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SHARON BYRNE

Should fixed odds betting terminals be allowed in bookies' shops? Sharon Byrne supports their introduction, Pat Rabbitte opposes.

YES: There are no valid grounds to ban fixed odds betting terminals machines from licensed betting shops, writes Sharon Byrne

THERE ARE no valid grounds on which to ban fixed odds betting terminals (FOBT) machines from licensed betting shops. In fact there are more reasons to specifically allow them in betting shops than in any other venue. But the question of FOBTs cannot and should not be taken in isolation, as some commentators are attempting to do.

For the first time we are about to have a healthy, informed debate on the future of gambling in this country which will hopefully allow the State recover the millions in revenue lost to offshore internet gambling, the embracing of new technologies, the regulation of private members' clubs and the safeguarding of funding for the horse and greyhound racing industries.

Tax contributions from betting shops have helped make our races the envy of Europe, with greater prize money, the best horses and a much higher profile. In 2007, Irish bookies paid €36.5 million in tax to support the racing industry. This is 1 per cent of turnover and is borne by the bookies themselves rather than passed to the consumer.

However, customers, particularly young punters, have been voting with their feet for several years and the rise of internet gambling, telephone betting and betting exchanges in particular reflects the demand for a more varied betting experience. Much of this money ends up in companies licensed offshore, making no contribution to our exchequer.

From a social perspective too, these forms of gambling are problematic. A laptop and a credit card is all a punter needs to lose thousands of euro in a single sitting. The growth in private members' clubs in recent years further facilitates gambling on a 24-hour basis.

Horse Racing Ireland has estimated the current shortfall in betting duty to be in the region of €30 million. To put this figure into perspective, it is estimated using Paddy Power's accounts for 2007 that around €15 million of its profits are derived from Irish customers spending money outside the State through its online gambling business, with no contribution to the exchequer.

We have proposed a number of measures to address this shortfall. Primarily, steps need to be taken to ensure this Irish money is not lost overseas, and to capture duty on gambling receipts by regulating private casinos. Secondly, the introduction of FOBTs in betting shops will help further bridge the gap on a sustainable long-term basis. These machines would further satisfy the demand for technology, complementing the virtual races and self-service terminals which have been available for some time, yet in a much more controlled environment.

Much has been thrown in the face of these machines. Technologically, they are completely different to the "one-armed bandits" their detractors compare them to. They do not facilitate gaming like slot machines, where the outcome is influenced by the actions of the punter. FOBTs are popular because they return over 97 per cent of their stake monies.

Pat Rabbitte has repeatedly made erroneous use of UK data to claim that the introduction of FOBTs here will result in greater gambling addiction problems. There is no such evidence. In fact, a 2007 British Gambling Prevalence Survey on behalf of the Gambling Commission found that the level of problem gambling in the UK, at 0.6 per cent of the adult population, was unchanged from the previous survey which had been carried out in 1999, before the introduction of FOBTs.

This survey was conducted by the independent National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) and peer reviewed by international experts. It did not support the view that new technologies led to increased problem gambling. In all 9,000 adults surveyed, only 3 per cent of gamblers in the past year were found to have played FOBTs and NatCen identified only 24 individuals who were problem gamblers and who included FOBTs in their portfolio of gambling activities.

Rabbitte has also cited a UK survey which shows the use of FOBTs among problem gamblers at 40 per cent. He omits to mention that it also shows 80 per cent of problem gamblers bet on horses, 47 per cent bet on dogs, 38 per cent on football and 18 per cent on numbers betting. The NatCen survey also found that 84 per cent of customers who use FOBTs play only once a week or less.

AICAR: Scientists say they've put exercise in a pill

Salk Institute for Biological Studies

Ronald Evans holds a vial of a drug that boosts the effects of exercise in mice. Evans works at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, Calif.

Researchers experiment with a chemical compound that they say can produce the benefits of aerobic activity without the work.

By Alan Zarembo, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
August 1, 2008

Scientists have discovered what could be the ultimate workout for couch potatoes: exercise in a pill.

In experiments on mice that did no exercise, the chemical compound, known as AICAR, allowed them to run 44% farther on a treadmill than those that did not receive the drug.

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The drug appeared to change the physical composition of muscle, essentially transforming the tissue from sugar-burning fast-twitch fibers to fat-burning slow-twitch ones, the same change that occurs in distance runners and cyclists through training, according to research released Thursday.

"You're getting the benefits of exercise without having to do any work," said David Mangelsdorf, a pharmacologist at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, who was not connected with the research.

It is unknown if the drug has any benefit for athletes who actually work out -- or for any human, for that matter, since the research has so far only involved mice.

Though the chemical pathways that transform muscle cells appear to be the same in mice and humans, Michael Rennie, a physiologist at the University of Nottingham in England, said that AICAR did not activate human pathways at the doses research subjects received in a study he conducted of the drug's potential to treat diabetes.

"Mice are not men," Rennie said. "Rats and mice are much more metabolically unstable than human beings."

Nonetheless, lead researcher Ronald Evans, a molecular physiologist at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, said he has already been contacted by dozens of athletes and overweight people who have heard about his research from lectures.

One request came from a horse trainer who was interested in trying AICAR out on a thoroughbred, he said. Evans declined.

"Anything that could provide half of a quarter of 1% is attractive," said Dr. Don Catlin, a professor emeritus of molecular and medical pharmacology at UCLA and a top anti-doping expert. "The athlete who can find a way to get an edge is one up on his competitors."

Evans said he had notified world anti-doping officials, who are now scrambling to implement a test for it before the Beijing Olympics start next week.

The compound, which is naturally produced in tiny amounts in human muscle cells and has been studied for decades, is readily available through scientific supply companies. One company was offering AICAR for $120 a gram. At that price, giving a person the drug in the same concentration the mice got would cost thousands of dollars a day.

Evans predicted that in the wake of his study, published in the journal Cell, the drug would "fly off the shelves."

AICAR has been tested in humans for a variety of conditions. "It was found to be a quite safe drug, at least at the doses we were using," said chemist Paul Laikind, who began testing it in the 1980s as a means of preserving blood flow to the heart during surgery.

Drug maker Schering-Plough Corp. is trying to develop it as an intravenous infusion for use during bypasses.

With more research, scientists said, the drug's fat-burning properties could also help reduce weight, ward off diabetes, prevent heart disease and restore the fitness of bedridden patients.

The discovery of AICAR as a potential couch-potato exercise pill grew out of Evans' continuing research on the physiology of muscle cells.

In 2004, he made headlines for engineering "marathon mice." By injecting a single gene into the nucleus of a fertilized egg, he created mice born with more efficient muscles, faster metabolisms and stronger hearts.

Evans wanted to know if it was possible to achieve the same effect using a drug.

His team started not with AICAR but with another compound known as GW1516, which drug maker GlaxoSmithKline is trying to develop to raise levels of HDL, or good cholesterol. The drug is known to stimulate the production of a protein known as PPARd, which in turn activates the genes that boost endurance in muscle cells.

Bird flu test saves Australian horses

ScienceBlogs - USA

Posted on: August 3, 2008 3:25 PM, by revere

We have numerous examples of basic science that becomes une xpectedly useful and other examples of how veterinary science is useful to human health. Once you begin to understand how the world works it gives you tools that can be extended. The first stick used to knock a banana off a tree proved useful for lots of other things as well -- for example, whacking another monkey trying to poach on your personal banana patch (the Second Amendment of the Monkey Constitution gives all primates the Right to carry a club). So it's not such a big surprise that work on bird flu to save humans might have had its first success in saving horses:.

The global threat of bird flu saved the Australian horse industry, experts say.

