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Photo by Jan Gyllensten

World Class Athletes Setting Sights on United States; Dual 2005 FEI World Cup Finals to Start in Las Vegas in April

Some of the world’s best riders and horses are placing their bets on Las Vegas this year, eager to see if their scores in earlier qualifying competitions will be enough to earn a ticket to the entertainment capital of the world in April. If they make the final cut, they’ll join the ranks of dozens of world-class athletes, each hoping their skill, combined with Lady Luck, will earn the coveted title of World Cup Champion.

To these athletes, competing in the 2005 FEI World Cup Finals not only means they’re at the top of their game—it also means they’ll be adding their names to a historical register of sorts. Sure to be one of the largest equestrian competitions of this caliber, for the first time in history, two World Cup Finals will unfold at the same venue, doubling the excitement, the fans and the athletes. One of those finals will be in jumping, the other in dressage, two of the three equestrian disciplines represented in the Olympics. With the Finals coming so quickly on the heels of the 2004 Games in Athens, the Olympics is sure to play a continued role in the rivalry, as our U.S. riders seek the World Cup title and set new standards.

Aside from those deeply versed in equestrian sport, many Americans and horse-lovers alike are wondering what the World Cup Finals are, what they mean and how they will affect our country. That said, take a step back with us as we go through the basics—World Cup Finals 101.

For the full story, click here.

Top Two Contenders Holding Steady in U.S. West Coast League Standings; Only Three West Coast Qualifiers Remain Before Selecting the West Coast Representatives for the 2005 World Cup Finals

Richard Spooner, Joie Gatlin and Nicole Simpson are one step closer to securing their spots as U.S. representatives from the West Coast League for the 2005 World Cup Finals in Las Vegas, April 20-24. Each separated by a a mere one point, Spooner stands at 63 qualifying points, Gatlin at 62, and Simpson at 61.

For the full story, click here.

Champion Horse to Be Reburied at Kentucky Horse Park

Joe and Sally Jackson and the Kentucky Horse Park announced arrangements for the reburial of the world champion Saddlebred Wild Eyed And Wicked near the Hall of Champions at the Kentucky Horse Park.

“Wicked” was one of five Saddlebred horses injected with an unknown substance in June 2003. He and two other horses were destroyed, and two horses recovered. Wicked’s remains were exhumed last week from Double D Ranch near Versailles, KY, where he had been trained, boarded and buried. Jackson and her husband have hired private forensic experts who are working with state police to determine who and what killed the horse.

For the full story, click here.

Ludger Beerbaum Files Appeal in Case that Could Affect Olympic Show Jumping Team Medal Standings

As announced by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) earlier this week, German Olympian Ludger Beerbaum filed an appeal on February 3 with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the decision taken by the FEI Judicial Committee. The FEI Judicial Committee disqualified Beerbaum and his horse, Goldfever 3, from the Athens Olympic Games Show Jumping competitions—competitions in which the pair helped lead the German team to a Gold-medal victory.

For the full story, click here.

Sergio Campos and Shakira Do Jacare winning the $25,000 HITS Ocala Grand Prix Photo by Lili Weik Photography

Brazilian Sergio Campos and Shakira Do Jacare Win $25,000 HITS Ocala Grand Prix

Brazilian Sergio Campos riding Shakira Do Jacare opened fast and kept it in top gear to win Sunday's $25,000 Grand Prix during week two of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. Twelve horses mastered Jerry Dougherty's first-round course. Campos and Shakira Do Jacare clocked in with the fastest time by almost three seconds, making them the pair to watch in the jump-off. "She's fast, very fast," says Campos of the eight-year-old chestnut mare he brought over from Brazil last winter.

For the full story, click here.

Successful USEF Judges Clinic Held in Florida

The USEF Hunter and Hunter Seat Equitation Judges Clinic, just completed in Wellington, FL, was a huge success this year according to the clinic’s coordinator and organizer, Sherry Robertson. “We were thrilled with the attendance. It was our largest turnout ever, with over 120 people attending this year’s event,” she said. Robertson came up with the idea for “live” clinics for both judges and stewards eight years ago.

For the full story, click here.

