VALENTINASBLOG.VALENTINASEQUINENEWS.COM

#TwisitJordan Win a trip for two to Jordan promoted by Queen Rania on Twitter

Valentina Escobar-Gonzalez — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 03:09:00 GMT

My bday is this week. Please give me the present of your vote! #TwisitJordan VOTE HERE: www.twitvid.com/UMKSX />

Press Release: Student Member Valentina Escobar-Gonzalez interviews Darley Newman from Equitrekking

Valentina Escobar-Gonzalez — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:56:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information contact:

Valentina Escobar-Gonzalez

mvalentinaescobar@gmail.com

www.ValentinasEquineNews.com

Student Member Valentina Escobar-Gonzalez interviews Darley Newman from Equitrekking

Washington, D.C. (July 21, 2010) Valentina’s Equine News conducted a video interview with Darley Newman about her Emmy Award-winning equestrian travel series, Equitrekking. Her TV series kicks off its fifth season of high definition episodes on PBS this fall.

Valentina’s Equine News first heard about Newman through watching her show, where she takes viewers around the world riding equines with locals to acquire an in-depth, eco-friendly look at the destination’s natural surroundings, culture, history, and cuisine. Equitrekking’s series is highly regarded for its ability to film areas where cars do not reach, destinations not normally seen without the help of horses.

Valentina’s Equine News asked Newman how she obtained the idea of her show. Newman said it was her idea and she conceived it while she was working in TV in New York City. She pitched Equitrekking to a TV channel and was told that they would broadcast her pilot episode if she found sponsors. She enlisted sponsors and started on her show. Previously, Newman had majored in radio/TV in college and worked in several production jobs, acting as a photographer and pre-interviewing potential characters for the CBS series 48 Hours.

Valentina’s Equine News enjoyed asking Newman about her bucket list of favorite trips. Newman included stories of best places to view wildlife in the saddle, such as her adventure in Costa Rica; where she saw, bright macaws, iguanas, monkeys, and wild colored frogs. Other adventures include visiting the crater of a volcano on Maui and her extensive adventures throughout Ireland.

Valentina’s Equine News spoke with Newman about her new season including a two-episode journey in through Jordan. She rides with Bedouin in the magnificent Wadi Rum Desert, camping out to experience life in the desert and trekking to see petroglyphs. Newman then explores magical Petra and the small village of Dana on horseback. In the well-preserved city of Jerash, Darley attempts NASCAR’s equivalent, dressed in Roman garb and hopping a ride on a horse drawn chariot. Equitrekking gains exclusive access to the Royal Stables, where Newman interviews HRH Princess Alia to acquire insight into the history and characteristics of the Arabian breed.

Valentina’s Equine News was excited to hear more about Newman’s experiences in Jordan. Newman said, “I was a little nervous to ride in the open desert with our Bedouin guide Atallah, a champion endurance rider, but my Arabian horse took great care of me. The Wadi Rum is dramatic and much more diverse than I first thought—an amazing place to ride.”

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To learn more about Valentina, you can visit www.ValentinasEquineNews.com . For more information on Equitrekking and host, Darley Newman please visit Equitrekking.com. Newman is also the founder of Equitrekking Travel at www.EquitrekkingTravel.com, featuring exceptional equestrian vacations led by many of the local guides seen on the Equitrekking TV show.

Dave Davis "the" Trainer/Clinician that is taking the Ocala area by Storm

Valentina Escobar-Gonzalez — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 18:04:00 GMT

Dave Davis from http://www.DaveDavisQuarterHorses.com Dave does accept horses for training at his facility and is available for clinics for your club or organization. Video on training coming up soon!!

Good Apple Equine Consignment

Valentina Escobar-Gonzalez — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 13:29:00 GMT

Good Apple Equine Consignment:

NEW SUMMER STORE HOURS
Monday CLOSED
Tuesday - Friday 9.00am - 5.30pm
Saturday 10.00am - 5.00pm
Sunday CLOSED

Address:
255 SW 60th Ave, Ocala, FL 34474
(352) 5722702

All Discipline Tack Consignment Store

Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1800700902#!/profile.php?id=1800700902&v=info

Replay: Interview with Darley Newman on her hit TV Show: Equitrekking

Valentina Escobar-Gonzalez — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 02:26:00 GMT

Add the words like "Twilight" can increase clicks to your Horse Site

Valentina Escobar-Gonzalez — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 19:12:00 GMT

Marketing Tip: I'm beginning to notice lots of companies are using the word, "Twilight" in business hours, like "Twilight" hour golf lessons, even SeaWorld is using it. Under your Farm Website or Training Site using the words: "Dressage Twilight lessons" in your website, meaning riding lessons offered during those hours will increase traffic to your site and it will be mostly teenagers (great age to get hooked on horses) to your site. Since they are always googling that word because of the great movie.

