Wanted to highlight an important upcoming event for the Wellington Florida equestrian community: the Equestrian Aid Foundation is holding a special event on January 25, 2009. As part of this fund raising effort, Kelly Klein will be signing her new book called HORSE, and it will celebrate the granding opening of Gotham South as well.

If you have any questions (regarding ticket availability, pricing, etc), please call 1-800-792-6068. Thanks!

Florida may have been hard hit with the real estate downturn, but the Florida real estate market has been attracting many out of country buyers. Over 25% of all foreign buyers that bought property in the US between May 2007 through May 2008 – bought it in Florida. The next closest rival was a VERY distant 2nd at 8.9% – which was California. And a great many of these foreign purchasers are doing it with cash: approximately 43% made their purchases without acquiring a mortgage.

A Wellington Florida horse farm will play host to the Lusitano Collection February 19-20, 2009. The Lusitano horse auction/event will be held at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in West Palm Beach. This marks the 2nd annual holding of this event – the first was earlier this year in March 2008. The Lusitano Collection is the combined efforts of the top 5 Lusitano horse breeding facilities in the world. The spotlight of the collection being held at this event will be entirely from Interagro Farms located in Sao Paolo, and Coudelaria Rocos do Vouga located in Brazil.

For those that may be unfamiliar with the Lustiano breed of horse – its part of what is known as a “baroque breed”. The Lusitano was originally located in the far southwest parts of Europe (Portugal, Spain, etc), and was domesticated thousands of years ago. They are known for their great work ethic and bright minds – which is what makes them so desired by a great many persons.

Famed Ocala FL horse farms legend, Harry Mangurian, died Sunday at the age of 82 at the Holy Cross Hospital located in Fort Lauderdale Florida. (And you sports fans also know that he was the former owner of the Boston Celtics from 1979-1983.) He was well known in the thoroughbred horse industry, and was one of the premier breeders in Florida.

Botulism is the suspected cause of 100 horse deaths at a Marion County Florida horse farm. The horse farm is an embryo transfer facility, and all of the 100 horses that died were fed hay that may have contained the disease. None of the other horses located on the farm that were NOT fed this feed have shown signs of illness.

Despite the high degree of likelihood that the source of the problem has been identified, state officials are still investigating the horse farm to ensure that the problem is what they believe it to be.

As everyone knows, Wellington Florida is home to many horse farms and equestrian communities. Thus, it only makes sense for the different facilities in the area to hold LOTS of equestrian events at the various horse properties – particularly during the winter months when quite a few people winter down in the Florida horse communities.

For anyone interested in these fine equestrian activities and wants more information (or tickets!), please call 561-753-5867.

The corporation out of Louisville Kentucky, Churchill Downs Inc now has an agreement with the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association to allow slot machines at the Calder Race Course. Calder Florida, is located approximately 20 minutes just outside of Miami FL. Under the terms of the agreement, the Florida horse breeders will get 0.75% of the revenune for the first 10 year period of the contract. This is the second agreement to be struck between Kentucky horse corporate entities, and the Florida horse businesses. Earlier, Churchill Downs Inc and the Florida Horsemen’s Benevelont and Protective Association came to terms on a 2008 purse & slot machines agreement – which is also for a 10 year term. It is expected the Florida horse breeding groups will receive roughly $50 million from the slot machine revenue under the terms of the agreement.

Several Florida horse farms in Manatee County were concerned about the possibility of quarantine due to a rare equine disease that was recently found. The disease is equine piroplasmosis. This is the first time it has shown up in America since 1988. This ailment is caused by ticks. 4 horses on a farm were diagnosed with the disease. One of which, which was believed to be the chronic carrier, had to be euthanized. The other 3 horses were believed to have been infected by sharing of needles for injections.

Several other horse farm owners were concerned initially that they may as a precautionary measure quarantine the farm, and possibly the entire County – which could bring a halt to the horse industry in Manatee County Florida. Fortunately, no other cases have shown and it appears that the issue has been contained to these isolated incidents.

White Fences Equestrian Estates

There is a new sister gated equestrian community to Wellington located approximately 10 minutes away thats establishing itself as the Loxahatchee Equestrian Community – called: White Fences Equestrian Estates. This approximately 400 acre development features a 40 acre horse park along with other amenities including underground utilities, paved roads, and drainage infrastructure addressed with a canal system for each of the 26 tracts within the development.

Nearby for its residents convenience are fine dining, shopping and it has easy access to the arts and convention center/beach. If you are looking for a gate equestrian community in the Wellington Florida area, and are wanting to build a new home and lay out the horse farm exactly the way you desire – this is an equestrian community definitely worth considering.

Even though its still quite warm, and most of us aren’t thinking about the holidays. I Just wanted to make sure that everyone marks their calendars: the Holiday & Horses event will be held Wednesday December 3 – Sunday December 7 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center on Equestrian Club Road in Wellington Florida.

You won’t want to miss this!