Upper Marlboro, MD – October 5, 2006 - No one plans on having an emergency while they’re at a show, but it happens, and HEART can help when it does. HEART provides emergency and on-call transportation for the equine athletes competing at horse show events, and no one knows the value of the HEART service right now better than professional rider and trainer, Louise Serio of Kennett Square, Pa.

Serio had a horse colic this week during one of her hardest days. She said, “He showed in the morning and by 2pm he started to colic and of course we’ve got so much going on.”

Horse show vet, Dr. Barber examined the horse and determined he had to be shipped to New Bolton Clinic. Serio couldn’t leave personally to take the horse to the clinic. When Dr. Barber recommended HEART Equine Horse Ambulance Serio made the decision to use them. She said, “They were at my stalls in ten minutes. Dr. Barber was able to keep the horse on fluids and gave them a tranquilizer if he started to get uncomfortable again and they got directly to New Bolton. The horse needed surgery when he got there and now he’s doing great.”

Serio was thrilled that the horse community is addressing the horses’ welfare. She said, “A lot of people ship commercially and we don’t have trailers. To have something like that on the grounds is fantastic. It is an asset for the horse show and every exhibitor here. Hopefully they will never need it, but it is a fantastic thing.”

HEART’s uniquely equipped truck and trailer is specifically designed for emergency situations, featuring an extra high, reinforced ceiling to accommodate a sling; a rescue glide board to assist in loading a horse that’s down; a generator; and hot and cold running water. There is even sufficient room to perform x-rays on the trailer.

The Capital Challenge Horse Show is pleased to have HEART Equine Horse Ambulance join the show this year and through the generous sponsorship of Split Rock Farm the HEART service is available to all horses participating in the show at no charge during competition hours.

HEART is based at the Winter Equestrian Festival [Wellington, FL] in the winter and travels the circuit the rest of the year, attending such shows as Devon [PA], Lake Placid [NY] and The Hampton Classic [NY].

The Staff consists of six individuals and the Capital Challenge is fortunate to have Craig Kellogg of Lakeview, Ct., and Susan O’Rourke of Kingston, NY, ready on the grounds. Both are long time horse lovers and certified as Large Animal Rescue Technicians. They are on-site during the show and on call after hours.