Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

The FEI held an informational pre-Olympic workshop in Lausanne, Switzerland on February 17, 2008, furthering their dedication to ensuring horse health and welfare at the 2008 Olympic Games to be held August 8-24 in Hong Kong. The workshop was designed to follow-up on the data collection and research conducted at the test event in Hong Kong in August 2007. There was a wide range of panelists and speakers including veterinarians, shipping agents, BOCOG representatives and FEI staff. United States Equestrian Federation personnel attended along with representatives from the majority of other countries who will be competing at the Olympics.

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For the first time, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has established the Endurance National Training List. Competitors have earned points over the last year at pre-determined Ranking Trials. Points are earned by the riders - not horses. The athletes’ best two performances were used in establishing their ranking.

The popular Fiesta of the Spanish Horse Annual Benefit Horse Show to support cancer research has been scheduled for May 1-4, 2008, at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center. Spanish horses from across the United States will be competing in a multi-breed show that will be free to the public.

The Saturday evening, May 3, show and equestrian exhibitions will begin at 6 p.m. in the Equidome.

There will a lot of Paso Finos from the California region participating in this event.

For more information, visit www.fiestaspanishhorse.com.

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Executive Committee has approved two important High Performance Driving initiatives for 2008.

Dates and locations for the 2008 National Driving Championships are as follows: The 2008 USEF National Four-in-Hand Championship and the USEF National Single Horse Championship will be held simultaneously at the Live Oak Combined Driving event in Ocala, FL March 27-30. Please visit the Live Oak website: www.cailiveoak.com for more information about the venue and the competition.

USEF Announces Qualifiers for the 2008 FEI Children’s International Jumping Final

Attention Children Jumper Riders! This year’s FEI Children’s International Jumping Final will be held in Bogota, Colombia December 6-12, 2008. The Final for Children between the ages of 12 and 14 as defined by FEI rules, brings together riders from various nations around the world not only to compete but also to interact with their peers from around the world. U.S. Qualifiers for this Final will be held at the Oaks Blenheim Fall Tournament in San Juan Capistrano, CA September 10-14, 2008 and the American Gold Cup in Moreland Hills, OH September 17-21, 2008.

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce that it will be hosting a Para Equestrian Training Session with International dressage competitor Sharon Schneidman, March 25-26, 2008 at the Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center in Woodville, Washington.

The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation is pleased to announce that it awarded grants totaling $2,295,000 to the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) for high-performance programs in 2007.

Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), announced via live webcast that Singapore will be the host city of the first edition of the Youth Olympic Games to take place in 2010.

The Annual FEI Vaulting Seminar was hosted by the Belgian National Federation and a most competent organizing committee in Ostende last weekend. Almost 50 participants made the trip to the Belgian coast for three days of presentations, practical sessions and workshops. Judges and national trainers from a myriad of nations were present, including: Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Switzerland, Sweden and the United States.

The Carolina Horse Park is pleased to announce it will be hosting its second annual five-day eventing clinic on March 24-28, 2008. Twelve world class clinicians will train participants over the Carolina Horse Park's six championship-level cross-country courses and its outstanding dressage and show jumping arenas.

EquiFit, Inc., the equine industry’s innovator of protective performance gear, announces a contest to coincide with the release of its new pony products. The best selling T-Sport Wrap and supportive T-Boot EXP are now available in pony sizes. As part of its new product launch, EquiFit is searching for a junior rider and pony team to be part of its promotion.

Linda Allen Named the New Course Designer for 2008 Fidelity Investments Jumper Classic

In addition to a new, premier location in Hampton Falls, NH, the Fidelity Investments Jumper Classic welcomes a new course designer, Linda Allen of Salinas, CA. Allen will design the grand prix ring, which will feature the $75,000 Fidelity Investments AGA Grand Prix, the $10,000 Welcome Stake, the $10,000 Speed Stake and $15,000 Mohegan Sun Derby, just to name a few of the classes. There will be a total of over 20 classes held in the grand prix ring.

