Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

F.A.M.E. Vaulters Wow the Crowd with Hot Win in Munich Last Weekend, Winning First Team Competition at a CVI

The U.S. Vaulting Team that will travel to Aachen in a few weeks for the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games secured a more-than-impressive win in Munich, Germany, last weekend, beating out the European competition, to the surprise of many. In an arena where one could have heard a pin drop when the crowd went silent for the Americans, F.A.M.E. became the first U.S. vaulting team to win at a CVI, with a score of 7.761.

The CVI** Munich was held July 20-23 with 16 nations competing in individual and/or team competition. This solid win was a huge boost for the F.A.M.E. vaulters who will face equally tough, if not tougher, competition in a few weeks in Aachen. However, not only did F.A.M.E. win the first U.S. team competition at a CVI, they also beat out the current world champion team, VV Engelsberg 1, in all three phases.

For the full story, click here.

The United States Equestrian Federation® is pleased to announce the team of three that will travel to Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy, and compete in the 2006 World Singles Driving Championship, September 20-24.

Nominations for Inaugural USEF Youth Sportsman’s Charter Award Open August 1

Nominations for the inaugural United States Equestrian Federation® (USEF) Youth Sportsman’s Charter Award will open August 1 and entries will be accepted through October 31, 2006. This new internship award was announced last December and is designed to educate youth and develop leaders in the equine industry across all breeds and disciplines. The USEF Youth Sportsman’s Charter Award aims to give something back to the youth membership and recognize them for their hard-earned achievements.

The United States Equestrian Federation® is now accepting bids for the 2008 FEI Reining Masters Final. This FEI event showcases the most talented reining athletes, both human and equine, from each country. This prestigious event will offer $100,000 added, with $75,000 for the open competition and $25,000 to the restricted competition.

Interested bidders must submit their bid by the end of business, 5:00 p.m. EDT, Friday, August 18, 2006. For further information and to request a bid document, please contact Courtney Barnett, Director of Reining Programs, at cbarnett@usef.org or call (859) 225-6919.

2006 FEI Reining Masters Finals Offers Reining With an Altitude; Tickets on Sale Now

From Canada to Denmark to Brazil, horses from 20 nations on four continents are set to compete for the world cup of reining during the Western International reining festival. The Western International runs October 17-22 at the National Western Complex in Denver, CO.

Each country can nominate up to two riders to compete in the FEI World Reining Masters Finals. Riders must possess the highest cumulative score from qualification rounds throughout the year and place in the top five at the national championships to be nominated.

Limited edition USA 2006 World Equestrian Games pins are now available! Get your limited edition lapel pin and show your support for Team USA. Pin measures 1 ½” length x ½” width.

Good News for Equestrian Fans: 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games Tickets Still Available

Further tickets are on sale for the FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany, for 2006. Tickets are even available for the extremely popular dressage and show jumping finals. Up-to-date information can be obtained at www.aachen2006.de and tickets can be ordered from the hotline +49 (0)241-917-1111.

The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games at the Kentucky Horse Park are now officially scheduled for September 25 to October 10, 2010. The official name of the games has also been finalized as the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

John Deere Announces Additional Discount Program for USEF MemberPerks: The John Deer Partner Program for Lawn and Garden

John Deere has made it even easier for USEF MemberPerks members to save money on John Deere equipment. In addition to the current program that allows USEF MemberPerks members to save up to 23% on new John Deere equipment to be used at equine facilities, John Deere has announced the John Deere Partner Program for Lawn and Garden. Discounts are now available toward the purchase of a variety of John Deere equipment for members’ and their families’ personal home use, including lawn and garden tractors, riding and walk-behind mowers, Gator utility vehicles, commercial mowing equipment and compact utility tractors. Discounts valid only at John Deere dealerships. Call today for your discount coupon*.

Through the John Deere Partner Program, USEF MemberPerks members are eligible to redeem two coupons per member every calendar year. Anytime you have a John Deere equipment interest, please call toll-free at (877) 576-6872 to make sure you receive the most current information on equipment discounts before you purchase from the dealership.

*Discount coupons can not be used in conjunction with other discounts provided through their current national agricultural program.

