was ensuring that he was in excellent body condition and well hydrated for the humid conditions of Hong Kong. Jester's diet, both whilst training and in competition, combines KER-formulated Barastoc Cool Command and quality forage and electrolytes.

On Friday, August 22, Ginger Punch won the Grade 1 Personal Ensign Stakes at Saratoga. Bobby Frankel trains Ginger Punch.

On Saturday, August 23, Michael Matz sent Visionaire to a win in the Grade 1 NetJets King's Bishop Stakes, and Colonel John brought the trophy home to trainer Eoin Harty in the Grade 1 Travers Stakes. Both races were run at Saratoga.

On Sunday, August 24, Bill Mott saddled Go Between for a victory in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic Stakes at Del Mar.

Small Hunter winner Leslie Webb and Kilpatrick Lord

Bluegrass Horse Feeds and KER would like to congratulate Richard Iggulden and Leslie Webb of Orchard Cottage Stables in County Down for a fabulous result at the 2008 Dublin Horse Show. This pair of virtuoso producers took the Supreme Championship for the third year in a row, with registered Irish Draft Darragh Classic Prince. Fed Bluegrass Cool 'N' Condition, Darragh Classic Prince was on top form at the biggest show in Ireland and took the honours in the Heavyweight Hunter class and the Irish Draft Mare or Gelding class. The seven-year-old bay gelding loved the limelight and shimmered in tip-top condition for his Supreme Championship winning performance.

Darragh Classic Prince was not the only success story for the Orchard Cottage team. Despite heavy rain reducing rings one and two to quagmires, Leslie Webb took the Small Hunter class on Yvonne Pearson's Kilpatrick Lord and went on to lead the parade of champions prior to the Aga Khan Cup event. Also in the ribbons was Corrilea's Imp, owned by Joanne Hepburn of Co. Kildare and ridden by Claire McMahon. The pair put in a foot perfect performance to take the Large Riding Horse Class.

Surpreme Champion Darrigh Classic Prince ridden by Richard Iggulden

The Bluegrass-fuelled success continued in other showing classes too, with Cappa Cochise taking the Reserve Champion position in the Irish Draft Stallion section for owner James Quinn from Galway. With expert help from Richard Iggulden and Leslie Webb, Catherine McDowell's Splash Out won their Coloured Horse class in fine style, as did Seamus O'Rourke's Red Ruby Man who went on to take the reserve in the coloured horse championship.

Paraic Kenny riding Another Razcal in the 128cm National Championship

In between rain showers, the show jumping went ahead amongst the roar of the crowds. Once again Bluegrass Horse Feeds had an important role to play as it is fed to Capt. Shane Carey's Mullentine Parscourt One, who showed amazing potential in the Four Year Old Finals. From the younger generation, Paraic Kenny rode his mother's Another Razcal to success in the 128cm National Championship, showing superb flair and skill as his pony raced around the tricky course.

The Dublin Horse Show successes prove that Bluegrass Horse Feeds produces excellent results, whether fed to speedy 128cm ponies or impressive Irish Draught stallions. Bluegrass Horse Feeds and KER are immensely proud to play such an important role in producing champion horses today and into the future.

Megan Jones and Kirby Park Irish Jester (Irish Enough - Kirby Park Yellow Empress)

Megan Jones and Kirby Park Irish Jester (Irish Enough - Kirby Park Yellow Empress) Dressage

Megan Jones and Kirby Park Irish Jester (Irish Enough - Kirby Park Yellow Empress) were absolutely unstoppable at the final selection event for the Australian Olympic Eventing Team - Melbourne CCI***, held from the 6th - 9th of June. Megan and Jester produced a cracking dressage test to score just 35 penalties, leaving them nearly 4 penalties ahead of their closest competitor heading into the cross country. No question was too hard for Jester with a blistering clear round on the challenging cross-country course. With no room for error on the final day, the pressure was certainly on for this formidable pair, but as with all elite competitors Megan kept her cool and presented a seemingly effortless clear showjumping round for a nail biting win at this final selection competition. It would seem that Megan and Jester would be a sure bet for the Australian Team to be finalized at the end of June.

Megan also produced a second brilliant ride in the CIC-W*** class on her second horse Kirby Park Allofasudden (Rustic Amber - Passionate). This stunning young thoroughbred at just eight years of age showed that he will surely be a force to be reckoned with on the international scene in the near future. Sitting in second place after the dressage with a score of 50 penalties Megan and Floyd jumped clear cross-country with just 8.4 time penalties. An unfortunate two rails down in the showjumping phase saw them drop down one place to take out 3rd. Competing against much more experienced 3* horses Megan was ecstatic with Floyd's performance over the competition and sees and extremely bright future ahead for this talented gelding.

