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World Cup Dressage Final
At the 2003 Dressage World Cup Final held March 27 - 30, 2003, in Goteborg, Sweden, Canada's Shannon Dueck and her mount Korona were sixth in the consolation freestyle grand prix to music, won by Switzerland's Daniel Ramseier. Dueck scored 63.96 for 16th place in the first round grand prix so did not make the cut for the Final, which under the new format was for the top 12 only. Germany's Ulla Salzgeber and her partner Rusty were the unanimous winners of the grand prix with a score of 77.40%, followed by an incredible 82.19% in the kur. Debbie McDonald and Brentina (U.S.) were second in both classes, with 72.28% and 78.89% respectively. Heike Kemmer from Germany was third overall with a freestyle score of 76.94%, riding Albano 7. 

Stateside Successes
Eventing
Young Rider Karl Slezak won the Intermediate division on Bailey's Diamond and placed third in the Open Preliminary A division on Limited Edition at the  Poplar Place Farm March Horse Trials in Hamilton, Georgia, March 21 - 23, 2003. In addition, Andrina Calder on HerzPrinz was third in the Junior Young Rider Open Preliminary division and Trish Green finished the day in 2nd place with Amadeus in the Preliminary division.

In Leesburg , VA , on March 29 – 30, 2003 , Stuart Black was first and third in the Morven Park Horse Trials CIC** riding Sailing (52.5) and Pacific Paragon (61.3) respectively. Fellow Canadian Kelli McMullen Temple was second on Livingston with 60.0 penalty points. Black was also third in the Open Intermediate II with Pacific Storm with 37.6 penalty points.

On the same weekend, at the Rocking Horse Spring Horse Trials in Altoona, FL, Peter Gray was the winner of the Open Preliminary C division with 34.5 penalty points riding Oberon and Andrina Calder won the Junior/Young Riders Open Preliminary riding HerzPrinz with an excellent 33 penalty points, 9.5 points less than second place. Tabitha Lee was third in the Open Intermediate division. Riding Kalypso, Lee earned a final score of 41 penalty points. Kyle Carter and Llewellyn were fifth in the same division with 45.8. Cater was also fifth in the Open Preliminary A, with Sierra.

In Landrum , SC , on the same weekend, Mike Winter was first in the Preliminary A division at the Fence Horse Trails riding Gifted Simplicity. The pair had a final score of 35.5 penalty points. Winter was also first in the Preliminary B with Center Field and fourth with Mark, with 36.5 and 60.1 respectively.

Show Jumping
In the second phase of the Atlanta Spring Classic held March 26 - 30, Chris Pratt was the winner of the $25,000 Atlanta Spring Classic Grand Prix with Ishan owned by Sue Grange of Lothlorien Farm. Pratt also finished 10th on Markant and Sulu Rose on Onira was 11th.

In Tampa Florida, the $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational also produced excellent Canadian results. Canadian equestrian team member Karen Cudmore and her Holstein stallion Conejo finished an excellent fourth place in an eight-way jump-off. Chris Kappler and Royal Kalibre were the winners with the only clear followed by Meredith Beerbaum on Shutterfly and Anne Kursinski with Eros. Eric Lamaze finished ninth with Rosina.   

World Class Hunters at Galten Farms
Gerhard Schickedanz, owner of Galten Farms in Markham, ON, was named 2002 Leading Hunter Breeder by the Performance Horse Registry, his farm having produced the highest scoring hunters in competition last year. In addition, his approved stallion Heinzelmann (also known as Storyteller), was named top Amateur-Owner Hunter.

A New Home for Edmonton Northlands
The Edmonton Northlands Horse Show will be held at Northlands Park this year instead of Whitemud Equine Centre. The new location, along with $130,000 in prize money, are both attempts to attract a greater number of hunter/jumper riders to the event taking place May 28 - June 1, 2003. At the new facility, there is potential to host up to 350 competitors, with room to grow in the future.