In 2004, the CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory developed a molecular diagnostic test for bird flu, at a time when equine influenza (EI) was not even on the radar.

Three years later, the same test was used in the effort to stop the spread of EI, with Agtrans Research saying it allowed authorities to determine the best ways to contain it.

"It's fortuitous that this diagnostic test could be applied to horse flu, as it's highly unlikely that a similar test could have been developed in a timely manner once the outbreak had been detected," Agtrans' Dr Peter Chudleigh said in a statement.

"The use of the test supported the decision to try for eventual eradication." (ninesmsn.com)

Australia has very tough quarantine laws, their effectiveness made feasible by the fact the nation is an island. But it didn't stop equine influenza from sneaking through a Sydney quarantine station. It shut down the Australian racing industry for three months and might cost the government millions in compensation claims because of alleged malfeasance. Use of a rapid test allowed the virus to be contained. At the end of June Australia went six months without a new case, so they are declaring themselves "equine influenza free." Whenever I hear that I get worried the flu gods will send a viral thunderbolt as punishment for thinking you can get a rid of a flu virus this easily, but maybe they did it.

And if they did, the horses can thank the birds. The ones that are still alive, anyway

Resultados en Mackenna y General Pico y programa de Serrano

Actualidad - Gral Villegas,Argentina

Una buena reunión se desarrolló el pasado domingo en las instalaciones de la Pista Hípica “El Federal” de Vicuña Mackenna, con la organización de Pablo Glades. Se destaca un nuevo triunfo del local Chapita, que de esta forma consiguió su quinta victoria en tan solo un mes (iniciando la seguidilla en Laboulaye y siguiendo en Villa Mercedes, Huinca Renancó y Río Cuarto).

El pensionado de Ortiz, conducido por Cristian Dalmasso, aventajó por un cuerpo a “Nono Viejo”, de Vicuña Mackenna, completando el marcador “Viejo Luis”, de Sampacho, y “Cigarra”, de Huinca Renancó.

En el 10º turno, sobre 600 metros, “El Incomparable”, de San Luis, fue el ganador, con la monta de Facundo Quinteros, superando a “Corcel” de Serrano por un cuerpo, llegando 3º el favorito en las apuestas “Gatito” de Villa Mercedes a ½ cabeza, cerrando la marcha “Enano” de Río Cuarto.

La otra prueba jerárquica , la 11ª, sobre 315 metros, marcó el triunfo de “Primavera”, con el “Loli” Quinteros en la silla, superando por una cabeza a “Loco de Amor” de Adelia María, quedando en 3º término “Sueño Contigo” de Coronel Moldes.

Los marcadores de las doce competencias anunciadas y disputadas, ante 700 espectadores, que apostaron durante la jornada en las dos casillas de remates por $ 130.000

Aldo Cantero - Los caballos tendrán su spa

El Diario de Paraná - Paraná,Entre Ríos,Argentina

Aldo Cantero - Los caballos tendrán su spa

Un emprendimiento de alta complejidad. El amplio quirófano está casi listo; Carlos Dodera, director médico veterinario de Kawell, dice que se buscó comodidad para los caballos, para que desde septiembre próximo funcione Kawell, el primer hospital equino de alta complejidad en América del Sur.

El bosquejo se pensó en el 2000, como un centro de rehabilitación, y reflotó tras la crisis, pero con una idea más abarcativa. Se incluyó el diagnótico y el tratamiento al volver a la carga en el 2004 con el proyecto. Ahora, esta suerte de spa para caballos, está próximo a ser una realidad, tras una inversión de veinte millones de dólares realizada por empresarios suizos. El emprendimiento cayó tan bien en Solís, localidad bonarense situada en el núcleo de la actividad hípica del país, que cuando abra sus puertas seguirá en obra, en varios haras veían con buenos ojos la presencia de una sala de neonatología y en eso ya se trabaja. La novedad la revela Germán Raimondi, el jefe administrativo y comercial del establecimiento del haras El Candil, y amplía el mencionado médico Carlos Dodera, en la zona nos revelaron un interés particular en contar con un sector para tratar a los productos que nacen con algún problema. Dodera es pieza clave en el funcionamiento por su experiencia en una empresa similar en Madrid. El primer desafío que tenemos es instalar el concepto. No es frecuente en el mundo un lugar que agrupe todo, que sea hospital y además se encargue del diagnóstico, incluido al único equipo de centellografía en América latina, y de la rehabilitación. La superficie cubierta de casi 5500 m2 incluye el quirófano, la sala de cuidados intensivos, el recinto con la única cámara hiperbárica que hay en el país -la que estaba en el centro de entrenamiento de San Isidro- los 32 boxes para distintas etapas de la estada del caballo y una pileta diseñada a semejanza de la que existe en el hipódromo de Sha Tin. Impacta la piscina equina, en forma de óvalo con una profundidad de cuatro metros. al caballo se lo puede hacer nadar sólo en forma recta o con curva, según la necesidad.

Breeders' Cup Adopts Tough Steroids Rule

by Blood-Horse Staff
Date Posted: August 1, 2008
Last Updated: August 2, 2008

Photo: Breeders' Cup

Edited Breeders' Cup release

Trainers of horses that test positive for anabolic steroids at this year’s Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park (Oct. 24-25) will face a one-year suspension from the event, and trainers who violate steroid regulations three times will face a lifetime ban from participating in Thoroughbred racing’s season-ending championships, according to the new policy announced Aug. 1 by the Breeders’ Cup.

In addition, beginning in 2009, the Breeders’ Cup will neither fund stakes purses nor award Breeders’ Cup Challenge events to racetracks in the U.S. and Canada unless those tracks are in states or provinces that adopt Racing Commissioners International model rules on anabolic steroids via either state regulation or house rules.

Breeders’ Cup currently funds $6 million in purses via the Stakes Program and schedules 53 races in the U.S. and Canada designated as Breeders’ Cup Challenge races, official qualifiers for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. Anabolic steroids are already banned in all racing jurisdictions in Europe and Asia (there are Breeders’ Cup Challenge races in Hong Kong and Great Britain this year).

“The Breeders’ Cup Board believes it’s crucial that we take a leadership role in eliminating anabolic steroids from our sport,” said William S. Farish, Jr., Breeders’ Cup chairman. “We encourage each race track and racing jurisdiction to move swiftly in enacting these much needed regulations. It is important that the industry takes a coordinated approach to address medication and safety issues. We pledge to continue to work with the NTRA, The Jockey Club Safety Committee, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders’ Association, and other industry leaders in this regard.”

“We must provide an even playing field for all our equine athletes if we are to continue to offer the best Thoroughbred racing in the world,” said Breeders’ Cup president and CEO Greg Avioli. “Our number one priority remains preserving the integrity of our competition and protecting the welfare of our athletes.”

In May, the California Horse Racing Board adopted rules to begin anabolic steroid testing following all of its races. The 2008 Breeders’ Cup World Championships will be the first time in the event’s history that post-race steroid testing will be conducted. The first four finishers in all 14 Breeders’ Cup races, and at least one horse selected at random, will be tested. Violations will result in purse forfeiture and suspensions.

In addition to anabolic steroid testing, there will also be out-of-competition testing for EPO (blood doping) 10 days prior to this year’s Breeders’ Cup, and TCO2 (milkshaking) testing prior to all 14 Breeders’ Cup races in the Santa Anita detention barn. A failed EPO test would make the horse ineligible for competition and the trainer subject to suspension. Failed TCO2 tests will result in purse forfeiture and suspensions. The EPO and TCO2 testing policies were first instituted by Breeders’ Cup at the 2007 Championships at Monmouth Park.

