Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

Tentative Park Layout, Venue Renderings Released for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

The World Games 2010 Foundation and the Kentucky Horse Park released the first renderings of the Kentucky Horse Park venue plans for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, as well as the artistic renderings of a permanent indoor arena and outdoor stadium.

“While these venue plans may experience some changes between now and 2010, these tentative layouts already illustrate the magnitude and scale of this event, as well as the breadth and scope of our planning,” said Rob Hinkle, Vice President of Operations for the World Games 2010 Foundation.

The Kentucky Horse Park venue layout for 2010 illustrates the areas of competition, temporary structures, and various spectator attractions available on site. Hundreds of temporary structures and activities will be placed on the park in 2010, including approximately 400 trade show booths, an International Pavilion, an Equine Pavilion, and the Kentucky Experience, a 25,000 square foot exhibition highlighting the state’s culture, economy, and tourism.

USEF Names Drivers for the 2008 FEI World Singles Driving Championship

The USEF has approved the following team, individual and alternates for selection to represent the U.S. at the 2008 FEI World Singles Driving Championship to be held in Jarantow, Poland, August 28-31, 2008.

The USEF has approved the following drivers for the Short List to represent the U.S. at the 2008 Four-in-Hand World Driving Championships to be held in Beesd, The Netherlands, September 3-7, 2008.

U.S. show jumper Hillary Dobbs went to Falsterbo Horse Show in Sweden to jump in Europe for the first time. The 20-year-old Harvard University student may have been looking for some experience.

She also found a big win.

USEF Announces Zones 1, 3 Winners of the 2008 Emerson Burr Horsemanship Awards Sponsored by Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) announces the winners of the 2008 Emerson Burr Horsemanship Awards Program for Zone 1 and Zone 3, which were recently held at the Fairfield County Hunt Club in Westport, CT, and the Deep Run Horse Show in Manakin-Sabot, VA.

The record books for the sport of reining have seen several additions this year, including the most recent change moving Topsail Whiz to the top of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) All-Time Leading Sire standings, the creation of the first-ever International Equestrian Federation (FEI) World Reining Championships and the first-ever consecutive champions of the NRHA Open Futurity, National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC) and NRHA Derby with Arcese Quarter Horses USA’s Wimpys Little Chic and Shawn Flarida. Topsail Whiz climbed to the top of the all-time sire list in July with total offspring earnings of $5,527,700. With this, he surpassed Hollywood Dun It’s mark of $5,494,100.

The USEF is currently accepting bids for facilities to host the 2009 and/or 2010 National Reining Championships. These are very important years for the high-performance reining programs as the United States prepares to host the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games for the first time in 2010.

Each year, the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) honors several outstanding junior members for their high achievements in academic success, extracurricular activities, and most importantly for their involvement with and dedication to the American Saddlebred Horse.

United States Dressage Federation/Platinum Performance North American Junior and Young Riders Dressage Championships Teams Announced

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) announced the riders selected to represent the U.S. in the USDF/Platinum Performance North American Junior and Young Riders’ Dressage Championships (NAJYRDC), part of the 2008 CN FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC) presented by Gotham North at The Colorado Horse Park in Parker, CO. The championships will be held July 29-August 3, 2008. A total of 61 juniors and young riders will represent each of USDF’s nine regions. The NAJYRC is an exciting competition with a format similar to the Olympics, with teams of riders invited from the United States, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean Islands, and Bermuda competing in dressage, eventing, show jumping, and reining.

Pony Hunter Auction to be Held During USEF Pony Finals Offers Best Group of Ponies Ever

The pony hunter industry's signature auction will be held in conjunction with the USEF National Championship Pony Finals at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 13, 2008, at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY.

The sale’s offerings include 12 ponies that have placed in-hand at the Devon Horse Show. Three of the top five three-year-old geldings and four of the top eight three-year-old fillies from the 2008 Devon Horse Show will be offered in this sale along with the grand champion and reserve champion ponies from 2007, and seven ponies that are qualified for the Pony Finals in 2008. These are the highlights of the best group of ponies ever offered.

