Top 10 EquineChronicle.com Stories For 2015

By: Brittany Bevis

Happy New Year’s Eve! As 2015 quickly draws to a close, we’d like to take this opportunity to reflect on some of our most popular stories of the year as determined by our loyal followers. From the announcement of a controversial new rule and a memorial about a beloved child lost too soon to the announcement of major changes to the world’s largest single breed horse show, this year’s top ten most popular stories certainly run the gamut.

Everyone here at EquineChronicle.com is very proud of the fact that our readers, year after year, solidify our spot as one of the most reliable, unbiased, and accurate news providers in the equine industry today. We enjoy writing the types of articles and blogs you enjoy reading!

Have a safe, blessed, and Happy New Year- from everyone here at The Equine Chronicle!

Top 10 Most Popular Stories of 2015

#10– Open Letter From Reichert Celebration to Exhibitors- In the number 10 spot is an EC Exclusive, an open letter from Reichert Celebration show management that appeared only on EquineChronicle.com. Within the letter, show management made the announcement that the Reichert Celebration would not be held in 2015 and listed reasons for the decision along with clarifying issues concerning state reimbursement money. Click here to read: http://www.equinechronicle.com/open-letter-from-reichert-celebration-to-exhibitors/

#9- BIG CHANGES! 2015 Quarter Horse Congress Futurities Now Open to Multiple Breeds, APHA, ApHC, PHBA, and More… Another very popular story in 2015 was the announcement that the All-American Quarter Horse Congress would be opening its doors to multiple breeds. Beginning in 2015, Congress Western Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle Futurity and Stakes classes were opened to the following breeds/registries: AQHA, APHA, ApHC, ABRA, IBHA, PHBA and Jockey Club. Click here to read: http://www.equinechronicle.com/big-changes-quarter-horse-congress-futurities-for-2015-now-open-to-multiple-breeds-apha-apha-phba-and-more/

#8- New $25 Million Addition to WI Center Hopes to Put Area on the Map For Elite Equine Events- Our interview with Mark Clarke, Executive Director of the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin, was a big hit with readers who hoped to learn more about the new $25 million addition to the facility. The multi-use indoor pavilions encompassing 290,000 square feet, that include interior heat, covered wash bays, Wi-Fi, and state of the art footing and ventilation systems, were designed specifically with horse show exhibitors in mind. Click here to read: http://www.equinechronicle.com/new-25-million-addition-to-wi-center-hopes-to-put-area-on-the-map-for-elite-equine-events-in-2015/

#7- AQHA Announces Ban on Lip Chains Starting in 2016- Ending up in the number seven spot was news of a controversial AQHA rule change that will ban lip chains beginning in 2016. This news broke in late April. Then, in early December, we received news that the rule would be modified to allow a new lip cord to be used on Halter Stallions one year of age and older.

Click here to read: http://www.equinechronicle.com/aqha-announces-ban-on-lip-chains-starting-in-2016/ Click here to read: http://www.equinechronicle.com/aqha-modifies-shw355-rule-to-allow-use-of-lip-cords-in-halter-stallions-one-year-and-older/

#6- EHV-1 Update For Week of May 18th- Pennsylvania, Illinois, Iowa, and Oregon- Our readers are always concerned about the health and well-being of their horses, especially when there’s news of new EHV-1 cases. Click here to read: http://www.equinechronicle.com/ehv-1-update-for-week-of-may-18th-pennsylvania-illinois-iowa-oregon/

#5- Freaky Friday: Snakes on a Saddle… the True Story- This incredible story has longevity! Not only did it receive a spot on our 2014 Top 10 list; it was shared so many times this year that it came in number five on our list for 2015 as well! This story was first published June, 6, 2014. Click here to read: http://www.equinechronicle.com/freaky-friday-snakes-on-a-saddlethe-true-story/

#4- In Loving Memory of Stone Pope- We were deeply saddened to pass along the news that a tough, little cowboy, Stone Pope, the son of Shane and Holt Pope, passed away earlier this year. Diagnosed with four, rare heart defects at a 20 week ultrasound, Stone was born into adversity. However, thanks to family, faith, and medical intervention, he lived the first year of his life in memorable fashion before passing away in February 2015. Click here to read: http://www.equinechronicle.com/in-loving-memory-of-stone-pope/

#3- Core Strengthening Exercises For Your Horse- This interesting and informative article outlined a ridden method of helping your horse stretch his/her core muscle’s under saddle in order to improve gaits and alleviate spinal problems. Equally fascinating were the fun graphics that showed the equine exercises alongside comparable yoga poses for humans. Click here to read: http://www.equinechronicle.com/core-strengthening-exercises-for-your-horse/

#2- Top 10 Horse Show Judges’ Pet Peeves- This collection of pet peeves, reported by judges from major horse shows like the March To The Arch, SOQHA Madness, and Stars N Stripes and Big A, was compiled by Mark Harrell Horse Shows and was a huge hit with our readers. From trainers coaching on the rail and poorly shaped hats to laminated numbers, these helpful tips give some insight into what not to do in the show pen. Click here to read: http://www.equinechronicle.com/top-10-horse-show-judges-pet-peeves/

#1- How Unsolicited, Mean-Spirited Criticism Hurts the Horse Community- Finally, claiming the top spot for the most read post on EquineChronicle.com in 2015 was a blog written by an exhibitor who gave his take on the unfortunate use of social media to spread mean-spirited criticism of different disciplines and even individual horses and riders. Sadly, this is a trend that’s become rampant this year. This piece helped to remind us that we’re all equestrians, first and foremost. The disciplines we enjoy competing in are simply secondary to the love we have for our horses and competition. Whether you enjoy Western Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle, Reining, Dressage, Barrel Racing, or Show Jumping, we’re all in this together and we should start acting like it. Click here to read: http://www.equinechronicle.com/how-unsolicited-mean-spirited-criticism-hurts-the-horse-community/