The official policy adopted Aug. 1 by the Breeders’ Cup reads:

"Effective with the 2008 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, for any horse participating in a World Championships race that is found to have violated the steroid rule in effect where the race is conducted, in addition to any penalties imposed by the racing regulatory agency in the jurisdiction, the following sanctions shall be imposed: (i) the horse shall be disqualified to last in the race and any purse earned by the horse shall be forfeited and redistributed in accordance with the revised order of finish; (ii) in the event of a first violation of the steroid rules in a World Championships race, the horse’s trainer and all horses directly or indirectly in such trainer’s care shall be ineligible to participate in the World Championships races conducted in the year immediately following the final determination that such trainer’s horse violated the steroid rules; (iii) in the event of a second violation of the steroid rules in a World Championships race, the horse’s trainer and all horses directly or indirectly in such trainer’s care shall be ineligible to participate in the World Championships races conducted in the two years immediately following the final determination that such trainer’s horse violated the steroid rules; (iv) in the event of a third violation of the steroid rules in a World Championships race, the horse’s trainer and all horses directly or indirectly in such trainer’s care shall be ineligible to participate in all World Championships races conducted for the remainder of such trainer’s life following the final determination that such trainer’s horse violated the steroid rules.

"Effective January 1, 2009, it shall be the policy of Breeders’ Cup Limited to enter agreements with race tracks or racing associations for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Breeders’ Cup Challenge Races and Breeders’ Cup Stakes Races only in jurisdictions that have in place, either by executive order, administrative regulation or statute, rules governing the use of anabolic steroids in horses substantially similar, in form and substance, to the model steroid rules of the Association of Racing Commissioners International (“RCI”). In the event a race track or racing association is located in a jurisdiction without an executive order, administrative regulation or statute substantially similar in form and substance to the RCI model steroid rules, Breeders’ Cup Limited may, in its discretion, enter an agreement for the World Championships, Challenge Races or Breeders’ Cup Stakes Races with a race track or racing association if such race track or racing association has in place a house rule substantially similar in form and substance to the RCI model steroid rules."

Strength Grace: Down to business with Bonnie Grueninger — there’ll be no horsin’ around!

Java Journal - St. Louis,Missouri,USA

by Bonnie Riverdahl

Imagine for a moment that you are a nine-year-old boy. Instead of playing on a little league team, taking swimming or tennis lessons, shooting baskets or enjoying other myriad activities typical of most nine-year-old boys, you spend much of your childhood in a hospital, sitting and waiting for your name to be called, having your limbs bent and muscles stretched — often painfully — tethered to a machine, dependent on a wheelchair, hoping to graduate to a walker. You’re a nine-year old boy with cerebral palsy and you’re different. Then one day you learn to ride a horse. You’re at Jamestown New Horizons and you fit right in!
The creation of Bonnie and Oliver Grueninger, Jamestown New Horizons provides therapeutic horseback riding to promote health and quality of life for people with disabilities. The Florissant-based facility began as a non-profit in 1985, but the story of the stables, the founders and their profound respect for the bond between humans and horses goes back many years.
Growing up on a 1,000-acre rice farm in Northeastern Arkansas, Bonnie Reynolds was always around horses and loved them. Her doting father presented her with a horse of her own and she began riding at age six. Bonnie left the farm to attend Blue Mountain College for Women in Blue Mountain, Mississippi, for two years. Then she transferred to Iowa State University where she earned a bachelors degree with a double major in telecommunication arts and home economics. She followed this with a second bachelors degree in education from Arkansas State University.
Her next move — to St. Louis — would shape the rest of her life. She took a teaching position at Griffith Elementary School in Ferguson, then taught home economics and history at the new Florissant High School. Away from the classroom, she stabled her horse, Firefly, at Bill Burton’s Stables in Florissant. One day, as Bonnie Reynolds was checking one of her horse’s hoofs, she met Oliver Grueninger, a kindred horse lover who owned five of his own. This unceremonious meeting led to romance, a marriage now in its forty-sixth year that produced one son, John, an agricultural pilot, and a lifelong partnership teaching others the skills — and joys — of horseback riding.
In 1962, the couple bought their own place — 20 acres of rolling hills in north county — and christened it Jamestown Riding School and Stables. For the next 23 years, children — and adults, too — traveled to Florissant for lessons in riding and life. They learned dressage, cross-country and stadium jumping, and hunt seat in group sessions and horsemanship camps. It was during this time that Bonnie Grueninger evolved into Mrs. G — a teacher admired equally for her horsemanship, wisdom and positive outlook. Safety, fun and learning all played a role in Jamestown’s riding lessons. As Mrs. G taught her young students to ride — usually on horseback herself — she helped them understand the virtue of patience, taught them that love is often spelled w-o-r-k, and helped build riding and life skills, along with treasured memories.
Mrs. G was not only teaching, but learning — developing a growing interest in therapeutic horsemanship. Other friends in her “horsy circle” had already embraced this concept, but the Grueningers held back, concerned about potential liability issues. Then one day they were approached by a representative of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association; Jamestown Riding School’s exceptional safety record had impressed the organization, and they hoped the Grueningers would consider implementing a program for people with disabilities.
Many of these types of programs evolve after aspiring riders with disabilities seek lessons, and the stable decides to pursue certification. This wasn’t the case with Jamestown. Bonnie and Oliver spent nine months researching details, investigating specialized insurance, navigating the mountains of paperwork and maze of policy required for 501(C)3 not-for-profit status, forming a corporation, assembling a board of directors, and securing seed money and prospective future funding. They took a methodical approach to everything, and by the time Jamestown Riding School was approved and reborn as Jamestown New Horizons, they were ready to go. The new program was launched on September 7 — Oliver’s birthday — in 1985 with 18 children with disabilities already enrolled as students.
The phrase “reverence for life” aptly describes Mrs. G’s philosophy, and Jamestown New Horizons allowed her to combine her love for people and horses and take it to a new level, enhancing the lives of children with disabilities. Bonds between people and animals are almost as old as time, but over the years, the role of animals as more than companions or protectors has grown dramatically. From guide dogs for the blind to support dogs to monkeys (whose overall agility and intelligence make them ideal helpers for paraplegics), animals are playing a larger role in heightening the quality of life for people who need assistance. Therapeutic horsemanship is another link in that lengthening chain.
Jamestown New Horizons horses not only relate non-judgmentally to riders with disabilities, but can also liberate them physically and emotionally. Take, for example, our nine-year-old boy with cerebral palsy. The six-fold movement that comes from a horse’s back when it is walking — up and down, side to side, back and forth, all simultaneously — gently and rhythmically travels through the rider’s body. This complex rotational movement cannot be duplicated in clinics or hospitals. It takes a JNH horse roughly 150 strides to walk one time around the facility’s indoor arena. In that one trip, the rider’s pelvis and spine have experienced 150 rotational movements; in a typical lesson — 10 times around the ring and 1,500 rotational movements.
And while it is physical therapy, it doesn’t feel like it. The horse’s strides challenge the rider’s posture and balance with infinite variation that machines cannot mimic. In fact, a therapy horse can replace a roomful of rehab equipment.
Another key element of equine-assisted therapy is psychological. These special students are accepted as they are; they interact with the horses, staff and other riders, gaining valuable social skills. Though the students may never outgrow their disabilities, the therapy helps them develop methods to achieve their highest potential.
For two years, Jamestown catered to both non-disabled riders and students with disabilities. But the demands of the new program were significant. Mrs. G had to tackle a greatly-expanded administrative role. Each special student required a team to conduct the lesson — one person to lead the horse and a walker on each side of the animal to remind the rider to “sit up tall,” watch spinal alignment, and prevent any possible mishaps. The extra hands and attention needed for children with disabilities limited the resources available to work with non-disabled students. A choice had to be made, and Mrs. G — with so much time and effort already invested in the program and with the awareness of its value — opted to phase out general lessons and focus on therapeutic riding.
Over the past 24 years, JNH has provided more than 30,000 hours of therapy to people with disabilities, the majority of whom are under- or uninsured. Many come from single-parent households with limited financial resources. At the outset, the program drew riders with physical conditions: cerebral palsy, epilepsy, accident injuries. Along with these were students with mental retardation, autism and other cognitive and developmental disabilities. From only two or three autistic students when JNH began, the autistic rider segment has grown to roughly 50 percent in 2008.
Just as the riding experience helps the physically disabled build muscle tone and balance, it helps all JNH riders build self-esteem. Mrs. G’s approach is to go slowly to allow children to learn to do things the right way. The lessons provide a series of small triumphs — learning to mount alone or with minimal assistance, mastering the trot, helping to groom the horse, and creating a partnership with the animal. And just as important as these is the joy that comes with the accomplishments. In the words of one JNH student’s father, “I just want my daughter to be happy.”
Mrs. G’s hope is that the program will become a focal point of the students’ lives, and that the lessons they learn — patience, discipline and the rewards of hard work — will serve them long after childhood ends. Ninety-four percent of JNH riders are under 15 years of age, most beginning at age two or three. The time they remain in the program varies; some are with JNH for a year, others have been on hand since the beginning.
Last year, the program provided 1,071 hours of therapy to 75 children with disabilities from across metropolitan St. Louis. Jamestown New Horizons has been praised for its achievements, safety record and innovations; JNH designed the country’s first wheelchair mounting ramp to be approved by the Americans with Disabilities Association. Their ramp is much less steep than most others, which require someone to push the rider’s wheelchair up to the mounting platform; it can also be accessed from either direction, accommodating students with right or left side strengths and weaknesses. Mrs. G explained, “We are here to help these riders toward independence, and that begins immediately, with a ramp they can navigate on their own.”
Serving these students demands a dedicated, well-coordinated effort, and the people involved in JNH are exceptional. The team consists of: Mrs. G — at 72, the energetic program director; Oliver — 76 years old and the number one volunteer; 65 other volunteers; five riding instructors; both physical and occupational therapists; and a new friend — Tilly, a Doberman Pinscher puppy. Mrs. G credits her volunteers with much of the program’s success. “They’re dedicated and invested in our work,” she commented. “They’re put through rigorous training — and they deliver!”
The main stars of the program are the horses. Jamestown New Horizons horses are gentle, well mannered, well trained and much loved. The typical lifespan for a horse is 22 to 25 years; several JNH horses have lived to their mid thirties, and one pony reached age 43.
Some of the horses are donated, but not all horses offered are suitable for the work — they must make the grade from the outset. Mrs. G explained, “Horses are natural athletes with finely-tuned reactions. They like to feel they can escape situations. If they’re surrounded, they can panic. With three walkers per rider and three to four riders in each lesson group, the panic mechanism could automatically trigger in an edgy, less docile horse.” But all the horses in the program are tolerant to a fault. And once a horse is accepted by JNH, it’s with them for life.
One reason the therapeutic program was able to get up and running so quickly was that the horses were used to being ridden by inexperienced riders and children. Even so, they had to have additional training to accustom them to the sights, sounds and feel of wheelchairs, braces, walkers and other mobility aids. With many hours of diligent training, they came through with flying colors.
As “animal people” know, caring for animals demands time and effort — horses probably more so. The Grueninger’s work day begins early — 5:30 a.m. — and lasts 12 to 15 hours, seven days a week. Operating Jamestown New Horizons isn’t just a job, or even a career, it’s a major commitment.
Funding for JNH comes from several sources. The Productive Living Board of St. Louis County has provided support for 23 years, and JNH just received it’s third two-year grant from the Missouri Foundation for Health, allowing them to expand services for the under- and uninsured. They’ve also received some corporate grants, along with donations from civic organizations — the Optimists, Lions and American Legion. The balance of their funding is largely grass roots — friends and friends of friends, former students, the general public. And like a number of smaller non-profits lacking deep pocket or “umbrella” donors, JNH could be hurt by a tightening economy.
Approximately 20 percent of the yearly budget comes from an annual dinner auction. The 24th of these is scheduled for Saturday, September 20, 2008 at Machinists Hall (St. Charles Rock Road near Hwy. 270). The public is invited to attend and welcome to donate silent auction and oral auction items (restaurant or retail gift certificates, nice wines, home goods, tickets to sporting or entertainment events, gift baskets, etc.). For more information or to register, call (314) 741-5816 or e-mail jnhgoneriding@charter.net.
Perhaps nothing conveys more powerfully Jamestown New Horizons’ mission than its logo: a drawing of an empty wheelchair next to the words “Gone Riding.” As for the impact of the program, a little girl rider may have said it best. Each time she and her mother come to JNH, she remarks, “We are at the beautiful place.”