Staying Current with the Times, Emphasis on Horse Business & Marketing (Pets too)

Valentina Escobar-Gonzalez — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 19:32:00 GMT

I am pretty uncomfortable right now, I just got a new MacBook Pro from Apple (I'm a Dell user). I have to learn a new language and a system of using a laptop, I am really out of my comfort zone. But I know it will bring me great rewards such as using Apple's great Video quality production (for my interviews) and better marketing tools (like creating a website) for promoting my horse projects with you all.

Hooray! Good News!!! Success!

I am also sure some of you might be uncomfortable about joining social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Linkedin to promote either your training skills, horses, products related to our great industry. (Horse Industry is worth in the Billions yearly nationwide.) You can learn the multiple benefits of these sites by going to EquestrianProfessional , Lizzy explains it all clearly and simply.

When the economy was ~~really~~ down a couple of years ago, I was (as a recent college grad) forced to take a sales job unrelated to the horse industry. I needed a creative output to express my ideas about the equine industry, to stand out to possible employers. I created a website last year (Valentina'sEquineNews) to place my articles from my writings to Horse and Pony News and other horse current news. It fun at first. I didn't know what to do with it next?

I had a situation occur in my throat, which lead to removing my tonsils. I was stuck in bed for two weeks (and unable to speak for most of it). It was perfect timing! I read a great book called "The Rules of Marketing & PR" by David Meerman Scott . In that book, I learned the value of joining Twitter and marketing a business on Facebook, as well as LinkedIn and Youtube.

My anniversary with Twitter is coming up any day now. I have been blessed and very fortunate to meet extraordinary professionals in our industry through this media. I have a huge list but my favorite one* is Darley Newman , she is the Emmy Winning host of Equitrekking: Exploring the World on Horseback . (PBS TV Series) I met her by following respected companies that I usually purchase products from and one-by-one adding people who are of interest to me. At first, I would discrimate of who would "follow" me, I would only allow "horse-people," now I have opened my Twitter account to everyone. Twitter is great to promote new products, press releases, updates on company, building lasting relationships with customers, and addressing issues.

*I have interviewed Darley and done an article on her for Horse and Pony News, I call myself her biggest fan, she has been very generous with me by providing me with apparel and DVDs but I often "retweet" and mention her on my Facebook page

Secrets that your Competitor is Doing on a Daily Basis!

Facebook was part of my life since I was in college. I found the potential of marketing my blog/site through Facebook. I started following the activity of my favorite equine companies (trainers, products, even horses have their own "Fan" page) and seeing how they grew in followers by doing "Status Updates" on giveaways, promos (discounts), and contest for making their fans answer questions about ingredients or history about their products. It is remarkable how the public responds and joins their "Fanpage" on a daily basis about these "status updates" even more so, when companies can get feedback from the audience to make improvements on products. Suggestions are always welcomed from these companies (they address the issues immediately which is vital for success for maintaining their customers).

The wonderful aspect of being part of this business, is the passion coming from myself and my fan base. Horse owners are passionate about their horses, unlike Golf, a horse-owner can develop a partnership with their horse and care for them (as well as Love them back) unlike Golf fans to their club & ball. No offense to Golf fans.

Tomorrow I take my first computer lesson, "One-to-One" like they call it in the Apple store on my new MacBook Pro to learn the basics. I hope you consider the benefits of joining Social Media sites and staying current with the times. Learning to do so could lead to meeting great people, creating new leads, and possibly generating an increase in sales for your business. Mostly important, it is FUN when you get into it!

Bronson Urges Vaccinations For Horses As Eee Cases Rise

Valentina Escobar-Gonzalez — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 00:28:00 GMT

Press Release Contact(s):
Liz Compton
(850) 488-3022
comptol@doacs.state.fl.us

June 28, 2010

TALLAHASSEE – Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles Bronson is urging horse owners to get their animals vaccinated following an upsurge in the number of Eastern Equine Encephalitis cases. Sentinel chickens that serve as an early warning of the existence of the disease are also being diagnosed with EEE in areas of the state that are not usually affected.

So far this year there have been 16 confirmed cases of EEE in horses. While that is not an unusually high number, seven of the cases were all reported on Wednesday, June 23 from counties scattered throughout the state.

