Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

The USEF Executive Committee announced on June 11 that the following combinations have been named to the eventing squad that will represent the United States at the 2007 Pan American Games, July 13-29, 2007, which will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

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Pending approval of the United States Olympic Committee, the USEF announced the horse-and-rider combinations for the show jumping team that will represent the United States at the 2007 Pan American Games, July 13-29, 2007 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The USEF has formed a task force to review current safety procedures at USEF competitions and to make recommendations to the USEF Safety Committee regarding possible changes to safety standards for licensed competitions, regardless of breed or discipline.

“The USEF consistently monitors safety standards, they are not static, and they will consistently change with the growth of our sport and the technology available,” said Andrew Ellis, Co-Chairman of the Task Force and a member of the USEF Board of Directors. “All of us have a stake in safety—the riders, instructors, organizers and officials, and we are open to input from everyone. We are also reviewing how other sports, such as skiing and snowboarding, address safety.” The initial Task Force meeting was April 25, and it is expected they will submit their recommendations to the USEF Safety Committee by mid-July.

Debbie McDonald is one of the most decorated American dressage riders in recent years. With her beloved mare Brentina, she picked up medals on three consecutive teams (2002 FEI World Equestrian Games or WEG, 2004 Olympics and 2006 WEG) and has become a household name in the dressage world. Organized by the U.S. Olympic Committee, McDonald spoke about the value of sportsmanship to members of the Hoofbeats 4-H Club on Wednesday June 13, in Gladstone, NJ, after the veterinary inspection at the Festival of Champions.

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Intermediaire I Entries Declared for Collecting Gaits Farm Dressage Festival of Champions

The USEF is pleased to announce that the Intermediaire I entries for the 2007 Collecting Gaits Farm Festival of Champions have been confirmed. This division will serve as a final selection trial for the upcoming Pan American Games this summer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

USEF Announces New Partnership with GumBits in Support of Dressage Programs

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has formed a partnership with a newly developed equine product manufacturer, GumBits, to sponsor the 2007 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions, presented by Paul Miller Auto Group. In addition, GumBits continues their commitment to the sport of dressage by also being a new supporter of the Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Championship, presented by Collecting Gaits Farm.

Make Your Best Deal with John Deere, Then Take an Additional Savings up to $2,000*

Up to $2,000 off current model 5003 and 5005 series tractors or 0% for 36 months.

Membership has its advantages. As a member of the USEF, you now have the opportunity to really save big on select John Deere equipment with sizzling hot summer savings on John Deere 5003 and 5005 series tractors. Depending on the 5003 or 5005 in-stock model (excludes 5603) and options you choose, you can save up to $2,000 on these utility tractors full of John Deere reliability and performance OR get 0% interest for 36 months.

As an USEF member, you also will receive a discount coupon for additional savings. For the 5003 and 5005 series tractors, you receive a $250 discount coupon. Coupons are available for other John Deere models as well. But to take advantage of these best offers of the summer, you’ve got to visit your participating John Deere dealer by July 31 and purchase a 5003 or 5005 tractor from stock. Certain restrictions apply, and the offer runs out as soon as the tractors are gone. So see your dealer for details. To find out more information, call us at (877) 576-6872 or visit www.usef.org.

*Offer limited to USEF MemberPerks members. Program begins June 15, 2007, and remains in effect until July 31, 2007.

Select John Deere agricultural products include: 5003 series tractors and 5005 series tractors, excludes model 5603. See dealer for details.

Full of promise for the FEI World Pony Driving Championship this July in Denmark, the U.S. drivers got off to a great start at the CAI-A in Saumur, France, this weekend, picking up a decisive win in the pairs division under the reins of Randy Cadwell and a runner-up finish in the four-in-hand division by Laurie Astengiano.

The new Ariat

USA

“Look of the Team” merchandise is now available at the USEF online store. Visit the store online to check out the latest Ariat USA men’s and women’s polos and vests!

Riding the wave of the U.S. show jumpers success last weekend on the European continent, some up and coming dressage riders stepped up onto the world stage very impressively at the CDI**** Balve, June 7-10, in Germany.

Casey Dornan and eight-year-old Le Carmeur made their international debut a valiant one, finishing runner-up in the Prix St. George. The pair scored 70.5% in the class, their first on international soil. They were also runners-up in the Intermediaire I test, breaking the 70% barrier again.

American Miniature Horse Registry Becomes an Affiliated Association with the United States Equestrian Federation

The American Miniature Horse Registry (AMHR) announced that the registry is a 2007 Affiliated Association with the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). As a USEF Affiliated Association, the AMHR benefits from exposure to more than 89,000 USEF members, publication of the AMHR address and contact information in EQUESTRIAN magazine and access to insurance coverage at a special Affiliated Association members-only rate. Affiliated Association members receive the USEF Rule Book and the USEF Roster of Licensed Officials. In addition, as a USEF Affiliated Association, AMHR has the opportunity to submit association news for publication in EQUESTRIAN magazine and the Week in Review e-newsletter.