Project will expand equine science instruction, renewable energy research

Ag science center groundbreaking

ECC Project will expand equine science instruction, renewable energy research

By LARRY KERSHNER, Farm News news editor

-Farm News photo by Larry Kershner Preparing to dig into prepared ground for a symbolic groundbreaking Monday at Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls for a new equine and ag science compus, are, from left, Dale Howard, a major donor; Mollie Teckenburg, ECC provost; Conrad Dejardin of the Iowa Valley Community College District directors board; Robert and Arlene Hamilton, for whom the complex will be named; and Randy Jennings, chairman of the ECC trustee board.

IOWA FALLS — A $15 million project was initiated Monday as Ellsworth Community College broke ground that will bring about a new equine science facility and renewable energy research center on a 40-acre site overlooking Highway 65 and the southern edge of this Hardin County community.

Mollie Teckenburg, ECC provost, told an audience of an estimated 175 people, that the project, named the Robert T. & Arlene Hamilton Campus, was made possible through a $35 million general obligation bond issue approved by the residence within the ECC district boundaries. The Hamiltons donated $1 million for the project.

Of that amount, the equine and renewable energy center received $10 million. The balance is being made up through a $6 million fundraising effort, primarily in Iowa Falls. The fundraising project includes a $1 million endowment for scholarships.

To date, that effort has raised $4.8 million “and we have every intention of meeting the goal,” Teckenburg said.

Constructing the equine center was awarded to Holland Construction, of Forest City, for $6.729 million. The renewable energy research center was awarded to Woodruff Construction of Fort Dodge for $2.873 million.

Construction is expected to begin in earnest by today, Teckenburg said, and the facilities are to be ready for use for the fall 2009 term. Because of escalating steel and fuel costs, the overall project came in over $2 million beyond the engineer’s estimate, Teckenburg said, but quickly noted that the Iowa Valley Community College District has committed to cover the extra cost.

The equine center, said architect Andrew Reich, of Frevert-Ramsey-Kobes Architects-Engineers P.C., based in West Des Moines, is 76,000 square feet, mostly consisting of a full-sized show arena with seating for 545 people. It includes a 48-stall barn for horses being trained in the program, separate spaces to isolate sick animals, another for breeding horses, storage areas and a 98-stall facility, costing an additional $655,000, that can be leased for horse shows.

In addition, noted former student Tasha Kopf, a Hardin County native, the equine building will give students more room for working with their animals, including using a full-sized show arena.

Currently, ECC rents a 16-stall barn on the west edge of town, for its equine science students to train young horses. She described it as “pretty cramped space for two classes, a total of 40 students. They needed a bigger arena.”

Students in the program will train seven different horses during their two-year regimen.