Bluegrass feeds fueled Oh Jackie to victory in the Avon RI Corporate and Leisure Steeplechase, collecting the prized La Touche Cup in the process. The steeplechase, usually referred to as the La Touche Cup, is the premier event at the Punchestown Festival of Racing, and is run over a course that is four and a quarter miles long and punctuated with imposing jumping obstacles. A test of both ability and sheer stamina, the La Touche Cup is the longest race run in Ireland.

Hall dominated the first four races of the card with blitzing performances by Telecom Emperor, Jade Dancer, Silent Dragon and Siameric Te Specso. To top off these stunning victories Hall also took out the quinella in the final race of the day when Ouraja beat stable mate Prime Score.

"There are so many well respected trainers here, and to win multiple races, two, three or four on a day is very tough but to win five in this company is something really special that I'll always look back on" said Hall when interviewed by the China Morning Post.

David Hall is most well known in Australia for his success with the incredible mare Makybe Diva. Hall trained 'the Diva' to her first Melbourne Cup victory in 2003 before relocating to Hong Kong where he currently holds 7th position on the trainers leader board. David has long been associated with KER and uses Equi-Jewel, EO•3™ and the Pennfield manufactured E°Clipse Equine Racing Formula to assist in bringing out the best performances in his horses.

Meg Wade and China Doll

After their forced break from competition, due to the Australian EI situation, Meg Wade and the team from Castlebar were back to their winning ways at the recent Walwa CEI 2*/3* ride.

Meg Wade rode a World Cup qualifying time of 9:14:33 to take the honours on her long time partner China Doll over the 160km 3* course. Backing up Meg's 3* win, she also took out the 2* aboard Castlebar Balik. Of the 17 completions in the 2* competition, an incredible six of the 17 horses were bred by Castlebar.

KER would like to wish Meg Wade and all of the Castlebar connections great success in their preparation for the 12th FEI World Endurance Championships to be held in Terengganu, Malaysia from the 6-9 November 2008.

This incredible performance was relived only a short time later when at the Tonimbuk Horse Trials Megan was again able to produce another two stunning performances. Kirby Park Irish Jester further upheld his reputation as one of the best 3* horses in the country by again winning the CIC*** in fine style ahead of Megan's second ride in the class, Kirby Park Allofasudden.

Phillip Dutton and Connaught.
Photo: Becky Young

Thanks to a careful stadium jumping round, Phillip Dutton and his Irish Sport Horse gelding Connaught claimed victory at the 2008 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. Dutton, one of only two riders to avoid penalties in the stadium phase, moving up from second place in the final minutes of the competition when leader Becky Holder had two rails down. Karen O'Connor and her diminutive mount Theodore O'Connor, a Sport Pony gelding, finished in sixth place, while Dutton also had a tenth-place finish with Woodburn, a New Zealand Thoroughbred gelding. Dutton and O'Connor are sponsored by Kentucky Equine Research and Pennfield Feeds, a KER Team Member. Another Pennfield-sponsored rider, Kim Severson, claimed fifth place on Tipperary Liadhnan, an Irish Sport Horse gelding

Congratulations to Bill and Belinda Taggart of Uxbridge, Ontario. Their two-year-old Quarter Horse filly First Kool Money was named 2007 Canadian Champion after an incredible 2007 race record of six wins, two seconds and one third in nine starts at Ajax Downs and $97, 400 in earnings.

With a much greater number of horses and tracks, Alberta has diminated this award in the past. First Kool Money is only the second Ontario horse to be honored in this way and the first in 16 years. Among the highlights in 2007 were wins in the All Canadian Futurity and the Alex Picov Memorial Futurity.

First Kool Money was raised from weaning on Brooks Performance Feeds and is trained by Don Reid who also uses a Brooks-formulated feed.

Congratulations, Bill and Belinda!

Stylish Artist is a product of the Tara Hills Farm breeding program near Port Perry Ontario. Tara Hills is a long-time valued customer of Brooks Performance Horse Feeds and a participant in the Growth Tracking program offered by Brooks Performance Horse Feeds to monitor the development of young horses.

Mark Steacy, who has conditioned several champions while using Brooks Performance Horse Feeds, trains Stylish Artist. With this win, the filly has banked $497,763 as a two-year-old.

