Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

A last minute decision to enter the class paid off for first-time USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Finalist Michelle Krentz as she swept the class with a unanimous decision from the judges and went home with the title. Krentz beat six other finalists in the 71st Lexington Junior League Horse Show at the famous The Red Mile racetrack.

Hickey Delivers Gold, Sammis Takes Silver, in Debut International Competition at the Pan American Games Dressage Individual Finals

It was a double-medal day for Team USA at Deodoro Stadium as Maryland’s Christopher Hickey aboard Regent won the coveted Gold medal on a two-day averaged score of 70.725% after performing his freestyle before an appreciative crowd. New Jersey’s Lauren Sammis, who had led the scores at the end of the team competition, finished in Silver-medal position (69.925%) after delivering an entertaining freestyle aboard Sagacious HF. The Bronze medal was won by the Dominican Republic’s Yvonne Losos de Muniz aboard Bernstein las Marismas with an average of 69.500%.

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Team USA Takes Gold Medal in XV Pan American Games Dressage Competition in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Gold is definitely a color that looks good on the necks of American equestrian athletes, and Team USA’s dressage squad were the first to have the honor to wear it among the three disciplines invited to the XV Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro. The three-member team comprised of Lauren Sammis, Katherine Poulin-Neff and Christopher Hickey finished their combined work to bring home the top honors in the dressage team final at Deodoro Stadium and the National Equestrian Center on Sunday, July 15.

Pan American Games Media Guide

For the USEF's Pan American Games Media Guide online, visit www.usef.org/panams. Read bios on the American atheletes in show jumping, dressage and eventing; get up-to-date coverage from the event; and read the Brazilian blog from EQUESTRIAN magazine's Editor Brian Sosby and USEF's High-Performance Public Relations Manager Joanie Morris.

USEF Announces Emerson Burr Horsemanship Awards Program Winners from the Fairfield County Hunt Club June Horse Show

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) announces the winners of the Emerson Burr Horsemanship Awards Program, which was held at the Fairfield County Hunt Club June Benefit Horse Show, June 26-30, 2007, in Westport, CT. With pony riders competing to win in each age division, the winners were: Charlotte Caccamise in the 8 and under group; Devon Konley won the 9-11 age group and Katie Drake won the 12-14 age group.

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) are pleased to announce official qualifying competitions for the 2008 CN North American Junior and Young Riders’ Championships presented by Gotham North and UlcerGard and 2008 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Dressage Championships for the Junior, Young Rider and Young Adult “Brentina Cup” divisions. A complete list of these designated qualifying competitions is now available at www.usef.org and www.usdf.org.

The complete starting list for the 2007 FEI World Pony Driving Championship for Singles, Pairs and Four-in-Hand is now official. The event takes place in Dorthealyst, Denmark, July 18-22. Sixteen nations representing three continents will take part in the event. The United States sends a full team of two singles, two pairs and two four-in-hands. With two exceptions, the Americans will bring European ponies: Dartmoor, Welsh, Connemara and a German sports pony, making it a total of 18 ponies on the American team. Suzy Stafford and Rochelle Temple will compete in the singles division, Miranda Cadwell and Tracey Morgan will compete in pairs, and Laurie Astegiano and Allison Stroud will compete in four-in-hand. Chester Weber is the chef d'equipe for the American team.

Becky Holder and Cassidy Lundmark Win Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series Divisions at the Maui Jim Horse Trials

Becky Holder and Courageous Comet maintained their lead from Saturday's cross-country to win the CIC*** at the Maui Jim Horse Trials on July 15 at the gorgeous Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, IL, which will also be the site of the Wellpride American Eventing Championships in September. Holder and the spunky grey Thoroughbred gelding owned by Becky's husband, Tom Holder, had a nearly 10-point lead over Allison Springer and her eight-year-old Irish Thoroughbred gelding Arthur heading into the show jumping phase of the CIC***, which served as the advanced division for the Adequan United States Eventing Association (USEA) Gold Cup Series.

