Dressage News Notes - Brought to You by Mary Phelps, a Markel Equine Insurance Specialist

It's here! The inagural US National Dressage Final kicks off November 7 and will run through the 10th in beautiful Lexington, KY at the Kentucky Horse Park. Be sure to follow coverage, results as well as article of interest on DressageDaily.com. The Dressage Festival of Champions will be moving back "home" when it returns to the historical Hamilton Farm in Gladstone, NJ for 2014. German dressage queen Isabell Werth has received a six month suspension from competition - check out the circumstances and what she intends to do to appeal. It has been some tough times with the loss of three high profile horses including Anky Van Grunsven's Bonfire as well as the great breeding stallions Laurie's Crusador xx and Kostolany. It is inevitable, winter is but a short time away and while a select group gets to escape the cold, others are stuck in the cold. Check out a great article from TheHorse.com about things to prepare winter horse management!The crown jewel of this week in dressage, is without a doubt the inaugural US Dressage Final Presented by Adequan and the USDF Dressage in the Bluegrass in Lexington, KY that will run from November 7-10. Most of the other action will also take place int he south with the Blue Angel Dressage in Pensacola, FL, the Dressage at Greystone in Fayetteville, TN and the Low Country Fall Dressage Classic in Johns Island, SC. California has the lone show out west this week when the Starr Vaughn Dressage II taking place in Elk Grove, CA.

It's here! The inagural US National Dressage Finals starts tomorrow with over 300 combinations competing for 24 Championship titles! Competitiors are coming from far and wide with riders from all 9 Regions arriving in Lexington, Kentucky to compete head to head for top honors. Everyone from Adult Amateurs, professionals and High Performance riders have qualified and hope to get that title of being the first National Champions. Along with the Finals, there will be an outstanding Trade Fair and opprotunities to tour areas of Kentucky. Be sure to check out coverage on the USEF Network Friday and Saturday evening and follow coverage at DressageDaily.com!

The Dressage Festival of Champions, presented by Dutta Corp, is going "home" when it returns to Gladstone, NJ in 2014! The historical venue is a gorgeous backdrop and intimate setting where many top riders have ridden down centerline. What makes next year's Festival even sweeter is that it will host the short list for the Alltech FEI World Equestrain Games! Read More Here!

German dressage superstar Isabell Werth has received a six month suspension following the case where her horse El Santo tested positive for the FN prohibited medication cimetidine at the Rheinlander Regional Championship. The drug is used for the treatment of stomach ulcers and his stablemate in the stall next to him was reciveing the medication. Even though it was determined that he got it through the bars of the stall she was still sentenced for poor stable management...Read More at Eurodressage.com.

This has been a very tough time in the dressage world with not one, but three legends of the sport (whether competition or breeding) passing away. Anky van Grunsven's legendary Bonfire passed away after a great long life at 30. The Hanoverian breeding superstar  Laurie's Crusador xx passed from colic/spleen issues at 28 years old and the Trakehner breeding stallion Kostolany (sire of Gribaldi) also passed at 28 from old age. They will all be sadly missed.

TheHorse.com has a useful article about making the most of winter horse management. The article has several points that it touches on such as setting up alternate water supplies, controlling erosion, gathering a hay supply, updating footing, manure management and more. In the words of the author - "This list of preparations can help carry you through months ahead when you least want to deal with winter's surprises." Read all the great tips here!

Mary Phelps (mary@horsesdaily.com) is a Markel Equine Insurance Specialist and CSR Tracey Scharf (tracey@horsesdaily.com) provide the personal attention needed to help make the lives of their clients smooth and easy when it comes to the process of insuring your Farm, business and equine mortality needs. While Mary travels to the shows and barns, you can count on Tracey in the office to be available to answer questions and manage the details with ease. 1-800-572-3286.