Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Ad Hoc Committee on Selection has approved naming the horse/rider combination of Armani/Jeffrey Welles to the Show Jumping Short List for the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong August 8-24, 2008.

As per the USEF Selection Procedure for the Show Jumping Team, the Selectors have the discretion to recommend up to four of the 10 horse/rider combinations to the Short List regardless of their participation or placing in the Selection Trials. The remaining six combinations will be chosen according to their ranking at the conclusion of the Selection Trials, which run February 27-March 9 in Wellington, FL.

Kraut and Cedric put in Repeat Performance, Maintain Lead at the USEF Selection Trial for Show Jumping

The third leg of the USEF Selection Trials for Show Jumping got under way between the raindrops at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL, on March 5, 2008. With 30 riders left in the mix for the Short List for the 2008 Olympic Games, the third of five trials was for Selection Trial horses only.

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The Arabian Horse Association (AHA) is pleased to introduce a new Arabian Horse Foundation to meet the growing needs of the Arabian horse community. The foundation will fund previously unsupported areas, such as general education, equine research and disaster relief. Donors will have the option to designate their contributions to a particular category.

USEF is looking for “official bloggers” for the new social networking site Club Equestrian. This site, built for equestrians by equestrians, will be launching soon. Do you like to write? If so, we hope you can share your thoughts and insights about horses and the industry we all love. Please send a few samples of your writing to severs@usef.org, along with an intro about how you are, or have been, involved with horses.

Following this weekend's final North American League qualifying competitions in Loxahatchee, FL, and Burbank, CA, two horses and riders have been named to represent the United States at the 2008 FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final in 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands, on March 27-30.

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Executive Committee has approved the dates and locations for the following 2008 USEF Hunter National Championships:

New Opportunity for Reiners—Inaugural USEF CRI* National Championship to be Held in 2008

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is launching a new international reining initiative for 2008. The inaugural USEF CRI* National Reining Championship will be held concurrently with the Adequan/USEF National Open Reining Championships presented by Equine Motorcoach during the NRHA Derby in Oklahoma City, OK, on June 27, 2008.

Graburn and Weber Win First Two USEF Selection Trials for 2008 Driving World Championships

Sterling Graburn of Bonifay, FL, won the first USEF Selection Trial for the 2008 World Singles Driving Championships held at the Sunshine State CDE (CAI-B Ocala) in Ocala, FL, February 28-March 2. The World Championships will be held in Jarantow, Poland, August 28-31.

Annual Endurance Awards Announced at American Endurance Ride Conference Annual Convention

Bill Wilson, a 72-year-old from Pekin, IN, was named to the American Endurance Ride Conference’s (AERC) Hall of Fame at the association’s awards ceremony, held March 1 in Reno, NV. Wilson completed 24 of 25 50- to 55-mile competitions for a total of 1,775 miles in 2007, and has a total of 21,645 miles of endurance completions to date. He is also a trails advocate and a willing worker for preservation and building of trails.

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) and Elisabeth Goth Chelberg are pleased to offer the ASHA Junior Exhibitor Driving Challenge program to promote the sport of driving American Saddlebreds for young enthusiasts.

President of the Equestrian Committee (Hong Kong) of the Beijing Organising Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG), Chief Secretary for Administration Henry Tang and members of the committee toured the Hong Kong Olympic and Paralympic Village and core equestrian venue in Sha Tin on March 4. They inspected the progress of construction works in relation to the competition venue and supporting facilities for the equestrian events to be staged in Hong Kong.

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) would like to advise all members that participate in the roadster division to be aware of a new rule (RD101.2) that takes effect April 1, 2008, which will require all owners, exhibitors and trainers of horses and ponies to be members of the American Road Horse and Pony Association (ARHPA).

A new booklet is now available on carriage classes for competition managers—Carriage Pleasure Driving Competition Guidelines. This informational booklet includes pertinent rules and prize list essentials, as well as obstacle courses, with and without center ring. The booklet is available for $15.