Provost Teckenburg told the Farm News that the program is so successful, “we have a waiting list for horses not even born yet.

“It’s like an exclusive pre-school.”

Kopf, who graduated from the program in 2007, and is now majoring in pre-vet medicine at Iowa State University, added that the new facility will give students a chance to work with a variety of different trainers, learning different techniques for working with horses.

She said that another plus to the new facility is a fenced-in outdoor riding area. Currently, students ride in unfenced areas. If there should be a problem, a student could be hurt well away from the facility and the horse running loose.

“This way it will be more safe for the students and for the horses,” Kopf said.

The renewable energy research center, architect Reich said, will be located just north of the equine center, is a total of 17,753 square feet that will encompass five classrooms, a biotechnology lab and a business incubator, plus faculty offices.

“ECC is fortunate,” Teckenburg said of the local support the college gets from the community. “Just about everyone here probably gave to the (fundraising) effort,” she said.



Robert T. & Arlene Hamilton

Bob Hamilton grew up just north of Iowa Falls on the family farm and attended Ellsworth for the 1942-43 school year. He happened to meet a young woman from Williams who was also attending Ellsworth, named Arlene.

Bob’s father died that year and Bob quit school to work full-time on the farm for his mother. Arlene worked for the Iowa Falls School District in the Junior and Senior High administrative offices. They have one son, Scott Hamilton of Ankeny.

Together, Bob and Arlene developed a farm that included traditional row crops and pork and egg production. In the 1970’s Bob became well-known for his work with Dr. Vetter of ISU on one of the first generations of methane digesters that utilized manure from both the hog and egg production facilities and produced alternative energy for their livestock facilities.

According to Roger Nissly, past president of the Iowa Falls Area Development Corporation, the Hamiltons are known for their hard work and modesty.

“Their $1 million gift to the Vision 21 Capital Campaign is because of their desire to support educational facilities that provide affordable education to students and to further the entrepreneurial spirit and technology of agriculture,” Nissly said.

In a prepared statement, the Hamilton family released the following:

“The Hamilton’s have experienced the benefits derived from establishing and operating a small business and know that the types of courses taught will dictate the value of the their investment being made as a result of the Vision 21 Capital Campaign.

“They believe the building of an Agriculture and Renewable Energy Center and an expansion of student facilities in the Dale Howard Family Activity Center (currently under construction) will increase student enrollment at Ellsworth.

“The Hamilton’s understand that expanding the educational facilities start with the capital improvements of land, brick and mortar, modern equipment and technology. They are pleased with the proposed plans of the Agriculture and Renewable Energy Center to be built on the south edge of Iowa Falls.



You can contact Larry Kershner by e-mailing kersh@farm-news.com.

Trainer-in-training wins $24K scholarship

The Saratogian - Saratoga, NY, USA


The results of the $80,000 Fleet Indian Stakes played out during the ninth race at Saratoga Race Course on Wednesday, but the recipient of a $24,000 scholarship with the same name already knew she was a winner.

Heather Cousins, of Burnt Hills, was presented the Fleet Indian Scholarship from The Race for Education following Talking Treasure's victory on the track. Cousins, who graduated from Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School this year with an advanced Regents diploma, plans to attend SUNY-Morrisville to study equine science and management with the goal of becoming a trainer.

The scholarship is named after Fleet Indian, a York-bred champion who won eight straight races, including Saratoga's Grade 1 Personal Ensign and Belmont Park's Grade 1 Beldame in 2006, and was founded by Paul Saylor, the horse's owner, to help New York students hoping to pursue a career in the Thoroughbred racing industry.

Saylor presented the scholarship to Cousins personally.
Cousins has achieved high honors since the ninth grade, and was a member of the computer club, the New York State Science Honor Society, the New York State Honor Society and the New York State Math Honor Society. She served for two years as vice president of the Ponies and Horses 4-H Club, which she and her mother founded. She has volunteered at the Saratoga Therapeutic Equestrian Program since 2003.

Saylor is a board member of The Race for Education, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that over the last six years has provided almost 200 college scholarships, totaling more than $2 million to students who intend to pursue a career in the equine industry and/or to children of industry employees.

In addition to the Fleet Indian Scholarship, The Race for Education has awarded $184,000 to 14 New York students in the last six years.

The Race for Education (RFE) enables children of low-income equine industry families, as well as those who want to pursue an equine-related career, to obtain a college degree by providing tuition support; financial literacy training to help minimize debt load; mentoring services to provide students with emotional support; and assistance in finding career-related internships during college and permanent jobs upon graduation.

Comenzó el Campeonato del Mundo para Caballos Jóvenes

Ecuestre Online - Madrid, Spain

En el marco del festival de la cría que tiene lugar este primer fin de semana de agosto en Verden, que incluye concursos internacionales de Saltos y Doma, ya ha comenzado en Alemania el Campeonato del Mundo para Caballos Jóvenes de Doma Clásica, en el que hay participantes españoles.

- Imágenes

El 31 de julio comenzó en Verden, en el estado federado alemán de Baja Sajonia, el Campeonato del Mundo para Caballos Jóvenes (cinco y seis años) de Doma Clásica.

La reprise calificativa de cinco años, en la que la local Nadine Plaster y su castrado oldemburgués “Desperado Old” se impusieron con una nota de 8,76 a los otros 41 participantes, abrió la competición. Agustín Elías (7,28 y 31º con el KWPN “Mango Webbe”) y Juan Manuel Vidal (6,46 y 41º con la oldemburguesa “Utopía H”) fueron los participantes españoles.

El viernes se correrán la calificativa de seis años (con los españoles Jens Johans Naesgaard y Nuria Vila, montando al entero y hembra hannoverianos “Robinho” y “Finja”, respectivamente) y la final de consolación de cinco; el sábado, la final absoluta de cinco años y la de consolación de seis; y ya el domingo, cerrará el programa la final absoluta de seis años.

Además del Campeonato del Mundo, en Verden se correrán este fin de semana sendos concursos internacionales de Saltos y Doma Clásica de tres estrellas.

Los amenazan por denunciar cinchadas y maltrato a caballos

Rosario3 - Santa Fe, Argentina

Desde la Asociación Ecológica de Rosario aseguraron que quienes dieron testimonio sobre estas prácticas reciben insultos e intimidaciones. Además, insistieron con que muchos equinos están enfermos y son objeto de golpizas

“Las cinchadas siguen y muchas se hacen de noche”. Flavia Taravale de la Asociación Ecológica de Rosario sostuvo que en los asentamientos irregulares conocidos como Villa Mitre y Villa Itatí detectaron un gran número de caballos golpeados y enfermos, así como también, perros con signos de abandono. Además, señaló que las personas que denunciaron este tipo de irregularidades, son objetos de amenazas de parte de algunos vecinos. “La gente que denuncia los maltratos está siendo amenazada, no pude salir de sus domicilios que ya fueron apedreados”, manifestó Taravale, quien señaló que en la asociación reciben denuncias de violencia hacia equinos y perros continuamente. Sin embargo, y de acuerdo a lo que señaló, no existe un control sobre la práctica ilegal de las cinchadas y menos sobre el maltrato a los animales. “La gente nos dice que llama a Control Urbano y no le contestan. Lo mismo pasa con la policía o la GUM”, observó. La Asociación Ecológica viene advirtiendo sobre la realización de competencias brutales en la que participan caballos que muchas veces mueren. Además, llamaron la atención sobre la gran cantidad de equinos enfermos y perros en estado de desnutrición y abandono en los barrios más humildes de Rosario.