Canadians Making Waves Down South
It was another good weekend for Canadians competing down south. While the Canadian show jumping team finished a distant third in the Nations’ Cup in Wellington, Florida, Canadians placed five in the top 10 of the $100,000 grand prix of Ocala. Jill Henselwood and ToyzRus finished third, Mario Deslauriers on Big Sir was fifth, Keean White on Arriscraft Rocca was sixth, and Deslauriers, on Kathleen was 10th. Henselwood was also the winner of the $25,000 Friday grand prix. Also in Ocala, Erynn Ballard was a winner at Level 8 on Alibi and in Level 4 on Quicksly who was Reserve Champion of the division. Sulu Rose took the Level 7 championship with Onira and Chris Pratt had a great week winning both the Level 3 with Guenivere and the $10,000 Friday grand prix with Rivendel.

In New Orleans, Hugh Graham finished sixth and eighth in the $77,777 grand prix at the Gulf Coast Classic with Promise and Polyfax respectively and finished in similar placings in the $25,000 grand prix earlier at the show. Over in Indio, California, John Pearce took the Level 7 championship with Fairplay.

Eventing Results
In eventing, Stuart Black was the winner of two divisions at the Red Hills Horse Trials in Tallahassee, Florida. He took the Intermediate with Pacific Storm and the CIC** with Sailing. Graeme Thom finished an excellent second in the CIC*** on Arrow, which turned out to be a very tough competition. The winner was Philip Dutton on Nova Top. Bruce Mandeville on Larissa retired after a fall on cross-country and Stuart Black withdrew Midnight Magic following cross-country.

Over at Jumping Branch in Aiken, South Carolina, Juliet Graham won the Preliminary 3 division on Buckley Boy and young Waylon Roberts finished second with Paleface in the Junior/Young Riders Preliminary.

Jim Elder Earns a Star on Canada's Walk of Fame
Jim Elder has been named to Canada ’s Walk of Fame. Elder was named along with 10 other prominent Canadians for his tremendous achievements in equestrian competition.  In a stellar career that has spanned four decades, Elder has won two Olympic gold medals in show jumping at the 1968 Mexico Olympics and the 1980 alternate Olympics in Rotterdam, Holland. In addition, he was a member of Canada ’s bronze medal winning three-day event team at the 1956 Stockholm Olympics. Elder has also won numerous Pan American Games medals.
The inductees for the Walk of Fame are selected from a list of candidates nominated by the public, who sent in more than 200,000 ballots. The inductees will unveil their stars on the Walk of Fame and attend a gala dinner on June 25 at Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto .

Hugh Graham Shines in the States
In competition south of the border, Hugh Graham rode KingRidge Stable’s stallion, Polyfax, to his third victory this season in winning the $ 25,000 National Standard Grand Prix at the Gulf Coast Magnolia Classic IV in Gulfport , Mississippi . With 46 entries in the class, Graham and Polyfax were one of only three clears to proceed to the jump-off and they were the only double clear to win the class. This brings Polyfax’s winnings to over $45,000 so far this year, topping the Horse Sport Rankings to date for Canadian grand prix show jumpers.

 Eventers in Action
 The eventers have been very busy at the Rocking Horse Trials in Florida . Five Canadians were winners in five divisions. Karl Slezak won the Open Preliminary B on Limited Edition; Tabitha Lee won the Open Preliminary D on Kalypso; Curtis Barbour won the Preliminary B on Gundy Park ; Trish Green won the Junior Young Riders Open Prelim on Amadeur and Peter Gray won the Open Training on Oberon. In the advanced divisions, Graeme Thom on Ashdale Count and Tabitha Lee on Wilde Childe both finished eighth in their respective divisions - the best results of the many Canadians who competed.