Each zone’s and United States Pony Clubs’ Adequan/USEF National Pony Jumper Championships standings will be complete as of Friday, June 15. Please check your standings and make any necessary corrections by close of business Wednesday, June 20. No corrections will be accepted after June 20, 2007, for the 2007 Adequan/USEF National Pony Jumper Championships standings. Standings are located on the USEF website under 2007 Points & Awards. More information about the 2007 Adequan/USEF National Pony Jumper Championships can be found on the USEF website at www.usef.org/contentpage2.aspx?Id=NatJumping.

Questions? Contact Jennifer Haydon, Director of Show Jumping, National Programs, at (859) 225-6911 or jhaydon@usef.org.

The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation is pleased to announce that Lauren Kieffer and Tigger Too were presented with the 2007 Markham Trophy on Sunday, June 3, at the Jersey Fresh CCI***, which ran from May 31-June 3.

The Markham Trophy is awarded to the highest-placed rider under the age of 21 at the USEF CCI*** Spring Championship, which was held at Jersey Fresh. Kieffer was partnered with Tigger Too, a chestnut gelding owned by her trainer David O'Connor.

Live webcasts of the Country Heir Horse Shows are available online now. The webcasts are being produced by Productions East Video. The Country Heir I Horse Show runs through Sunday, June 17, and the Country Heir II Horse Show follows, June 20-24. Both are held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. Viewers are able to watch competition from five rings (Walnut, Johnson, Murphy, Stoneleigh and Clayborne).

The 2007 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby produced a new All-Time Leading Money-Earning Horse for the NRHA. Einsteins Revolution, owned by Wagner & Vandorp of Aubrey, TX, has earned more money at NRHA-approved events than any other horse on record.

KR Lil Conquistador, owned by Cheree Kirkbride, of Ocala, FL, is close behind. Einsteins Revolution (Einstein x Fly Flashy Jac) has earned $279,357, and KR Lil Conquistador (Conquistador Whiz x Smart Little Prize) has won $278,839. That’s only a $518 difference.

USEF Emerson Burr Horsemanship Awards Program to be Held at the Fairfield County Hunt Club June Horse Show

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) will again conduct its Emerson Burr Horsemanship Awards Program at The Fairfield County Hunt Club June Benefit Horse Show on June 26-30, 2007, in Westport, CT. One of the premier equestrian events in the country, the Fairfield June Horse Show benefits The EQUUS Foundation.

Two of the nation’s top show jumping events are teaming up to promote grand prix show jumping in Cleveland, OH. Organizers of the Chagrin Valley PHA Hunter Jumper Classic and the American Gold Cup (both held annually at the Cleveland Metroparks Polo Field in Moreland Hills, OH) have established a $50,000 Challenge to encourage the world’s best grand prix riders to travel to Northeast Ohio to compete at both events. Any rider that wins the $65,000 Cleveland Grand Prix in July and the $100,000 American Gold Cup in September in the same year will be awarded a $50,000 bonus.

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.

At this year's prestigious Upperville Colt and Horse Show, Shawn Casady of Tennessee had a phenomenal week. Casady trains with Bill Schaub at Over the Hill Farm of Sanford, FL. Casady rode seven ponies to ribbons and tricolors and was named the Best Child Rider on a Pony this year.

Get ready for the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, which will be held at the beautiful Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, from August 1-5, 2007, and the Kentucky Summer Classic will follow from August 8-12, 2007.

The two-week series will host two $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic Grand Prix events, as well as the $40,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix and the $40,000 Kentucky Classic Grand Prix, which is a member event of the American Grand Prix Association's grand prix series. The $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic Grand Prix events are part of the Hagyard Challenge Series, which features $170,000 in prize money and runs throughout the summer at the horse park. The Kentucky Summer Horse Shows are also qualifying events for the Washington International Horse Show Championships and 2007 North American League finals.

Circle City Equestrian Annual Horse Show to Take Indiana State Fair Grounds by Storm in July

Where else in central Indiana can the avid equestrian capture the amenities, prize money and camaraderie than at the Circle City Equestrian Horse Show at the Indiana State Fairgrounds? In an effort to provide another high-quality 'AA' show in the Midwest, Circle City is hosting this four-star event, held from July 18-22, which presents numerous conveniences to every exhibitor. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned professional, Circle City caters to riders of all levels.

Former editor and owner of The National Horseman Raymond E. Sheffield of Louisville, KY, died Saturday, June 9, 2007, at St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington, KY.

Sheffield began his career with The National Horseman in 1950, accepting a position as its advertising manager. The owner/publisher at the time, Henry Brown, groomed Sheffield to be his replacement, and when Brown died in 1955, Sheffield became editor and owner.

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.