USEF Continues to Raise Funds for the FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships Through Sales of the Horses Inspire Olympic Rings

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) announces that sales of their Horses Inspire Olympic Rings have raised in excess of $40,000 for the FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC). Over the next couple of months, that number is expected to double. The Horses Inspire Olympic Rings are bracelets made of red, white, and blue rings imprinted with “achieve,” “believe,” and “dream,” held together by a Team USA and an Olympic Rings clasp. Passion clasps may be added to display your preference of the four disciplines represented at the NAJYRC—dressage, eventing, reining, and show jumping.

The qualifying season is now under way for the 2009 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Dressage Championships for the Junior, Young Rider, and Young Adult “Brentina Cup” divisions. Selection procedures and qualifying competition lists are now available on the National Dressage Page of USEF.org.

Please note the age range for the USEF Young Adult “Brentina Cup” division has been expanded for 2009. Riders between the ages of 20 and 28 years old are now eligible to participate in this program.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Keeler, National Director of Dressage, at jkeeler@usef.org.

The United States Equestrian Federation would like to thank the following companies for their donation of products and services to the horses and riders heading to the 2008 Olympic Games August 8–24, in Hong Kong:

Flair – Nasal strips
Cool Medics – Cooling products for the horse and rider
Union Hill – Saddlepads
GPA – Helmets
Airowear – Safety vests
Ariat – Apparel
Luitpold Pharmaceuticals – Makers of Adequan
Merial - GastroGard and UlcerGard
Charles Owens – Helmets

The newest addition to the international reining scene, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) World Reining Championships, is showing a world of support, literally. Twenty countries from four continents are entered to compete in the September 11-14, 2008, competition in Manerbio, Italy.

The United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) is proud to announce the creation of the Emerging Athletes Program. This program supports continuing efforts to bring educational and developmental opportunities to the grassroots members of the sport. The USHJA Emerging Athletes Program consists of a system of identifying and nurturing talented young riders. The program’s mission is to provide these riders with the support and assistance necessary to facilitate the opportunity to reach their full potential by creating a national program as a stepladder to international competition.

Walter Straus, soldier, decorated war hero, businessman, linguist and nationally recognized equestrian leader and mentor died on July 22, 2008, at the age of 89. He was born in 1919 in Stuttgart, Germany, to a comfortable middle-class family that saw their secure life dissolve with the rise of Adolph Hitler. In 1937, the family left their homeland for London while young Walter pursued his Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Copenhagen.

Horse Shows by the Bay Series I Wrap-Up

The first week of Horse Shows by the Bay has come to an end, and the highlight event of the week brought hundreds of spectators to the Flintfields Horse Park. The winner of the $25,000 Spy Coast Farm Grand Prix of Traverse City was 19-year-old Addison Phillips of New York City on Cernunnus von Hof.

The course was designed by Evi Friske of Canada, and it offered more than meets the eye. There were two technical lines set on the diagonals, including a triple combination with a lengthy two-stride to a comfortable one-stride that surprised many. Six horses were able to go clear in the first round to advance to the jump-off.

Upcoming Live Saddlebred Video Web Casts Announced; World’s Championship, All American Classic Scheduled

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) has announced plans for its upcoming live video streaming Internet webcasts for August and September, following its very well-received Lexington Junior League webcast in early July.

From Pony Mania to Grand Prix Thrills—Third Week of Atlanta Summer Classics Has It All

Nicole White of Moorestown, NJ, and her medium-size pony Cozy Up, now hold the unique title of Most Supreme Grand Kahuna Champion. “Pony Mania” was one of the highlighted events taking place during this third week of competition at the Georgia International Horse Park hosted by the Classic Company.

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) announced the hiring of James Lawson as the organization’s Business Manager for the United States Equestrian Federation’s (USEF) MemberPerks program, which is administered by NTRA Advantage.

Based at the NTRA’s Lexington headquarters, Lawson will oversee USEF MemberPerks, which offers significant savings on products and services from John Deere, Sherwin-Williams, UPS, Toshiba, Office Depot, Office Max, Equine Travel Advantage, FarmVet.com and others to USEF members.