Horse-Canada News

Alberta
•  Calling all galloping gourmets, the Alberta Equestrian Federation (AEF) is compiling a cookbook and they want your recipes! The book will include as many categories as necessary, including a section for pet treats. Send your tried and true recipes to the AEF office: Ste 403 8989 MacLeod Trail South, Calgary , AB T2H 0M2 ; by fax to 403-252-5260; email  deb@albertaequestrian.com. If your contribution is used, purchase of the book will be one-third of the retail cost.  The AEF Cookbook will be available for purchase in 2004. Proceeds will benefit charity and the AEF Development & Scholarship Fund.

• The AEF has adopted an accreditation program for equestrian facilities that was originally developed by the Association of Riding Establishments of Ontario.
Accredited sites will be given permission to use the AEF logo on all advertising, letterhead and display materials and may also purchase a site accreditation sign for their property. In addition, the AEF will develop and maintain an Accredited Site advertising and listing page on its website. A printed list will also be distributed to the public. For more information, contact the AEF (see above) and an information package will be forwarded to you.  

• The AEF Annual General Meeting will be held April 5, 2003 from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. As of press time, a location had yet to be confirmed. Contact the AEF for more details or check out their website at: www.albertaequestrian.com   

British Columbia
•  For the third consecutive year, the Williams Lake Trail Riders of B.C. will host a series of three-day clinics with Robin Hahn, beginning in April, 2003.
Hahn will focus on developing suppleness, with exercises in groundwork and gymnastics as well as course work. Attendees will learn how to move beyond their own comfort zones and get the most out of their jumping and/or dressage mounts.
Overnight stabling is available for horses and owners can stay at the neighbouring camp ground. For more information, email Lynn MacGregor at (250) 296-3169; or by  email at jumptb@telus.net

Manitoba
 •  Mark your calendars, get your pens and note books – you don’t want to miss any of the informative speakers at this year’s Horse Expo, themed “Performance through Health”, to be held April 11 – 13, 2003, at the Best-West Victoria Inn in Winnipeg. Topics will range from managing the West Nile Virus to the development of a proper feeding schedule.

•  The Manitoba Horse Council will hold their Annual General Meeting during the Horse Expo on April 13 at 2:30 p.m. with an awards banquet to conclude the evening. The meeting is open to all interested parties. For more information on the above events, contact the Manitoba Horse Council office at (204) 925-5718 or by email at admin@sport.mb.ca

• The 96th Royal Manitoba Winter Fair is being held March 30 – April 5, in Brandon at the Keystone Centre. Featured events include world class show jumping competitions, heavy horse show and competitions and “Thru the Farm Gate – Hands-on Ag Awareness Area”, in addition to more than 300 trade show booths. Contact Provincial Ex of Manitoba at 204-726-3590 for more information.

Ontario
•  The Ontario Equestrian Federation will host a three-day symposium entitled “Strategies for Success – a Multi-discipline Approach” at the York Equestrian Centre in Cedar Valley , ON , March 21-23, 2003 . World renowned trainer and coach, Conrad Schumacher of Germany will be the featured speaker at the event. Visit www.horse.on.ca  for more information or to register.  
•  For the first time in Canada , Arizona author Linda Kohanov will host a workshop based on experiences described in her best-selling book, The Tao of Equus.  The workshop, “Art of Freedom”, to be hosted by the Georgetown Centre for Equine Sports in Georgetown , ON , April 11 – 13, 2003 , will appeal to people interested in fostering safe, humane, creative, physical, emotional and spiritual relationships with their horses. Space is limited to 10 participants at $500 USD each. In a separate event the day before, Kohanov will lead a lecture at $25 USD per person. For details, please call 905 877-8854 or email kingoak@on.aibn.com
 
• The internationally renowned Ohio Top Hands Drill Team will be performing at the Can-Am All Breeds Equine Emporium, an all encompassing equine show, scheduled for March 13-16 at the Western Fairgrounds in London , Ontario .

