A Golden Apple makes the Day!

Trainer Sean Tarry had a golden day on Saturday when Vuma-powered Pomodoro came home first in the Grade 3 Tony Ruffel Stakes. The three-year-old Jet Master colt out of the Northern Guest mare Golden Apple, bred and part-owned with Sean, by Chris van Niekerk, has now won four out of six starts. The colt placed in both his other races, one of which was the Grade 2 Dingaans on Sansui Summer Cup day in November 2011.

Sean also trains the fourth placed Heavy Metal, also owned by Chris van Niekerk.

Earlier in the day, the Vuma-powered Summerhill bred filly Extra Zero, by Way West, ran second in the Grade 3 Three Troikas Stakes for the yard and owners Messrs Blank, Bott, Nathan and Nestadt.

Our congratulations to the Sean Tarry yard and all the connections - we love to feed your champions!

www.vumafeed.co.za

AFRICA'S FINEST HORSEFEEDS

For more information contact :
Catherine Hartley : 083 640 1155
Email: catherine@vumafeed.co.za

"How to bandage your horse..."
Fourways Equine Clinic

The correct application of bandages for your horse.

As a horse owner, it is important to be able to treat basic injuries, particularly if you have to wait for a vet to get to you in an emergency. In our section on Views from the Professionals, Fourways Equine Clinic has kindly agreed to share their professional insights on various topics.

In this article they give essential advice on how to bandage a horse's leg for various common problems :

Basic Horse Bandages

In your role as manager of a yard or even as a horse owner, you may be required to bandage a horse's leg. In the event of a vet not being able to get to you immediately, it's important to know the basics while waiting for the vet to arrive. It is also useful to know how to re-apply a bandage after a vet visit. Bandages are mostly for protection. A bandage has to be sufficient in its purpose - a neat or good looking bandage may not necessarily provide the right function.

There are 2 important types of bandages :

• Wound bandages
• Support bandages

Wound Bandages

The main function of a wound bandage is to protect the wound. There are various types of wounds and a lot of different materials may be used to cover them. As long as the material is clean (if possible sterile) it can be used in an emergency. It is important to note that it must not "stick" (adhere) to the wound. Disinfect the wound with clean water and a disinfectant eg. Hibitane. Hibitane can be obtained from any veterinary practice. Should a disinfectant not be available then clean running water will suffice.

There are 4 layers in a wound bandage :

Layer 1 - Wound dressing
There are a lot of different types of wound dressings and the type of wound will determine the type of dressing used. Never apply cotton wool directly to an open wound. It will stick to the wound and when you remove it, you may remove all the healthy healing tissue. Cotton wool also tends to remain behind in the wound.

Gauze can be used on most wounds and is easily obtained in different shapes and sizes from most pharmacies. It is recommended to apply a cream to prevent the gauze from sticking directly to the wound. The cream should be water-based and not oil-based (eg: Vaseline). A great example of a water based cream is Silbecor (active ingredient - silver sulphadiazine) or Podine Ointment (active ingredient - iodine). If the wound is dirty and/or infected then Acriflavine Glycerine may be used. Please bear in mind though that it can blister the legs.

Layer 2 - Cotton wool / Gamgee
Once the wound is covered the next layer would consist of Gamgee or Cotton wool. Apply generous amounts of cotton wool as this will prevent pressure sores. Start above the wound spiralling downwards and then if possible back up again.

Layer 3 - Crepe
Crepe will be your next layer and when applying, use uniform pressure. Each layer should overlap the previous layer at least.

Layer 4 - Elastoplast
The final layer will consist of Elastoplast. This layer is to add protection and not to be used to stabilise the bandage. Apply one layer relatively loosely and these should overlap each other by 30%. Cover the top and the bottom of the bandage to prevent any dirt getting to the wound site.

Tip : It does help if all the layers are applied in the same direction.

Support Bandages

Support bandages can make an impact to a horses' level of pain. These bandages are used on horses that are extremely lame and unable to put weight on the injured leg. Remember though that the other leg is now bearing all the weight, and will thus require support.

Thus there are 2 types :

• The simple support bandage - used on the opposite leg for support.
• Robert Jones bandage - supports and stabilises the injured leg.

