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Clone Of Show Jumper Generated From Equine Skin Sample

Gemini Genetics and ViaGen Pets & Equine animal cloning have created a clone of a showjumping stallion using a skin sample, reports EQUUS magazine.

Owned by Pat, John and Lisa Hales of Shaw Farm, Arko III was by the world famous Argentinus, out of Unika. Arko III was the top showjumper in Europe in 2004, 2005 and 2006 and he was the British Equestrian Showjumper of the Year on five occasions.

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Arko's clone was created from a small skin sample that had been preserved by Gemini Genetics. ViaGen Pets & Equine completed the cloning process. Gemini Genetics is a new animal genetic preservation company that specializes in regenerative genetic banking.

In addition to regenerating a horse or other animal, genetic preservation and cloning also allows for breeding from geldings. Sporthorses Gem Twist, Cruising and Chilli Morning have all been cloned. Experts say the technology can also be used to support rare horse breeds.

Inside The Grooming Bag: Braiding Manes At The Steve Asmussen Barn

The horses that run for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen can often be seen with precisely-braided manes when they come to the paddock prior to a race.

In the inaugural installment of the Paulick Report's Inside the Grooming Bag video series, Asmussen groom Hugo Morales guides us through the process of braiding the 2-year-old colt Munny Bolt.

With 10 to 15 horses to braid per day, each requiring about 20 braids down the neck plus another for the forelock, Morales has the process whittled down to about 12 minutes from the first handful of mane to the final rubber band – a blazing fast time.

The trainer himself then describes the reasons and traditions behind why the barn's runners sport the look.

Though he describes himself as “out of practice,” Asmussen said he learned how to braid horses from his mother, trainer Marilyn Asmussen, and he carries on the practice in his own stable to honor her.

“A lot of it's trial by fire,” he said. “Some of those first braids didn't look so good, but with the volume of horses we run, you get over that in a hurry. My mom braided, she was great at it and taught me how to braid, and we went from there. We've been doing it for a long time, and I'm very proud of it; especially the reason why.”

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Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation Establishes ‘A. Gary Lavin Chair’; Oaklawn Park Donates $250,000

Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation announced today the creation of an endowment to support a full-time position, the “A. Gary Lavin Chair,” in recognition of Dr. Gary Lavin's contributions to the foundation and equine health. Lavin died at age 83 in February.

“Dr. Lavin made innumerable contributions to Grayson over the last 40 years, including time spent as a valued member of both our board of directors and research advisory committee (RAC),” said Dell Hancock, chair of Grayson. “He was instrumental in the reorganization of our research approval process, which resulted in the development of the research advisory committee we use today. Dr. Lavin believed that the veterinary community should be involved in Grayson's work, and we are proud to honor him with this position, which will facilitate a veterinary relationship with the foundation that he believed was so important.”

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Oaklawn Park will be supporting this new role with a lead gift of $250,000.

“We are grateful to Oaklawn and the Cella family for their demonstrated commitment to equine health in helping to fund this position,” Hancock said.

“For three generations, the Cella-Lavin families have been working together in the best interest of the Thoroughbred,” said Louis Cella, president of Oaklawn. “We all have such great memories of Doc. It is a great honor to kick off this campaign to create the A. Gary Lavin Chair.”

Responsibilities of the A. Gary Lavin Chair will include RAC member recruitment, orientation, and management; management of grant applications, reviews, deadlines, and conflict eliminations; fundraising; and publicity.

“My father was a lifelong advocate of equine health and longtime supporter of Grayson, and my family is proud to see his legacy continue through this new position,” said Kevin Lavin, vice chairman of Grayson. “We are appreciative of the support that it has already received and thankful to the Cella family for their initiative in the fundraising effort.”

Those who are interested in supporting the endowment can designate donations to Grayson as being specifically for the A. Gary Lavin Chair position.

Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation is traditionally the nation's leading source of private funding for equine medical research that benefits all breeds of horses. Since 1983, the foundation has provided more than $30.6 million to fund 397 projects at 45 universities in North America and overseas. Additional information about the foundation is available at grayson-jockeyclub.org.

