Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

Stars Line Up for Five USEF National Championships at 2008 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions

Five USEF national champions will be crowned after two weekends of dressage competition in San Juan Capistrano, CA ,June 21-22, and June 27-29. Always an exciting competition amongst the nation’s best dressage riders, this year the National Dressage Grand Prix Championship is also the USEF Selection Trials for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team in dressage.

The best horses and riders in each division are coming from across the country to compete in the different championships.

NBC to Again Serve as Broadcast Home for U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Presented by Allstate

The United States Olympic Committee announced NBC, broadcast home of the Olympic Games through 2012, will serve as the network host for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Presented by Allstate. The made-for-television event will be recorded June 19 during an awards ceremony at the Harris Theater in Chicago, Ill., and will be aired Sunday, August 3, 2008, on NBC from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET.

American Hackney Horse Society Foundation Offers Ed Frickey Memorial Scholarship

The American Hackney Horse Society Foundation (AHHSF) announced a $2,500 College Scholarship for incoming sophomore, junior, and senior students. This scholarship will be awarded to a selected student based on financial need, academic success, and a commitment to the Hackney breed, whether present, past or future. The scholarship is funded by the Ed Frickey Memorial and will be awarded on an annual basis.

Renewing their partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), GumBits continues their support of the 2008, Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions and the 2008 Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Championship, presented by Collecting Gaits Farm. GumBits, which specializes in manufacturing equine products, partnered with the USEF last year to support the Federation’s dressage programs.

Education, Rider Responsibility, Data Collection and Course Design Highlight USEF/USEA Safety Summit

The USEF/USEA Safety Summit took place on June 7-8, 2008 in downtown Lexington, KY. More than 250 people from all corners of the country and all levels of the sport of eventing showed up to listen, voice their concerns and work with fellow members of the eventing community to find solutions to the safety issues facing the sport.

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) has issued revised criteria, effective immediately, for youth members nominated for the USDF Youth Volunteer of the Year Award to allow volunteer hours accumulated between September 1 of the previous calendar year and August 31 of the current calendar year to be included in the required number of hours. This is a change from the previous requirement that volunteer hours must have been accumulated in the current membership year.

Beezie Madden Wins the 2008 National at Spruce Meadows

Ariat International, Inc., is proud to announce that Beezie Madden won the overall title at the 2008 Spruce Meadows National Tournament and was named the 2008 Spruce Meadows Canadian Champion. Madden won both events on the last day of the National, including the $40,000 ATCO Structures Double Slalom on Conquest II and the $175,000 Nexen Cup Derby on Judgement.

Madden's performance at the Derby is legendary. She is the only rider in the history of the event to master the course without incurring a fault. In fact, Madden has won the Derby four out of the past six years and for the past three consecutive years. With twice the number of jumps as a traditional grand prix, the Derby is considered by many to be the decathlon of the show jumping world, testing the endurance, speed and skill of all horse-rider combinations.

HITS Saugerties Crowns its Spring Circuit Champions

Prior to Sunday's $50,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix, HITS handed out its Spring Circuit Awards to the most accomplished equestrians who participated at HITS Saugerties this spring. The overall and reserve circuit champions in 68 divisions were awarded during a special Parade of Champions celebration in the grand prix ring at HITS-on-the-Hudson to cap off three exciting weeks of competition.

Saddlebred Futurity Weanling Payments and Foal Registration Grace Period Deadline is June 25

Foals showing in the Kentucky & Kentucky Amateur Futurity Weanling Divisions must have applications for registration received in the American Saddlebred Registry office on or before Wednesday, June 25 by 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. No exceptions. A rush fee of $50 will be assessed for any such applications received June 26 or thereafter. The added fee will be billed to the applicant and will be due and payable immediately. This is to ensure a conditional registration number is assigned by the Kentucky State Fair post entry closing date, which is July 7, 2008.

The Arabian Horse Association (AHA), an equine breed organization that serves 37,000 members and registers more than one million Arabian, Half-Arabian and Anglo-Arabian horses, is pleased to announce that Glenn T. Petty of Wake Forest, NC, will take over as executive vice president, effective July 1, 2008. Petty brings nearly 40 years of equine industry experience to the position, including over 30 years as a show manager, 15 years as North Carolina’s State Horse Specialist and years of volunteer service with organizations such as the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), including serving as a member of the Board of Directors and as a longtime chair of the Competition Management Committee. He is a past-president of numerous equine organizations, including the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine Foundation Board.

There's Something for Everyone at the Fairfield County Hunt Club June Benefit Horse Show

The upcoming Fairfield County Hunt Club June Benefit Horse Show, June 24-28, 2008, on the grounds of the Fairfield County Hunt Club in Westport, CT, is filled with activities for the entire community to enjoy. The show is open to the public with no admission fees and features more than 700 riders competing in 200 classes over five days.

Fair Hill Events, Inc. 501(c)(3), is pleased to announce the inaugural Plantation Field International CIC***, to be held September 19-21, 2008, in Unionville, PA. Already established as a popular venue for horse trials at all levels, this is the first time that Plantation Field will offer an internationally recognized competition.

The event will be held on verdant, rolling terrain in the heart of the hunt country of Chester County, PA, on property owned by Mr. and Mrs. Cuyler Walker and Mrs. Carol Davidson. Plantation Field competitions are held six weekends of every year at this venue. The only other event occurring at this location each year is the Mister Cheshire Foxhounds Point-to-Point.

Todd Minikus and Ultimo Van Ter Moude Win the $25,000 Ariat Grand Prix at HITS Saugerties

Todd Minikus and his ride Ultimo Van Ter Moude cruised past the star-studded field of 38 starters to secure $7,500 in prize money in Thursday's $25,000 Ariat Grand Prix at HITS Saugerties.

