Karen O'Connor placed first on Mandiba and second on RF Amber Eyes in the CIC** at the Jersey Fresh competition in Allentown, New Jersey. She was also fifth in the CCI*** on Veronica at the same event. O'Connor is sponsored by Kentucky Equine Research (KER) and uses the KER products Restore SR, EO-3, and Bio-Bloom PS to support her horses' efforts. Restore RS, an electrolyte, replaces substances lost in sweat during intense exercise. EO-E supplies omega-3 fatty acids, compounds that minimize inflammatory conditions in horses. Bio•Bloom™ PS is a prescription strength dual-action supplement designed to promote and maintain healthy skin, coat, and hoof condition.

In a demanding competition in which fewer than half the starters completed all three days of the event, riders sponsored by Kentucky Equine Research (KER) and its Team Members claimed four of the top twelve spots when the final results were posted.

Karen O'Connor rode Mr. Medicott, a 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, to fourth place in the event. In fourth after the dressage phase, O'Connor had a few time penalties on the cross-country course to drop to fifth at the end of the second day. Her double-clear stadium round helped her advance to a final fourth-place standing. An experienced horsewoman who has won the event in the past, O'Connor is hoping to ride for the United States in this summer's Olympic Games in London. She is sponsored by KER and also by Pennfield Equine Feed Technologies.

New Zealand rider Andrew Nicholson finished in seventh place on Qwanza, a nine-year-old CDE mare. Nicholson, who is sponsored by KER Team Member Bluegrass Horse Feeds, stood in 24th place after dressage. He rode double-clear rounds in both the cross-country and stadium phases, moving him up to seventh position.

Another rider who moved up considerably because of excellent cross-country and stadium rounds was Phillip Dutton, who placed tenth on Mighty Nice and twelfth on Fernhill Eagle. Both horses are Irish Sport Horse geldings. Though he had stadium rails down with each horse, Dutton finished with fewer penalties than many riders because of his fast and accurate rides in the cross-country phase of the event. Dutton is sponsored by KER.

Record numbers of horses are registered to compete in this year's Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event to be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington in late April. The international field of riders includes several past Rolex Kentucky champions, Olympic Games veterans, and top national and international eventers. This year's competition will serve as a selection trial to choose the U.S. eventing team for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Phillip Dutton rides for the United States. He is a three-time Olympic veteran with two team gold medals (1996 and 2000) for his native Australia. Dutton was the 2008 Rolex Kentucky CCI**** champion. He is listed to ride Fernhill Eagle and Mighty Nice. Dutton is sponsored by Kentucky Equine Research (KER).

Karen O'Connor also rides for the United States. She is a three-time Olympic veteran with team silver (1996) and bronze (2000) medals. She was the 1999 Rolex Kentucky CCI**** champion and two-time Rolex Kentucky CCI*** champion (1991 and 1997). O'Connor is listed to ride Mr. Medicott and Veronica. She is sponsored by KER and is also a Promise Partner of Pennfield Feeds, a KER Team Member.

Bruce "Buck" Davidson, Jr. rides for the United States. Davidson was a member of the 1999 Pan-American Team and also competed at the World Equestrian Games in 2011. He is listed to ride Titanium and Absolute Liberty. He is a Promise Partner of Pennfield Feeds, a KER Team Member.

Andrew Nicholson rides for New Zealand. He is a six-time Olympic veteran with team silver (1992) and bronze (1996) medals. Nicholson is listed to ride Calico Joe, Shady Grey, and Qwanza. He is sponsored by Blue Grass Horse Feeds, a KER Team Member.

An additional attraction at the Kentucky Horse Park on Rolex weekend is the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup. This is the only three-star reining competition currently scheduled in the U.S. in 2012, and it is expected to draw horses and riders from around the globe. Lisa Coulter, a veteran of the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games who rides for Canada, will compete in the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup. Coulter is sponsored by KER.

Karen O'Connor finished in twelfth place on Veronica at the United States Equestrian Foundation Fall Eventing Championship CCI*** competition. The competition took place at the Fair Hill International 3-Day Event in Maryland. The event was O'Connor's first time to compete Veronica, a 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare, at this highly demanding level of performance.

With the eventing season winding down, O'Connor's horses have been shipped to their winter headquarters in Ocala, Florida where they will have several weeks of rest and relaxation. Training will pick up again in January to begin conditioning the horses for the spring season.

O'Connor is pleased with the sponsoring support given to her competition horses by the nutritional supplements provided by Kentucky Equine Research (KER). Competition horses Veronica and Harbour Pilot are supplemented with Restore to replace vital electrolytes that are lost in sweat during hard exercise. Hemabuild provides important vitamins and minerals that support the efforts of competition and recovery after performance. EO•3, a source of omega-3 fatty acids, helps to reduce inflammation and support the immune system.    

Out of nearly 1,600 entries, the lucky grand prize winner of Kentucky Equine Research's recent drawing for a rider's slot at the 2011 O'Connor Equestrian Camp was Melissa Fox of Leesburg, Va.

Fox will attend the camp, which will be held June 26-July 1 at the Virginia Horse Center, with her Thoroughbred gelding, Diamond Legacy. Fox is an HA-rated member of the U.S. Pony Club and competes at the Preliminary level. She is planning to move up to Intermediate level and compete in a classic CCI* with steeplechase this fall.

The second-place winner, who will receive $250 in his choice of KER products as well as a prize pack, was Barry Sheinbaum of Nuevo, Calif. Sheinbaum is a dressage rider and trainer who specializes in Norwegian Fjord horses.

