Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

Check the USEF website at www.usef.org for daily coverage from the 2005 FEI World Cup in Las Vegas.

Catch the 2005 FEI Budweiser World Cup Show Jumping Final from Las Vegas on NBC on May 8 from 5-6 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). The 2005 World Cup Dressage Final presented by Offield Farms will air on OLN on June 6 at 4 p.m. EDT.

University of South Carolina's Gamecock Equestrian Team Wins National Championship in Varsity Equestrian; First Year NCAA Title Has Been Contested by USC

Winning the Hunt Seat Division with 40 points, the University of South Carolina’s (USC) equestrian team clinched its first national title in varsity equestrian on April 16. Overall, South Carolina tallied 60 points to second place University of Georgia’s 51 points (the two-time defending champion). Texas A & M University finished third, and Oklahoma State University finished fourth.

Team USA Takes Silver Medal At 2005 Pan American Endurance Championships

It was a Silver-medal performance for Team USA at the 2005 Pan American Senior Team Championships on Friday, April 15, in the host city of Pinamar, Argentina. Battling against the U.S. athletes for a spot on the medals stand were two South American nations--Uruguay (Gold) and Brazil (Bronze). Fifty-four combinations started the ride with 29 completing the full distance of 100 miles. The ride was held under ideal conditions, which made for a competitive race.

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.

Q: How do I request date or location changes in the Renewal License Application?

2005 World Cup Kicks Off With Exciting Las Vegas Jump Gambler’s Choice

The 2005 version of the FEI World Cup Finals kicked off with the Las Vegas Jump Gambler’s Choice competition. Prior to the World Cup Finals, 27 Nevada-based junior and amateur riders competed in a qualifying competition to determine the 10 who would move forward to compete on April 19 in the Thomas and Mack Center, the same arena where the top show jumping and dressage riders will test their mettle.

The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Task Force on Anti-Doping and Medication Policy was established in November 2004 and was asked to look into the existent FEI system of medication control, which, while robust, required changes to better reflect equestrian sport of the 21st century. The Task Force also dealt with the ensuing judicial procedure and came up with a series of modifications that would improve the system and make it more transparent and equitable. It is important to note that the FEI has a more conservative and stricter approach to prohibited substances than the one laid down by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Short vs. Long Format Research to be Presented at Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Farnam

During the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Farnam, Dr. Ellen Singer, a well-respected veterinarian out of the University of Liverpool, England, will present the results of her recent comparative study of the effects of the two competitive three-day formats: the long format (with Phases A, B, C and D) and the short format (Phase D only). Dr. Singer has considerable experience in the area of equine welfare research, and will be joined in her presentation by FEI and USEF veterinarian, Dr. Catherine Kohn.

USDF Announces New Continuing Education Program for Judges and USDF ‘L’ Graduates

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce a new educational opportunity, made possible with funding support from The Dressage Foundation. The Continuing Education Program for Judges and USDF ‘L’ Graduates, developed by the USDF Judges Committee, has been designed to meet the growing need for continuing education. The goal of this program is to provide for, and continually improve, the training of individuals currently licensed as judges and those aspiring to become licensed.

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.

HorseTV Media Group, Inc., announced that it has set an early fall date for the launch of the only 24 hour-a-day television network dedicated to equestrian sports and lifestyles. The company also announced its acquisition of Equestrian Vision USA (EVUSA), the largest supplier of equestrian videos in North America. EVUSA’s extensive library of television and video programming represents some of the most respected and best-known equestrian competitions in the world, including the videos from the 2004 Athens Olympics.

The United States Dressage Federation (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.

At John Deere, we know all about passion. For more than 160 years, ours has centered around one goal--building innovative, quality equipment that not only meets, but exceeds the expectations of our customers. Accept nothing less than equipment that stands for the same passion you live by. And now, USEF members can save up to 23% MSRP on new John Deere equipment, for full-time equine facilities, through USEF Memberperks. For more on John Deere products, visit www.johndeere.com.

It costs nothing to join the Memberperks program for current USEF members. Simply call (877) 576-6872 to enroll now and to receive more information on John Deere equipment, as well as other discount programs that are available through USEF Memberperks. Why wait? Last year, USEF members saved nearly $1 million on purchases for their farms, businesses and personal use.

Santa Fe will host the second annual New Mexico Grand Prix on Memorial Weekend 2005, May 28-29. The event takes place on the Polo Fields of the Santa Fe Horse Park. A huge step toward the goal of making Santa Fe a premiere equestrian destination, this major sporting event will feature top riders from all over the country who will compete for prize money. The event will attract equine professionals, amateur exhibitors, horse lovers, owners and riders, tourists and spectators. Proceeds from the event will support Santa Fe’s new Therapeutic Riding Program, Equistars, a non-profit organization that opened in January 2004.

The popular Red Hills Horse Trials, which took place last month at Tallahassee, FL, will be broadcast on Comcast Sports Southeast (CSS) television next week. The 60-minute program, which features dressage, cross-country and show jumping, can be seen in 11 Southeastern states on April 25 at 10 p.m. and April 26 at 3:30 p.m.

From the April 2005 issue of EQUESTRIAN magazine: Hunters and Hunter Judging in Transition

The dusky night rides down the sky,
And ushers in the morn;
The hounds all join in glorious cry,
The huntsman winds his horn,
And a-hunting we will go.

When Henry Fielding wrote the above words in 1734, a hunting horse was just that - a horse or pony that would carry you safely and boldly to follow the hounds. By the early part of the 1900s, foxhunting enthusiasts occasionally moved their horses out of the hunting field and into a show arena to be judged on their style, form and way of going. For many years, the fox hunter and the show ring hunter were one and the same.

There will be a Stewards Clinic on October 29-30, 2005, held in conjunction with the Paso Fino Horse Association (PFHA) Board of Directors meeting held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 10221 Princess Palm Ave, Tampa, FL.

For the full story, click here.

The American Saddlebred Registry Board of Directors elected its officers for the nine-member board at its first meeting April 5. Fred Sarver will serve as president, Joan Hamilton as vice president, Sandra Lilly as secretary and David Howard as treasurer. The terms will end in February 2006.

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).

U.S. eventing legend Jim Wofford will be on hand at the United States Eventing Association booth to sign the newly reprinted copies of his book, Training the Three-Day Event Horse and Rider. The signing will take place at noon on Friday, April 29, at the Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Farnam.

For the full story, click here.

The Hampton Classic Horse Show, one of the nation’s premier show jumping competitions, returns to Bridgehampton, Long Island, NY, for its 30th year with an exciting lineup of social events and equestrian competitions. The Hampton Classic Horse Show begins on Sunday, August 28, and culminates with the excitement of the $100,000 Hampton Classic Grand Prix, on Sunday, September 4. The Hampton Classic is a benefit event for Southampton Hospital.

The American Horse Council’s 2005 Horse Industry Directory is now available for purchase. This must-have publication includes listings, both national and international, covering every segment of the equine industry. Updated yearly, it is the definitive source that puts the equine industry at your fingertips.

Sculpture Raffle at USEA Booth during Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Farnam

The Kentucky Horse Park, site of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Farnam, will soon be graced with a bronze sculpture of Bruce Davidson and Eagle Lion jumping into the well-known water obstacle, the Head of the Lake. A final casting of the sculpture, created by artist Jean Clagett, will be on display at this year’s event and a raffle for the casting will be held at the United States Eventing Association (USEA) booth to benefit the project—1,000 tickets at $50 each will be available.

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.