• Since their debut in 1998, the Ohio Top Hands - 12 world class women riders performing various drills in spectacular costume - has delighted audiences in major shows and parades throughout the United States . In 2002, they were crowned Mid-America Drill Team Champions in Kentucky . The team will perform each day in the Ontario Arena at the Emporium. Tickets for the Can-Am All Breeds Equine Emporium are on sale at all TSC Hardware stores and Masterfeed dealers throughout Ontario , or visit www.can-amequine.com

• On March 15 at the Hilton Hotel in London , a Celebrity Sports Dinner and art show will recognize celebrities and equine greats. Proceeds will benefit the Equine Research Center in Guelph . Tickets are $100 and information is available on the Can Am Equine’s website www.can-amequine.com  or the ERC website at www.erc.on.ca  or by calling (519)837-0061.

Prince Edward Island
•  For 20 years, PEI’s Island Horse Council members, officials and show organizers have dreamed of updating their show grounds, the Strathgartney Equine Park , which they lease from the province of Prince Edward Island .  September 29, 2002, marked the official opening of the new and improved facility, which now boasts new sand rings, fencing, water, electricity, buildings which house a show office, a canteen and flush toilets, in addition to a nationally acclaimed cross-country course. The second phase of development on the 43-acre river-front park will include perimeter fencing, bleachers and parking.

Saskatchewan
 •  The second annual NAERIC (North American Equine Ranching Information Council) Draft Horse Classic Sale and Futurity was held November 24 and 26 in conjunction with the Canadian Western Agribition in Regina , Saskatchewan . Under the Classic’s format, 50 per cent of the selling price goes to the breeder, 40 per cent goes into the Futurity purse, 5 per cent goes to a Breeders Awards program and 5 per cent covers operational costs.
Seven of the eight yearlings purchased in 2001 returned to compete in the 2002 Futurity for a guaranteed purse of $15,300. The guaranteed purse for the 2003 Futurity is $25,860. 
The NAERIC format for the Classic is proving to be successful for member-breeders. Membership is open to all draft horse breeders who purchase a one-time lifetime membership in the NAERIC Draft Horse Classic Committee. For more information, call (502) 245-0425 or visit www.naeric.org


Canadian Thoroughbred News

$19 Million Offered in 2003 Woodbine Stakes Program
Woodbine Entertainment Group has announced a record stakes schedule, worth $19 million, for its upcoming 2003 Woodbine Thoroughbred meet. The lucrative 2003 schedule lists 100 added-money events, including Canada ’s most famous race, the Queen’s Plate, set for June 22, with a purse of $1 million. 
The Toronto track’s live 167-day Thoroughbred racing season began on Saturday, March 22 and will conclude on   Sunday, November 30.
The richest event on the schedule, once again, is the Grade 1, $1.5 million Canadian International. The race has been run for two consecutive years in September, but this year the 1-1/2-mile event is set for the third weekend of October (Sunday, October 19 in 2003) where it was situated every year, save 1990 and 1996, since 1981. The Grade 1 $750,000 E.P. Taylor Stakes, the International’s filly and mare companion, will also be run on October 19.
The seventh edition of the Grade 1 Atto Mile (the fourth sponsored by John Atto’s Atto Insurance) also received a date change for 2003. The $1 million event, one of the world’s most important turf races, will be run a week later this year, on Sunday, September 14.
Chris Evans, Woodbine Entertainment’s Director of Thoroughbred Racing said, “We did experiment in 2001 and 2002 by placing the Canadian International and the E.P. Taylor in September. This year, we put them back to where they had been for the previous 20 years, the third weekend of October. We’d like to return to the field size the races enjoyed during that era.”
The Breeders’ Stakes, third gem of Canada ’s Triple Crown, is set for Saturday, August 9. The critical 1-1/2-mile turf event is once again worth $500,000 in 2003. An additional $500,000 bonus will be available to the owner of a horse who sweeps all three legs of the series.
The $500,000 Labatt Woodbine Oaks, the first gem in Canada ’s Triple Tiara of Racing, is scheduled for Sunday, June 8.
Canada’s first Grade 1 event of the 2003 season, the $250,000 Selene Stakes, is set for the Victoria Day Holiday Monday, May 19. For further details on the schedule, please visit the WEG website at: www.woodbineentertainment.com

