A second horse has been euthanased at a Beachmere property after returning a positive test result for Hendra virus infection. Queensland Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Rick Symons said this was one of the two remaining horses at the Beachmere property where a horse was euthanased last Tuesday. “Samples were taken for Hendra virus testing from the two horses remaining on the property and we received a positive result for one of these horses,” Dr Symons said....

It was team mate against team mate when Maurice Beatson and Katie McVean went head to head in the jump-off of the horse grand prix at the Gisborne A&P Show yesterday. The two, who represented New Zealand at the 2010 World Championships in Kentucky and have both ridden at the Olympics, were the only two clear rounds from the 12 starters. Beatson (Dannevirke) and his home bred horse My Gollywog were first out and wasted no time, coming home clear in 58.63. McVean and Daffodil looked to be just about on track to take it when they dropped a rail in the double. ...

Chris Burton (AUS) produced a great Cross Country performance on Holstein Park Leilani to keep his Dressage lead at Les Etoiles de Pau (FRA), final leg of the HSBC FEI Classics™ 2011, but he has no margin for error in tomorrow’s Jumping phase as one fence covers the top eight riders and a nail-biting finale is guaranteed for tomorrow. ...

Australian riders head the leaderboard after Dressage at Les Etoiles de Pau (FRA), the final leg of the 2011 HSBC FEI Classics, which has attracted its most competitive field yet – 69 riders representing 17 nations. Clayton Fredericks, currently ninth in the HSBC FEI Classics™, and his compatriot Christopher Burton, who is making his first visit to this popular event at the foot of the Pyrenees, are in equal first place on 43.7 penalties apiece. ...

The Chronicle has reported that autopsy results from 21 dead horses in the Gold Coast Hinterland have revealed tick poisoning is to blame for the deaths. The horses died after they were sent for agistment to Kooralbyn last week. Post-mortem examinations by Biosecurity Queensland ruled out deliberate poisoning or food-borne disease botulism as the cause. ...

A Letter to the Editor: In 1983 I saw my first Dressage Competition in Australia as an observer and a rider. It was held at Toowoomba and was the Australian Nationals. The latest Dressage Competition I saw last weekend, as an observer only, and it was the Qld State Championships at Caboolture. Looking back 28 years I have to congratulate the riders, trainers and owners on their fantastic achievement! At the first competition in 1983 there was hardly a horse on the bit or resembling the same and most horses were hacks with very limited movements, who filled quite big fields of competitors. ...

350 riders and 600 horses from across Australia are now in Dubbo competing at the 50th Annual Australian Jumping Championships, which runs from 13 - 15 October. 41 classes will be held over the four days of competition. As well as determining the Australian Junior, Young Rider and National (Senior) titles, the championships also offer a range of ‘height classes’. ...

The inaugural FEI World Cup™ Vaulting series will open with the first of five qualifiers in Kiel (GER) tomorrow (14-15 October), where seven athletes from four nations will battle it out at the Sparkassen Arena. Victor Brusewitz (GER) and Lukas Klouda (CZE), who secured third and fourth places at the first FEI World Cup™ Vaulting Final which took place at Leipzig’s Partner Pferd in April, will compete against 19-year-old Torben Jacobs (GER). ...

There is nothing quite as unnerving or unenjoyable as riding a horse that is completely full of itself and constantly reacting before thinking. On a more subtle level a horse that won’t concentrate or continually overreacts to aids is frustrating. While education plays a major role in determining a horse’s behaviour under saddle, feeding can also have an impact. What you feed, how much you feed and when you feed it can make a big difference. Here are some tips for feeding to assist your horse to maintain a calm and responsive attitude under saddle. ...

Sydney Polo Club hosts its annual “Sydney Gold Cup” on Sunday 23 October 2011. The day includes fashions on the field competition being judged by POLO Ralph Lauren, celebrities and drinks in the countryside. A perfect picnic outing for the family with free children's entertainment or an exclusive opportunity for the socialites to showcase the latest spring season wardrobe in the VIP area, with Pommery Champagne as a sponsor. ...