Otto Schalter of Germany, representing the Rheinland Pfalz Saar International registry, was here July 26 to inspect and brand select Warmblood horses at an official RPSI Keuring at Joe and Pat Belski's Ashemont Farm in Aberdeen.

Prior to the actual inspection, Schalter offered a demonstration of correct technique for presenting horses. He used the Belskis' 3-year-old mare Patricia, who ended up being the high scoring mare of the day.

"We enjoyed a number of spectators this year," Pat Belski said. "Many who will be bringing mares or foals next year and wanted to see the process. So it looks like we'll have quite a large event next year."

The North Carolina Warmblood Breeders also attended, and held an ad hoc meeting to get caught up on some business.

Local dressage pro Jim Koford presented a young stallion, Prince Champ. He earned a score of 63 and was provisionally licensed. Schalter said he was an excellent example of the Prince Thatch line.

Three mares, two weanlings, a gelding and a young stallion were registered and branded.

RESULTS

Patricia (Prince Optimus /Wendy/Weltstern) -- Black 3-year-old Hanoverian mare bred by Elandale Farm and purchased by ASHEMONT Farm as a yearling -- 55 Main Mare Book and Premium Mare.

AB Amarkette (Welt Marke/Applause/Absolute) -- Chestnut 3-year-old RPSI mare bred and owned by ASHEMONT Farm -- 50 Main Mare Book and Premium Mare.

Olivia (Robinson/Sohnnenschein/Salut) - Chestnut 6-year-old mare Owned by Janet Stipp -- 50 Main Mare Book and Premium Mare.

Just As Discreet (Aslan/Discreet Brat - TB ) -- Bay weanling filly owned by Jenny McLamb; no score due to injury but because of quality issued a Silver Premium.

Rumour Has It -- Chestnut 3-year-old gelding; presented for registration and branding; owned by Sharon Hartnett -- no score given.

La Belle Etoile (Limited Edition son/TB) -- Gray weanling filly owned by Jessica Hockney -- 8.0 Gold Premium.

Prince Champ (Prince Thatch-Longchamp-Weltmeyer ) -- 5-year-old dark bay stallion owned by Pineland Farm -- 63 Book 1 and provisionally licensed.

Moss Painting

Danila Devin's beautiful portrait of the late Virginia Walthour Moss driving a pair of gray ponies has been hung at the BB&T Bank in downtown Southern Pines. The painting, done in 1989 in honor of Moss' 80th birthday celebration, also graced the cover of Carriage Journal's fall edition.

A photograph of the painting also appeared in Horse and Hound, a prominent British equestrian magazine.

Moss hung the painting in her home until her death in January 2006, and now it resides at BB&T for the community to enjoy.

More Art News

Works of three prominent local artists, Danila Devins, Meredith Martens and Claudia Coleman, have been selected for a traveling exhibit honoring the centennial anniversary of the Masters of Foxhounds Association of America.

Barn Book

Sidelines Magazine is expanding its Barn Book, a directory for Florida equestrians, into a Georgia and Carolinas edition. Beth Daniels of Southern Pines is the local contact for advertising. She can be reached at (910)315-4915. The Barn Book will be distributed free at tack and feed outlets.

Health Update

A Columbus County horse is the first equine to test positive this year for a mosquito-borne disease, N.C. State Veterinarian Dr. David Marshall announced recently.

A 3-year-old Tennessee walking horse was euthanized in July after presenting symptoms of Eastern Equine Encephalo-myelitis.

The unvaccinated horse was treated by a veterinarian.

There have been no reported cases of West Nile virus to date.

State officials have seen a decline in equine EEE and WNV cases since a record number of cases in 2003, but they caution horse owners to continue the vaccination protocol against these potentially fatal diseases.

There are affordable vaccinations for both EEE and WNV. The vaccine consists of an initial shot followed three weeks later by a booster shot.

The vaccine is not fully effective until several weeks after the booster is given, so the earlier in the season the vaccine is administered, the more effective it will be.