“Most of the cases have been in the central and north central part of the state which is normal,” Bronson said. “But we are also seeing increased EEE and WNV activity in sentinel chickens in the southern part of the state, including Martin County which has not had EEE detected in 30 years. In addition, there has been a confirmed case of EEE in a horse in both Collier and Okeechobee Counties. So I want to remind horse owners of the importance of getting their animals vaccinated.”

EEE is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system and is transmitted to horses by infected mosquitoes. Signs of the virus include fever, listlessness, stumbling, circling, coma and usually death. The disease is fatal in horses in 90 percent of the cases. Bronson says the majority of cases of EEE and other mosquito borne diseases can be prevented through proper vaccinations. Horse owners are urged to check with their veterinarian to make sure their animals have received current vaccinations and booster shots against EEE and West Nile Virus, and that these shots are kept up to date.

There are ongoing efforts to keep the mosquito populations down but because there is no fool proof method to prevent the diseases, vaccinations are critical.

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National Helmet Awareness Day

Valentina Escobar-Gonzalez — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 13:35:00 GMT

riders4helmets National Helmet Awareness Day July 10th, 2010.

Helmet Manufacturers to offer discounts through participating retailers

Aurora, OH (June 17, 2010) — The riders4helmets campaign operated by helmet advocate Jeri Bryant and supported by SUCCEED®, has organized a National Helmet Awareness Day endorsed by the United States Equestrian Federation, to be held on July 10th, 2010. riders4helmets has teamed up with leading helmet manufacturers to offer discounts on helmets to equestrians via participating retailers Nationwide on this day. Helmet brands that are to be included in the promotion to date include: Troxel, Charles Owen, GPA and Aegis (Devon-Aire). Visit www.riders4helmets.com to locate a participating retailer near you.

An official event to celebrate National Helmet Awareness Day will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY that will be a fun-filled educational event, featuring experts in safety and leading equestrians. More details will be announced on this shortly.

John Hall, President of Freedom Health, LLC, manufacturers of SUCCEED®, said “The National Helmet Awareness Day is an educational event that we hope will become an annual event on the calendar. The riders4helmets campaign goal is to provide information to equestrians on the benefits of wearing a helmet, in order that they can then make an informed choice for their own safety. We’re proud to support this.”

Kemble O’Donnell who lost her 12-year old daughter Christen as a result of head injuries sustained from a riding accident in 1998, welcomed the National Helmet Awareness Day and riders4helmets campaign. I am grateful to riders4helmets for launching this campaign to highlight the importance of always wearing a ASTM/SEI certified helmet while in the saddle.”

Roy Burek, CEO, of Charles Owen who are participating in the event by offering special pricing on their helmets through participating retailers on July 10th stated “Everyone knows that wearing a helmet for every ride makes the most sense. Charles Owen would like to ensure that on this first National Helmet Awareness Day, price is no longer a barrier to wearing the safest.” GPA Helmets is another helmet manufacturer that is participating in National Helmet Awareness Day. “GPA is thrilled to be a part of the riders4helmets National Helmet Awareness Day,” said Stuart Bassin, Vice-President, Frantisi Incorporated. “We are very concerned with rider safety which is a large part of why we are in the helmet business! We are also happy to be participating along with many of our dealers in being able to extend never before offered discounts to riders on this special day.”

“National Helmet Awareness Day is an important event that Troxel is proud to support”, said Shay Timms, CEO of Troxel. “Since Troxel developed the first ASTM/SEI certified helmet in 1992, our engineers and R&D team with over 75 years of combined helmet experience have reviewed thousands of accident helmets. The reality is helmets are strikingly effective, reducing head injuries by up to 80%. Equestrian athletes are moving to overcome a natural and understandable resistance to protective helmets, and National Helmet Awareness Day is a significant step forward in helmet acceptance.” Andres Lendoiro, Vice President of Devon Aire added, “Devon-Aire is pleased to support and participate In both National Helmet Awareness Day and the riders4helmets campaign by offering promotions through participating Devon-Aire retailers on the Aegis helmet on July 10th. The safety of our customers is Devon-Aire’s primary concern.”

Individuals or organizations wishing to hold their own event to recognize National Helmet Awareness Day may email lwhite@freedomhealthllc.com for helmet awareness graphics and other support materials. “You don’t physically have to attend the event at the Kentucky Horse Park to participate in Helmet Awareness Day,” said Jeri Bryant, co-founder of the riders4helmets campaign. “You can participate and show your support just by wearing a helmet on July 10th, no matter whether you are trail riding, showing or competing.”

