Pubdate: Sat, 10 Sep 2005
Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2005 Calgary Herald
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/calgary/calgaryherald/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66
Author: Lauren MacGillivray
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

YES, BUT DID THE HORSES INHALE?

It's not about horses getting high.

Rather, the Halifax-based company Med Marijuana, which makes
Medi-Hooff's -- an all-natural product in the form of pellets
manufactured from the cannabis sativa plant -- is strictly for health
benefits, says co-founder Melanie Stephen.

"It's ideal for helping prevent and restore cracked hooves," she said
from a display booth at the Spruce Meadows Masters on Friday.

"It provides faster recovery from exercise, adds muscle mass and is
high in omega oils and amino acids."

According to the brochure, "Medi-Hooff's is valuable not only for the
pleasure immediately provided, but as well for the myriad of health
benefits that are provided through its continued use."

But there's no psychological effects, said Stephen, as she popped one
in her mouth. "I actually put these on my Bran Flakes," she said.
"It's just a cannabis seed cake."

She added that horses can use the product prior to competitions: "It's
one part per million THC, so urine tests are not an issue."

There's been some interesting reactions from shoppers.

"I've had a few people raise their eyebrows and one lady said, 'Boy,
you're brave,' "she said. "But outside of one person who wouldn't take
a brochure, I've had a lot of thumbs-up and people saying, 'It's about
time.' "

Rider decides to rest

Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum didn't compete on Friday, a day after
taking a nasty fall off her horse Souvenir.

According to Spruce Meadows officials, the German rider -- who had
been taken to Foothills Hospital on Thursday and discharged later that
day -- was still feeling dizzy and decided to rest.

The 35-year-old is No. 2 in FEI rankings and reigning World Cup
champion with Shutterfly.

She isn't expected to compete today, but possibly will return for
Sunday's $1-million CN International.

He's a busy guy

To find Eric Lamaze, just look for the man with a cellphone attached
to his ear. In between show jumping events, the Schomberg, Ont.,
resident is addicted to his mobile.

"It's mostly work related," chuckled the 37-year-old. "We have a lot
of horses and we buy and sell, I'm always in touch with what's going
on at home. I love it, I wouldn't be that great just hanging out all
week."

Lamaze has also kept busy in the ring, thanks to a string of
up-and-coming horses. In the smaller arenas, he's had six top-three
finishes including four wins, pocketing $21,650 -- that's with four
different horses.

Inside the International Ring, he was fourth in the Akita Drilling Cup
and sixth in the Prudential Steel Cup. Those performances were aboard
Hickstead, a nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion he'll be riding
today for Team Canada.

"Tempete was going to be my Nations' Cup horse but he's still
recovering from injury (a bruised foot)," he said. "Hickstead is ready."

Pupil is 'star struck'

Janis Netzel was still glowing hours after her riding lesson from Ian
Millar. She won the lesson with the eight-time Olympian after her name
was drawn from 7,332 entries, in a national BMO Financial Group contest.

"He was just this huge presence," said the 32-year-old civil engineer
from Coquitlam, B.C., who received an hour of instruction at the
Meadows on a horse named Tequila. "He was full of enthusiasm; I was
star-struck."

Netzel began in Pony Club and competes in small shows.

"(He) took me through a great warmup, then we jumped a course," she
said. "I learned things I can use with my own horse, Gus."
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