Simple support bandage
The simple support bandage is very similar to the Robert Jones bandage except you do not apply the second layer of cotton wool and crepe.

It is however important to note that all layers are applied down to the ground.

Bandages Relating to Certain Anatomical Areas

Foot bandage
The foot bandage may seem fairly complicated but once you have done it a few times, it becomes simple to apply. Acriflavine glycerine is good to use. It has an osmotic effect which may help with bruises and abscesses. As a first layer there are a few options; cotton wool/gamgee and/or nappies.

Nappies are fantastic to use as they are easy to apply and the sticky tapes keep it in place. They don't wear through as easily as cotton wool for example. If you require additional padding a second nappy or a layer of cotton wool may be applied. The second layer will be the crepe bandage. Wrap the crepe around the hoof to cover all areas of the nappy. Be sure not to apply too much pressure to the bulbs of the heels. Elastoplast or duct tape can be your third layer. The Elastoplast wraps around the hoof to cover the crepe. Apply a loose layer of it around the top of the bandage to prevent dirt or shavings from getting in - this is optional. Duct tape makes for a very good third layer. Stick 5/6 strips of duct tape approximately 30cm in length to each other, overlapping +-50% to make a square. Then stick a second layer of 5/6 strips on top of the first layer in the opposite direction. Stick it to the bottom of the hoof and secure it with more duct tape. Duct tape is tough, hardy and generally lasts longer than Elastoplast.

Pressure points:
Bulbs of the heel - Do not apply too tight over the heels

Distal limb bandages
This bandage is applied to the lower part of the leg from the knee/hock. It is important to note that the bandage should be applied all the way to the ground to prevent swelling distally. A bandage applied too tightly or with too little cotton wool will cause serious damage to the tendons.

When bandaging the fetlock, the bandage does not have to go all the way to the ground. It is however very important to apply enough pressure so the bandage won't slip down the leg and cause undue pressure.

Knee and hock bandage
These bandages are difficult to apply, and slip easily. The knees and hocks do have pressure points; proper and enough padding is vital! A "figure of 8" bandage works best as it does not put unnecessary pressure on the pressure points with the cross over area at the front. It is a good idea to do this under veterinary supervision - if possible. If need be, a lower limb bandage may be applied to keep the knee or hock bandage in place.

Pressure points on the knee:

• On the inside of the knee where you can see a "pointy" bone like structure
• On the back of the knee - the "pointy" bone like structure

Pressure points on the hock:

• The tendons go up from the point of the hock.

To prevent pressure, it's a good idea to use 2 rolls of crepe or rolled up cotton wool. Put these on the inside and outside of the tendon to fill up the area. Apply the bandage while keeping these in place with either sticky tape or if you have an extra pair of hands available to hold them in place.

Robert Jones Bandage - this should be done by a vet or under vet supervision if possible

Remember one word : LAYERS

A Robert Jones bandage is basically made up of a primary layer which is then repeated. The primary layer includes 2 layers of cottonwool and 2 layers of Crepe. This is then repeated but with a layer of Elastoplast on top.

If there is no open wound, go straight to applying the cotton wool. Unroll the cotton wool and start from above the injured area spiralling all the way down to the ground. Apply at least 2 layers that overlap each other.

The first layer of crepe is to keep the cotton wool in place and define the shape of the bandage. The second layer is to apply pressure evenly over the whole bandage.

Most owners do not apply enough pressure.

A third crepe can also be applied depending on the length of the bandage.

Remember : Approximately 1cm of cotton wool should always be visible at the top and bottom of the bandage after the crepe is applied.

Unroll the Elastoplast prior to applying it as you can then apply even pressure. Make sure to start from the top of the bandage, above the layer of cotton wool (to prevent any dirt from getting in) and spiral down the leg to the ground, lastly applying a loop around the heels of the hoof.

For more information, please visit :
www.fourwaysequine.co.za

Read more about how to bandage your horse...

VUMA STRIKE R8
Striking the right balance. 