2003 Graded Stakes
The Canadian Graded Stakes Committee has announced that there will be 40 graded races in Canada this year: four GI races, eleven GII and twenty-five GIII races. The Niagara Breeders’ Cup was downgraded to a GII from a GI. To qualify for graded status in 2003, races must carry a minimum purse of $200,000 for GI races, $150,000 for GII races and $100,000 for GIII races. See pages 108-114 for the 2003 stakes schedules for Canadian tracks.
Wando, Mobil give Keogh, Schickedanz shot at second Queen’s Plate win
Four years after their Queen’s Plate win with Woodcarver,  owner Gustav Schickedanz and trainer Mike Keogh are set for another run at the Plate with the brilliant Wando, named the 7-2 Winterbook favourite for the 144th edition of the race. The 80th edition of the Winterbook offers early odds on all 194 horses (a record) nominated to the 2003 Queen’s Plate.
Wando, a double stakes winning son of Langfuhr, is a clear standout in the rankings. The colt was impressive in capturing the Vandal and Grey Breeders’ Cup Stakes (G2) last year at Woodbine before finishing 12th in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Wando was subsequently voted the country’s second-best two-year-old behind Added Edge (not Plate-eligible) in Sovereign Award balloting.
While Schickedanz and Keogh do not have the Plate’s early 5-1 second favourite (that honour goes to Steven and Alex DiIorio’s Coronation Futurity winner, Arco’s Gold), they do saddle 6-1 third choice, Mobil. Mobil, also by Langfuhr, was a two-time stakes winner in 2002 (Simcoe and Cup & Saucer Stakes).
Arco’s Gold is ranked second, no doubt, due to his excellent win in the Futurity in November. The Gold Fever colt actually finished in a dead-heat to win with Mobil in the Coronation, but was given the win alone after Mobil was disqualified for interference.
The 8-1 fourth choice in the Winterbook rankings, compiled by Jennifer Morrison-Learn, is Augustin Stable’s Sunny’s Halo Stakes winner Quiet Dare. Trainer Mac Benson will be seeking his third Plate victory (Regal Embrace, 1978; La Lorgnette, 1985).
Rounding out the top five in the rankings at 15-1 is Ken Henwood’s and Robert Harvey’s Goldies Legacy. Trained by Sid Attard, the grey April foal was a winner in his only start last June.
Western Canada's prominent in the 2003 Plate picture. British Columbia -bred and based Illusive Force (20-1) recorded three stakes wins at Hastings Park in Vancouver in 2002 for Canyon Farms and trainer Robert VanOverschot.
Stronach Stable’s Rock Again, also listed at 20-1, was impressive in early March, winning his first career race at Gulfstream Park for trainer Malcolm Pierce. The Dan Vella-trainee, Symmetron, is another early Plate contender for Stronach Stable at 25-1.
Appleby Gardens is the first filly in the rankings (tied for eighth, at 25-1). Trainer Todd Pletcher has the bay Shady Well Stakes winner for Eugene and Laura Melnyk, who seek their second Queen’s Plate win (Archers Bay, 1998).
Timeform is the last of three listed at 25-1. The Mike Mattine-trainee scored the Kingarvie Stakes last year and relishes a route of ground for owner Ted Burnett.
A full list of the Queen’s Plate nominees and their Winterbook odds can be found on pages 119 and 120 of this issue. For in-depth analysis of the Winterbook and more details, please visit www.woodbineentertainment.com