Caballos a nadar

Diario Digital Juárez - Ciudad Juárez,Chihuahua, Mexico

Foto: Associated Press/El Diar

Más fotos 1

30 Julio 2008

Actualizado: 06:05 PM hora de Cd. Juárez

Associated Press

Un grupo de caballos salvajes nada a través del canal de Assateague delante de espectadores en Chincoteague, Virginia.

Lo anterior durante el evento anual Pony Swimers, que en esta ocasión llega al número 83.

Aproximadamente 150 ponis salvajes cruzan el canal de 200 yardas entre la Isla Assateague, Maryland y Chincoteague, Virginia.

Los ponis son subastados cada año para recabar el dinero para la Asociación Voluntarios de Fuego de Chincoteague, que se preocupa para la manada de Virginia.

Movilización por caballos salvajes de EEUU amenazados de sacrificio

EcoDiario.es - Madrid,Madrid,Spain

Ante la amenaza de las autoridades estadounidenses de sacrificar masivamente los "mustangs" del Oeste, los defensores de los animales se movilizan para denunciar errores burocráticos en la gestión de estas manadas de caballos salvajes.

Unos 33.000 caballos viven en libertad en una decena de estados norteamericanos, lejanos descendientes de los equinos que llegaron a Norteamérica con los españoles. Pero la administración que gestiona las tierras públicas federales, la Oficina de Administración de Tierras (BLM, por sus siglas en inglés), estima la necesidad de reducir la población a unos 6.000 ejemplares.

Además, otros 33.000 caballos salvajes capturados viven en centros cerrados, igualmente administrados por el Estado.

Es la primera vez que funcionarios federales proponen abatir caballos salvajes desde que fueran introducidas en 1971 leyes federales para proteger a estos animales que el Congreso describió como "símbolos vivientes del espíritu histórico y pionero del Oeste".

Según las autoridades, es necesario disminuir las manadas de estos animales para una gestión sana de las tierras públicas, de la estepa y de las praderas arrasadas por la sequía y los incendios.

Las autoridades consideran igualmente que la cantidad de caballos salvajes en tierras estatales aumentó debido a la escasez de participantes en el programa de adopción de la oficina, debido en parte a la desaceleración de la economía estadounidense.

Pero la posibilidad de matar los mustangs o de venderlos a terceros países por su carne, pone los pelos de punta a los defensores de los derechos de los animales quienes afirman que la situación podría haberse evitado.

Para Holly Hazard, de la sociedad protectora de animales estadounidense, la sugerencia de la BLM es "totalmente perturbadora y completamente innecesaria".

"Es una debacle provocada por el hombre", añade.

A su entender, la oficina de administración de tierras tardó en aplicar estrategias de control de la población de mustangs, como la contracepción, a pesar de que los defensores de los animales llevan años promoviendo la medida como una forma de estabilizar las manadas salvajes.

"Esto parte el corazón", añade Elissa Kline, fotógrafa de arte especializada en retratar manadas de mustangs en el estado de Idaho (noroeste), refiriéndose a un aspecto del programa federal que separaría a las hembras de sus potrillos.

Para Esther Emmons, portavoz de la BLM en Nevada, donde viven unos 18.000 caballos salvajes, las autoridades preferirían no tener que encerrar a estos animales. "En un mundo ideal, nos gustaría ver venir 33.000 personas" para adoptarlos, dice Emmons.

En Nevada, un estado en gran parte desierto, las autoridades estiman en 40% la sobrepoblación de caballos salvajes. Pero debido a la saturación de los centros de acogida, las capturas tuvieron que suspenderse.

Según Doug Busselman, vicepresidente de la "Oficina de Granjas de Nevada", un poderoso grupo de presión agrícola, la BLM simplemente no quiso controlar las poblaciones equinas, mientras que los agricultores se ven sometidos a estrictos reglamentos sobre la cantidad de cabezas de ganado que pueden tener pastando en tierras públicas.

"Nos hacen responsables pero la BLM es responsable de la gestión de los caballos salvajes y ellos no tienen que rendir cuentas", se queja Busselman.

Mientras que la decisión de abatir los mustangs debe tomarse antes de que finalice el año, el jefe del programa de caballos salvajes en la BLM de Idaho, Tom Miles, constata que intereses divergentes han puesto su agencia en una situación delicada.

"Administramos los terrenos para usos múltiples y a menudo opuestos", dice Miles. "Incluso cuando se tiene un plan bien atado, tratar de satisfacer a todo el mundo sin caer en el favoritismo lleva inevitablemente al descontento".

Caballos olímpicos se acercan a Pekín

La Aficion - Mexico,DF, Mexico

Ya llegaron a Hong Kong

Caballos olímpicos se acercan a Pekín

Ya se encuentran en Hong Kong 133 caballos que competirán en los Juegos Olímpicos tras la llegada hoy de 38 nuevos equinos que ocuparon ya sus plazas en los modernos establos, según anunció hoy el comité organizador.

Otros 98 caballos se esperan entre el 4 y el 6 de agosto. AP

Hong Kong, China.- Ya se encuentran en Hong Kong 133 caballos que competirán en los Juegos Olímpicos de Pekín 2008 tras la llegada hoy de 38 nuevos equinos que ocuparon ya sus plazas en los modernos establos, según anunció hoy el comité organizador (BOCOG).

Otros 98 caballos se esperan entre el 4 y el 6 de agosto. Las competiciones hípicas comenzarán en Hong Kong con el concurso completo. Los caballos deben permanecer los diez días previos en cuarentena.

DPA

American Horse Council Reminds Horse Industry to Participate in 2007 USDA Census of Agriculture

The American Horse Council (AHC) is reminding all members of the horse owning community to participate in the 2007 Census of Agriculture being conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA census, taken every five years, is a count of U.S. farms, ranches and the people who operate them. A link to the Census can be found on the front page of the AHC’s web site: www.horsecouncil.org.


The USDA reports that the 2007 Census of Agriculture will help to measure land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures and many other areas. The AHC wants to ensure that the American horse industry is properly accounted for in the upcoming Census.

If your farm received a survey for census participation in the past (the last census was taken in 2002), the USDA will mail your farm a survey that you can fill in and mail back.

If your farm was not part of the 2002 Census, or you are not sure if you participated, you can fill out a basic USDA census registration form online by following the link from the AHC’s web site: www.horsecouncil.org. Once this form is submitted online, a survey will be mailed to you.

Beginning in late December 2007, the Census survey will be available to all farm owners and operators to fill out online even if they have not pre-registered.

Census forms will be mailed on December 28, 2007. The mailing will include further instructions about how to log in and respond to the Census via a secure web connection. All Census forms must be completed by February 2, 2008. Additional information on the 2007 Census of Agriculture can be found on the USDA’s web site: www.agcesnus.usda.gov.

For more information about the American Horse Council, please visit: www.horsecouncil.org or call 202-296-4031.

OIE, Gripe equina, Egipto.

