Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

In order to better serve members, the USEF has begun a new expedited FEI and National Passport service which is intended to assist those who have an urgent need to obtain a new passport, revalidate an existing one, change ownership, change a horse’s name, and to receive an FEI Recognition Card (a national passport from any country that is upgraded to an FEI passport.)

Horses and ponies competing in the FEI disciplines need official passports to compete in FEI competitions. Even horses owned by U.S citizens and competing within this country need an FEI passport if they are competing in a three-, four- or five-star competition. FEI passports are also required for all horses, including those from the United States, competing in the North American Young Rider Championships. USEF national passports are required to compete in FEI one-star and two-star competitions inside the United States beginning December 1, 2007.

The United States Equestrian Federation is pleased to announce the U.S. riders who will compete in the 2007 Rolex FEI World Cup™ in Las Vegas, NV, April 19-22. This competition will be dual World Cups in both show jumping and dressage. Riders qualify by accumulating points throughout the competition year at designated FEI events in one of the FEI worldwide leagues. There is one U.S. league for dressage and East Coast and West Coast U.S. leagues for show jumping. The FEI may also grant “wild cards” enabling additional riders to compete, and the host country for the Show Jumping World Cup is allowed two wild card riders. The FEI is the International Equestrian Federation, the international governing body for equestrian sport reporting to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The United States Equestrian Federation has announced that the five riders that will compete in the first leg of the Samsung Super League tour CSIO’s La Baule, France, May 10-14; Rome, Italy, May 24-27 ; and St. Gallen, Switzerland, May 3-June 3, are as follows:

Merial’s UlcerGard® and GastroGard® Renews as “Official Equine Stomach Ulcer Products of the USEF”

Merial Equine Pharmaceuticals, a world leader in animal healthcare and a trusted source for athletes and veterinarians, renews their commitment with the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) through 2008. Through this partnership with Merial, UlcerGard® (omeprazole) and GastroGard® (omeprazole) continue to be the “Official Equine Stomach Ulcer Products of the USEF.”

Former Arabian Horse Association Horse of the Year Takes Owner to ‘06 Amateur of the Year Title

Beth Noteman of Genoa, IL, earned the Arabian Horse Association (AHA) Amateur of the Year title by the prodigious amount of showing and winning she accomplished in 2006. She competed on her 11-year-old Arabian liver chestnut stallion HSA Haleys Comet++++// (Skamper x OK Ellazella) aka Liver or Big Guy, who was the recipient of the AHA Horse of the Year title in 2001.

Inaugural USEF Information Technology Summit Hosts Breed and Discipline Technology Leaders

It was a bit of history being made as the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) hosted the first of what is hoped to be annual I.T. summits at the Federation’s headquarters at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington on March 29. The summit—designed to bring together the I.T. departments from the various breeds and disciplines to discuss common interests and concerns—proved to be a useful and enlightening event for the more than 30 people representing over 20 equine professional organizations that were in attendance.

FEI World Cup Eventing Update: Kihikihi (New Zealand), Burnham Market (Great Britain), Norwood (USA); Trio shares Easter Spoils Across the World

FEI World Cup Eventing qualifiers took place across the world on three different continents during the Easter weekend, and produced diverse wins for Olympic Silver medalist Kim Severson (USA), university student Clarke Johnstone (New Zealand) and young British squad member Oliver Townend.

Dressage Championships Deadline is Approaching; Initial Application Deadline is April 16

USEF dressage riders, please be aware that the initial application deadline for the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Dressage Championships in Gladstone, NJ, is fast approaching. This “can’t miss” showcase of champions will include the top horses and riders in the country in the FEI Junior, Young Rider and Brentina Cup divisions, held in conjunction with the National Intermediaire I and Grand Prix Dressage Championships (and Pan American Games Selection Trials). USEF posts weekly ranking lists for each of these divisions online at www.usef.org/content/equestrianSports/disciplines/international/dressage.php.
Without even realizing it, you may be in contention for a national championship, but without submitting an application you will not receive an invitation. Juniors, Young Riders, Brentina Cup riders—you can’t miss this opportunity! Visit the above link for program applications and submit yours by April 16, 2007.

Eventing’s Best Entered at Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI**** Presented by Farnam

As always, eventing fans can expect to see some of the sport’s biggest names in action at this year’s Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Farnam. Entries from five countries include several past champions and Olympic and World Championship medalists.