Steinwedell-Carvin Profits in the Peak Building Systems $25,000 High Prairie Grand Prix

Francie Steinwedell-Carvin came all the way from California to claim first place in the Peak Building Systems $25,000 High Prairie Grand Prix at the Colorado Horse Park on Saturday night, July 14. Steinwedell-Carvin, who has represented the United States internationally, bested a field of 26 other top riders from Mexico, Canada, Arizona, Illinois, New Mexico, Texas and Colorado. She now becomes eligible for the $100,000 bonus if she can win the next two grand prix at the Colorado Horse Park on July 21 and July 28. Of course, she must win both events on her horse Ness-Go to claim the bonus. While several riders, including Ragan Roberts, have come tantalizingly close to taking home the Colorado Horse Park Triple Crown, the prize has remained unclaimed.

A limited number of tickets for next month’s Good Luck Beijing—Hong Kong Special Administrative Region 10th Anniversary Cup, the equestrian competition featuring both overseas and local riders, will be allocated to members of the public.

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USDF Announces Dressage Teams for the 2007 North American Junior and Young Riders’ Championships

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) announced the riders selected to represent the United States in dressage at the 2007 CN North American Junior and Young Riders’ Championships (NAJYRC) to be held July 31-August 5, 2007, at the Virginia Horse Center, in Lexington, VA. A total of 64 International Equestrian Federation (FEI) junior and young riders will represent all nine USDF regions.

The FEI is proud to announce that as of July 2007, Rolex will become the title sponsor of the FEI World Jumping Rankings, which will henceforth be known as the Rolex Rankings. This is the fourth FEI activity to which Rolex has lent its generous support after the television magazine FEI Equestrian World, the 2007 FEI World Cup™ Jumping and Dressage Finals in Las Vegas and the FEI World Cup™ Jumping, Western European League and the Final, beginning in October 2007. The FEI would like to sincerely thank Rolex for their trust and consistent long-term partnership.

Officials with the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games announced the addition of seven new board members to be added to the current 10-member board that has been in place since the inception of the World Games 2010 Foundation, Inc.

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.

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!

The 2007 Nominating Committee of the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) held its first formal meeting during the Lexington Junior League Horse show last week under the direction of Chairman Paul Treiber. Also on the committee are Nelson Green, Corky Robertson, Suzi Teater and Misdee Wrigley. The duty of the committee is to prepare recommendations for ASHA directors to be elected to three-year terms beginning in February 2008.

Remember to take advantage of the USEF MemberPerks Program. USEF MemberPerks offers substantial cost savings on products and services from John Deere, Dodge, 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.

Kentucky livestock producers and horse owners in need of hay can call the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s toll-free Hay Hotline to find farmers with hay to sell.

July/August 2007 Issue of EQUESTRIAN: The Crowning Points of the Show Season: USEF National Hunter and Jumper Championships

Harrisburg. Lexington. Gladstone. Burbank. Del Mar. These show sites symbolize pinnacles of the sport, hosting national championships for riders of hunters and jumpers. Only those that qualify compete at these championships. Besides taking home blue ribbons and other prizes, the winners distinguish themselves with the prestige of a national championship. They add their names to an honor roll of past champions and join a proud tradition.

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.

It’s summertime and the savings are easy with the United States Equestrian Federation Visa ® Platinum Card, now offering 0% APR for 12 billing cycles*! With this special card, you can take an extended vacation from interest payments. So whether you use your United States Equestrian Federation Visa for some patio plants right now, or for a fun vacation later this summer, it’s the perfect time to switch and save. Plus, you’ll benefit our organization and earn great rewards with every purchase!

The United States Equestrian Federation Visa ® Platinum Card alsoprovides great benefits, including:

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: College Rewards, Platinum, Cash Rewards and Select Rewards. 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.