The World Games 2010 Foundation announced that Matt Reiter has been selected as marketing coordinator for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

At the Oaks Blenheim Classic, Karen Healey's riders were major players and very successful. Starting with the jumpers, in the $5,000 1.45m classic, Hannah Selleck of Thousand Oaks, CA, and her horse Bauer rode their way to victory. In addition, her name has been added to the Young Riders team for Zone 10 at the 2008 North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC). Shelby Wakeman of Westlake Village, CA, and Pandoer, were named as the alternates for the junior team. They finished fifth in the $10,000 High Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic.

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The HITS Desert Circuit will return to the newly updated facility in Thermal, CA, starting in January of 2009 for eight weeks of incredible hunter and jumper competition. Since the close of shows last March, the management at HITS has been working on improving the facility with suggestions from riders and trainers, such as updating the landscaping and installing new portable stalls.

David Holmes of Great Britain has been appointed to the key position of FEI Executive Director, Sports. In this role, Holmes will lead the FEI Sports Departments and manage their planning, financial, and operational activities. He will monitor the liaison with the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee, and the Organizing Committees in charge of the Olympic, Paralympic, and Youth Olympic Games and will coordinate the FEI World Equestrian Games, Regional Games, and Championships.

Saddlebred DVDs Offered at a Discounted Price for the All American Cup Bus Tour Participants

The All American Cup, in concert with the American Saddlebred Museum, is offering a Farm and Stallion bus tour on Friday, July 11, 2008. For the complete list of famous stallions that will be seen, please visit www.allamericancup.org/index.

The Paddock Saddlery Announces the 2008 Markel Amateur Dressage Championships Winners

Winner’s of the 2008 Markel Amateur Winter Dressage Championships presented by The Paddock Saddlery were notified this week. The Markel Amateur Winter Dressage Championships recognizes leading amateur’s accomplishments over the winter show season in South Florida. The 2008 awards ceremony will be a virtual presentation. Photographs of winners with their awards will be viewable on The Paddock Saddlery’s website, www.paddocksaddlery.com.

Attention Zone 10 juniors interested in competing in the 2009 Adequan/USEF National Pony Jumper Championships: The 2009 Adequan/USEF National Pony Jumper Championships selection procedures and qualifying period for Zone 10 has been approved and is now available on the Jumping Discipline page of the USEF website at www.usef.org/Contentpage2.aspx?id=natjumping.

Please direct questions to Jennifer Haydon, Director of Show Jumping for National Programs, at jhaydon@usef.org or (859) 225-6911.

Announcement for 2009 North American Junior and Young Rider Championships for Show Jumping Zones 1, 6, and 12

Attention junior and young riders in Zones 1, 6, and 12 interested in competing at next year’s FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC) for show jumping. Please check your zone’s criteria and qualifying period for the 2009 FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships under the Jumping Discipline page of the USEF website.

Please direct questions to Jennifer Haydon, Director of Show Jumping for National Programs, at jhaydon@usef.org or (859) 225-6911.

International Dressage Trainer Oded Shimoni’s Summer Clinic Schedule: Next Stop Buck Davidson’s

International dressage trainer, Oded Shimoni, takes short breaks from his training schedule at Stillpoint Farm in Wellington, FL, to teach clinics throughout the U.S. Last month he was at Amanda Person’s farm in Atlanta teaching Amanda, Jason Canton, and others. This month Shimoni is heading to Pennsylvania to coach three-day eventer Bruce “Buck” Davidson, Jr., in preparation for the 2008 Olympics Hong Kong.

Patricia Griffith and Caitie Hope Victorious at Wachovia Showplace Spring Spectacular II

At the Wachovia Showplace Spring Spectacular II Horse Show, the $10,000 ASG Software Solutions/USHJA International Hunter Derby presented by Dietrich Insurance featuring Walsh Harness & Saddlery was won by New Yorker Patricia Griffith on North Country, owned by Laura King-Kaplan.

The class of more than 40 entries produced flawless performance after flawless performance, but Griffin was the star of the day aboard North Country, an eight-year-old bay Warmblood.

The League of Agricultural and Equine Centers (LAEC) is offering a summer League Footing Academy, August 4-6, 2008, at the Foothills Equestrian Nature center in Tryon, NC. Attendees are encouraged to bring a sample of the footing in their arena for analysis.

Remember to take advantage of the USEF MemberPerks Program. USEF MemberPerks offers substantial cost savings on products and services from John Deere, Office Max, UPS and many more!

For more information, please call (877) 576-6872 or fax (859) 422-9407, or visit USEF.org's MemberPerks page.

Platinum Performance/USEF Talent Search
Qualified Riders

The Talent Search program is a very demanding show jumping competition, which attracts the nation’s top young riders in head-to-head competition. The qualifying period for the 2008 events began September 1, 2007.

Learn more about the program today.

East Coast Riders
(October 4-5, 2008, USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals,
Gladstone, NJ)

A few riders that have now qualifed on the East Coast:
— Julianne Fischer
— Matti Fisher
— Zazou Hoffman
— Johanna Hyyppa

West Coast Championship
(September 17-20, Los Angeles International, Burbank, CA)

A few riders that have now qualifed on the West Coast:
— Jamie Sailor
— Elizabeth Savoy
— Hannah Selleck
— Samantha Senft

To see the list of all qualified riders,
visit the 2007/2008 Ranking List online.

Attention Adult Saddle Seat Equitation Riders

The United States Equestrian Federation® (USEF) would like to remind all adult saddle seat equitation riders that there is still time to qualify for the 2008 USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final that will be held on Friday, July 11, during the Lexington Junior League Horse Show in Lexington, KY.