Brooks Performance Horse Feeds is proud to supply the feed for champions like Stylish Artist and work with successful horsemen like Mark Steacy.

Four Group 1 winners in 12 days - seems like a dream, not for Mill Park owners Peter and Serena Watson. The Watson's of South Australia have been long renowned as producers of quality Thoroughbred horses racing with much success throughout the nation. Little did they expect that they would reach the dizzying heights of this unheard of Group 1 success, which they experienced at this years Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.

Located just South of Meningie, on Limestone rich undulating country Mill Park has proven to be the perfect Nursery for producing champion Thoroughbreds. For the past 30 years Mill Park has produced such stars as Mummify, Dilly Dally, Undoubtedly, Proprietor, Gold Guru and St Clemens Belle. More recently - Serious Speed, Devil Moon, Devine Madonna and Princess Coup have added to their list of Group 1 success stories.

Peter and Serena attribute much of their success to their close family team, including their son Chris and daughter-in-law Sian, combining their skills of years of horsemanship and their close attention to detail to consistently produce quality horses. Mill Park prides itself on providing a 'free-ranging' upbringing for their youngstock in combination with attentive nutritional programs overseen by Kentucky Equine Research.

Mill Park has always had a strong presence at the Adelaide Yearling Sales, but this year decided to spread their wings and take half a dozen horses to the Gold Coast Magic Millions to sell under their own name. This proved an excellent strategy with their top two sellers being; a half-sister to Divine Madonna and full brother to the champion 2 year old Undoubtedly, selling for over $600,000 each. Mill Park completed their first Gold Coast yearling sales finishing second on the vendors by average list.

Mill Park is fast becoming a prominent force to be reckoned with and will undoubtedly continue to produce quality Group 1 horses for many years to come.

For Alycia Targa, her dreams very nearly went from being realized to tragedy within a matter of weeks. The impact of the Equine Influenza outbreak in Australia has reached far beyond the Thoroughbred industry, no more clearly illustrated than through Alycia's story.

At 21 years of age Alycia has achieved more competition success than most riders do in their lifetime. In 2006 Alycia, partnered with the Australian bred Trakehner cross Thoroughbred mare Neversfelde Kudu bred and owned by national dressage identities Jane and Maurice Bruce, becoming back to back National FEI Young Rider Champions in 2006 and 2007. '07 was to be their year, taking out the prestigious Aachen Challenge at the Saddleworld Dressage Festival and following on with winning the World Young Rider Qualifier at the Sydney CDI. This win for Alycia and Kudu at the Sydney CDI lead to the pair being the first Australian based horse and rider combination to be selected to compete at the World Young Rider Dressage Championships.

Alycia and Kudu were expecting to leave Australia in mid November, but the EI outbreak in late August soon put a stop to their fairytale. Luckily Kudu did not contract the virus, but due to her not being a registered thoroughbred she was not eligible to receive the vaccine essential for her to enter Europe. Through much lobbying and appeal, Kudu was granted the vaccine and allowed to travel.

Alycia's dressage career started from humble and diverse beginnings. Growing up, as many young Australian riders do, gaining skills and experience through the pony club movement participating in all manner of sports namely games, eventing and showing. After achieving great success and representing her club at a state level Alycia decided to concentrate on her dressage and partnered with the talented but sensitive mare Kudu which leads us to where she is today - about to step onto the world stage.

The team at Kentucky Equine Research would like to wish Alycia, Kudu and all the connections the best of luck at the World Young Rider Dressage Championships.

Kentucky Equine Research congratulates U.S. dressage rider Chris Hickey and his mount, Regent, on their recent success at the 2007 Pan American Games. Chris and Regent were the Individual Gold Medalists, as well as members of the Gold Medal winning U.S. Dressage Team. Chris is the head trainer at renowned Hilltop Farm, based in Colora, MD. Hilltop Farm participates in the KERx Wellness Program and includes the KERx Prescription Wellness Supplement as part of the farm's nutrition program.

"We have been thrilled with the results of the Wellness Supplement for both our competition and breeding horses. We love being able to feed only one supplement to take care of the horses' joints, coats, hooves and digestive tracts. We have great confidence in KER, because of their excellent reputation and the extensive research they put into their products. We would also like to say a special thanks to KER for providing nutritional research to support the efforts of the USEF and the 2007 Pan Am Teams." - Chris Hickey, Hilltop Farm.

