Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

Animal Planet to Televise 2007 Rolex FEI World Cup™ Finals This Weekend

The Animal Planet television network will televise a special 90-minute broadcast of the 2007 Rolex FEI World Cup™ Finals on Saturday, May 12, beginning at 9:00 p.m. (EDT). The telecast will include the finals in both jumping and dressage.

Las Vegas, the world’s premier city for exciting entertainment, was once again the backdrop for the Rolex FEI World Cup™ Finals in both jumping and dressage when they returned to the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, April 18-22. In 2005, the FEI World Cup Jumping and Dressage Finals were held in the same location simultaneously for the first time in history. The record-breaking success of those dual finals prompted the FEI to bring them back to Las Vegas again this year.

Badminton Horse Trials Won by Australia's Lucinda Fredericks; America's Kim Severson Finishes in Third

“I can’t believe it—to lead from the front and win—it’s unreal,” said an emotional Lucinda Fredericks after winning the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials with Headley Britannia. After the second-placed American pair of Kim Severson and Winsome Adante (Dan) took two poles out, Fredericks' mare—the first to win Badminton in 56 years—had two fences in hand. Despite some heart-stopping moments, Fredericks remained at the top of the leaderboard and won her second four-star event, which produced a special Burghley/Badminton back-to-back.

USEF Names Riders for Summer Show Jumping Developing Young Rider Tour—Melanie Smith Taylor Named as Chef d’Equipe

The United States Equestrian Federation has chosen the four riders to participate in the Developing Young Rider Tour this summer and has named Melanie Smith Taylor as the chef d’equipe.

Smith Taylor, the first woman to garner the AGA Rider of the Year title prompting the association to eliminate a separate award for women in 1978, will continue her innovative contribution to the sport of show jumping in this new role.

United States Equestrian Team Foundation Announces Funding of 2007 USEF Show Jumping Developing Young Rider Tour

The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation is pleased to announce that this year it will fund the 2007 United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Show Jumping Developing Young Rider Tour, which is part of the long-term high-performance strategy to develop the best possible United States’ equestrian teams for the future.

The funds for the 2007 USEF Show Jumping Developing Young Rider Tour were raised by the USET Foundation as part of its Campaign to Achieve Competitive Excellence, in addition to its generous commitment of $2.125 million to fund international high-performance equestrian sport this year. The Show Jumping Developing Young Rider Tour was funded through contributions from individuals who understand the value and importance of providing the international competition experience to the United States’ young talent.

Stadium Jumping Announces Location for its New Showgrounds—Wellington Preserve to be Home to New World-Class Showgrounds

Ending months of speculation on the future of its equestrian showgrounds, the Board of Directors of Stadium Jumping, Inc., announced that Stadium Jumping has reached an agreement with Wellington Preserve Corporation to relocate Stadium Jumping's showgrounds to a 179-acre parcel located within the Wellington Preserve community. Wellington Preserve is located on 50th Street, between 120th and 130th Avenues in the Village of Wellington.

USEF Process for Date Transfer for Wellington Show Grounds Based on Specific Criteria

The United States Equestrian Federation is the National Governing Body for equestrian sport as designated by the United States Olympic Committee under the Ted Stevens Amateur Sports Act. Consistent with the mission of USEF and among its responsibilities under the Ted Stevens Act are the licensing of competitions that are in the best interest of equestrian sport and conducting a national program of athletic competition on a level of proficiency appropriate for the selection of athletes to represent the United States in international athletic competition; and finally, being responsible to the persons it represents.

The Wellington horse show season is a vital part of both the national and international annual competition calendar for the Olympic sports of show jumping and dressage. The show season in Wellington has continued to grow and gain international prominence, making it an important training ground for the United States’ current and future international athletes, and in fact, it has served as the site for selection trials and qualifiers for our country’s international equestrian teams. Thousands of USEF members of all ages and skill levels have enjoyed competing in Wellington. Any interruption of the competition calendar at Wellington would be disastrous and wholly inconsistent with the USEF mission and the Ted Stevens Amateur Sports Act. Since the lease for the current show grounds in Wellington expires in December 2008 a permanent home for the Winter Equestrian Festival and the National Horse Show is essential.