This year’s Rolex Kentucky CCI****, an FEI Qualifying Competition and U.S. Equestrian Federation Selection Trial for the 2008 Olympic Games, returns to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, April 26-29. The event will host many of the world’s best horse-and-rider pairs as they compete for one of the most coveted purses in equestrian sports and one of the most prestigious championships in the sport of eventing.

National Horse Show Association of America Announces 2007 Dates and Locations for ASPCA Maclay Regional Horse Shows

The National Horse Show Association of America is pleased to announce the dates and locations for this year’s ASPCA Maclay Regional competitions. The horse shows’ qualifying classes determine which riders will compete in this year’s ASPCA Maclay National Championship, which will be held at the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament on October 31-November 4, 2007.

American Horse Council Study Finds Equestrian Recreation Industry Has Significant Economic Impact

The term “backyard horse” does not necessarily spark images of high spending and thousands of jobs. But a closer look reveals that the recreational segment of the horse industry, including the average pleasure rider on their “backyard horse,” generates quite a bit of economic impact and employment opportunities.

The American Horse Council’s Economic Impact of the Horse Industry on the United States study includes some impressive statistics that confirm the size and significant impact of the recreational horse industry.

2007 Winter Equestrian Festival Weeks Nine and Ten Wrap Up, Tampa Bay Classic March 28-April 1, and Tournament of Champions, April 3-April 7

The 2007 Winter Equestrian Festival concluded Saturday after the final two weeks of competition in Tampa, FL, and Beezie Madden and Authentic took home the last prize on Saturday night in Raymond James Stadium.

The $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational, CSI-4*, presented by The Tampa Tribune and Sweetbay Supermarket, reached an exciting conclusion at the Raymond James Stadium in downtown Tampa, FL. It was the grand finale of another fantastic season at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) and wrapped up 10 weeks of the best equestrian competition in the world.

Entries for American Saddlebreds at the Devon Horse Show close on Monday, April 23, 2007. For entry information, contact Ryegate Show Services at (717) 867-5643. Saddlebred entry forms are also available online at www.ryegate.com/SHOWS/Devon/saddle.pdf. The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair is Thursday, May 24, through Sunday, June 3, in Devon, PA.

Hagyard Equine Medical Institute to Offer Veterinary Lectures and Demonstrations During 2007 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event

Hagyard Equine Medical Institute will offer three lectures and a demonstration at no charge to Rolex attendees from April 26-28. The lectures will offer a variety of educational information pertaining to sport horses and their specific health challenges. A demonstration on large animal emergency response techniques will provide horse owners with an understanding of safe and efficient procedures to be used when faced with dangerous situations. All events will take place on Kentucky Horse Park grounds with the lectures being held inside the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute tent located near the Sheila Johnson Arena and the demonstration inside the Walnut Arena.

Three-time Olympic legend Joe Fargis, based in Southampton, NY, added another win to an already illustrious career, taking top honors in the $25,000 Cherry Blossom Grand Prix presented by The Classic Company.

Fargis had two of the 25 equine athletes taking on the immense layout created by designer Allen Rheinheimer. The starting field was a balanced mix of young promising horses to the seasoned veteran professionals like this afternoon’s victorious Diams III, the 14-year-old Selle Francais mare owned by Mary B. Schwab and Oeji Farms whom Fargis has partnered with since she began her career at age 6.

Revised Grand National Show Schedule; Oshkosh Charity Horse Show Added to the 2007 American Saddlebred Registry Grand National Show Schedule

The 2007 American Saddlebred Registry Grand National show schedule has been revised to include the Oshkosh Charity Horse Show, which will be held July 4-7, 2007. The designated Grand National class for this show will be the Show Pleasure Driving Championship.

The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation is proud to announce that Brianne Goutal of New York City is this year’s winner of the Maxine Beard Show Jumping Developing Rider Award. The USET Foundation awarded the rising young equestrian this honor because of her competitive record to date and because of her promise for the future.

The Reining Horse Sports Foundation (RHSF) is honoring leadership and achievement within the National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA). The RHSF will soon award five academic and need-based scholarships to deserving youth members of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA).

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.

Kentucky Horse Park Issues New Health and Equipment Guidelines for Exhibitors

With the 2007 Spring show season quickly approaching, the Kentucky Horse Park (KHP) recently announced several changes which will affect those who wish to compete in upcoming competitions. These changes include updates to the equine health protocol, new regulations regarding electrical equipment, and the addition of a trailer grounds fee.

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.

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.