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DQHA Affiliate Agreement Not Renewed by AQHA

Photo Courtesy AQHA
Photo Courtesy AQHA

AQHA does not renew affiliate agreement with the Deutsche Quarter Horse Association.

On February 15, the American Quarter Horse Association announced it has terminated its relationship and will not renew its affiliate agreement with the Deutsche Quarter Horse Association (DQHA), which served as the AQHA affiliate in Germany.

McLain Ward & Noche de Ronda Earn a Valentine’s Day Victory in the 
$213,300 Longines Grand Prix CSIO5* 
at Deeridge Farms

Photo by Kathy Russel Photography
Photo by Kathy Russel Photography

McLain Ward (USA) and Noche de Ronda eclipsed a top-tier field of 45 in the $213,300 Longines Grand Prix CSIO5* on Valentine’s Day at Deeridge Farms. Fifth to return for the shortened track, Ward’s time of 37.86 seconds was enough to sneak past Billy Twomey (IRL) and Kimba Flamenco in second place, with Ward’s countrywoman Margie Engle and Dicas in third.

2020 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF): Victorious Day for Jessica Springsteen and Volage du Val Henry

© Sportfot
© Sportfot

It was a sweet victory for Jessica Springsteen (USA) and Volage du Val Henry in the $137,000 Grand Prix CSI3* at “Friday Night Stars” in the Global Ring at Equestrian Village (home to the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival) during week six of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) on Friday, February 14. North American ladies dominated the podium in the pinnacle jumper event of week six with Canadian rider Rachel Cornacchia finishing the runner-up aboard Valkyrie de Talma and U.S. rider Ali Wolff rounding out the top three riding longtime mount Casall.

CSIO5* Competition at the Palm Beach Masters Series® Kicks Off With a Win for Darragh Kenny

Photo by Kathy Russell Photography
Photo by Kathy Russell Photography

Darragh Kenny (IRL) rode Billy Manjaro to victory in the 1.40m $8,000 CSIO5* Palm Beach Masters Warm-Up, besting 49 competitors on a bright and balmy Wednesday afternoon at Deeridge Farms. Sydney Shulman (ISR) placed second with Azilis du Mesnil, while Canadian Olympian Amy Millar and Ericson were third. The competition was the first CSIO5* event of Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Week CSIO5*/CSI2* at the Palm Beach Masters Series®.

2020 Winter Equestrian Festival: McLain Ward Scores Brilliant Victory in Fidelity Investments® Grand Prix CSI5*

Photo © Sportfot
Photo © Sportfot

Two-time U.S. Olympic team gold medalist McLain Ward charged to a win in the $401,000 Fidelity Investments® Grand Prix CSI5* in front of a packed International Arena riding Noche de Ronda during “Saturday Night Lights” at the 2020 Winter Equestrian Festival on February 8 in Wellington, FL. Forty of the world’s best crossed the start timers to Anthony D’Ambrosio’s and Andy Christiansen’s (USA) first-round track with 12 posting perfect rounds to advance to a jump-off. U.S. Olympic team silver medalist Kent Farrington and Gazelle sat in the leading position on a time of 39.51 seconds when Ward entered the ring. To the roar of a home-country crowd, Ward and Noche de Ronda broke the timers double-clear and the ones to beat in 37.47 seconds. WEF continues through March 29 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, Florida, with 12 consecutive weeks of world-class competition and $13 million dollars on offer. The fifth week of competition runs February 5 through February 9, is sponsored by Fidelity Investments®, and recognized as a CSI5* and CSI2* by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI).

Rising Cutting Horse Star Hottish Humanely Euthanized

Photo by Alan Gold Photo, courtesy of NCHA
Photo by Alan Gold Photo, courtesy of NCHA

Hottish, a rapidy rising star among young cutting horse sires, was humanely euthanized on February 7, at the Springtown, Texas ranch of his owners, Dustin and Deena Adams. At the time of his death, Hottish ranked fourth only to Metallic Cat, Dual Rey, and High Brow Cat, among 2020’s leading sires. His three lifetime performing crops had also produced earners of over $3.3 million, for an average of $31,709, including 2017 NCHA Futurity Open champion Dual Reyish LTE $383,364 and 2018 NCHA Open Horse of the Year and Super Stakes champion Cool N Hot LTE $358,835.

Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™: Steve Guerdat Writes History in Bordeaux!

Photo by ©Christophe Bricot/Jumping Bordeaux
Photo by ©Christophe Bricot/Jumping Bordeaux

To win the World Cup in Bordeaux is always a special moment in a rider’s career as it adds his name to a prestigious list comprising the greatest sportsmen of the discipline since 45 years. Today, it is an equally prestigious rider and world number one Swiss Steve Guerdat who adds his name to this hall of fame. A beautiful victory after a competition so exciting it almost deserves an Oscar for the best scenario!

European Commission Clarifies Studbook of Origin with AQHA and DQHA

Photo Courtesy AQHA
Photo Courtesy AQHA

The American Quarter Horse Association and its German affiliate, DQHA, get clarification from the European Commission on studbook of origin.

On January 27, leaders and staff from the American Quarter Horse Association met with representatives of the German affiliate (DQHA), the German agricultural ministry and Bavarian competent authority at the European Commission offices in Brussels. The goal of the meeting was to close the contested topic of studbook of origin for the American Quarter Horse.