Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

Steven Spielberg couldn’t have scripted a more white-knuckle plot. As some of the circuit’s best riders prepared for the Gulf Coast Winter Series’ final competition—the $25,000 Budweiser Grand Prix, held Sunday March 16—the series’ $10,000 rider bonus still hung in the balance with Mexico City’s Bjorn Ikast and Ohio’s Wilhelm Genn neck and neck for the check.

Prior to the start of Sunday’s grand prix it was announced that while Genn led the point standings, if he were to finished below sixth place on Sunday, the door was open for Ikast to swoop in and lay claim to the hefty five-figure prize.

The Queen City Classic returns April 9-13, 2008, for the spring show season with a new location and USEF AA-rated classes, including a $25,000 Hunter Challenge.

This year’s event will be held in Monroe, NC, at the “Why Not an American Ark” Equestrian Facility, located outside of the Charlotte area. “We are delighted to have the Queen City Classic coming to the Ark. To bring such an event to this part of Charlotte is great for the area,” commented Jeff Wylie of the facility. The show grounds include two all-weather footing outdoor rings measuring 250 x 150 each, one sand-clay mix footing covered arena also measuring 250 x 150, a grass jumper field at 350 x 250, and schooling areas that are 200 x 100.

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It was a great return to the winner's circle for Margie Engle of Wellington, FL. She piloted Hidden Creek's Pamina L to victory in the $75,000 Bob Thomas Grand Prix of Florida. The class was the highlight of the first week of competition at the Tampa Equestrian Festival, held at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center on the Florida State Fairgrounds.

The participants for the 23rd FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final are ready and waiting, having all arrived at the ‘Brabanthallen stables in ‘s-Hertogenbosh, where the prestigious title will be awarded for the eighth time.

The U.S. Olympic Committee announced that the official ticket agent of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Cosport, will commence its final Phase III Ticket Sales for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on Monday, March 31, 2008, some time during the afternoon U.S. Eastern Standard Time. Sales will only be conducted through the company’s website at www.cosport.com.

Kentucky Spring Horse Shows Increase Prize Money and Upgrade Challenging Competition

The Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, held at the scenic Kentucky Horse Park, have increased the prize money for this year's two-week event. Scheduled for the weeks of May 7-11 and May 14-18, 2008, the Kentucky Horse Shows upped the ante for the Sunday grand prix classes.

Book your advertising space in the 2008 Collecting Gaits Farm/ USEF Dressage Festival of Champions Program. This prestigious dressage competition takes place in June in San Juan Capistrano, CA. For more information, contact Kim Russell at (859) 225-6938 or krussell@usef.org.

Stadium Jumping, Inc., to Present $20,000 International Hunter Derby at Wrenwood Farms in Naples, FL

Stadium Jumping, Inc., is pleased to announce that it will present a $20,000 International Hunter Derby on April 6, 2008. This special High-Performance Hunter class will be hosted by Wrenwood Farms in Naples, FL.

Morgan trainer Tristanne Weber Childress, 34, of Siler City, NC, passed away March 17, 2008, following a short illness.

Weber was born and raised in Colorado where she attended Evergreen High School before moving to Tulsa, OK, to train with her Morgan horses. She attended college while beginning her career as a professional horse trainer. Horses and her husband, Ed Childress, were her passion. Prior to opening her own training facility, Silhouette Training Stables, Weber was trainer at Flintlock Morgan Farm in North Carolina and also worked for Peggy Knight in Oklahoma.

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) announced that it has created a new Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feed to enable members and businesses to receive the most up-to-date USDF news and headlines. RSS is an internet protocol that transmits a news feed in real time and is automatically updated as new items become available. These feeds make it possible for people to keep up with all of the current news and happenings at USDF on their personal webpages or homepage, with RSS capabilities. Anyone who wishes to add the USDF RSS feed can do so by clicking on the RSS icon on the USDF website at www.usdf.org.

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is currently accepting applications for the 2008 World Endurance Championship CEI****. Scheduled for November 5-9, 2008 in Terengganu, Malaysia, the USEF is expecting to send six horse/rider combinations to the World Championships.

Task Force, owned by JC Chester and ridden by Jan Byyny, suffered a catastrophic hind leg injury and was humanely euthanized during the warm-up at Southern Pines II Horse Trials in Raeford, NC. Task Force, a 16-year-old Australian Thoroughbred gelding, had enjoyed a storied career in eventing with Byyny.

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.

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.

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:
— Emma Lipman
— Maggie McAlary
— Kim McCormack
— Kim Struglinkski

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

A few riders that have now qualifed on the West Coast:
— Caitlin Hope
— Johanna Hyyppa
— Danielle Kaidanow
— Anders Keitz

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

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 the United States Equestrian Federation® is to provide leadership for equestrian sport in the United States of America by promoting the pursuit of excellence from the grassroots to the Olympic Games, based on a foundation of fair, safe competition and the welfare of its human and equine athletes.

Gulf Coast Winter Classics Finale Sees Wilhelm Genn Edge Out $25,000 Grand Prix Victor Bjorn Ikast for Rider Bonus; Circuit Champions Names