Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

Steffen Peters, Courtney King and Leslie Morse Qualify for U.S. Team to Compete at Rolex FEI World Cup Dressage Finals in Las Vegas

Steffen Peters, of San Diego, CA, was the odds-on favorite going into Sunday’s freestyle class, and he did not disappoint. Riding Laurelyn Browning’s Floriano, Peters put in a beautiful and flowing freestyle ride. The pair bested second-place Courtney King by close to three percentage points to win the Freestyle Championships and U.S. League Finals. Reacting to his victory, and his spot on the U.S. team that will compete this month at the Rolex FEI World Cup Dressage Finals in Las Vegas, Peters responded, “It is very, very special. It is an honor to represent the United States.”

At the conclusion of his grand prix ride, Steffen Peters, of San Diego, CA, looked over at his wife, Shannon, crying with emotion, at the in-gate. He knew it was a good ride. “If she doesn’t cry, I know it’s just a so-so test.” The judge’s panel agreed, awarding Peters and Floriano, owned by Laurelyn Browning, a winning score of 73.417%. At 17, the flashy chestnut gelding still seems at the top of his game. “I did not have to push him at all,” Peters explained. “He felt really strong.”

The Varsity Equestrian National Championships (VENC) announced the collegiate teams that have been selected and seeded for this year’s competition, in conjunction with the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA).

A total of twelve schools were chosen for both the hunter seat and Western divisions to compete at the national championships. The selected teams will compete April 18-20 in Waco, TX, at the Heart O’ Texas Fair Complex. The teams will compete in a bracket-style format, which was created for the first time last year after being accepted by the Varsity Equestrian Steering Committee.

Markel Insurance Renews as Title Sponsor for USEF Young Horse Dressage Program

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the continuation of a multi-year partnership with Markel Insurance to sponsor the USEF Young Horse Dressage Program. This sponsorship also includes the Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage National Championships and the Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Selection Trials.

The world’s premier city for exciting entertainment, Las Vegas, will once again be the backdrop for the 2007 Rolex FEI World Cup™ Finals in both jumping and dressage.

After Warsaw (Poland), ‘s-Hertogenbosch (The Netherlands) one week ago and Burbank (USA) last weekend the finalists for the World Cup Final™ in Las Vegas are getting prepared. Some bad luck in advance prevents Australian finalist Matthew Dowley who arrived in February in Germany at Jürgen Koschel’s stables to prepare for the World Cup™ Final to make the trip to Las Vegas. His mare Cinderella was diagnosed with another growth attached to her lower right eyelid. Veterinarians advised rider Matthew Dowsley and owner Claudia Harper against going to the FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final in Las Vegas, to avoid further stress and to be able to start surgery. Matthew, Cinderella’s owner Claudia Harper and their support crew are extremely disappointed, but the welfare of the horse is foremost in their minds.

Jim Host to Step Down from Chairmanship of the World Games 2010 Foundation; Interim Chair Named

The World Games 2010 Foundation, Inc. (Foundation), the organization responsible for planning and conducting the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, announced the resignation of its board chairman, Jim Host. Tandy Patrick has been named the interim chair.

“The possibility of not serving through the full Games preparation period has always been my intention,” stated Jim Host, who has served as chairman of the board since its inception in December 2005. “I retired several years ago to spend more time with my wife and family, but deferred my retirement to get the 2010 Games off to the best possible start. I think we have accomplished that.”

The World Games 2010 Foundation, Inc., announced it has selected Dr. A. Kent Allen as the official Veterinary Coordinator of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010.

“Dr. Allen will be a tremendous asset to the 2010 Games,” stated Jack Kelly, CEO of the World Games 2010 Foundation, Inc. “This event is all about the more than 900 horses that will be competing here in 2010. We want to ensure the best medical care in the world for them and Dr. Allen’s expertise will help us provide just that.”

Tiana Coudray of Carmel Valley, CA, parlayed a penalty-free run in show jumping to capture top honors at FEI World Cup Qualifier (CIC3*-W) at Galway Downs.