Gripe equina, Egipto

Información recibida el 31/07/2008 desde Prof. Dr Hamid Abd El-Tawab Samaha, Chairman, General Organisation for Veterinary Services(GOVS), Ministry of Agriculture, Cairo, Egipto

Resumen

Tipo de informe	Notificación inmediata
Fecha de inicio	06/07/2008
Fecha de la primera confirmación del evento	10/07/2008
Fecha del informe	31/07/2008
Fecha de envio del informe a la OIE	31/07/2008
Motivo de la notificación	Reaparición de una enfermedad de la Lista de la OIE
Fecha de la anterior aparición de la enfermedad	1989
Agente causal	Virus de la gripe equina A
Serotipo	Pendiente
Naturaleza del diagnóstico	Pruebas básicas de laboratorio (ej. parasitología, bacteriología, micología, histopatología)
Este evento concierne	todo el país

Nuevos focos

Resumen de los focos	Número total de focos: 2
Localización del foco and Población afectada	AL QAHIRAH (Heliopolis) : Caballos de carreras AL JIZAH (AL JIZAH)
Número total de animales afectados	Especies Susceptibles Casos Muertos Destruidos Sacrificados Equidos 2280 57 0 0 0
Estadística del foco	Especies Tasa de morbilidad aparente Tasa de mortalidad aparente Tasa de fatalidad aparente Proporción de animales susceptibles perdidos* Equidos 2.50% 0.00% 0.00% ** * Descontados de la población susceptible a raíz de su muerte, destrucción o sacrificio ** No calculado por falta de datos

Epidemiología

Fuente del o de los focos u origen de la infección

Desconocida o no concluyente

Medidas de Control

Medidas implementadas	Cuarentena Desinfección de áreas infectadas Vacunación: no Tratamiento de animales afectados (Tratamiento sintomático de los animales infectados)
Medidas para implementar	Ninguna otra medida

Resultados de las pruebas diagnósticas

Nombre y tipo de laboratorio	Animal Health Research Institute (Laboratorio nacional)
Pruebas y resultados	Especies Prueba Fecha de la prueba Resultados Equidos PCR en tiempo real 10/07/2008 Positivo Equidos PCR en tiempo real 21/07/2008 Positivo

Informes futuros

El episodio continúa. Informes de seguimiento semanales serán enviados

Ex directivo pidió declarar a cinco años del misterioso robo del medio millón de dólares

Diario Hoy (Argentina) - La Plata,Buenos Aires,Argentina

Los fondos desaparecidos de los cofres de seguridad pertenecían a la Caja de Psicólogos bonaerense. Un empleado jerárquico de ese organismo confesaría su responsabilidad. Y alegaría trastornos psicológicos. Así lo aseguró la defensa. Está imputado junto a su padre. El dinero jamás apareció

Juan Manuel Vilches está procesado por el enigmático robo del medio millón de dólares de un cofre de seguridad el banco Credicoop -de diagonal 80 y 5-, y que pertenecían a la Caja de Previsión Social para los psicólogos de la provincia de Buenos Aires. Y ayer, a través de su defensor, pidió declarar por primera vez en el expediente. Vilches, quien al momento del despojo era un empleado jerárquico de la Caja, “pidió hablar ante la fiscal Ana Medina y no eludiría su responsabilidad en el hecho”, adelantó a Trama Urbana su abogado Darío Saldaño. Según se informó, Vilches estaría en condiciones de afirmar que padece una grave alteración psicológica y culparía precisamente a sus empleadores, ligados a esa especialidad, alegando que en los exámenes preocupacionales no advirtieron los serios trastornos mentales que se traducían en depresiones e intentos de suicidio. El defensor del imputado, si bien se excusó de brindar más detalles, adelantó que por primera vez en el expediente se podrá saber el recorrido que tuvo la llave desde que salió de la Caja de Psicólogos, burló el control del banco y accedió al sector de los cofres de seguridad. La causa penal ya acumula varios cuerpos, testimoniales y pericias. Las últimas que se recibieron hace 48 horas son pericias caligráficas y las conclusiones indicaron que la firma que aparece en el control del Credicoop no se condice con la rúbrica de ninguno de los imputados. Junto a Juan Manuel Vilches hay cinco imputados. Todos eximidos de prisión bajo fianza. Uno de ellos es su padre, Hugo Vilches, a quien horas después del misterioso robo, la fiscalía le detectó recientes y exorbitantes compras de autos cero kilómetro y caballos pura sangre de carrera. La UFI que instruye la causa, a cargo de la fiscal Ana Medina, determinó que el 22 de agosto de 2003 los licenciados Mario Molina y Jorge Reartes, presidente y tesorero, respectivamente, de la Caja de Psicólogos, constataron al concurrir a la sucursal platense del Credicoop, que del cofre de seguridad número 273 que habían alquilado faltaban 442.250 dólares. En la investigación se estableció que de los registros de la citada entidad bancaria surgió que autores ignorados, haciéndose pasar por el tesorero Reartes, habían franqueado el paso hacia la caja de seguridad del banco el 20 de marzo de 2003. En el dictamen fiscal se sostuvo que en la causa surgieron evidencias suficientes para sospechar que Horacio González, Juan Manuel y Hugo Vilches, Paula Boero y Juan Antonio Banegas serían los autores del hecho. La fiscalía destacó las contradicciones que surgieron de la testimonial brindada por el cajero del Credicoop Horacio González. Este reconoció haber verificado la operación de la caja de seguridad y el libro de acceso a las mismas y que ese día se presentó Reartes con una mujer, que por error omitió que firmaran ambos, haciéndolo sólo el tesorero (ver recuadro).

Misiones, polo en la provincia”.

/welovepolo.blogspot.com/

domingo 29 de junio de 2008

Web: Misiones

Calma en la redacción de welovepolo.blogspot.com, hasta que suena el teléfono. “Acá Washington Evaristo Buenaventura (Web). Tengo algo buen, bueno, bueno. Bien argentino, del interior. Una nota de misionesonline sobre el polo en la provincia”. Recibida, y publicada… Acá va.

Después de muchos años de ausencia, regresó el deporte nacional a la tierra misionera. Gracias a una notable inversión de tiempo, recursos humanos y materiales en nuestra provincia, el club Garupá Polo volvió a darle cabida a la disciplina argentina por excelencia.
Y como éste es un proyecto a largo plazo, la formación de jugadores es fundamental. En este sentido, uno de los principales artífices y columna vertebral de ello es el instructor Ricardo Schweizer. Con 22 años, es el profesor de alumnos que van desde los cinco hasta más de 50 años.
“Hice equitación toda mi vida, desde los cinco años. Nací en Entre Ríos, mi papá es militar y se llama Ricardo Eduardo. En Posadas continué hasta los 15. Aquí practiqué en el Regimiento del Ejército, entrenábamos para hacer saltos porque el polo todavía acá no existía”, sintetizó Ricardo.
El instructor se tuvo que acomodar a una provincia que no tenía una cultura equina. “Misiones no es una provincia que se dedica a los deportes a caballo”, dice.
Todo lo referido al deporte lo explica en cada clase en su Escuela de Polo. “Tenemos 25 alumnos y practicamos dos veces por semana. Hay 45 minutos de equitación sin taco para aprender a andar a caballo y los otros 45 son de taqueo, de juego en sí. Los costos para los chicos es de 350 pesos por mes y para adultos de 550. Uno piensa que es caro pero muchos no saben de los gastos, los caballos, las monturas son muy caras. A excepción del taco, las botas y el casco, nosotros les damos todo: caballo, montura, cancha, petisero, etcétera”, comentó.
Sobre el juego, cuenta: “Agarrar un taco y pegarle a la pelota es una sensación increíble, te apasiona. Yo hice salto desde los cinco años, agarré el taco y dije basta, me dedico al Polo. Es otra cosa. Me gusta enseñar, más que nada porque veo cómo van avanzando muy rápidamente. Tengo alumnos de temprana edad, la más chica se llama Sofi y tiene cinco años, hasta estudiantes de más de 50. Así que hay que saber cómo manejar el tema de las edades, con los más chicos tengo que ser más didáctico pero por ejemplo con un médico no, les hablo un poco más técnicamente. Eso sí, con los más jóvenes hay que tener mucha más paciencia. La gente piensa que es un deporte elitista, pero en el club lo que queremos es que la gente vaya en familia y que se divierta”, finalizó el instructor.

