Survey Highlights To Date
While the email survey will continue through June 1st 2008, with final results posted by June 15th 2008, there are enough results in now to be able to predict some trends. If you haven't taken the three-minute seven-question survey and wish to do so, please email beth@hellohorse.com. Meanwhile, here are the highlights:

Please submit member news and Press Releases to news@hellohorse.com

NEWS (WHAT'S NEW)

National Award Recognition Available For Local Show Competitors
Madison, NJ - North American Thoroughbred Society is aware competitors may be cutting back, due to an uncertian economy and high gas prices, on attending nationally recognized shows that cost $500-$900 each. NATBS did officially launch in January 2008 a national program that rewards competitors attending local shows. If interested, please check out the North American Series Awards found in the Rulebook and on the Programs & Prize List page. Questions or comments should be directed to info@hellohorse.com. (May 12, 2008)

Grant For Dressage Education Offered To OTTBs
Bordentown, NJ - Adult amateur riders of off the track Thoroughbreds are encouraged to apply for the third annual 2008 Hell's Angel Off the Track Thoroughbred Grant in Education. The grant is for $250.00 and is to be used for dressage lessons. Please be aware the application deadline is November 08, 2008, and the recipient will be announced by January 31, 2009. For an application and further information, please contact Lisa Rasmuson at lrasmuson@comcast.net . The grant is available to adult amateurs over age 25 in any US Dressage Federation region. (May 10, 2008)

All Things Horses Photography Show
Fort Collins, CO - The Center for Fine Art Photography is holding an open juried fine art photography show called All Things Horses. This will be a show with awards of $900 held at the gallery in Colorado with a deadline for submission of June 18, 2008. Images such as tack, competitions, people, pomp, dressage, rodeos, and even landscapes will also be accepted in this show.  If you know photographers or horse lovers with cameras who would like to enter their work they should visit the Center's website at www.c4fap.org for all details including how to submit their work. (May 08, 2008)

American West 4D Classic Races Offer Thoroughbred Owners and Riders
New Recognition Opportunities
Madison, NJ - The North American Thoroughbred Society is teaming with the American West 4D barrel racing association to recognize Thoroughbreds who compete in American West 4D barrel races. American West members who own or ride Thoroughbreds can count points earned in barrel racing competitions toward NATBS' North American Series Awards program. "Working with the North American Thoroughbred Society allows us to offer another membership benefit," said Randy Sellers, owner of American West 4D, LLC. "Our members who compete with Thoroughbreds can gain additional recognition for their hard work and achievements through NATBS, in addition to winning barrel racing awards. Many of today's barrel horses carry a percentage of Thoroughbred blood, and it's this speed and agility that helps make barrel racing such an exciting sport."   (May 05, 2008)

Eventing Instructor Relocated to Georgia
Madison, GA - Sally Buffington, and her Thoroughbred gelding Absolüt IV just moved from Texas to Madison, Georgia. Sally is a US Eventing Association (USEA) Certified Instructor who has competed through the FEI levels of Eventing. She and Absolüt have had a stellar career finishing in the top ten of the USEA at his respective level two years in a row. Absolüt carries the Damascus line top and bottom. As Sally noted, "This line of Thoroughbreds are eventing power houses. Bold, smart, bull headed and brave... if you survive the early training you will have a teammate for life!" For more visit http://stonecreekranch.squarespace.com/welcome (April 30, 2008)

Stone Bridge Farm Launches New OTTB Hunter Division
Natural Bridge, VA - Stone Bridge Farm is pleased to announce that its 2008 Horse Show Series will feature a new hunter division exclusively for Thoroughbreds that were previously raced, or trained as racehorses. The Off-the-Track Thoroughbred (OTTB) Hunter Division will be designed to introduce ex-racehorses to the show ring, and to provide owners and trainers with an inviting venue in which to show these horses.  Entries will be limited to tatooed Thoroughbreds. The first of the shows in the Farm's Summer Horse Show Series will be May 23-24, 2008. Successive shows will be held on June 14-15, August 23-24, September 20, and November 1-2. All Stone Bridge Farm horse shows are sanctioned as Virginia Horse Show Association Associate shows, and by the Southwest Virginia Hunter Jumper Association. For information horse show prize lists, please email Katrina Weinig, at jorglover@aol.com  or visit the Farm's web site at www.stonebridgefarm.net (April 17, 2008)