Women LUV Horses® Retreat Adds New Events and Sponsors

Save December 5-7 on your calendars this year for Lynn Palm's Women LUV Horses® retreat in City of Industry, CA. The event is sponsored by many major leaders in the horse industry, and will include some thrilling events, including the new America's Greatest HorseWoman Challenge. This first-of-its-kind event will highlight women trainers, by invitation only, who have been top 10 winners of any 2008 Mustang Makeover Challenges in the U.S.

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) has announced plans for a new online auction to be held on EBay during early August prior to the Kentucky State Fair. In addition, a new live auction will be held on Friday evening at the Kentucky State Fairgrounds.

At the Lucky Sevens Welcome Stake, which kicked off week III of the Atlanta Summer Classics, Derek Petersen and Lazaro picked up where they left off in June with another victory in the Flashpoint Media Services-sponsored event.

2008 Samsung Super League with FEI Heads to Hickstead; USA Draws Fourth to Defend Title

The home team from Great Britain will be first to go in tomorrow's sixth leg of the 2008 Samsung Super League with FEI series at Hickstead when the venue celebrates its 58th anniversary. Team USA returns to defend last year’s win with four riders in the Nations Cup: Hillary Dobbs, Lauren Hough, Michael Morrissey and Nicole Shahinian-Simpson.

The very first International Equestrian Federation (FEI) World Reining Championship will be held in Manerbio, Italy, September 11-14, 2008, at the Palasturla facility. The FEI competition will be organized by the Italian Equestrian Sports Federation (FISE), with the technical support of the Italian Reining Horse Association (IRHA).

Richard Johnson of Great Britain has been appointed to the new position of FEI Director of Communications following an extensive and open international search.

Johnson, who is currently Head of Media of The Children’s Society, will join the FEI on September 1. The Children’s Society is a leading charity dedicated to the care of young people and is a benchmark for media relations in that sector.

The American Saddlebred Horse Association Nominating Committee Seeks Possible Candidates

The 2008 Nominating Committee of the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) held its first, formal meeting during the Lexington Junior League Horse show, under the direction of Chairwoman Barbara Molland. Also on the committee are Nancy Becker, Vicki Gillenwater, Scott Matton, and Carol Reedy. The duty of the committee is to prepare recommendations for ASHA directors to be elected to three-year terms beginning in February 2009.

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:
— Chelsea Renier
— Jackson Schurtz
— Jennifer Waxman

West Coast Championship
(September 17-20, 2008 Los Angeles International, Burbank, CA)

A few riders that have now qualifed on the West Coast:
— Taylor Adams
— Alexa Anthony
— Carly Anthony
— Elizabeth Aycock
— Sophie Benjamin
— O.J. Berkes
— Colleen Biemer
— Catherine Billings
— Dana Blaicher
— Allyson Blais
— Tilden Brighton
— Haley Buchmiller
— Lyndsey Burns
— Madison Cameron
— Olivia Cameron

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

The Smart Money This School Year is Choosing the United States Equestrian Federation Visa®

The kids are going back to school, and the interest payments are going away with the United States Equestrian Federation Visa Platinum Card, now offering a low introductory rate on purchases and balance transfers*! When you study the benefits of this great card, you’ll find there is a low introductory rate until 2009. So, whether you use your United States Equestrian Federation Visa for new clothes and supplies this fall or for a family vacation this winter, switch now and save. Plus, you’ll benefit USEF and earn great rewards with every purchase.

Save on purchases and balance transfers for nine billing cycles*

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 continues to receive a percentage of each net purchase made on your card. This helps USEF continue to fund important programs and activities.

Click here to apply today or call (800) 853-5576, ext. 9244.

Hurry; offer ends September 30, 2008.

*Click product name for terms and conditions: Signature, Platinum, Cash Rewards, 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 nine 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 vision of the United States Equestrian Federation® is to provide leadership for equestrian sport in the United States of America by promoting the pursuit of excellence from the grassroots to the Olympic Games, based on a foundation of fair, safe competition and the welfare of its human and equine athletes.