Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

Woodside Vaulters Claim Title of USEF/American Vaulting Association National Team Champions; Individual Gold Goes to McCormick (Women’s) and Maitozo (Men’s)

The Woodside Vaulters claimed the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF)/American Vaulting Association (AVA) National Team Championship, which took place August 9-12, at the National Western Complex in Denver, CO. Mary McCormick had the top score in the women’s division and Devon Maitozo was first place in the men’s division to score Gold medals.

2007 USEF Pony Finals National Championships Underway at the Kentucky Horse Park

The 40th anniversary of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Pony Finals National Championships began as a hot one with over 100 degree temperatures, but the young competitors didn’t seem to notice as they entered their first day of competition at the Kentucky Horse Park, August 15-19.

The USEF Pony Finals continues as one of the most prestigious and celebrated events in the United States. This year, the five-day championship has a total of 697 entries, including 536 ponies and 420 riders who are competing for the title of five premier championships—Wild Horsefeathers/USEF Pony Hunter Finals, Wild Horsefeathers/USEF Green Hunter Pony Finals, USEF Pony Medal and the Adequan®/USEF Pony Jumper Final-Individual and Team.

Farnam®/Platform™ Returns as the "Official Feed of the 2007 USEF Pony Finals National Championships"

As the 40th anniversary of the 2007 USEF Pony Finals National Championships kicks off at the Kentucky Horse Park August 15-19, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) announces that Farnam Companies, Inc., continues their partnership as the “Official Feed of the USEF Pony Finals” with the Platform Feeding System.

Addison Phillips Rides Mirasol to Victory in the 2007 USEF National Junior Hunter Championship-East Coast

Addison Phillips of New York, NY, rode Mirasol to the grand championship at the 2007 USEF National Junior Hunter Championships-East Coast presented by Stacey and Tom Siebel on Wednesday, August 8, at HITS Saugerties.

Following Sunday’s cross-country, the top three riders—Frank Ostholt, Dirk Schrade and Shane Rose—suffered no change in the standings as a result of Monday’s jumping test at the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Germany’s Ostholt and After the Battle finished on their dressage score of 53.4 and won the Good Luck Beijing – HKSAR 10th Anniversary Cup Eventing Competition. Another German, Schrade (GER) on Grand Amour was second (54.6) and Rose of Australia riding Stratford Novalis was third (66.6).

Germans Make It a Dublin Double; U.S. Remains on a Roll in Samsung Super League with FEI

Sonke Sonksen's German team galloped to victory, and almost all over the No. 1 Army Band at the seventh leg of the Samsung Super League with FEI series in Dublin on Friday, August 10.

Their victory lap very nearly turned to disaster when, taking their eye off the arena as they waved in delight to the crowd, they found themselves on a collision course with the marching band. However, braking systems were in perfect working order just as their jumping technique had been on a testing, tough afternoon in the Royal Dublin Society arena.

Maggie McAlary Wins Second Annual USHJA Hunterdon Cup Presented by World Equestrian Brands

Against a field of 34, Maggie McAlary, 17, of Amherst, NH, won the 2007 United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Hunterdon Cup Equitation Class presented by World Equestrian Brands on Tuesday, August 7, in Saugerties, NY. McAlary set the bar high in the first round, receiving a score of 93 from judges Chrystine Tauber and Brian Flynn. McAlary held on to her lead in each of the three rounds and was awarded the USHJA Hunterdon Cup Perpetual Trophy, donated by Diane Carney and Lynne Jayne, as well as a custom Amerigo Farouche saddle, which was presented with the help of last year's winner, Addison Phillips.

Adequan United States Eventing Association Gold Cup Series Coming Down to the Wire

Only a handful of events remain on the 2007 Adequan United States Eventing Association (USEA) Gold Cup Series calendar, and with some of the country’s top horses and riders vying for the number one spot, the race for the cup is sure to have an exciting finish. This past weekend Millbrook Horse Trials in New York and Woodside Horse Trials in California both hosted Gold Cup events, and some surprising twists led to a shuffle in the leaderboard.

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“Meet Me in Lake St. Louis” Theme for IFSHA Friesian World and Grand National Championship Horse Show

“Meet Me in Lake St. Louis” is the theme for the Fourth Annual Friesian World and Grand National Championship Horse Show, which will be held for the first time in the mid-western part of the United States. These are the official “Finals” for the International Friesian Show Horse Association's (IFSHA) end-of-year competitions championship and point show for the Farnam®/Platform™ United States Equestrian Federation Horse of the Year program. IFSHA is the official recognized affiliate for the Friesian breed by the USEF.

Please make sure that you regularly check your 2007 Adequan®/National Junior Jumper Championships (Prix des States) points in your zone’s standings as the qualifying period ends with competitions on or before August 31. Each zone’s national championship standings can be located on the USEF website under your zone’s Points & Awards page.