"I am very careful about my horses' diets, and appreciate that KER offers a variety of supplements that can help my horses lead sound, happy lives," Sheinbaum said. "I am especially pleased to have won the nutritional consultation so I can assess my feeding program."

The third-place winner, recipient of a prize pack and $150 in KER supplements, was Karen Tankersley of Twin Tree Farm in Pendleton, SC. Tankersley evented through the Intermediate level and works in the Research Farms Division of Clemson University.

Kentucky Equine Research (KER) is an international equine nutrition, research, and consultation company serving both the horse producer and the feed industry. Its goal is to advance the industry's knowledge of equine nutrition and exercise physiology and apply this knowledge to produce healthier, more athletic horses. Subscribe to KER newsletters and follow the company on Facebook for news and upcoming contests.

Want to ride with Olympic three-day eventers David and Karen O'Connor? Kentucky Equine Research (KER) is proud to offer one grand prize winner a rider's slot at the 2011 O'Connor Equestrian Camp, to be held at the Virginia Horse Center June 26-July 1. Enter the contest.

The grand prize winner will take his or her own horse to camp to learn:

• O'Connor safety system for cross-country
• Horsemanship and stable management skills
• Professional show-grooming techniques
• O'Connor "horses-first" training methods
• Secrets of dressage
• Fundamentals of show jumping
• Keys to success in cross-country

In addition to the grand prize winner, second- and third-place winners will be drawn. The second-place winner will receive $250 in KER nutritional supplements, and the third-place winner will receive $150 in products. All winners will get an additional prize package that includes a nutrition consultation for one horse, an embroidered saddle pad, and a hat.

To enter the contest, just sign up for KER's award-winning free weekly newsletters, The Weekly Feed and Equine Health Review. Already a subscriber? Just select the newsletter you already receive. Enter the contest.

The winners will be selected June 15, 2011, and will be notified by e-mail. See official contest rules here.

The camp is targeted toward riders at the equivalent of Beginner Novice through Advanced, but it is not limited to eventers; equestrians from all other disciplines are welcome. Campers must be at least 12 years of age; those under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult for the entire camp. See more frequently asked questions about O'Connor Event Camp.

Stabling for one horse is included in the entry. The winner is responsible for all transportation to and from the event, as well as lodging and horse care during the event.

David and Karen O'Connor have long been associated with KER, an international equine nutrition, research, and consultation company that serves both the horse owner and the feed industry. Its goal is to advance the industry's knowledge of equine nutrition and exercise physiology, and apply this knowledge to produce healthier, more athletic horses. Learn more about KER at ker.com.

Australian show jumper Chris Chugg has been selected to represent Australia at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games with his horse Vivant. Chugg is one of several WEG competitors proudly sponsored by Kentucky Equine Research (KER).

Chugg and Vivant have been based in Europe for the past year, where they have collected a number of wins and placings on the Grand Prix and World Cup circuits.    

Chris and his wife Helen have been vigilant with Vivant's diet and have ensured that he is never without his supplements, which include KERx EquiShure, KERx EO·3, Glucos-A-Flex, Restore, and Preserve.

Everyone at KER would like to wish Chris and Vivant every success at the WEG.

Other KER equestrians competing at WEG include eventers Phillip Dutton and Karen O'Connor, driver Chester Weber, and para-dressage riders Grace Bowman and Mary Jordan. Australian eventer Megan Jones was also selected but her horse is unable to compete.

The majority of the horses representing the United States in eventing at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are powered by Kentucky Equine Research (KER), as riders sponsored by KER and Team Member Pennfield Equine Feed Technologies occupy most of the team and individual slots.

Of the four riders selected to the U.S. eventing team, three are sponsored by Pennfield and/or KER:

• Buck Davidson (Ballynoe Castle RM)
• Phillip Dutton (Woodburn)
• Kim Severson (Tipperary Liadhnan)

Of the two riders selected to compete as individuals, Karen O'Connor is sponsored by KER. The other riders representing the U.S. will be Boyd Martin and Becky Holder.

See photos of sponsored riders and KER customers competing at the American Eventing Championships.

KER also sponsors Megan Jones, who will compete in eventing for Australia.

At the Richland Park Horse Trials, Phillip Dutton finished as reserve champion out of thirty-two entries in the CIC two-star division aboard Why Not. Dutton rode an excellent dressage test that put him in second place after the first day. After adding minimal time penalties on the cross-country course, he produced a double-clear stadium round to maintain his second place standing. Riding Mandiba, Karen O'Connor claimed a third-place finish in the CIC three-star division. In a highly competitive field where less than five points separated the top five riders, O'Connor had no jumping faults and collected only 2.4 time faults in cross-country before executing a perfect stadium round. Both Dutton and O'Connor are sponsored by Kentucky Equine Research and Pennfield Feeds, a KER Team Member.

KER-sponsored rider Karen O'Connor rode Joan Goswell's Mandiba to a win in the CIC***-W at The Event At Rebecca Farm, July 21-25 in Kalispell, Montana.

The pair was named to the United State Equestrian Federation's short list for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, to be held this fall in Lexington, Kentucky.
O'Connor also rode Quintus 54 to a second-place finish in the CCI** held at the same competition.

KER-sponsored rider Phillip Dutton earned top ribbons in the CIC*** with Truluck and Inmidair, finishing third and sixth respectively. Like O'Connor, Dutton has made the short list for the World Equestrian Games, except he has five possible mounts: Connaught, Kheops du Quesnay, The Foreman, Truluck, and Woodburn.

All short-listed horse/rider combinations must participate in the Land Rover 2010 USEA American Eventing Championships for final selection. This event will take place September 9-12, 2010, in Fairburn, Georgia.

Sign up for a chance to win tickets to the Games.