The order form can be found on the USEF website under the section titled “Breeds and Disciplines” then go to “Disciplines” and click on “Carriage Pleasure Driving” or visit www.usef.org/documents/disciplines/CPDriving/CPDrivingOrderForm.pdf.

Fill out the form and fax it to (859) 231-6662. Please note to send the order to the attention of the National Affiliates Department.

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.

Numerous Dressage Reports Now Available Online Through the United States Dressage Federation

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that multiple reports have been made available online on the redesigned USDF website at www.usdf.org. There are three categories of reports available. Category One reports require an individual to be logged in through the front page of the website, but are free. Category Two reports have a fee based on member or non-member status with membership being defined as anyone that is a participating, group, or intercollegiate/interscholastic member in the USDF database at the time the report is being generated. Category Two reports are available to anyone, whether logged in or not, but if a member accesses the report without being logged in to the site, they will pay the full non-member rate, with no refund being available for the difference. Category Three reports must be requested directly from the office.

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.

Sixteen Olympians Participate in Olympic Tribute at PhelpsSports.com Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W/Y

At the 2008 PhelpsSports.com Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W/Y on Saturday, March 1, in Loxahatchee, FL, 16 Olympians representing five countries—the United States of America, Germany, Denmark, Colombia, and Canada—from the sports of dressage and eventing participated in an Olympic Tribute, celebrating this Olympic year and the 25th anniversary of the prestigious event.

USET Foundation Announces "Aiken Olympic Gala" Raised $20,000 for U.S. Eventers

The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation is pleased to announce that the "Aiken Olympic Gala" held on February 18, 2008, raised $20,000 for the U.S. eventing riders headed to the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong.

Fiyero and Elizabeth Boyd Win in Front of a Record Crowd at the 12th AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular

It was superstition, sibling support, music and a great horse that guided Elizabeth Boyd and Fiyero to the top place under a record crowd at the 12th Annual American Hunter Jumper Foundation (AHJF) Hunter Classic Spectacular on Saturday night, February 23, at the CN Winter Equestrian Festival. She managed that same feat for the very first Classic 12 years earlier.

American Saddlebred Registry Board of Directors Meets, Elects Officers

The newly-seated 2008 Board of Directors of the American Saddlebred Registry held its organizational meeting on Friday, February 29, to elect its officers.

Elected unanimously to one-year terms as its officers were Judith Werner (Illinois) as president; Anne Stafford (Tennessee) as vice-president; Barbara Molland (California) as secretary; and Jimmy Robertson (Kentucky) as treasurer. The registry’s bylaws require that the president, secretary and treasurer also be directors of the American Saddlebred Horse Association.

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.

FEI Endurance Task Force Meets in Final Session

The FEI Task Force Chairmen met for four days, February 21-24, to agree on the final recommendations for the new FEI Endurance Rules for 2009 and onwards.

Far reaching changes are recommended by the task force that has consulted widely with all those involved in the discipline over the last year following their creation immediately after the FEI World Endurance Forum held in Paris in February 2007.

From the February 2008 issue of EQUESTRIAN magazine:
Equine Disaster Relief Fund: When Equines Need a Helping Hand
By Sarah L. Evers

When Hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit the Southern portion of the
United States, they devastated everything in their wakes. It was definitely a hard time in recent American history. Whether individuals lived through it or watched events happen in the news, the impact was felt by all. Countless people were affected or knew someone who was affected, and the entire country watched on the news, with many wondering, “What if that happened to me?”

Despite this difficult time, it was also a time of sacrifice for the greater good, human bonding and a time when Americans rose to a challenge presented by Mother Nature to help their fellow man…and animal. While human aide organizations rallied to respond to one of the largest natural disasters to ever hit the country, those organizations dedicated to animals also rose to the challenge of protecting animals affected by the hurricanes. And the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) was one of them.

The USEF’s vision statement includes USEF’s mission to ensure the safety and welfare of its equine athletes. But with the creation of the Equine Disaster Relief Fund, and other efforts of the organization as a whole, the USEF is going beyond the protection of just equine athletes; instead these efforts encompass any equine in need.

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.

Welles and Armani Added to the USEF Show Jumping Short List for the 2008 Olympic Games