The thrilling new Samsung Super League with FEI season is only days away. Much has happened in the past four years since the series began, and the time has come to expand our view of it. The Samsung Super League with FEI clearly is the most prestigious series in team jumping, but it is much more than that. It is about sport, team spirit, fair play, lifestyle, unique locations and exciting personalities.

There is still time to book your advertising space in the 2007 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions Program. But hurry! Space closes on Monday, May 14. USEF members receive special rates. For more information contact Crissi White at (859) 225-6936 or cwhite@usef.org.

Reminder for Dressage Juniors, Young Riders and “Brentina Cup” Riders: Dressage Championships Deadline is May 15

USEF dressage juniors, young riders and “Brentina Cup” riders, please be aware that the final application deadline for the USEF national dressage championships in Gladstone, NJ, is fast approaching! This is your last chance to be eligible for this year’s “can’t miss” showcase of champions, which 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 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Intermediaire I and Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Grand Prix Dressage Championships (and Pan American Games Selection Trials). Without even realizing it, you may be in contention for a national championship, but without submitting an application, you will not receive an invitation. USEF posts weekly ranking lists for each of these divisions online. Please note: if you are ranked on these lists but your name is not in BOLD type, we have not received your application and 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 May 15, 2007.

New Dates for the 2007 Succeed/United States Dressage Federation FEI-Level Trainers’ Conference

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) has announced October 27-28, 2007, as the new dates for the 2007 FEI-Level Trainers’ Conference to be held at Starr Vaughn Equestrian Center in Sacramento, CA. The conference will feature Jan Brink who is currently ranked sixth in the world for FEI dressage riders. In addition to the two-day riding conference, a lecture will be held on Friday, October 26, with Brink and the sponsor of the event, Freedom Health, makers of Succeed digestive conditioning system. Immediately following the Friday night lecture, there will be a welcome reception, sponsored by Schleese Saddlefit 4 Life, with both of these events being held at the Marriot Sacramento Rancho Cordova.

Tickets Now Online for 2007 Fidelity Investments Jumper Classic; Enter to Win a Grand Prix Course Walk with a Competitor

The Fidelity Investments Jumper Classic Presented by Animal Planet is excited to announce that tickets to the event are now available online. By purchasing a ticket online before August 15, 2007, the buyer is automatically entered to win an opportunity to accompany one of the grand prix riders on the course walk to see firsthand what riders and horses face on this challenging show jumping course. Three winners will be selected—one for each ticket category: VIP, grandstand or general admission ticket holder. The winners and a guest will participate in the action on Sunday prior to the start of the $75,000 Fidelity Investments Jumper Classic.

Bob Bell, President of the Classic Company, announced that there are a few changes for the upcoming Atlanta Summer Classics, held at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, June 20-July 1.

The Kentucky Spring and the Kentucky Spring Classic Horse Shows are presenting live webcasts of their two weeks of horse show competition. The webcasts are being produced by Productions East Video.

The Kentucky Spring Horse Show takes place May 9-13, and the Kentucky Spring Classic takes place May 16-20, and both are held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. Viewers can choose to watch webcasts from five rings.

Savvy equestrians know that the “coolest” place to be every summer is in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains where the annual Lake Placid and I Love New York Horse Shows offer “hot fun” for everyone. This year’s Lake Placid Horse Shows return to the village of Lake Placid, NY, June 26–July 8, with tons of fun for exhibitors and spectators alike.

One of the reasons that the Lake Placid Horse Shows are so popular with exhibitors is that in addition to the first-class horse show facility, management and prize money, there are just so many fun things to do in Lake Placid. As one of the world’s premier resort destinations, Lake Placid offers an ideal setting for family vacations.

Buchanan Named Director of Administration for 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

The World Games 2010 Foundation, Inc., the organization responsible for planning and executing the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, announced that Anne Buchanan has been promoted to director of administration. Buchanan is one of the two original employees who began working for the Foundation more than a year ago.

World Games 2010 Foundation Names Media Service Committee for Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010

The World Games 2010 Foundation, Inc., the organizers of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG), announced the formation of a Media Services committee. The committee’s primary responsibility will be to advise the Foundation on a broad range of media relations issues for the 2010 WEG.

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.