International Friesian Show Horse Association Announces Expanded Horse of the Year Program

The International Friesian Show Horse Association (IFSHA) has expanded its 2006 Horse of the Year awards and recognition program to include points earned in four new open American Driving Society- (ADS), United States Equestrian Federation- (USEF) and United States Dressage Federation-recognized competition categories.

USEF Now Accepting Nominations for 2006 Lifetime Achievement Award – The Jimmy A. Williams Trophy

The United States Equestrian Federation® is now accepting nominations for the 2006 USEF Lifetime Achievement Award. The USEF Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual whose “lifetime experience and accomplishments exemplify uncommon devotion to the sport of competition with horses and whose equestrian career and horsemanship have continually elevated the sport’s excellence.” This year’s honoree will be presented the Jimmy A. Williams Trophy during the 2007 USEF Annual Meeting in Louisville, KY.

Youngsters Shine in USEA/Spalding Labs Young Event Horse Series at the Event at Rebecca Farm

The Event at Rebecca Farm put on an all around world-class competition the weekend of July 21-23, including a United States Eventing Association (USEA) Spalding Labs Young Event Horse Series division. Held in Kalispell, MT, the beautiful mountains towering in the distance made a fantastic backdrop for the event...but were viewed through shimmering heat waves as temperatures soared up to and over 100 degrees throughout the weekend.

Wilhelm Genn Takes Top Jumper Honors at Horse Shows by the Bay Series II; Boggs Hill Customers Sweep Hunter Divisions

Wilhelm Genn of Lebanon, OH, cleaned house at Horse Shows by the Bay Series II by winning both the $10,000 Open Jumper Welcome Prix and the $25,000 Grand Traverse Bay Grand Prix on Happy Z and Chantal, respectively. Grand Prix Ring Designer Pierre Joliceur’s course produced four clean rounds out of 22 in Friday afternoon’s (July 21) Welcome Prix. Genn guided Happy Z to the win by skimming all of the turns and jumping diagonally across several of the verticals, beating out Quendo and Erin Haas of Chelsea, MI, by over 2.5 seconds. “I am very pleased with this mare...she’s won a lot for me this season,” remarked Genn after the victory gallop and winner’s presentation.

Each year, one of the world’s most prestigious equestrian sports events takes place at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. Highlights from the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, which brings together some of the greatest horses and riders from around the world, are presented in "Rolex Equestrian Championships 2006," airing Saturday, July 29 at 10 p.m. ET on KET1.

For the full story, click here.

Busy Weekend for the Adequan United States Eventing Association Gold Cup Series

Two of the country’s premier events, The Event at Rebecca Farm and the Cosequin Stuart Horse Trials, ran Adequan United States Eventing Association (USEA) Gold Cup Series divisions the weekend of July 21-23, giving eventers from both coasts the chance to test their mettle against some of the top horses and riders in the nation.

The Action in Asheville, NC, Continues During the 2006 Biltmore Estate Summer Classics Week II

Aaron Vale of Aiken, SC, riding Arriscraft Soleil for owner Angelstone Farms made a stellar run at the second week of the Biltmore Estate Summer Classic to win the Lucky Sevens Welcome Stake sponsored by H and D Stables, Inc.

Course designer Allen Rheinheimer showed little mercy to the starting field of 22 in the Thursday afternoon’s preview of “things to come,” preparing a challenging layout of 11 obstacles that required 12 big efforts on the competitor’s part. Along with three combinations, which included a pair of doubles, the course had a few tight rollbacks and some serious turns, just in the first round, with a generous time of 90 seconds.

Joie Gatlin Claims Leading Lady Rider Title as West Coast Active Riders Begin Three-Stop European Tour in France

The West Coast Active Riders (WCAR) have once again sent a team of top riders to compete in Europe this summer. The contingent of riders from California made their first stop in France a success as they picked up seven top placings, including a win, and as icing on the first week’s cake, the Leading Lady Rider title, as well. The team is comprised of Joie Gatlin, Francie Steinwedell Carvin, Jenni Martin and Susan Artes. Bernie Traurig is George Morris’ associate chef d’ equipe for the West Coast.

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.