Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

World Cup Finals and Rolex Packing April with Action; Finest U.S. Equestrians Pursuing Prestigious Titles

In a month where the average American wanders out to the garden wishing for summer, equestrian sport has taken the lead—and the reins—to bring the country into full bloom. Leading us first to the entertainment capital of the world on April 20, the 2005 FEI World Cup Finals promises to feature some of the best show jumping and dressage the world has to offer. The United States will be sending 16 of its finest riders to face off against the world in Las Vegas, during the first dual World Cup Finals in history. Following the Finals, fans will race back to Kentucky to usher in the one-and-only 2005 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Presented by Farnam on April 28. From Rolex veterans to Olympic champions, America ’s best will be gracing the Bluegrass State—each deserving of the world spotlight.

Mark Your Calendars! NBC to Feature Equestrian’s Finest in Double Header Broadcast May 8

A sure sign of the rising popularity of equestrian sport across the nation, NBC Sports will air its first ever double-header for eventing and show jumping on May 8, showcasing two of the United States’ most prestigious events in 2005. The two-for-one broadcast will feature highlights from the 2005 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Presented by Farnam and the 2005 FEI Budweiser World Cup Show Jumping Final from Las Vegas and is scheduled to air from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

USEF and AQHA to Promote Collegiate Competition with Introduction of Varsity Equestrian Website

Universities and colleges that compete in Division I and Division II NCAA equestrian sports throughout the United States now have the added resources of a newly launched website. The USEF and the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) join in support of the efforts of www.varsityequestrian.com, the official site of varsity equestrian sports. Designed to enhance the knowledge and awareness of equestrian competition at the university level and beyond, the site will also serve as information headquarters for varsity equestrian sports and will help establish a consistent brand image for the sport while providing useful information to athletes, parents, coaches, administrators and athletic directors.

Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital will hold an educational seminar for horse owners on April 28 during the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Farnam at the Kentucky Horse Park. The seminar offers information on the latest veterinary technology specifically pertaining to competing the sport horse. Proceeds will benefit the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation.

One Young Horse will be Crowned Champion: Announcing a New Format for the 2005 Sallie B. Wheeler/USEF National Hunter Breeding Championship Presented by Vita Flex

The USEF ’s National Hunter Breeding Championship continues to grow as fast as the young horses it showcases. To accommodate the phenomenal show of interest across the country, the championship will be taking on a new format this year, welcoming competitors in two separate locations. This year, the 2005 Sallie B. Wheeler/USEF National Hunter Breeding Championship, Presented by Vita Flex, will start in Del Mar, CA, at the All Seasons Horse Show on August 31. After evaluating the West Coast classes, including yearling, two-year-old and three-year-old colt/geldings and fillies–culminating with the Best Young Horse class–the judges will fly to the historic Warrenton Horse Show in Warrenton, VA, September 3, where they’ll continue their judging in the same format.

The USEF is excited to announce the judges for the 2005 Adult Amateur Saddle Seat Medal Finals taking place at the Lexington Junior League Horse Show on Friday, July 15. The three judge panel will consist of Michael Craghead of Livermore, CA, Kim Crumpler of Simpsonville, KY and Tim Lockard of Russell, IA.

The April feature item of the month is a set of four glasses, each displaying a different quote--a great gift idea for horse enthusiasts.

From now until April 30, purchase $50 or more on USEF merchandise and you’ll receive a FREE USEF magnet. While you’re shopping, please visit our closeout section for great deals on select USEF merchandise. Click here to enter the official USEF online store.

USDF announced their new online service: a searchable database of equine businesses, products and services. The USDF Market Place will link buyers and sellers, making it quick, easy and convenient to locate those hard-to-find equine suppliers. USDF Market Place will be updated daily, so tell your favorite tack shop, barn, trainer and others of this great business opportunity and keep coming back.

HITS Announces 2005 HITS-on-the-Hudson Spring and Summer Circuits: Featuring The Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championship

The anticipation builds in the equestrian community as Horse Shows In The Sun (HITS) prepares to host the HITS-on-the-Hudson Spring and Summer Circuits for the second year at its world-class show grounds in Saugerties, NY. The seven-week hunter/jumper circuit returns from May 25 to September 4, with many exciting new additions to the equestrian facility and the show jumping competition taking place there. Six of the seven HITS-on-the-Hudson shows are sanctioned by the FEI and will have a CSI*** designation. Each week will feature approximately 250 classes, including grand prixs on Thursdays and Sundays. More than $1,000,000 in prize money will be awarded over the seven weeks of competition.

Through the week of May 1, 2005, the USEF will be sending weekly e-mails to competition management contacts containing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and updates regarding the new competition licensing procedure. The information contained in these e-mails will also be available in the USEF Week In Review. After May 1, 2005, the updates will continue in the Week In Review only.

Three Clear Rounds for Kim Frey and Marlou Secures Win in $150,000 Grand Prix of Charlotte at the Charlotte Jumper Classic

The third time was the charm for Kimberly Frey and Marlou on April 10 at the 2005 Charlotte Jumper Classic at the Coliseum in Charlotte, NC. Frey and her partner, Marlou, produced the only clear ride in the jump-off to nail down the top prize in the $150,000 Grand Prix of Charlotte, Sunday afternoon’s featured event.

For the full story, click here.

Dutton Wins Second FEI World Cup Qualifier and Fourth Title at Chatsworth Horse Trials

Australian Phillip Dutton cruised to victory in the FEI World Cup Qualifier at Chatsworth International Horse Trials (CIC***-W) with The Foreman on 46.2 penalities and also took second place with Hannigan (46.9) after the final cross-country phase at Bouckaert Farm, in northern Georgia. Olympic Silver medalist, Kimberly Severson, who won in 2000 aboard Over The Limit moved into third place following a clear round on her 2002 winner, Winsome Adante, to finish on her dressage score of 50.50 and also take fifth place on the 15-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, Royal Venture. Darren Chiacchia who was lying in the third place spot overnight slipped to fourth place on Windfall 2 after collecting a few time penalties.

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The 60th Aanniversary celebration of the Del Mar National Horse Show begins on April 21, 2005, with Western Week and a spectacular Saturday night showcase of equestrian talent and entertainment, Night of the Horse, presented by Mary’s Tack & Feed. One of the nation’s largest and esteemed horse shows, the Del Mar National draws hundreds of North America’s finest horses and riders to the Del Mar Fairgrounds Equestrian Center every year, and this year’s 60th Anniversary dates are April 21 to May 8.

For the full story, click here.

Dover Saddlery has announced the opening of its latest store in Plaistow, NH. An authentic New England post and beam barn has been restored to reflect the ambience of a premium horse stable, while offering equestrians the finest selection of products for horse and rider at all levels of competition. The store will offer customers tax-free shopping seven days a week on hundreds of brand name equestrian products. Merchandise will be displayed over four floors, with the top floor entirely devoted to saddles, presenting one of the largest selections of English saddles in the country and the basement offering the very popular Dover Saddlery catalog closeouts.

More than 350 participants took part in the 2005 FEI General Assembly hosted by the British Equestrian Federation (BEF). The six days of meetings (April 5-10) were held in a cooperative and friendly atmosphere. In connection with the General Assembly, both the Bureau and the Executive Board met three times. A total of 30 different meetings took place throughout the week, which represents the highest number of meetings ever organized in the framework of an FEI General Assembly.

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.