The modern performance horse is an athlete requiring a high energy diet to maintain condition, work level and recovery. Most of our modern diets, especially in high intensity work such as racing, eventing and polo are derived largely from grains. Although we advocate feeding high quality forage ad-lib, it is not always practical for horses in hard work, with the result that the largest percentage of their nutrition comes from concentrates and horses often go for long periods of time without eating.

This can lead to a build-up of acid in the system leading to gastric ulcers most commonly and in some instances laminitis and tying-up. Research has shown that more horses than we realize suffer from gastric ulcers and although not always noticeable some of the symptoms include poor appetite, poor condition and difficulty in picking up weight, dull coat, mild colic symptoms and lying down more than usual.

Apart from changing the type and ratio of feed and the number of feeds per day, Vuma Strike R8 is a very useful supplement to help combat the problems associated with acid build-up.

Strike R8 works in the following ways :

• A highly effective, long acting buffer (containing bio-available calcium) assists in acid reduction in the stomach, and fenugreek powder acts as a general digestive aid, to help to reduce the incidence and severity of gastric ulcers and to optimize digestive function in all horses.
• A gut microbe population modifier (Virginiamycin) helps to reduce lactic acid build up in the hind gut, decreasing the incidence of acidosis and significantly reducing the risk of laminitis.
• Vitamin E and organic selenium eliminate deficiency induced muscle degeneration, vitamin B1 and niacin are essential factors in muscle energy metabolism, and balanced electrolytes, including calcium and magnesium, ensure optimal muscle function, helping to eliminate nutrition-related tying-up.

www.vumafeed.co.za

AFRICA'S FINEST HORSEFEEDS

For more information contact :
Catherine Hartley : 083 640 1155
Email: catherine@vumafeed.co.za

Read more about Gastric Ulcers, Laminitis, Tying-Up and Vuma Strike R8...

It's sizzling in the City!

Cape Town may be in temperate climes but the racing action this next week is really heating things up!

The CTS Cape Premier Yearling Sale starts off on Thursday the 26^th of January through Friday the 27^th with a very strong catalogue of very well bred and well-related yearlings on offer. There is a lot of depth across the 350 lot book and it is bound to attract a strong buying market. We expect to see some exceptional horses and some record-breaking prices!

To view the catalogue:

http://www.capethoroughbredsales.com/lots/view_by_catalogue/1/Cape-Premier-Yearling-Sale-Book-1

Saturday the 28^th of January brings the running of the J&B Met! As always, it is the place to be on the last Saturday of January. The field could be quite open except for the presence of sparkling jewel, Igugu! The champion filly has run second only twice in her career and it will be thrilling to see if she can once again hold off the boys, as she did in the Vodacom Durban July!

Read more about the Cape Premier Yearling Sale and the J&B Met...

Betting World Cape Flying Championship (Grade 1)
Kennilworth, Turf, 1000m
21 January 2012

Vuma Champion, J J The Jet Plane, makes his return to South African racing this weekend after returning injured from Dubai in the middle of last year.

JJ has been back in training at the Vaal, with the Lucky and Natalie Houdalakis team who have nursed their champ back to full health. He will line up with the rest of the field in the Grade 1 Cape Flying Championship, over 1000 metres on Saturday the 21^st January at Kenilworth.

The field of six includes the Mike Bass-trained What a Winter and the exceptional Var filly, Val de Ra for the Durban based Dennis Drier yard.

We look forward to a very exciting race!

Read more and enlarge the photo of J J The Jet Plane...

2012 has already kicked off at a cracking pace...

The trouble with New Year's resolutions is that by the time one has made them and thought about implementing them, the year is already ticking along into February and onwards.

Some people don't belive that the new year is any different to the old, yet the difference of that second hand on the big clock ticking away the old year and heralding in the new has a pshycologically refreshing benefit for most of us.

It allows some wiping of the slates to allow us to start anew, whether within our physical or mental selves, work and ambitions, aspirations and goals. Whatever we are looking to change or improve, the new year certainly provides a renewed opportunity to focus on those things.

2012 has already kicked off at a cracking pace, particularly for Justin Snaith and the connections of Gimmethegreenlight who won the L'Ormarins Queen's Plate in a very exciting race. Our congratulations to all.

This month also sees the running of the J&B Met and the CTS Cape Premier Yearling Sale to be held for two days before, on the 26^th and 27^th January. We wish all our Vuma customers the very best as they show off their horses to the world.

