“Bailey is an outstanding student-athlete and is very deserving of this honor,” South Carolina head coach Boo Major said. “All of our student-athletes have a lot of things they have to balance between their academic commitments and their team commitments, and Bailey obviously has helped set the gold standard for excellence in the classroom.”

More than 180 non-profit equine rescue and retirement facilities in the United States recently received 3,200 complimentary doses of core vaccines through the Unwanted Horse Veterinary Relief Campaign (UHVRC). Supported in partnership by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) and Merck Animal Health, the UHVRC has delivered more than 21,000 free vaccines to horses in need since its inception in December 2008.

Like all organized sports in America, our industry is experiencing a decline in youth involvement. Since 2006, AQHA has experienced a 26 percent decline in youth membership. We are also seeing a decline in youth competition. We, as an industry, should consider how to stimulate youth’s interest in riding for recreation or in competition, as well as educational opportunities that might expose them to the multitude of career paths this great industry affords.

“I’ve always believed in him and prayed someday that he could show his great moves. I’ve got to thank my trainer, Nancy Cahill, for teaching Ode and I both how to shine in the show arena and how to be a true horseman out of the arena.”

Everyone here at The Equine Chronicle would like to congratulate our friends Erin Bradshaw and Scott Weiss on their engagement that took place over the weekend! Erin is a multiple APHA World Champion competitor and the owner of APHA stallion John Simon, and Scott Weiss is a talented young horse trainer.