The www.riders4helmets.com campaign has already received the official endorsement of USEF, USEA, USDF, ARIA, EAF, CHA, PRO, EMSA and many leading equestrians such as Robert Dover, Lendon Gray, Ilse Schwarz, Allison Springer and more. The website homepage is a blog that will be updated frequently with news regarding the campaign.

SUCCEED® Digestive Conditioning Program is an official product sponsor of USEF, USDF and USEA. It is produced and distributed exclusively by Freedom Health, LLC of Aurora, Ohio. The company is focused on finding, perfecting and delivering superior, innovative products that address real and significant health-related issues for animals and the people who care for them. Visit www.succeed-equine.com for further information.

Media Contact:
Patrick Warczak, Jr.
330-562-0888
pwarczak@freedomhealthllc.com

Disney's (1941) How To Ride A Horse

Valentina Escobar-Gonzalez — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 12:51:00 GMT

Wonderful grade for my first semester

Valentina Escobar-Gonzalez — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 12:21:00 GMT

I am very excited this Father's Day. I just checked my grade for my first class of the Master's of Business Administration (MBA) program and I earned an A- (.5 point away from an A, no A+'s in the program) but I am very happy with the grade, I worked very hard and sometimes put some equine events or projects on hold. Although my professor doesn't round up she said, I have the "potential to do really well in the program."

Horse Fashion gets organized

Valentina Escobar-Gonzalez — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 17:07:00 GMT

I have a winner!
I found someone who needs the Horse Management Binder ASAP. She is a pretty cool lady. She tried adding the entry in here but couldn't attach the picture. (I am sucker for pictures). Let me attach what she sent me:

"Three kids, three horses, three jobs: no time for organization. I do use my
Microsoft Outlook calendar, iPhone and other gadgets to keep up-to-date with
appointments, and my horses never miss shots, floating or shoeing. However.
It's pretty sad that a style expert is using an old apple box to store ranch
records. But it is what it is!" (see below)

I chose her because I respect any person who can handle 3 businesses, 3 kids, and still look great!

Her name is Cindi Nellis, Host of "Redneck Runway" and
Guide to Women's Fashion
http://www.fashion.about.com
About.com | Guidance. Not Guesswork.

http://redneckrunwayshow.com/
You can follow her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/RedneckRunway?ref=ts
and twitter to get the latest scoop of western fashion: http://twitter.com/redneckrunway

You can get great tips of the latest in fashion in the western and even English industry from her. I am amazed of her finds in the latest trends of the season and how simple it is to wear for all ages and body types. It makes me want to go back to my Native Texas and rock the western look!

Congrats again for winning, Cindi! Thanks for all of your entries, I truly enjoyed reading them!

If you are interested in knowing a little bit more about the Horse Management Binders, please contact:
Allison
Stay On The Bit, Inc.
847-687-7323
www.stayonthebit.com

Get Organized! Stay on the Bit Contest

Valentina Escobar-Gonzalez — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 18:29:00 GMT

Does your Barn Office look like this? Admit it, Horses require lots of attention. It's okay. There is a SOLUTION!

C'mon. We all know who runs barn offices like this! (When was the last time you found a pen in there?) Well horses are expensive as it is. What about having a chance to organize all of their information, documents, records all in one binder (made specifically to horse owners)?? Hurricane and Tornado season is in full swing, time to be serious, get organized!

Stay on the Bit, Inc (https://stayonthebit.com/) has kindly donated this amazing binder that stores coggins, health certificate, registration papers, insurance documents, membership records, and more! I am pretty organized but I know there are some that are too proud to admit they have a problem, an "organizational" problem!

WIN THIS! Enter our Contest NOW!

Interested in winning this "Horse Manager: Keeping You and Your Horse Organized" binder? Tell us your story or send us a picture of how your office has gotten out of control. I will select one winner based on their unique story or picture. Insert comments below.

First ever Para-Webathon to raise funds and awareness for Para-Equestrians

Valentina Escobar-Gonzalez — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 16:27:00 GMT

This is the first ever Para-Webathon to raise funds and awareness for Para-Equestrians on their Journey to the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. All monies raised will be funneled through the United States Para Equestrian Association to offset the costs of the 10 United States Para-Equestrians and their horses attending the Games. Hosted by the Horse Radio Network at the Alltech studios in Kentucky.

Join us on June 8, 2010 at 7PM Eastern and support these inspiring athletes! $5 Makes a DIFFERENCE!