This year will also see a number of South African riders competing at the London Olympics and we look forward to watching their progress!

Speaking of refreshing; we have refreshed our bags, to a shiny, recyclable BOPP version. While keeping your feed fresher, they are very striking and hard to miss, so keep an eye out for the green and gold, as you will see them coming into your feed store.

To all our Vuma clients, we wish you the most successful and rewarding year ahead, knowing that Vuma will be there when it matters most.

www.vumafeed.co.za

AFRICA'S FINEST HORSEFEEDS

For more information contact :
Catherine Hartley : 083 640 1155
Email: catherine@vumafeed.co.za

MARK TODD CBE

Vuma has always been green; from our branding and packaging to our approach to feeding horses, but this week we had a completely different reason.

Envy!

The (very lucky) Summerhill team had the great honour of hosting legendary eventer Mark Todd at the stud farm. Having won Badminton again this year, on his grey horse Land Vision, he really is an inspiration to any rider and proof that age should not be a limiting factor in competitive riding.

Apart from his many Gold medals and being inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame, he was voted 'Rider of the 20^thCentury' by the FEI! He is a true legend!

If you have not already read it, his autobiography, 'So Far So Good', is well worth the read. He has also published a number of instructional books as well as a book on his famous and much-loved horse Charisma!

As we write, we are compiling our 'Recommended Reading' list to post onto the Vuma Website and these books are most definitely on the list. If you have any titles that you would like to share, please do email us at info@vumafeed.co.za.

Click here to read the article on Mark Todd posted on the Summerhill Stud Blog.

Read more about Mark Todd...

The Importance of Regular Dental Care for your Horse.
From the Horse's Mouth!

Regular dental checks and floating of your horses teeth is recommended, at least annually, to ensure that your horse is not uncomfortable when eating or being ridden and ensuring maximum digestibility of your feed and general good health.

Gauteng based Equine Dentist, Wayne Dale, gives us some background on horses' teeth and illustrates a few problems that can arise :

Ensuring that your horse's teeth are in a good condition should be an important part of any horse owner's routine. A set of bad teeth can impair the performance, comfort and well being of a horse immensely.

In the wild, horses would roam about for most of the day, whilst grazing rougher grasses, leaves of trees, bushes and assorted vegetation using their jaws extensively. While masticating or chewing they would continually look around for any danger because they are animals of flight.

Domesticated horses' teeth wear differently to wild horses because they are fed softer grasses, cereals, grain, pellets, etc and are kept in stables. They are fed in bins either raised off the floor or on the floor and hay nets hanging from a wall, with no need to look around whilst chewing.

Horses have hypsodont teeth (these teeth have high or deep crowns and short roots, and continue erupting throughout life). They thus need opposing wear to keep them in check. As a result of domestication, eating softer foods, and the way that they eat, horses do not have their teeth worn down naturally and can develop focal overgrowths, hooks and ramps.

Unmaintained teeth develop malocclusions (abnormal and uneven wear), shortening the horses' life, and affecting the comfort while chewing.

Uneven tooth wear may cause development of sharp edges, reducing chewing, and thus digestive efficiency, interfering with jaw motion, and in extreme cases, cutting the tongue or cheeks. This makes being ridden very painful and can lead to disobediences and inadequate performance.

Sharp enamel points develop on the outside of upper cheek teeth (buccal edges) and inside of lower cheek teeth (lingual).

"Hooks" can occur on the front (anterior) of the first upper cheek teeth #106 and #206.

"Ramps" occur at the back (posterior) of the last lower molars #311 and #411.

Some notable dental problems :

• Step mouth - when one cheek tooth grows longer than others on the jaw. This happens when there is no opposing wear from an either missing or broken opposing tooth, located on the opposite jaw.
• Wave mouth - at least two of the cheek teeth are higher than others. When viewed from the side the grinding surfaces produce a wave-like pattern rather than a straight line. This can lead to periodontal disease and excessive wear of some of the teeth, eventually leading to discomfort or trouble with mastication.
• Shear mouth - the grinding surfaces of the cheek teeth are severely sloped on each individual tooth. The inner side of the teeth are much higher or lower than the outer side. This results in an angle of 60 - 75 degrees, as opposed to the normal 15 degree angle seen on most horses. Chewing motion is severely affected.

