Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

Going into the third and final day of the eventing portion of the XV Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the top three riders (all members of Team USA) were separated by less than two points. With all the remaining U.S. horses passing the final horse inspection, the U.S. support team had a busy afternoon on Sunday, July 22, with five of the remaining 21 horses representing the U.S. The Gold medal won by the team is only the beginning of the story.

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.

Team Bronze Goes to Team USA at the World Pony Driving Championship; Cadwell Earns Individual Gold in Pairs

A few precious medals were earned by U.S. competitors at the World Pony Driving Championship in Dorthealyst, Denmark, July 18-22, as competitors competed in the singles, pairs and four-in-hand divisions. Team USA earned Team Bronze with a total of 416.1 points. Germany came in first with 400.2 points while The Netherlands grabbed Silver with 401.2 points. The U.S. Team consisted of Suzy Stafford and Rochelle Temple in the singles division, Miranda Cadwell and Tracey Morgan in pairs, and Laurie Astegiano and Allison Stroud in four-in-hand. Chester Weber served as the chef d'equipe for the American team.

In addition to Team Bronze, Miranda Cadwell of Southern Pines, NC, won the overall pairs division to earn an Individual Gold. Germany's Steffen Abicht followed in second and Denmark's Lars Dau captured the Bronze position.

“I have really good ponies, and they love what they do, so I am happy, very happy," said Cadwell, who actually looked for a single pony two years ago but ended up buying a pair. “I like the pair. There is more power to the pair, and that’s just my thing.”

With the most countries ever represented in a ParaEquestrian World Championship, Hartpury College in Gloucestershire, England, welcomed approximately 150 riders to the 2007 ParaDressage World Championships. The teams woke up to torrential rain on the first day of competition, Friday July 20. Roads into and out of Gloucestershire and surrounding areas were closed due to flooding and several officials and staff trying to get there spent the night in shelters.

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USEF Announces 2008 Location and Dates for the North American Junior and Young Riders’ Championships

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce that the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), the international governing body for equestrian sport, has recently approved that the 2008 North American Junior and Young Riders’ Championships (NAJYRC) will take place at the Colorado Horse Park in Parker, CO, July 29-August 3, 2008.

Attention all junior and young riders interested in competing at next year’s NAJYRC for Show Jumping at the Colorado Horse Park in Parker, CO. Please check your zone’s criteria and qualifying period for the 2008 FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships under the Jumping Discipline page of the USEF web site.

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

The U.S. show jumping squad picked up a major victory on Friday, July 20, narrowly winning the Nation’s Cup at Falsterbo over Denmark.

The squad, comprised of three riders from the Developing Young Riders’ Tour, put on a tenacious performance against some of the most experienced riders in the world. Eliza Shuford, Brianne Goutal, Georgina Bloomberg and Molly Ashe overcame their third placing after the first round and fought back hard to force a tie after the second round and then a jump-off for the win.

Point System Changes for Platinum Performance USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals East

The USEF announced that the system used to qualify riders for the Platinum Performance USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals East will change, effective September 1, 2007 , the beginning of the next qualifying period.

Top Hunter, Jumper and Equitation Trainers Headed to California for USHJA’s First West Coast Trainers Symposium

The United States Hunter Jumper Assocation (USHJA) is excited to offer a USHJA Trainers Symposium for the first time on the West Coast, September 10-11, 2007, in San Juan Capistrano, CA. This is a chance for riders and trainers to watch, listen and ask questions from some of the top trainers in the country. The clinicians include Louise Serio, Geoff Teall and Melanie Smith. The symposiums offer attendees a rare opportunity to participate in practical training sessions and round table discussions with top professionals in the industry. The schedule offers two days of hunters, equitation and jumpers. Each of the disciplines is broken into sections: i.e. Junior Hunters, Intermediate Equitation and Junior/Amateur Owner Jumpers. The sections will have three to four demonstration riders for the clinician to work with and explain different techniques, along with exercises and tips for various levels of riders and horses. This is a great opportunity for professionals and members to exchange thoughts and ideas on training exercises, training aids and business practices.

The highlight of this week's competition at Horse Shows by the Bay I, the $25,000 Grand Prix of Traverse City, concluded on Sunday with a class of 24 entries. Bringing home the top check was Scott Lenkart and Impulsive, owned by Bennett Sporthorses.

The pair beat out Morgan Kennedy and Zaboomerang and Emily Williams on Kaiser De La Cour for the blue ribbon with a jump-off time of 40.123 seconds. Kennedy and Williams followed in second and third places, respectively, stopping the clock at 41.319 seconds and 43.174 seconds.

Thanks to a new incentive package, timed-event ropers at the 2007 World Championship Appaloosa Show will compete for more than $40,000 in added cash and prizes. This year’s show is set for October 26-November 3 in Fort Worth, TX.

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Coleman and K. du Manoir Jump to the Head of the Pack on Adequan United States Eventing Association Gold Cup Series Intermediate Leaderboard

The talented and young Will Coleman added yet another win to his belt this season, leading the CIC** at the Cosequin Stuart Horse Trials in Victor, NY, from start to finish. Coleman and Tivoli Farm’s Selle Francais gelding K. du Manoir began their weekend with a lovely dressage test, which earned them a noteworthy score of 42.8. The pair gained two time faults on cross-country, which bumped their score up to 44.9, but completed Sunday’s show jumping with a double-clear round.

It was a big day for little riders during the Supreme Kahuna Pony Classic held during Week I of the Biltmore Estate Summer Classic. More than 70 riders competed for the ultimate title, but when the scores were finally tallied it was Lucille Oken of Charlotte, NC, and her pony Hi Lite who were crowned both Small Pony Supreme Kahuna and the ultimate Most Supreme Grand Kahuna Pony Rider.

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!

Final Preparations Underway in Carnation, WA, for the 28th Annual Evergreen Classic Hunter/Jumper Show

The 28th Evergreen Classic, the largest and most prestigious hunter/jumper show in Washington State, is getting ready to take place at its new home at Remlinger Farms Equestrian Park in Carnation, WA, August 8-12. After spending the last four years at Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe, WA, everyone associated with the show is very excited about this new venue. The show site consists of 80 acres of grass fields nestled between the Snoqualmie River and downtown Carnation with views of the Cascade Mountain Range and Mount Rainier. The property is owned by Gary and Bonnie Remlinger, who also own Remlinger Farms, a 200-acre tourist and corporate picnic center located just two miles down the road from the show site.

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.

The 2007 Platform® American Shetland Pony National Championship Congress show is set to kick off August 1-4 at the Gordyville Arena in Gifford, IL. Last year’s Shetland Pony Congress show drew almost 500 entries from all over the United States. “Shetland ponies are very versatile and compete in a variety of competitions, and the best-of-the-best go head-to-head each year at this Congress Championship show,” said American Shetland Pony Club Director of Operations Zona Schneider.

The ‘Tao’ is most often used to describe a path, or way, to clarity. There are those who need guidance to move forward; and there are those who know the way in their bones. The latter seem to possess an uncluttered vision and intensity of commitment that light the way for others, as well as themselves.

Classical music had Sir Georg Solti; hockey had Scotty Bowman; film has Steven Spielberg; basketball has Phil Jackson; and equestrian sport has George Morris.

Since 2005, Morris has been chef d’equipe of the USEF’s show jumping team. He’s been called “the single most influential teacher of jumper riders in the nation” and “one of the founding fathers of hunt seat equitation.” In 1999, he was named one of the 50 Most Influential Horsemen of the 20th Century by The Chronicle of the Horse. And just last January, the USEF recognized him with its Lifetime Achievement Award.

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.