· Phone number to donate on June 8, 2010 (7pm-9PM Eastern) 888-334-2991

· Link to donate by web - http://www.uspea.org/default.aspx?id=donate

· Send checks to USPEA, 3940 Verde Vista Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

· Thank you to the following for helping organize this event:

o The Horse Radio Network – (www.horseradionetwork.com)

o Alltech – (www.alltech.com)

o USPEA – (www.uspea.org)

o EZSignsOnline for providing signage (www.ezsignsonline.com)

o Central Kentucky Riding for Hope – (www.ckrh.org)

SUCCEED® Launches National Helmet Awareness Campaign Endorsed by USEF, USEA, USDF and Leading Equestrians.

Valentina Escobar-Gonzalez — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 01:29:00 GMT

Leading equine digestive health product SUCCEED® has teamed up with helmet advocate Jeri Bryant to launch an online helmet awareness campaign – www.riders4helmets.com. The campaign is designed to educate equestrians on the benefits of wearing helmets.

The Equestrian Medical Safety Association (EMSA) states that head injuries account for approximately 60% of deaths resulting from equestrian accidents. Approximately 12,000 equestrians visited emergency departments for head injuries in the U.S. in 2007 (Source: NEISS data). SUCCEED® and Bryant aim to help reduce that figure by raising awareness of how wearing a properly fitted ASTM/SEI-certified helmet can reduce the severity of head injuries sustained while riding and possibly prevent death.

“After donating helmet awareness t-shirts to the SUCCEED eBay store, I realized we could take things a step further,” said Bryant, referring to the web store established to raise funds for dressage star Courtney King-Dye, who was seriously injured in March while riding without a helmet. “I am proud of the support already being pledged to the campaign,” Bryant continued.

John Hall, President of Freedom Health, LLC, manufacturers of SUCCEED®, added “if we encourage more riders to wear helmets and can save others from going through what Courtney and her family have experienced, then we will have done our jobs.”

The riders4helmets campaign has already received the official endorsement of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), United States Eventing Association (USEA), United States Dressage Federation (USDF), American Riding Instructors Association (ARIA), Equestrian Aid Foundation (EAF) as well as leading equestrians such as: Olympic Silver Medalist Gina Miles; veteran eventers Allison Springer, Hawley Bennett-Awad, Cathy Weischhoff and Lucinda Green; Eclipse Award Winning Jockey Frank Lovato, Jr; and dressage rider and trainer Ilse Schwarz. In addition, Charles Owen, Troxel Helmets and GPA Helmets have also pledged their support.

“The USEA is proud to support this helmet campaign as the safety of our members whenever mounted along with their horses is our top priority,” said Jo Whitehouse, CEO, USEA.

The www.riders4helmets.com campaign website homepage is a blog that will be updated frequently with news regarding the campaign. Articles already posted on the website include features on helmet certification, a dressage riders perspective, and, questions for an equine law practitioner. The website also features statistics and other equestrian helmet related information, a forum where site visitors can share their helmet-related stories and questions, and a photo gallery of campaign supporters.

Individuals and retailers interested in either donating items to the SUCCEED eBay store, or selling the helmet campaign t-shirts in their stores, should email Lyndsey White at lwhite@freedomhealthllc.com for details.

Imagine exploring the world on Horseback? It is now possible for you and me!!

Valentina Escobar-Gonzalez — Wed, 26 May 2010 02:00:00 GMT

Darley Newman and myself, post-video interview

Upcoming Interview Darley Newman on her hit show Equitrekking, exploring the world on horseback

Valentina Escobar-Gonzalez — Wed, 19 May 2010 20:44:00 GMT

I will be interviewing Darley Newman this friday on her hit show Equitrekking: Exploring the World on Horseback, click on the link below to know more about Club Equitrekking, paid membership includes lots of goodies for real adventurous equestrians

Equitrekking Club Membership

Quick Hurricane Preparedness Tips for your Horse

Valentina Escobar-Gonzalez — Sat, 15 May 2010 23:35:00 GMT

Hurricane

See more presentations by VEscobar | Upload your own PowerPoint presentations

*Continuously click on small "play" arrow, to play the entire powerpoint presentation*

Hurricane and Tornado Season is Upon, is your Horse Ready?

Valentina Escobar-Gonzalez — Wed, 12 May 2010 17:19:00 GMT

Stay Tuned for my upcoming coverage of Surgi-Care's "Bay Area Horse Expo- Hurricane Preparedness" I will also try to get answers for Tornado cases, as well. To view their site, Click: http://www.surgi-carecenter.com/bahe/

Interview with Lucinda Green, a Six time Badminton Horse Trials Champion

Valentina Escobar-Gonzalez — Sat, 01 May 2010 19:35:00 GMT