Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

Currency DC and Royal Prince at the USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage Eastern Selection Trials Championship

The USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage Program continued this past weekend with the third of three official Selection Trials at CDI Three-Star/Y Raleigh and Capital Dressage Classic, held June 3–5 in Raleigh, NC. This USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage Eastern Selection Trial for the FEI World Breeding Championships showcased the Eastern region’s most promising dressage prospects in their quest to qualify for Verden.

In a new format this year, the Selection Trial competition is comprised of two tests for each age division (five- and six-year-old): the Preliminary Test and the Finale Test. Held over two days, the Preliminary Test counts 40% toward the overall results, with the Finale Test being the determining factor at 60% of the total. In addition, all horses must have pre-qualified by earning a score of at least 6.8 in a previous young horse test in order to contest the yrial, thereby raising the bar for all entrants.

U.S. Team Finishes Fourth in St. Gallen; Still Topping Samsung Super League Leaderboard Overall

Despite a double-clear round from leading U.S. rider Beezie Madden and a mere four faults from Laura Kraut, the United States finished fourth in the third leg of Samsung Super League Competition in St. Gallen—just behind rivals Germany, Switzerland and top-ranked France. The fourth place, 20-fault finish earned the team four points, just enough to keep them in the overall lead in Samsung competition, at 21 points.

Samsung Super League Leaderboard After Round 3 in
St. Gallen

For more information on the Samsung Super League, including the latest news, rider biographies, the competition schedule and results, click here.

The USEF ParaEquestrian High Performance Committee has named the 2005 ParaEquestrian Advanced Rider List based on scores that the riders submitted to fulfill the published criteria.

Top Dressage Talent to Ride in New Jersey, June 16-18; USEF Names Riders for 2005 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Grand Prix and Intermediaire I Dressage Championships at the USET Foundation Dressage Festival of Champions

Some of equestrian’s top dressage riders are leading the list of entries for the 2005 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Grand Prix and Intermediaire I Dressage Championships, presented by Paul Miller, Inc. Both championships will take place at the USET Foundation Dressage Festival of Champions, June 16-18, in Gladstone, NJ.

Margie Goldstein-Engle and Hidden Creek's Wapino Win $75,000 Footings Unlimited Grand Prix at HITS-on-the-Hudson II

Show jumping legend Margie Goldstein-Engle galloped away with the blue ribbon in the $75,000 Footings Unlimited Grand Prix at HITS-on-the-Hudson II. The 2000 Olympic veteran and eight-time American Grand Prix Association Rider of the Year thrilled the Sunday crowd aboard Hidden Creek's Wapino, a 17.2-hand nine-year-old Westfalian gelding. "I've been riding him at the grand prix level for a little over a year now. We had some wins in Florida, but this is the biggest in terms of money won," she said. Goldstein-Engle's win earned $22,500 for owner Hidden Creek Farm, Inc.

The June feature item of the month is the Ladies’ white spandex T-shirt. Very comfortable with a great stretchy fit. Click here to order this item.

From now until June 30, purchase $50 or more of USEF merchandise and you’ll receive a FREE USEF magnet. Click here to enter the official USEF online store.

*UPDATE*
USEF Memberperk: Special Clinic and Discounted Tickets Offered for Anniversary Tour of the Spanish Riding School of Vienna and its Legendary Lipizzaner Stallions

New Contact Information for Spanish Riding School Tickets

For the first time in more than a decade, the Spanish Riding School of Vienna will make a tour of the United States, in celebration of the 60th anniversary of U.S. General George Patton’s rescue of Europe’s beloved Lipizzaner stallions.

This amazing tour of dancing horses will perform in six cities, and USEF members will have an unparalleled opportunity for discounted tickets and access to a special pre-show clinic. A limited number of specially grouped seats will be reserved in each market for USEF members, and will be available for $65, a $10 discount from the normal ticket price. Other seating will also be made available at discounted rates of $45 and $25. Order deadlines are approximately one month before the date of each performance, and USEF members will be asked for their member numbers to receive the advertised discounts.

West Coast Active Riders Organization Announces Information for Zone 10 Pony Finals and FEI Children's International Jumping Final

The West Coast Active Riders (WCAR) organization announced pertinent information for young riders concerning the 2005 Zone 10 Pony Hunter Finals and the 2005 FEI Children’s’ International Final.

Blenheim Equisports is pleased to present the 2005 Zone 10 Pony Hunter Finals on June 25-26 on the Grass Hunter Field at The Oaks in San Juan Capistrano, CA. The Zone 10 Pony Hunter Finals are open to all pony/rider combinations. Entries can be made on the Oaks Blenheim June Classic III entry blanks. Divisions will be held for Small, Medium and Large Pony divisions, but not Green Pony divisions. In addition, there will be special awards presented to grand champion and grand reserve champion ponies.

Whether a do-it-yourselfer or industry professional, Sherwin-Williams offers the quality products, services, tools and advice you need to get your job done right.

Did you know that as a USEF member, you can receive up to a 40% discount on Sherwin-Williams paint and supplies? Join those that saved nearly $1 million on purchases for their farms, businesses and personal use last year. Simply call toll free (877) 576-6872 to enroll in the FREE USEF Memberperks program and learn about other discount programs available.

Rockin' Horse Productions announced its official broadcast schedule for its award-winning television show, "Unbridled" with Susan Kayne. Viewers can tune in July 16 through September 18 on weekend mornings at 6:30 and 7:00 a.m. on FOX throughout the northeast, Kentucky and Florida. In New York's Capital Region, where "Unbridled" is produced, viewers can tune in to the series every Monday starting June 6 at 9:00 a.m. on OTB TV.

Development Manager Begins at American Saddlebred Horse Association

Matthew Williams, of Louisville, KY, has been hired by the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) as its development manager, effective Monday, June 6.

Williams will be responsible for increasing revenues for ASHA through the Association’s magazine, American Saddlebred, and its Reference Directory, as well as managing other fundraising events and promotions.

This Is Your Last Chance!

Don't miss out on advertising in the dressage issue of EQUESTRIAN. There is no better place to advertise your dressage stallion, horses for sale or facility. Reach over 80,000 USEF members. As a USEF member, you also receive discounted advertising rates. Call now! Ad space closes June 13. For more information, contact Crissi White at (859) 225-6936 or cwhite@usef.org.

From the May 2005 issue of EQUESTRIAN magazine: Sales Ethics: It's Not All Black and White

Editor’s Note: While the following feature article speaks specifically of the challenges the Thoroughbred horse racing industry has faced in relation to sales and ethics, there is much that we as the horse show industry can learn from it on this topic. Only a small percentage of those selling horses practice unethical behavior. However, it is still important to be aware of those potential concerns that might present themselves. Remember, knowledge is power.

At the center of both industries is the horse. Supporting an ethical and fair set of practices when dealing with their sale is critical. From dual agency to medical and ownership disclosures, much debate has taken place, and there is, now more than ever, a determination to see an improvement in the current state of affairs regarding sales practices, ethical behavior and protecting the rights of those who spend their money on the purchase of recreational and show horses.

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.