An appreciative crowd of more than 3,000 saw Coudray and King Street, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, finish the three days of competition with a score of 54.8. She was the only CIC3*-W rider in the field of 16 with a clean run in show jumping.

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) has officially put in its bid to host the 2007 FEI World Reining Masters during its 2007 NRHA Futurity and Adequan North American Affiliate Championship Show. The NRHA Futurity will be held November 22-December 1, 2007, at the Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, OK.

The NRHA and Oklahoma City hosted the inaugural FEI World Reining Masters in 2004. Elite reiners from 16 different countries competed for a purse of $100,000 and Gold medals in two divisions: open and restricted.

Application Deadline Approaching to Become an Official USEF Qualifying Competition

The United States Equestrian Federation, Inc.®, would like to invite dressage competitions to apply to become an official USEF “qualifying competition” for the 2008 USEF High-Performance and/or Dressage Developing Programs.

USEF High Performance Programs include qualification for the following:
2008 USEF National Intermediaire I Dressage Championship;
2008 USEF National Grand Prix Dressage Championship (including 2008 Olympic Selection Trials).

St. Christopher’s Horse Show Returns to Southeastern Pennsylvania, May 16-20

St. Christopher’s Horse Show returns to Pennsylvania’s picturesque Lebanon Valley region, May 16-20, 2007. The show, boasting improved footing for this year, will be held at the historic Quentin Riding Club in Quentin, PA.

St. Christopher’s features hunter and jumper competitions for all ages and ability levels, from children’s and pony classes to amateur-owner classics. United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) “A”-rated hunter classes, a hunter breeding division and exciting jumper action highlights this year’s schedule.

Please remember that to be eligible to compete in the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships for Jumping and Adequan/USEF National Junior Jumper Championships, horse/rider combinations must earn Certificates of Capability between December 1, 2006, and June 15, 2007, for NAJYRC and August 31, 2007, for National Junior Jumper Championships by completing a course with four faults or less set at Level 8 or higher for Young Riders and Level 7 or higher for Juniors.

Riders must verify this in writing from the horse show office with a signed judge’s card.

Criteria for each championship can be found on the USEF website at http://www.usef.org/content/equestrianSports/disciplines/allJumping.php. Please direct any questions to Jennifer Haydon, Director of Show Jumping, National Programs, at jhaydon@usef.org or (859) 225-6911.

Youth Scholarships Application Deadline April 30; Saddlebred Mania Model Horses Now Available For Order

Completed applications for an American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) Youth Scholarship are due in the association office no later than Monday, April 30, 2007. This fall, ASHA will award four $5,000 scholarships, as well as the Youth-to-Youth Scholarship, which is funded by donations and guaranteed to $5,000 by the association. Additionally, one $2,500 scholarship will be awarded, which is funded by the American Saddlebred Association of Alabama.

Daniel Geitner Wouldn’t Trade Places with Anyone at Atlanta Spring Classics

Daniel Geitner, one of the busiest riders of the Atlanta Spring series, kicked off the final week of competition with a big victory aboard the Kyle Register owned Trading Places in the Classic Equine Equipment sponsored Lucky Sevens Welcome Stakes.

The soft-spoken owner of DFG Stables, based in Aiken, SC, has expressed respect and awe when asked how it felt to not only compete with but also win over the great Joe Fargis and Canadian legend Mac Cone. “Just riding in there with them is good enough for me. I’m happy just being around them.” the modest Geitner commented.

Some 70 delegates representing 31 National Federations have gathered in Paris, France, for the FEI World Endurance Forum from March 31-April 1, 2007. Under the motto “Consolidation, Cooperation, Creation,” this event was the starting point of an in-depth review of this FEI discipline.

CN North American Junior and Young Riders’ Championships Return to the Virginia Horse Center, July 31-August 5, 2007

The CN North American Junior and Young Riders’ Championships (NAJYRC) are adding officially-sanctioned championships in reining to this year’s schedule. This addition paves the way for the biggest and best championships ever when the NAJYRC returns to the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA, July 31-August 5.