Dr. Peter Huntington with - Anamato

David Hayes has secured his place in the record books by training his 100th winner in Melbourne for this season alone. Following from a string of successes throughout the season, David has also gone on to set a new record by surpassing the $18.2million benchmark, previously set by John Hawkes, and raising the bar to above $18.5million, the highest ever racetrack earnings by a trainer in one season. This sensational achievement by David was achieved after the 3yo Redoute's Choice x Voltage filly, Anamato, won the G1 Australasian Oaks (2000m).

Anamato has been crowned the most successful Australian trained racehorse to race in the United States since the great Phar Lap almost seven decades ago. The sensational 3yo Redoute's Choice x Voltage filly set out for Hollywood to take on the world in the Group 1 Invitational Hollywood Oaks. Against runners invited from Japan, Ireland, France and the United States, Anamato ran a gallant race to finish a very credible 3rd place a length and a half behind the winner Panty Raid and Valbenny on Saturday the 7th of July.

Ridden by jockey Michael Rodd, Anamato ran brilliantly, and according to trainer, David Hayes "she was traveling like the winner at the home turn before laying out and taking the first third of the straight to find her stride".

Anamato' connections were ecstatic with the run, and even more impressed with how the filly handled the international flight, quarantine and acclimatization ensuring that she will certainly continue to be a force to be reckoned with.

The Castlebar team, headed by Meg Wade, are continuing to show their dominance within the Australian endurance world. After returning from Europe following her brilliant ride in the 29th World Equestrian Games, and their 5th place in the 160km FEI ride in Monpazier (France), Meg went on to again become the Australian Endurance Riders Association leading rider for 2006, winning by an incredible 40 points.

The Castlebar team recently achieved some great results at the 160km*** Nanango FEI Endurance Ride where Kristy McGaffin and her horse, Magic Glenn Romy, completed the ride in great style and were further rewarded by winning the prestigious Best Conditioned Horse narrowly beating her menotor, Meg Wade and Balik, awarded second. Meg Wade had a sensational ride until part way round the course when disaster struck, Balik threw a shoe. The pair had to stop mid way and wait to be re-shod before continuing. Although having lost precious time, they were not deterred by the set-back and still managed to finish a credible 5th along with achieving an FEI qualifying time.

Capstone Feed are a KER Team Member and combined with Lammerskall Stud using KER's growth tracking software, Gro-Trac, the growth and development of the colt was carefully monitored from birth.

Half of the top 12 yearlings were reared on Capstone feeds with the top stallion by aggregrate was the Lammerskraal legend - Western Winter, whose 23 lots were knocked down for an aggregrate of R17.7 million (A$2.95m) at a record average of R771,087 (A$128,000).

Megan Jones has had a sensational Eventing season to date with a collection of wins and placings from Preliminary through to CIC*** level with her very talented string of horses.

Megan and her team made the 11 hour journey from South Australia to Tonimbuk to compete in the annual CIC competition. This was to be Kirby Park Allofasudden' first CIC*** competition at the tender age of just 6 years old. After placing 2nd following the dressage, Megan had to make the difficult decision of taking it easy on cross-country to ensure that 'Floyds' first *** experience was a positive one. Megan's decision proved to be very successfull with Floyd going clear but with 20 time penalties leaving them in 6th place going into the Showjumping phase. With only one fence down in the Showjumping saw Floyd and Megan attain a sensational 4th place against a very strong field. Tonimbuk also saw Megan compete her two young horses, Hatty and Cream, to finish 4th and 7th respectively.

Following on from their Tonimbuk success, Megan and the team headed back to South Australia for the Kilcaldy Horse Trials in Echunga. Kirby Park Joy was Megans star for the weekend after leading the dressage by 50 odd points they went on to win the CNC**.
From there it was off too Albury for the NSW State Eventing Championships with Kirby Park Joy alias Rolly in the CIC**, and Kirby Park Allofasudden, Floyd, in the CIC***. Rolly produced a sensational dressage test to take the lead prior to going clear cross-country. The challenging cross-country course proved to be no match for Joy finishing clear and with only one rail down in the Showjumping ensured them the title of NSW State CIC** Champion. Rolly also had a great event with him tackling his most challenging cross-country course yet proving that Megan and Rolly will certainly be a very strong force on the international eventing scene.

Caroline Wagner is continuing to build on her recent successes by bursting into the FEI ranks with her chestnut gelding, WS Nevada. Caroline and Nevada have had a brilliant year to date with their most recent successes being achieved at the Brisbane CDI-W in the Small Tour classes where they were placed reserve champions, only just behind seasoned campaigners Rozzie Ryan and her imported stallion Jive Magic.