Book your advertising space in the April issue of EQUESTRIAN, featuring marketing and education. This issue will also receive additional distribution at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. Hurry! Space closes Monday, February 25. For more information contact Kim Russell at (859) 225-6938 or krussell@usef.org.

Romelia Calderon and her 2007 FEI World Cup mount Pernot captured the blue ribbon in Sunday's $25,000 HITS Grand Prix to conclude the Kachina Classic at HITS Arizona. Calderon, who won the first Grand Prix at HITS Thermal in 2007, got the best of 25 pairs in the first round and nine combinations in the jump-off to score $7,500 in prize money for Riley Stables. The Mexican rider was also eighth aboard John's Flight.

Take advantage of one of the many USEF MemberPerks privileges by using Hertz for all of your travel needs. Simply use your USEF/Hertz discount CDP# 15757 each time you place a reservation, and instantly qualify for member discounts in the

U.S.

and around the world. For low web rates, special offers and free membership to Hertz #1Club®, visit their website at www.hertz.com or call (800) 654-2200.

Jane Beshear was announced as the latest addition to the 2010 World Equestrian Games Foundation Board of Directors. She was elected unanimously by the board.

Can’t make it to the 25th annual Phelpssports.com Palm Beach Dressage Derby this year? You can still enjoy watching the likes of Lisa Wilcox, Lars Petersen, Courtney King, George Williams and Dorothy Morkis, along with dozens of other top competitors from around the world, as they dance down centerline with their partners, from the comfort of your own home. For the first time in the history of this prestigious event, broadcasts of the FEI level rides, including the musical freestyles, will be available at www.dressageclinic.com beginning March 5.

American Saddlebred Horse Association and Registry Seat New Board and ASHA Officers, Nominating Committee Elected

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) concluded its annual convention Saturday evening, February 16, with the spectacular Saddlebred Ball at Keeneland Entertainment Center, which attracted a record turnaway crowd of 500 to the packed house. A series of standing ovations for the honorees concluded with an emotional tribute and a final sustained and thunderous salute to the Lifetime Achievement awardee, Mrs. David H. Neil of Blythewood Farms in Cleveland, TN.

President Bush signed into law the Economic Stimulus Act on February 13. The bill is intended to provide a jump-start to the lagging U.S. economy.

“The new law includes two tax incentives that would allow a much bigger write-off for horses and other depreciable property purchased and placed in service during 2008,” said Jay Hickey, President of the American Horse Council. “This should provide an additional incentive for people to invest in more horses for racing, showing and breeding as part of their business activities.”

Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center Announces 2008 Competition and Clinic Schedule

The Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center (BTRC), based in the heart of downtown Buffalo, NY, is pleased to announce that they will offer a series of horse shows this year at their facility. The BTRC Series has scheduled five dates for horse shows, plus the "AA" rated Buffalo International Horse Show. In addition to great competitions, the BTRC will once again host a three-day clinic with renowned horseman and trainer George H. Morris, the current United States Show Jumping Chef d'Equipe.

When last we left Bill Lowry, he had just accepted the $10,000 Grand Prix Rider Bonus at the Jacksonville Winter Series after narrowly beating good friend Wilhelm Genn, who had just won the finale grand prix. Our next scene opens with Lowry and partner Polygraaf taking the first victory in a Valentine Welcome Stake set at the opening week of the 2008 Gulf Coast Winter Classics.

Remember to take advantage of the USEF MemberPerks Program. USEF MemberPerks offers substantial cost savings on products and services from John Deere, Dodge, Office Max, UPS and many more!

For more information, please call (877) 576-6872 or fax (859) 422-9407, or visit USEF.org's MemberPerks page.

Tracy Magness and Tracy Fenney Capture Last Week's and This Week's $25,000 Ariat Grand Prix at HITS Ocala

Tracy Magness and her trusty mount Tarco Van Ter Moude picked up right where they left off last season at HITS Ocala when the pair negotiated the fastest double-clear round on course designer Kenny Krome's route to secure the top prize in February 14th's $25,000 Ariat Grand Prix to kick off the Ocala Winter Classic at HITS Post Time Farm.