Other problems :

• Abscesses
• Loose teeth
• Infected teeth
• Cracked teeth
• Retained deciduous teeth
• Plaque build up
• Wolf teeth (should be removed)
• Retained caps (should be removed)

Symptoms of dental problems could include :

• Dull coat, weight loss and loss of condition
• Quidding (dropping feed from the mouth) or chewing with open mouth
• Turning head from side to side while chewing
• Excessive salivation while eating, blood in saliva
• Foul smell from mouth or nose
• Draining of abscess from the jaw
• Discharge from the nostril
• Undigested feed in manure
• Colic
• Facial swelling

The following problems, during riding, could possibly be due to teeth issues :

• Head tossing
• Difficulty cantering or performing flying changes
• Tilting head or difficulty bending
• Refusal to collect
• Bucking
• Difficulty in getting the horse "on the bit"
• Gaping the mouth

In a recent study done by Kelleyerin Clabaugh, DVM, at the University of Munich, all the horses in the study were able to chew feed more thoroughly after flotation. It is recommended that owners have a veterinary dental practitioner provide routine dental care before a horse begins displaying signs of discomfort or difficulty chewing. The resulting increased digestibility means greater conversion of feed to energy and - ideally - reduced feed bills.

For all horses over the age of five, veterinarians suggest an annual oral examination to identify enamel points prior to horses developing further dental disease, while younger horses should have their teeth checked every six months. As dental care is important not just for maintaining weight and comfort but also for ensuring a horse is able to perform at his best, the "right" time to float a horse's teeth might be sooner than you think.

As they say: "prevention is better than cure".

www.horse-dentist.co.za

Read more about Horse Deantal Care...

"Educational Excellence set to Jump Continents"

Summerhill Stud's School of Excellence announced this week, a partnership with The National Stud and The Childwick Trust, in Britain.

This agreement provides a scholarship opportunity for the top graduate from each year to have a fully funded place on the internationally renowned Diploma in Stud Practice and Management run annually at The National Stud.

This year's winner is Thabani Nzimande who will fly to England for this wonderful experience at the end of January.

Congratulaions to Thabani from all the Vuma Team!

Official Press Release from The National Stud

The National Stud in Newmarket and South Africa's Summerhill Stud's School of Excellence, join forces to offer a South African graduate participation in flagship Diploma programme.

The National Stud and The Childwick Trust, today announced their partnership with a leading South African breeding operation. Mick Goss's Summerhill Stud, home to the Al Maktoum School of Management Excellence, which has been running successful bloodstock courses in South Africa for over 20 years. The three organisations have agreed a system for one School of Excellence graduate to have a fully funded place on the internationally renowned Diploma in Stud Practice and Management run annually at The National Stud.

The scholarship will provide the graduate from the School of Excellence with the opportunity to further their career by experiencing a Northern Hemisphere season, attaining internationally renowned qualifications and managerial skills at the heart of the British Thoroughbred breeding industry. The Diploma in Stud Practice and Management is recognised globally, with 24 students a year experiencing a combination of practical thoroughbred stud work with seminars and academic lectures during the five month residential course starting in January 2012.

The Childwick Trust will fund a scholarship covering the costs of the successful applicant attending the Diploma programme. A number of the School's students come from disadvantaged communities from all over South Africa and training at the School of Excellence was established to improve young people's opportunities and skills within the Thoroughbred breeding industry.

Brian O'Rourke, Managing Director at The National Stud, explained, "We're delighted to be working with the School of Excellence and Summerhill Stud to offer a successful graduate the opportunity to study with us here at The National Stud in Newmarket. With the great support of the Childwick Trust Scholarship, the South African student will join the other Diploma students working alongside our experienced Stud staff during the breeding season and take advantage of the excellent teaching facilities in the Joan Westbrook Lecture Theatre and stay in the recently extended and refurbished ensuite student accommodation at Westbrook House. We hope that the scholarship sets precedence for future opportunities with other countries and similar education initiatives in the years to come."