Caroline and Nevada will now be having a short break from competition whilst they prepare for the big step to Grand Prix which they intend to take in the new season.

KER Ambassador Marie Kukawski and her Andalusian stallion, Pagan M.F, have had a great start to the year taking out the Supreme Andalusian Exhibit at the 2007 Royal Melbourne Horse Show.

Following on from their success in Melbourne saw Marie and Pagan travel to Sydney to take part in the Australian National Andalusian Championships. The Championships attracted several hundred competitors from across Australia in a variety of led and ridden classes. Although expectations were not particularly high of the young stallion, being only his second time out under saddle, Pagan M.F. proved himself by taking the title of National Champion Ridden Pure Spanish. Continuing on over the weekend saw them also gain two more titles of National Champion Ridden Entire and National Champion Spanish Movement. From his success at the National Championships, Pagan M.F. has now qualified to compete in the SICAB International Horse Show in Spain.

Hallway Feeds is a registered trademark of Farmers Feed Mill, Inc., a Lexington, Ky.-based feed manufacturer. Since 1964, Hallway Feeds has supplied the horse industry with the highest quality custom manufactured feeds. In the 1990s, Hallway Feeds introduced a new line of equine performance products, Hallway Racing Products. These feeds quickly set a new standard of nutrition for the equine athlete as they gained favor throughout the world. Hallway Racing Products have fueled six of the last nine Kentucky Derby winners and Breeders' Cup World Championships winners in every division. Trainers using the products have won over $225 million dollars in black-type stakes wins alone since 2000.

Hallway Feeds' international presence has also grown significantly, with strong customer bases in Canada and Japan, and manufacturing operations in the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa. Horses fueled by Hallway Feeds include the winners of the 2006 Epsom Derby and the 2007 Grand National.

"We're delighted to have Hallway Feeds re-up as our official feed supplier," said Joe Morris, President of NTRA Purchasing. "For nearly eight years, NTRA members have been able to purchase an array of top-quality feed products at preferred pricing from a company committed to helping our industry prosper. In the meantime, some 25 million images of the NTRA logo have been showcased on Hallway Feeds products throughout the world."

"It has been a tremendous business opportunity for us to be involved with the NTRA," said Lee Hall, vice president of Hallway Feeds. "Our relationship has garnered a lot of positive attitudes for both companies, both here and abroad, and it has been valuable for Hallway Feeds to be mentioned in the same breath with other outstanding NTRA Purchasing partners like John Deere, UPS, Dodge, Sherwin-Williams and others. But most importantly, this is a chance to give back to an industry that has been vital in the growth and success of our company. The horse industry embraces a large family of people who care deeply about the animals that connect us. We are proud to be a part of that family."

The NTRA is a broad-based coalition of horse racing interests consisting of leading thoroughbred racetracks, owners, breeders, trainers and affiliated horse racing associations, charged with increasing the popularity of horse racing and improving economic conditions for industry participants. The NTRA has offices in Lexington, Ky., and New York City. NTRA press releases appear on the NTRA web site, NTRA.com.

The excellent final placing and best-conditioned award would be admirable for any horse and rider, but they are especially notable because Theodore O'Connor is the first pony (determined by breeding and measurement) to compete at the Rolex event. Covering the same course and negotiating identical obstacles as horses a full twelve inches taller, the American Sport Pony gelding showed that heart and spirit are more important than physical stature.

O'Connor guided Upstage, a 16-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, to a 15th-place finish. Upstage, who has placed well in prior Rolex outings, was O'Connor's mount at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany in 2006.

Rolex veteran Phillip Dutton also rode two horses in this year's competition, finishing in the top ten with both mounts. For his second-place standing on Connaught, Dutton received the USET Foundation Pinnacle Trophy for being the highest-placed finisher from the United States. Connaught, an Irish Sport Horse gelding, was fourth in the 2006 Rolex competition and has a wealth of competitive experience at the sport's highest level. Dutton tied for ninth place on Truluck, an American Thoroughbred that earned championship honors at the three-star Wits End Farm event in Canada last year.

Dutton and O'Connor are sponsored by Kentucky Equine Research and also by KER Team Member Pennfield Feeds. Pennfield products guarantee that hard-working horses have the energy and stamina they need not only to compete, but to finish at the top of their game. Kentucky Equine Research and Pennfield Feeds congratulate these talented horses and their riders, grooms, and management teams.