Platinum Performance/USEF Talent Search
Qualified Riders

The Talent Search program is a very demanding show jumping competition, which attracts the nation’s top young riders in head-to-head competition. The qualifying period for the 2008 events began September 1, 2007.

Learn more about the program today.

East Coast Riders
(October 4-5, 2008, USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals,
Gladstone, NJ)

A few riders that have now qualifed on the East Coast:
— Jillian Celestino

West Coast Championship
(September 17-20, Los Angeles International, Burbank, CA)

A few riders that have now qualifed on the West Coast:
— Molly Braswell
— Kathryn Crump
— Alexandra Dupont

To see the list of all qualified riders,
visit the 2007/2008 Ranking List online.

From the February 2008 issue of EQUESTRIAN magazine:
The Tax Man Cometh
By John Alan Cohan, Attorney at Law

When it comes to tax time, it pays in more than one way to know as
many tax strategies as possible when it comes to your horses and
equine businesses. Learn how to minimize scrutiny by the IRS by following some prudent advice, knowing the rules, getting things in
writing and keeping a good business plan.

One of the most powerful weapons of the IRS is the hobby loss rule, by which people in the horse industry are denied tax deductions on the grounds that they are engaged in a hobby, not a business. In hobby loss audits, the IRS often views horse activities as a means of generating tax losses, rather than a profit-oriented venture. Unless you are making two profit years in a seven-year period, you are a likely candidate for having your tax deductions denied by the IRS.

For the full story in PDF format, click here.

Winter Wakeup Call!

Beat the winter blues with the Visa® card that offers 0% APR for 12 billing cycles*! With the United States Equestrian Federation Visa Platinum Card, you can book that weekend getaway you’ve been wanting to take. Or use it for whatever perks up your winter pace—from a day at the spa to a night out on the town. Plus, you’ll benefit our organization and earn great rewards with every purchase!

0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 billing cycles*

The United States Equestrian Federation Visa® Platinum Card also provides great benefits, including:

No annual fee
Your choice of benefits and rewards
A percentage of every purchase goes directly to the United States Equestrian Federation

This Visa Platinum card issued by U.S. Bank is now the only card that supports the United States Equestrian Federation. Upon receiving your new card, the United States Equestrian Federation receives a payment from U.S. Bank and then we will continue to receive a percentage of each net purchase you make on your card. This helps us fund our international teams.

Click here to apply today or call 1-800-853-5576, ext. 9197.

Hurry, offer ends March 31, 2008.

*Click product name for terms and conditions: Platinum, Cash Rewards, Select Rewards, College Rewards. We may change APRs, fees, and other Account terms in the future based on your experience with other creditors or U.S. Bank National Association, N.D., and its affiliates according to the Cardmember Agreement and applicable law. The introductory rate does not apply to cash advances and is valid for the first 12 billing cycles. The rate will end early and increase to the APR for Purchases and Balance Transfers or to a Delinquency Rate APR if your Account is delinquent, over the limit or closed. We apply your payments to balances with lower APRs first.

The creditor and issuer of the Visa Platinum card is the U.S. Bank National Association ND.

SPECIAL OFFER! Save $20 on your USEF membership by renewing with your new United States Equestrian Federation Visa® Card!†

Apply Now – Here’s how it will work:

Apply and receive your USEF Visa Card by calling 1-800-853-5576 ext. 9076 -- or click here to apply online. You must apply for the USEF Visa Card via this link or 800# in order to get the $20 credit.

Renew your USEF membership* with your new USEF Visa Card by visiting www.usef.org/aua. Your card will be billed the USEF membership fee. A $20 credit will appear on your USEF Visa statement by the second billing cycle

It’s a win-win. You get a great new card and receive all the benefits of a USEF membership, plus a $20 credit!

*After entering your username and password click LOG IN to log in to your Authorized User Account (AUA). Or you can create an AUA if you do not have one by clicking on "Don't have an AUA account? Click here to SIGN UP." Then, select 2008 Membership Application/Renewal/Life Questionnaire/License Renewal to renew your membership.

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.

On to Hong Kong, With Confidence!