Stampede Gets License Extension to End of 2005
Horse Racing Alberta (HRA) has granted a two-year racetrack license extension to Calgary Exhibition & Stampede. The granting of this extension, until the end of 2005, is the maximum allowed under the HRA Racetrack Licensing rule.
George Brookman, Director responsible for Racing at Calgary Exhibition & Stampede and a board Member of Horse Racing Alberta , said, “We are very pleased at the spirit of cooperation that is indicated by this license extension. The future of racing in Alberta and in Calgary is very bright.”
Dr. David C. Reid, Chairman of Horse Racing Alberta, commented, “The continuance of our partnership will be a benefit to both our organizations and our industry.  We look forward to working with Stampede Park ’s Board & Management.
“The Racetrack Licensing process is ongoing in search of a long term racetrack license for the Calgary market that encompasses the vision and criteria put forward by the Industry in the 2001 Working Committee Report and the HRA Business Plan. We are optimistic about the future growth potential for our industry in the Calgary marketplace and thank the Calgary Exhibition & Stampede for their effort to ensure stability over the short term,” concluded Dr. Reid.

Chris McCarron Appointed General Manager of Santa Anita Park
Jim McAlpine, President and CEO of Magna Entertainment Corp. (MEC) and Jack Liebau, President of MEC’s California Operations, have announced the appointment of Chris McCarron as Vice President and General Manager of Santa Anita Park. In his new position, McCarron will report to Jack Liebau.
McCarron stated, “Until very recently, I thought I would be spending most of my time in the future on a golf course.  But when Frank [Stronach] approached me about this opportunity, I took a closer look at the Company, at what has been accomplished over the past few years, and at what is planned for the future, and I told my wife Judy, I want to be a part of it. 
“I love this sport and I want to see it restored as a major sporting attraction in North America and internationally.  For me, the best way to do that is to become part of the MEC team. Frank and the entire MEC management group are committed to live horse racing as a sports and entertainment business. I can hardly wait to start!”
McCarron’s career has been impressive with considerable recognition including two Eclipse Awards, the George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award and induction into the National Museum of Racing (NMR) Hall of Fame in 1989.
McCarron takes up his new duties at Santa Anita effective March 31, 2003 .

News in Brief...
•  Woodbine favourite, FEATHERS (Cherokee Run-Cool Chase, by Rollicking) topped the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale. The winner of this year’s Bessarabian H. [G3] and the Ontario Fashion H., brought the gavel down at $270,000 US.  Purchased by Eugene Melnyk, the 6-year-old broodmare prospect, was consigned by Three Chimneys Farm.

•  Breeders’ Cup Ltd. has posted a 7.8% decrease in nominations of 2002 foals for Breeders’ Cup programs, compared to nominations received for 2001 foals. The decline is due to the decrease in Kentucky foal births as a result of Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome.

• MILWAUKEE BREW (Wild Again-Ask Anita, by Wolf Power (SAf), owned by Stronach Stable won the $1,000,000 Santa Anita Handicap (G1) on March 1, for the second year in a row, beating favourite Congaree. Trainer Bobby Frankel commented, “I thought maybe Congaree would get that easy lead and be able to do what he wanted, but my horse was right on him all the way.”  He was ridden by Edgar S. Prado. Frankel said Milwaukee Brew will be pointed toward the Californian Stakes (G2) on June 14 at Hollywood Park, a race he also won last year.

• Racing legend Johnny Longden, died at age 96 in Banning, California . He was the only person in racing history to have won the Kentucky Derby [G1] as both a jockey and a trainer. Born in England in 1907, Longden rode Count Fleet to Triple Crown victories in 1943. As a trainer in 1969, he won both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness with Majestic Prince. Hastings Park will again feature the John Longden 6000 on June 14th in his honour.

• This spring, Veterinary Science staff from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food will be available for client/producer information meetings on the subject of WEST NILE VIRUS. Anyone wishing to host a meeting (min. group size of 25 people) can contact Ora Zondervan (519) 846-0941. A number of Fact Sheets on WNV can be found at the website: www.gov.on.ca/omafra  or ordered by calling 1-877-424-1300.

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