• Mark Steacy, trainer of Majestic Son, winner of the Canadian Breeders Championship: "I'm very happy with Phase III by KER and Brooks Performance Feeds. It's a nice clean sweet feed with just the right amount of protein."
• John Bax, who trained Oaklea Odessa and Oaklea Omega to a one-two finish in the OSS Final for three-year-old trotting fillies at Hiawatha Horse Park: "I feed both the pellet and the sweet feed form of Phase III. My horses love the taste, which helps them carry good flesh."
• Barry and Laurie Clarke, owners and trainers of Nobananas. As a five-year-old, the gelding set a new track record at London Fair Raceway, and won again at the same track just a week later. The trotter is fueled by Competition Plus and Flax Appeal, an omega-3 supplement. "Nobananas has lots of stamina, he finishes strong, and he recovers very quickly after a race."

Caroline and her young horse W.S. Donatello have also been regularly competing and recorded a 6th place in the Novice division of the Victorian Dressage Club competition.

It has been a pleasure to be involved in Caroline's progression from a highly successful Show rider to a rider to watch in her new discipline of Dressage. No doubt the triumphs will continue for Caroline and her team of horses!

The United States Eventing Association has named Phillip Dutton its 2006 Rider of the Year. Mr. Dutton has been awarded this title eight times in the last nine years (1998 and 2000 - 2006). Phillip is sponsored by KER and Pennfield Feeds, a KER Team Member. Visit www.useventing.com for more information.

The leading breeder with 3 winners was Robert and Yvonne Crabtree of Dorrington Farm at Hastings including the Group 2 winner Magnus and the listed winner Furio. For a small farm this is a fantastic performance.The now-retired Fields Of Omagh with his owners after the Cox Plate. Photo thanks to Lindsay Park.

Left - KER's Dr Peter Huntington talks nutrition with David Hayes. Photo thanks to Gilly Wheeler

Glenwood Park Dollar Bug won the Four Year Old Young Jumper class last year and continued on this year to take first place after round one in the Five Year Old Class ridden again this year by KER Ambassador Angela Dobbin.

Chris Chugg rode the Australian Sporthorse Breeders exciting imported stallion 'ASB Conquistador'. After the first round of the Five-Year-Old class judged by German legend, Franke Sloothaak, they did brilliantly with second place and a score of 16.5.

Chris also rode in the World Cup Qualifier class at the same event. His talented, imported eight-year-old mare by Indorado, Alondra had her first ever World Cup start and finished with an impressive eighth place. Chris's veteran champion Diamond B Ego came second in the same class with a quick 41.27 second clear round.

Talented Junior rider and KER star of the Future, Emma Smith, jumped a super round with Moonstone to be in equal second place in the Seven-Year-Old Young Showjumper class after round one.

Chris Chugg and Diamond B Ego

Chris and Alondra put in two suberb rounds in the Senior class to finish an overall first and to be crowned 2006 ACT Senior Showjumping Champion. Congratulations Chris!

Chris Chugg and Alondra

Megan show jumped clear riding her Kirby Park Allofasudden to take second place in the CIC** Division 2 with 56.70 penalties, just 0.50 off Wendy Schaeffer in 1st place after a pretty spectacular looking near fall!!

After finishing the Dressage in 1st place, Megan and Kirby Park Joy were unlucky to have one stop in her jumping round to finish the weekend in 8th place. Another great performance by Megan with these two young horses.

Olivia Bunn had three rides over the weekend. Fourteenth after the dressage phase, Olivia Bunn riding Nikki France's 'Klimax' worked their way up to fifth place in the CCI****. With two rides in the CCI** Olivia finished 4th on up and coming GV Tuscany with 55.60 penalties. Great to see Olivia back at the top again!

Megan Jones and Kirby Park Allofasudden Cross Country

See the Lindsay Park website for more information.

The pair scored with Al Anood in the Danzero Plate, Purde in the Ken King Thoroughbreds Cup, Miss Finland in the Group Three McNeil Stakes, Megadeal in the Race Into Membership Plate and Growl in the Listed D'Urban Quality Stakes.

The winners didn't come without some drama, though. After Megadeal scored, Williams weighed in 0.5kg light at 56kg and had to call for the bridle before correct weight could be declared. "Thank God there's plenty of iron in it," Hayes said after the bridle made up the difference.

Growl ($5) missed the start before getting up to beat the $1.75 favourite Maybe Better by a short half-head. "Full credit must go to Growl who had to chase hard after he missed the start," Williams said.
Hayes had 11 runners at the meeting while Williams had eight rides, seven of them for Hayes.

Story thanks to Mark Ryan