The United States Hunter Jumper Assocation (USHJA) held a judging clinic on Friday, August 3, in Wayne, IL, in conjunction with Showplace Productions during Equifest I. Diane Carney, a local trainer and clinician, acted as mediator between the crowd of more than 100 people and the judges.

The clinic had three riders demonstrate both hunter and handy hunter rounds, while each spectator was given a judge's card and scored each of the rounds individually. The riders were Tina Judge, Brenda Mueller and Jeanne Savenago. The judge's panel, comprised of Alex Jayne, Sarah Booker and Diane Young, also scored the rounds and made comments to the audience regarding the respective performances.

USDA Proposes Rules for Importation of Non-Competitive Entertainment Horses from Countries Affected with CEM

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is proposing to amend existing regulations to allow non-competitive entertainment horses to be temporarily imported from countries affected with the venereal disease Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM). Non-competitive entertainment horses are those that participate in performances or exhibitions and are not entered into any type of competition, such as races or shows. Examples of such horses include circus horses, the Lippizan Horses of Austria and the performance stallions in Cavalia.

American Saddlebred Horse Association Junior Judging is back for the 2007 World’s Championship Horse Show during the 9 a.m. session on Friday, August 24. Judging results of participants will be compared to the actual results of the classes. Participants with the best scores most closely reflecting the actual results win. Winners will be declared in two divisions: age groups 13 and under and 14-20. The winners will be announced Friday night, August 24, following the Ladies Amateur Three-Gaited Championship (class 206).

The USEF has named the riders and horses to compete at the Spruce Meadows Masters, one of the richest competitions in show jumping, September 5-9.

Candice King and Tarco capture the $75,000 In The Woods Log Homes Grand Prix at HITS Saugerties

Candice King and her mount, Tarco, negotiated the fastest double-clear round on course designer Anthony D'Ambrosio's route to score the blue ribbon in Sunday's $75,000 In The Woods Log Homes Grand Prix at HITS Saugerties.

D'Ambrosio sliced the field down from 23 combinations to seven for the jump-off. King, who was sixth to go in the jump-off, collected $22,500 in prize money for owner Joan Kalman. Kalman had a birds-eye view of King's triumph, as she watched the featured class from the VIP Pavilion that overlooks the grand prix amphitheater.

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Right now, the Equestrian Land Conservation Resource (ELCR) needs your assistance to extend the tax incentives for permanent conservation easements, the most useful form of private land conservation. Your support for the federal legislation to permanently extend the tax incentives for donating conservation easements can help make it happen.

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!

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.

2007 Adequan®/United States Dressage Federation Annual Convention to Focus on Horse Health

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) announced that the 2007 Adequan®/USDF Annual Convention, to be held November 28-December 2, 2007, in Orlando, FL, will focus entirely on horse health education. USDF has partnered with the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) to provide 14 in-depth sessions with some of the world’s top equestrian veterinarians on issues such as digestive health, joint health, footing and contagious disease. This is the first time that USDF has offered such an extensive educational curriculum in three days with such a vast panel of experts at the annual convention.

Shawn Cassidy Dominates Pony Hunter Divisions at Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show I

Shawn Cassidy of Kingston, TN, was the one to beat in the pony hunter divisions at the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show I. The 84th Annual Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show was held from August 1-5, 2007, at the L.M. Tate Horse Show Grounds at the Blowing Rock Equestrian Preserve in Blowing Rock, NC.

The Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and Commerce have jointly announced new immigration measures intended to improve border security, step up enforcement of immigration laws, streamline existing guest worker programs and address the failures of the current immigration system. The new requirements take effect in 30 days.

UPHA American Royal National Championship Horse Show Names First Pink Ribbon Class to Raise Funds for Breast Cancer Research

The United Professional Horsemen's Association (UPHA) American Royal National Championship Horse Show now offers Saddlebred enthusiasts and others the opportunity to raise funds for breast cancer research...right from the back of an American Saddlebred. “With your generous sponsorship, an important tradition begins in 2007—a unique "Pink Ribbon" class that not only honors or remembers those persons in your life who have fought or succumbed to breast cancer, but generates much-needed funds to find a cure for the disease,” said Ann Rowland, Chair of the UPHA American Royal National Championship Horse Show Committee.

Money makes the world go round, they say. It does indeed, and this certainly is true of the world of sport. From a leisurely activity practiced exclusively by amateurs, sport has now turned into a highly complex profession governed by its own business strategies and rules. Prize money, TV rights, sponsorship fees have never been higher, and there is no indication that the movement is about to slow down.

Deadline of August 19 for Declaration of Intent to Show in Certain Classes at the Kentucky State Fair World's Championship

The Declaration of Intent to Show and fees for in-hand and performance futurity classes are due to the American Saddlebred Registry (ASR) Futurity Secretary in the Kentucky State Fair World’s Championship Horse Show Office no later than 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 19, 2007.

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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.