Llega HAPSA TV satelital

CIUDAD AUTONOMA DE BUENOS AIRES - ARGENTINA

Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.- Hapsa TV, la primera y única señal de Argentina que transmite en vivo y en directo las reuniones del HIPODROMO ARGENTINO DE PALERMO, incorpora HAPSA TV SATELITAL, un nuevo sistema de transmisión satelital que lleva las carreras a cualquier punto del país.

Con el objetivo de seguir brindando lo mejor y último en tecnología, HAPSA TV SATELITAL fue creado principalmente para zonas rurales y domicilios que no tienen acceso a televisión por cable. Este servicio permite a través de una pequeña antena satelital, recibir la transmisión completa de todas las reuniones como si se estuviera en Palermo.

DINGNews.com 26/08/2008

, Argentina ganó a lo guapo

Buenos Aires, 31 de Julio de 2008

Argentina ganó a lo guapo

La tarde no empezó bien para los argentinos. A una hora de comenzar el encuentro la mujer de Nicolás Taberna se descompuso y el capitán y mejor jugador argentino, tuvo que acompñarla hasta la clínica local.
Afortunadamente fue sólo un pequeño susto, para una mujer embarazada cosas de rutina, pero el mejor con toda su garra y como debe ser se quedó a su lado y no fue de la partida. El seleccionado argentino tomó fuerzas, Juani Lanfranco lo reemplazó a escasos minutos del comienzo y salieron a la cancha.

Los primeros minutos fueron un aluvión de destreza criolla, los argentinos a todo galope, sorprendieron a los belgas, jugadas, pases largos y mucha velocidad. El primero llegó a través de un penal convertido por Pedretti, luego una gran jugada colectiva terminó con la arremetida y un golazo espactacular de Facundo Taberna. Al minuto volvió a marcar Pedretti para poner el partido tres a cero.

El público enloquecía con nuestra selección, Argentina, Argentina nuevamente bajaba desde las tribunas. Pero los caballos empezaron a sentir el esfuerzo inicial y Bélgica que había pedido tiempo muerto para reordenarse pudo componer las cosas y frenar semejante atropello, el partido tomó emotividad y los belgas lo empataron. Fue una gran batalla, un partido jugado con corazón por ambos equipos, con una entrega increíble, todos aplaudían, era una locura. Facundo Taberna otra vez frotó la lámpara y esta vez Juani Lanfranco marcó el cuarto. Poco duró la alegría pues los blegas lo empataron y con un 4 a 4 terminó el primer tiempo.

En el entretiempo, Facundo los juntó a todos y arengó a su equipo, luego siguió el capitán Sergio Pedretti. El equipo interiormente sabía que estaba para ganar y con ese entusiamo y corazón comenzó la segunda parte.

No había pasado ni un minuto que los argentinos vuelven a tomar la pelota, se repliegan en grupo, hacen los tres pases entre distintos jugadores que regla este deporte y Andresito Lanfranco sale a toda máquina para hacer un golazo igual que en la final del último abierto en Palermo. En la mitad de cancha Argenitina recupera la pelota tres pases rápidos, jugada individual de Facundo Taberna y un golazo para la tribuna con festejo alocado y mucho pero muchos aplausos.

Argentina tomaba las riendas del partido y manejaba la pelota y los minutos pasaban. Entra Federico Reyes y en la misma jugada de su ingreso termina marcando el 7 a 4. Los Belgas estaban perdidos sin embargo asimilaron esa garra que le imponía su rival y demostraron porque sin serlo de antemano, se habían convertido en favoritos en este mundial. Con coraje lograron dos goles y quedaron a sólo uno. Otra vez Salió la destreza y la cabeza de Checho Pedretti, el riquelme del equipo, serenó a sus compañeros tomó la batuta y como si esto fuera poco marcó su tercer gol y la Argentina estaba 8 a 6. El reloj corría y Bélgica desesperada logra nuevamente acercarse y con un gol en el minuto final queda a uno nuevamente.

El partido y el final era electrizante no apto para cardíacos, Argentina a la carga, Matías Fernández tira al arco la pelota pega en el borde del aro y cae al piso la levanta un belga y arma un agónico contraataque, apunto de sonar la chicharra tira al arco la pelota extrañamente parece no entrar, pega en la base y sale hacia afuera, se termina el partido pero lo árbitros cobran gol, es empate. Los argentinos protestan, el público abuchea la decisión, pero ya sancionada había gol de oro.

Tiro imparcial desde la mitad de la cancha, pero en realidad no tan imparcial, la pelota la toman los belgas, su entrenador les grita serenidad, van hacia su arco, abren la cancha, hacen los tres pases y salen a la carga, Argentina pone todo lo que hay que poner, no hay chance, el que hace el gol gana, lucha, pelea por recuperar y comete una infracción. Bélgica nuevamente a la carga otra vez serenos, a los argentinos afuera les carcomían los nervios. Intentan los belgas la pelota va desviada pero recuperan la pelota y otra vez a la carga, vuelven a intentarlo, Argentina forcejea y recupera la pelota, sale rápido con el cotragolpe, varios pases seguidos y cruces, entra la figura, cruzando por el centro, entre el capitán, entra el goleador Sergio Pedretti, la mide y desde diez metros tira la pelota, allí iba fue a gran velocidad pero pareció entrar en cámara lenta. Ganó Argentina, logró la gran hazaña está en semifinales. Alegría, locura y como repetían los muchachos que se enmarañaban en el medio de lacancha, "lo ganamos con huevos, así se ganan estos partidos".

Nuevamente Argentina, nuevamente la ovación. Los argentinos le pusieron a este torneo el complemento que le faltaba, sangre latina, garra criolla, magia, potrero, gambeta como en el fútbol. El Pato Festeja, Argentina Festeja y ahora quiere más.



Declaraciones:

Facundo Taberna:
"Se ganó como hay que ganar, con huevos, con garra, con pasión. La verdad que fue durísimo, los belgas juegan muy bien y tenían mucho coraje. Al final creo que nos equivocamos, nos apuramos un poco y nos empataron, aunque estoy convencido que no fue gol el del final, la pelota pegó por fuera. Pero pudimos rematarlo, después de dos sustos, la recuperamos y el Checho no perdonó. Es increíble que estemos en esta instancia, pero ahora queremos más".

Marcelo Marty que le tocó estar afuera declaró: "Fue un partido muy emocionante, muy apretado y ganado con huevos. El equipo está muy unido y eso es lo fundamental por eso llegamos tan lejos".


Federico Reyes:
"Hoy a la mañana habíamos visto el video de Bélgica - Italia, sabíamos que ellos jugaban muy bien. Entramos con todo, muy enchufados y muy unidos. Sabíamos que en esta instancia no podíamos perder, era a matar o morir y por suerte el equipo y los caballos respondieron, hicieron un gran esfuerzo, no son caballos para este nivel de competencia, pero los hicimos correr, espero que mañana se recuperen. Estamos muy contentos hicimos un gran esfuerzo desde la Federación para estar acá y queremos volver con la Copa, es difícil, pero vamos a intentarlo."

Andrés Lanfranco
"Estoy emocionado, esto es increíble no lo puedo creer, lo de hoy fue una fiesta. Jugamos con mucho huevo y corazón. El equipo está unido y hoy los caballos respondieron un poco mejor, eso sirvió pero lo que jugaron todos los muchachos fue la clave. Ahora quiero ser campeón y vamos con todo. Vamos Argentina carajo"Hoy hubo una asamblea y Argentina fue invitada a ser miembro del Comité Ejecutivo de la Federación Mundial de Horseball. Marcelo Busto, entrenador del seleccionado, estará en el consejo como miebro titular. Se confirmó que en 2009 se jugará un Panamericano y un Trophy con los mejores equipos de Europa en Argentina que además se postuló para organizar el Mundial de 2012.