Canterbury May Days Qualifier coming May 5-6, 2007, has been granted funding in part from the Alachua County Tourist Development Council and Visitors and Convention Bureau and administered by the Gainesville Sports Organizing Commission. Manager Wendy Low announced that she was “very pleased to have the support of the GSOC and appreciates the contribution to make the event a huge success.”

As it did in the fall of 2006, ASHA will once again offer live streaming video of the TSE/Tattersalls Saddlebred sale via its website, www.saddlebred.com. The TSE/Tattersalls Spring Sale, as conducted by Teater Saddlebred Enterprises, Inc., is Friday and Saturday, April 13-14, 2007. ASHA will broadcast live over the Internet (webcast) both days of the sale in its entirety. The webcast will offer action of each horse for sale as it is presented and allow viewers to listen in on the auctioneer’s call as well as see the sale board, which includes hip number and price.

30-Second Television Advertising Spots Available During Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Broadcast

There are currently limited 30-second television advertisements still remaining for the NBC telecast of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Farnam. This is the fourth year the event has been telecast on NBC, and the telecast will air on Sunday May 6, from 5-6 p.m.

For information on television advertisement, please contact Scott Carling at (859) 225-6928 or via e-mail at scarling@usef.org.

United Professional Horsemen’s Association (UPHA) Chapter 14 will celebrate the 25th anniversary of its Spring Premiere Horse Show by bringing back the Symphony of Horses. The Spring Premiere will begin Tuesday, April 17, with the Symphony of Horses set for Friday, April 20, at the Eastern States Exposition Center in West Springfield, MA.

Every horse owner has at some time wished that his or her steed could suddenly turn into Mr. Ed and talk about its likes, dislikes, pains and fears. Because that’s not likely to happen, a new online educational program is available to help horse owners better understand equine behavior and welfare.

Beezie Madden and Authentic Are True to Form for Victory in $75,000 Grand Prix of Tampa

The $75,000 Grand Prix of Tampa, CSI-W, presented by Kilkenny Insurance Agency was the highlight of the final day of the Tampa Bay Classic, the ninth week of competition at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Beezie Madden, one of America’s top-ranked riders, and her championship partner, Authentic, flew to the win and the prize money of $22,500. They won over Richard Spooner on Cristallo and Laura Kraut with Anthem.

Beautifully Hand-Crafted USEF Leather Bags Made Exclusively by Freedman Harness, Canada

Call toll free today to order your USEF Leather Bags at (877) 256-7674 or visit www.freedmanharness.com.

Do some serious spring cleaning with the United States Equestrian Federation Visa® Platinum Card

This spring it’s out with the old and in with the new when you use the United States Equestrian Federation Visa® Platinum Card, now offering 0% APR for 12 months*! With this exclusive card, every dollar you spend is interest free until next year, allowing you to purchase those new items you’ve been waiting to buy. So whether you use your United States Equestrian Federation Visa for everyday purchases, or that special purchase, switch now and save.

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 product name for terms and conditions: Platinum, Cash Rewards, Select Rewards, College Rewards. Offer not applicable for the College Rewards Visa Card. 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.

Watch All Eight Rings of the Winter Equestrian Festival Live from Tampa, FL, on Your Computer from Anywhere in the World

Productions East Video, Stadium Jumping, Inc., the United States Equestrian Federation® (USEF) and LiveBroadcast.TV will be presenting eight channels of live video webcasting of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) 2007 in Wellington, FL, and continuing in Tampa, FL, January 24–April 7, 2007.

This year’s Winter Equestrian Festival, the nation’s longest, consecutively running equestrian sporting event, celebrates its 35th year in Florida, and will offer more than $4-million in prize money.

The United States Equestrian Federation®, Inc. (USEF), as the National Equestrian Federation of the U.S., is the regulatory body for the Olympic and World Championship sports of dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, reining, show jumping, and vaulting, as well as 20 other breeds and disciplines of equestrian competition. As the country's largest multi-breed organization, the Federation has over 86,000 members and recognizes more than 2,800 competitions nationwide each year. It governs all aspects of competition, including educating and licensing all judges, stewards and technical delegates who officiate at these shows.

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.