Keep Track of Your Show Record!

A very important aspect of creating and maintaining value on your show horse is to maintain very accurate show records.   Not only is this proof that your horse can and has done what you say it can do when you are trying to sell him, it is a great tool to use when you are trying to increase insurance on your horse.  It is important for other reasons as well, such as, establishing value on a horse that you are donating, or if you are trying to create equity or establish your horse as an asset.

Make sure you have the date of the show, name of the show, location, rating, name of classes entered and division, class number, number of horses in each class, placing of your horse, name of rider and the amount of any winnings.

Most large equine organizations and registries keep up to date show records on their registered horses.  The USEF maintains records on horses that are registered, but they keep records for only five years out.  Many people do not realize this and are very disappointed when they cannot obtain records past five years.  Check with the organization you are involved with and verify if they keep show records, the information they maintain and how far back records are kept.

I highly recommend that when you renew your membership each year, you print out a record of your horses show record for the year ending.  It is also a good idea to review the records at this time and make sure points and earning have been applied accurately.  Keep a hardcopy file of your records or download it onto your computer.  This way you will have your horses show records as far back as you need them and they will be easily obtainable.

2010 World Equestrian Games

The World Equestrain Games begin this Saturday, September 25^th.  The games are held internationally every four years and 2010 is the first time they have ever been held on American soil. They are held two years prior to the Olympics

The World Equestrian Games are comprised of the world championships for eight equestrian sports- jumping, dressage, eventing, driving, endurance, para dressage, reining and vaulting. The WEG Games are governed by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). The FEI is the international governing body of equestrian sport recognized by the International Olympic Committee. It is THE organization that establishes the rules and regulations for the conduct of international equestrian events. Today the FEI has over 130 member countries.

You can find more information regarding the games at http://www.alltechfeigames.com/.  Additional information can be found at the FEI website at www.fei.org and, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) website is www.usef.org.

Protect Yourself When Buying A Horse

So you’ve made a big decision.  You are buying a horse! 

Because the cost of a lawsuit is so steep, make sure your "horse transaction" is memorialized with a lawyer-prepared, well-written contract. The small contract prep charge will be a fraction of litigation expenses and heartbreak. If you cannot locate an equine attorney, an attorney specializing in contracts will work just fine.  It always amazes me that written contracts are not demanded of every horse purchase or sale.  Even on “small” transactions…demand them in writing or do not do the “deal”!

Full disclosure regarding your horse purchase is a necessity. Knowledge and verification of previous ownership, veterinary and show records will prove so helpful should problems occur. Your trusted trainer should readily agree with this requirement and should want to protect you, his valued client.  It is your responsibility to make sure you complete your due diligence and have your equine prospect fully vetted.

The Bill of Sale is all-important. It is a legal document showing value, ownership (not the registration papers), and is the only document proving your ownership. Horses purchased overseas are covered by their country's laws, which may not stand up to adjudication in a US court. Ask your lawyer to review the sales agreement.

If breed registration papers exist, demand that you have them and make sure that request is noted in the Sales Agreement and Bill of Sale.  Remember, those papers are needed for breeding and "breed-specific" horse shows.  They are also proof of age.

Take your time and be thorough in your due diligence.  Make sure all your paperwork is in order prior to transferring money and taking ownership.