Mick Goss from Summerhill Stud and the Al Maktoum School of Excellence, commented : "Our young and enthusiastic students are keen horse people, who display an unusual potential and connectivity with the world of racing and we're delighted to be offering one of our graduates the opportunity to study with The National Stud. We believe the overseas placement will develop a management focused role and fast-track our graduate into a world they might never have accessed without the scholarship, with the hope that they bring their experiences back to fellow students at home."

Anthony Cane, Trustee of the Childwick Trust, explained : "Horseracing has an incredibly rich heritage in Britain and we wanted to be part of bringing this learning experience to a South African graduate for the first time. We've been active in South Africa since the establishment of The Jim Joel Education and Training Fund in Johannesburg during the late 1980's and we look forward to working with The National Stud, to bring the education excellence of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres together. We appreciate that it is not the language you speak with horses, instead the skills you need are universal and the most important attribute is passion, something that we're sure the chosen graduate will bring in abundance."

Read more about the Al Maktoum School Of Management Excellence...

"Ensuring you are getting the best from your bag?"

Vuma Horse Feeds has always believed in providing nutrient dense, whole grain rations with processed maize for maximum digestibility. The whole grains include oats, sunflower and barley.

Apart from providing starch and some protein, as well as fat (in the case of sunflower), the different whole grains provide a certain amount of roughage while also fulfilling some of the searching behaviour of horses by allowing them to pick through the different grains.

Coarse muesli mixes not only have a lower density than pellets but they are harder to pick up and the horse cannot grip so much in one mouthful. More roughage and different shaped grains, allow for slower eating.

Quantity or Quality

Protein

The quality or amino acid composition of the protein in the diet is very important. Of the 22 amino acids required by horses, 10 must be supplied in the diet and are thus called essential amino acids.

Muscle development; the ability to repair and rebuild muscles after work and protein losses in sweat create a need for high quality, highly digestible protein.

It is generally accepted that lysine is the first-limiting amino acid, followed by methionine and perhaps threonine. Thus, a diet containing sufficient total protein but which is low in lysine will make the balance of the protein unavailable for effective utilization.

Vitamins and Minerals

Quality of the individual nutrients included in the vitamin and mineral pack of each ration is important, as is the assurance that the pack is free of undesirable substances, such as ionophores, which are commonly used in ruminant and poultry rations but are deadly to horses. Knowing that your product is made in a horse friendly mill ensures your peace of mind.

Balance is all important and correct vitamin and mineral levels are crucial! Traditional inorganic minerals are commonly used; however there are organic versions of certain of these minerals, which have higher absorption efficiency. Although more expensive, there is a trade-off between the cost of these organic forms and the benefit of increased absorption. Vitamins are also an expensive part of the ration, but the benefits of good levels of vitamin A, vitamin E and biotin are irrefutable in rations, and there is evidence to suggest that vitamin C is useful in laying a good foundation for bone development.

The vitamin and mineral packs in commercial feeds are really the difference between a good feed and a great one.

A nutrient dense feed range like Vuma ensures that your horse gets everything it needs in the bag!

Congratulations to all the Champions from the Feed of Champions!

www.vumafeed.co.za

AFRICA'S FINEST HORSEFEEDS

For more information contact :
Catherine Hartley : 083 640 1155
Email: catherine@vumafeed.co.za

Read more about Vuma Horse Feed...

EMPERORS PALACE READY TO RUN SALE 2011

Last Sunday saw the Emperors Palace Ready to Run Sale end on a very positive note with averages up from last year. This is very encouraging to the racing industry, considering the tough economic times that we are living in. However, as Summerhill Stud's Mick Goss says there will still be big races to be won and the pure passion that we all have for horses will keep us optimistic and positive!

See : for more http://blog.summerhill.co.za/blog/2011/11/7/hail-south-africa.html

Congratulations must go to the Gary Alexander Racing team and all the connections as the Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile was won by the Summerhill-bred Pierre Jourdan!

PJ, as he is affectionately known, is a real horse for the people; sold at the 2008 Emperors Ready to Run Sale for R60,000, Pierre Jourdan has now gone on to win R4,475,675 in stakes.