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Nine Links, Beyond Comparison Named TAKE2 High-Score Champions For 2021

The TAKE2 High-Score Champions for 2021 are Patricia Hurter's Nine Links, trained by Joe Fargis, in the Jumper Division, and Jaime Gibson's Beyond Comparison, who repeated in the Hunter Division. The High-Score Reserve Champions are John Beebe's Gold Label (Jumper) and Kelly Fleming-Bentz's Purely Grateful. Beyond Comparison, an unraced 14-year-old mare by St. Alydar, dominated her division, winning by 774.5 points, but it came down to the wire in the TAKE2 Jumpers, with Nine Links finishing just 16 points ahead of Gold Label. New York-bred Nine Links was unplaced in seven starts at the racetrack, but has been a consistent performer in the show ring.

Hurter credited the success of “Niles” to riders Christina Severino and Claire Kelley, veterinarians Meredith Boulay and Joe Naranjo, and farriers Jason and Iaian Mulligan, with a special shout-out to “his Thoroughbred-loving trainer Joe Fargis.”

She added: “Niles has a huge team behind him. It takes a village to keep a Thoroughbred happy and healthy and fit and Niles has the best team ever. Everyone was super thrilled to hear the news! He has placed in the top 10 pretty consistently in the TAKE2 Thoroughbred League over the past few years, but this is the first time he's managed to come out on top.”

Hurter would encourage everyone to ride a Thoroughbred.

“They are lovely horses, so brave and fun,” she said. “And you can't beat their incredibly gorgeous fine coats and elegant look. There are so many lovely horses out there looking for a good home, it just seems like a great thing to do, and I love the way they are so sensitive and intelligent and forward. No kicking required!”

Click here for the Final Standings for the TAKE2 Thoroughbred League.

Maybe it's their shared youthful exuberance, but the compatibility of Thoroughbreds and Junior Riders is off the charts. Just ask this year's winners of the TAKE2 High-Score Junior Rider Awards, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA). Alyssa Paulette partnered with Check the Label to win the TAKE2 Junior Rider Award in the Hunter Division, and SeaSea Dance captured the Jumper Division with Dandelion Dust.

This is the second TAKE2 Junior Rider Award for Paulette, who earned the honor with Always Drama in the Jumper Division two years ago. “Warmbloods are fun, but I still prefer the sports car ride of a Thoroughbred,” she said.

Dance, who also finished fourth in the Hunter Division of the TAKE2 Junior Rider standings on Dandelion Dust this year, has nothing but praise for the Thoroughbred.

“I've had the opportunity to show and train so many Thoroughbreds in my junior years, and I give these horses credit to helping me become the rider I am today,” she said. “I think every kid should work with this breed for at least one chapter in their journey.

“When you step into the ring with 'Dandy,' you feel her change, she truly has a competitive edge,” she added. “The more you challenge her, the better she gets. She's quick, brave, and has all the heart for this sport. I don't doubt for a minute that that's the Thoroughbred in her; they just have this drive in them that really brings so much to the ring.”

The TAKE2 Junior Rider Award, presented by TCA, was created to recognize the juniors competing on Thoroughbreds in nationwide TAKE2-affiliated Hunter and Jumper classes, and to encourage young horsemen and horsewomen to consider the Thoroughbred when looking for their next sport horse. The award is just one example of the many ways TCA supports the racing industry and retired racehorses.

“TCA is thrilled to once again support the TAKE2 program by sponsoring the Junior Rider Award,” said Erin Crady executive director of TCA. “TCA believes strongly in supporting not only the organizations that are rehabbing, retraining, and rehoming Thoroughbreds, but also organizations like TAKE2 that are working to create a demand in the marketplace for off-track Thoroughbreds. We congratulate Alyssa and SeaSea on their accomplishments this year and applaud their support of Thoroughbreds in the Hunter/Jumper rings.”

TAKE2 Executive Director Andy Belfiore said, “We're really proud to partner with Thoroughbred Charities of America to put the spotlight on the Junior Riders, who prove day in and day out that a Thoroughbred can be the perfect horse for riders of all ages. TCA has been a staunch supporter of TAKE2 for many years, and is helping us to fulfill our mission of ensuring happy and healthy lives for retired racehorses.”

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