Primeur 58 and Chris Kappler won their first grand prix of the year at the Winter Equestrian Festival during week two. Photo by Phelps Media Group/Randi Muster

Highlights from Week Two of the 2005 Winter Equestrian Festival

The second week of the 33rd Annual Winter Equestrian Festival was held February 2-6 at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington, FL. It was a race to the finish to determine the winner of the $50,000 Bayer Wellington Cup CSI***, the second Sunday grand prix offered this year at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. Olympic course designer Olaf Petersen saved the best for last, as he set a demanding course that afternoon for a field of 44 competitors.

For the full story, click here.

Sale! Save on Official USEF Merchandise

The February feature item of the month is the USEF wind shirt. This Port Authority microfiber wind shirt is fully lined with side seam pockets, and it is water repellant, wind resistant and extremely soft. Click here to order this item.

From now until February 28, purchase $50.00 or more on USEF merchandise and you will receive a USEF sport bottle for 50% off the regular retail price – a savings of $5.50! Please enter the word sportbottle in the coupon code section when checking out to receive this special limited offer.

While you’re shopping, please visit our discount/closeout section for 25% or more off on select USEF merchandise. Click here to enter the official USEF online store.

Wellington Dressage: Four Days of Dressage’s Finest

Wellington Dressage, the first of the three major dressage shows at the Winter Equestrian Festival, drew to a close on February 6 with the musical freestyle competitions and a special awards ceremony hosted in the Internationale Arena.

For the full story, click here.

The pre-registration deadline for the 2005 American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) Annual Meeting and Youth Conference is Friday, February 11, 2005. The Annual Meeting is set for Thursday through Saturday, February 17-19, at the Embassy Suites in Lexington, KY. After the pre-registration deadline, the Youth Conference registration fees will increase from $95 to $120. Registration fees for the Youth Conference include Friday night’s Youth Activities and Demonstrations presented by William Woods University, Saturday’s awards breakfast, awards luncheon at The Red Mile, Saddlebred Ball and field trip, which includes stops at a number of Saddlebred training barns and the Tattersalls Sales Pavilion. Annual Meeting registration package deal fees will increase from $180 to $200. Registration package deals include admittance to all seminars, forums and events such as the Saddlebred Ball, annual luncheon and Sport Horse luncheon.

For the full story, click here.

Attention Dressage Competition Managers

Find out more information about the exciting USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage Program, and how your competition can become an “official qualifier” and obtain free publicity through USEF’s website.  The official “qualifying competition” list is now posted and will be updated on a weekly basis – please click here for more information.  Questions can be directed to Jennifer Keeler, Sport Manager – Dressage, at jkeeler@usef.org to find out how your competition can be added to this list!

The 2005 Show Circuit Magazine/USEF National Junior Hunter Championships dates and locations have been selected. The East Coast Championships will be in Saugerties, NY, August 1-2, and will be managed by Tom Struzzieri. The West Coast Championships will be in San Juan Capistrano, CA, August 16-17, and will be managed by Stephanie Wheeler. The USEF National Junior Hunter Championships is now entering its fifth year of success. For qualifying information or questions about these events, please contact Whitney Neidert by phone at (859) 225-6967, or via e-mail at wneidert@usef.org.

From the December/January 2005 issue of EQUESTRIAN magazine: Advances in Breeding Technology

With breeding season almost upon us, thoughts are turning to getting next year’s foal crop on the ground. For those who will be using artificial insemination, science has been hard at work improving on current methods to get mares in foal.

Learn more about the latest advances in the use of fresh-cooled semen, frozen semen, superovulation, fetal sexing and sperm sorting, oocyte transfer, ICSI and more.

For the full story in PDF format, click here.

1% Below Factory Invoice on Select New Dodge Vehicles for USEF Members

Real savings for USEF members through USEF Purchasing. For more information, call USEF Purchasing toll-free (877) 576-6872.

VISION STATEMENT

The vision of USEF is to provide leadership for equestrian sport in the United States of America, promoting the pursuit of excellence from the grass roots to the Olympic Games, based on a foundation of fair, safe competition and the welfare of its horses, and embracing this vision, to be the best national equestrian federation in the world.

©2005, United States Equestrian Federation, Inc.

February 10, 2005