Pierre Jourdan even has his own Facebook Page!!... CLICK HERE.

Congratulations to all the Champions from the Feed of Champions!

www.vumafeed.co.za

AFRICA'S FINEST HORSEFEEDS

For more information contact :
Catherine Hartley : 083 640 1155
Email: catherine@vumafeed.co.za

Read more about the Emperors Palace Ready To Run Sale...

Emperors Palace Ready To Run Sale
TBA Sales Complex, Gosforth Park, Germiston
6 November 2011

The Emperors Palace Ready To Run Race and Sale take place on Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th of November respectively. The final field for the race was confirmed on Tuesday the 1st of November and the draw was done live on Tellytrack.

(Click here to view the Emperors Palace Ready To Run Cup final field)

This is a very exciting week for the contenders and all their connections and the spectrum of horses which have qualified is varied and reaffirms the fact that the Ready to Run sale has a horse for everyone and all those who enter the sweepstake have a shot at the big race, regardless of the initial purchase price. From well-priced value horses around the R65,000 mark to R1Million plus horses, all have a chance of winning the R1million first prize. An extra bonus is that of the 16 contenders, the first ten will all walk away with a prize!

The action at the sales yard is hotting up with many visitors viewing the draft, to go under the hammer on Sunday from 2pm. There are a number of very nice horses among them and only time will tell who picks the next champion!

We love to feed your Champions!

www.vumafeed.co.za

AFRICA'S FINEST HORSEFEEDS

For more information contact :
Catherine Hartley : 083 640 1155
Email: catherine@vumafeed.co.za

Read more and enlarge the photo of Nandi by Danehill Dancer...

LANDGRAF
(Landjunker - Aviva)

I had the pleasure of visiting the Adelsheim Stud of Peter Muller a few weeks ago to visit their foundation stallion Landgraf. At 26 he is still an impressive horse, big and bold with a lovely eye and a real gentleman! Although no longer competing, he is still active and looks remarkable for his age. Due to a few tooth problems, he is fed on Vuma Vintage Nuggets and he seems to be thriving, particularly under Peter's watchful care!

Click here for Landgraf's pedigree

Read more and enlarge the photo of Landgraff...

The Emperors Palace Ready To Run Sale
TBA Sales Complex, Gosforth Park, South Africa
6 November 2011

It was a great day out as the annual gallops for the Emperors Palace Ready to Run Sale took place last Friday at Summerhill Stud. 150 two year olds showed their paces to a fairly revered audience, made up of trainers, owners and horse enthusiasts.

The judging panel made up of stalwarts such as Mike de Kock, Michael Roberts, Graeme Hawkins and Dean Kannemeyer had a tough time selecting their best horses on the day but there were one or two definite favourites. What remains to be seen is who will have picked the best horse. Only Joey Ramsden had Horse of the Year, Igugu, in his list last year, so it certainly is no easy task.

From a Vuma perspective, we are always thrilled to see the Summerhill draft, fed and raised as they are on Vuma Vigour 15% and Vuma Upstart 14%. These strong foundations produce true champions and we love to follow their successes on the track!  

Click below to read Nico Kritsiotis' commentary on the gallops and to see what the panel selected as their best picks:

READY TO RUN GALLOPS 2011:
THE JUDGES HAVE SPOKEN

Read more about The Emperors Palace Ready To Run Sale...

Cupids Cup Polo Tournament

The Oaklands Country Manor Polo Club hosted the annual Cupids Cup at their picturesque estate in Van Reenen. With six teams competing at 0- goal level, the focus was on women's polo, with all the teams made up of at least two women in each. Games were hard fought and competitive over the weekend and the finals on Sunday were a great showcase for women's polo.

The Highveld based Crocodile Creek team just managed to secure a win over KZN-based Devon-Barton to win the tournament outright.

The Crocodile Creek team's horses are powered by Vuma and we are proud to feed them! At the end of the day perhaps that is what made the difference!

We love to feed your Champions!

www.vumafeed.co.za

AFRICA'S FINEST HORSEFEEDS

For more information contact :
Catherine Hartley : 083 640 1155
Email: catherine@vumafeed.co.za

Read more about the Cupids Cup Polo Tournament...