Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

2006 FEI World Equestrian Games Content Area Now Online at USEF.org

The United States Equestrian Federation® (USEF) announced the newest addition to www.usef.org – the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) content area. Found online at www.usef.org/weg2006, this interactive media tool includes a description of each of the seven international disciplines that will be represented at the WEG in Aachen, Germany, August 20-September 3, as well as bios on the more than 40 U.S. athletes. The U.S. athletes range in age from 10 to 63. In addition, more than 40 horses make the journey overseas for these equine championships, which are held in a different location every four years.

Equestrian sports enthusiasts will find the latest news from the event, with daily competition coverage beginning August 21 on the USEF.org homepage, and also on the special WEG content area online. In addition, fans can currently read official news from the USEF leading up to the Games.

During the WEG, check out our “live from Aachen” blog written by correspondent Brian Sosby, Editor of EQUESTRIAN magazine. Get an insider’s view of the activities surrounding the Games, plus interesting insights into the city of Aachen, Germany, and the non-stop energy and excitement that surround the world’s most prestigious international equestrian competition.

With 500,000 fans expected to attend, this is truly an international equestrian showdown. The disciplines showcased at the 2006 WEG are dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, reining, show jumping and vaulting. U.S. equestrian athletes will compete for team and individual honors among other top riders from around the world. Over 400,000 tickets have already been sold, and nearly 1,000 athletes from 61 countries are preparing to show the world their best efforts.

The U.S. is currently one of only seven countries that will be sending teams and individuals to compete in all seven disciplines.

At the 2002 WEG in Jerez, Spain, the U.S. walked away with a total of eight medals: three in reining (Individual Gold, Individual Silver and Team Gold), one in eventing (Team Gold), one in dressage (Team Silver), one in driving (Team Silver), one in show jumping (Individual Bronze) and one in vaulting (Individual Bronze).

Wild Horsefeathers/USEF National Green Hunter Pony Championship Cut Short By Bad Weather on Day Two of 2006 USEF Pony Final National Championships

Despite an ominous black cloud and earth-shaking claps of thunder, three young ladies had a very happy ending to their day. In the 2006 Wild Horsefeathers/USEF National Green Hunter Pony Championship, 14-year-old Kaitlin Campbell cantered away with the Large Green Pony Championship title with a total score of 957; 14-year-old Paige Bellissimo with the Medium Green Pony Championship title with a total score of 983; and 12-year-old Reed Kessler with the Small Pony Green championship title with a total score of 983. The Overall Green Pony Championship was awarded to Kessler, with Bellissimo taking reserve champion overall.

Schaefer Wins 2006 USEF Pony Medal Final presented by Far Niente Stables, First-Timers Zone 10 Win 2006 Adequan/USEF National Pony Jumper Team Championship

On day three of the 2006 USEF Pony Final National Championships, Samantha Schaefer and Zone 10 walked away with the top prizes. The 13-year-old Schaefer, of Westminster, MD, rode her seven-year-old German Riding Pony gelding, Rockport, to their first Pony Finals win. This was their first time riding indoors, after the competition had to be moved inside due to the torrential rainstorms the Lexington area saw the night before.

For the full story, click here.

Local Girl Takes Home Gold with Only Clean Round in Jump-Off To Win 2006 USEF Adequan/USEF National Pony Jumper Individual Championship

When Amber Siegelman was the last to go in the jump-off at the 2006 Adequan/USEF National Pony Jumper Individual Championship, you would have thought you were at a Western event by the sounds of the crowd. All night the crowd was clucking on horses to help them over the fences. But, when Siegelman’s ride looked to be the only clean of the five in the jump-off, the crowd got increasingly louder. It was all hoots and hollers when she finished the eight jumping efforts in a time of 36.803 seconds—the fastest of five. This is only her second appearance at Pony Finals.

Campbell Wins Overall 2006 Wild Horsefeathers/USEF National Grand Hunter Pony Championship at the Close of 2006 Pony Finals

At the close of what was the longest and largest USEF Pony Finals National Championships to date, Kaitlin Campbell of Upper Black Eddy, PA, was one happy camper. The 14-year-old Campbell rode five ponies at this year’s event and ended her sixth year at Pony Finals with the Overall Grand Champion title in the Wild Horsefeathers/USEF National Hunter Pony Championship with a score of 1,002. Campbell was also the winner of the medium pony division in this championship.

Farnam Presents Check for Over $51,000 to 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games Teams During 2006 USEF Pony Final National Championships

Partner-level sponsor of the United States Equestrian Federation®, Farnam Companies, Inc., presented a check on August 11 for $50,167.27 to USEF for the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) teams. Farnam is the official sponsor of the Farnam®/Platform™ USEF Horse of the Year awards program, the official fly control products of the USEF, and the official feed of the USEF Pony Finals National Championships.

Calling all USEF members…The lesson this school year is choosing a Cash Rewards 0% APR Visa® !

The kids are going back to school and the interest payments are going away with the United States Equestrian Federation Cash Rewards Visa Platinum Card, now offering 0% APR for 12 months* on purchases and balance transfers! When you study the benefits of this great card, you’ll find no interest payments until next summer. So, whether you use your United States Equestrian Federation Cash Rewards Visa for new clothes and supplies this fall, USEF event registration or for a sunny escape this winter, switch now and save. Plus, you’ll earn cash back with every net purchase!

The USEF Cash Rewards Visa ® Platinum card provides great benefits, including no annual fee and up to 1% cash back annually. In addition, a percentage of every purchase will benefit USEF.

The creditor and issuer of the Cash Rewards Visa Platinum card is the U.S. Bank National Association ND.

The United States Equestrian Federation would like to thank everyone that made a donation to the Frank Graham Fund. The funds will be used to support the U.S. para-equestrian team. The USEF will no longer accept donations to the Frank Graham Fund.

USOC Press Conference Highlights Efforts of U.S. 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games Team

In a conference call held in cooperation with the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), five members of the U.S. 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) team answered a wide range of general media questions. On the phone from Germany were dressage team members Guenter Seidel from Cardiff, CA, and Debbie McDonald from Hailey, ID; vaulting team members Elizabeth Ioannou from Saratoga, CA, and Blake Dahlgren from Sun Valley, CA; and on the phone from Florida was show jumper Laura Kraut from Wellington, FL.

German Show Jumping Team Take Dublin By Storm; U.S. Ends in Fourth at Dublin, but Still in Second for the Samsung Super League

Germany scored a convincing victory at the seventh leg of the 2006 Samsung Super League with FEI series in Dublin, Ireland, on Friday, August 11, where the two countries fighting for survival in the premier Nations Cup League rose to the occasion to finish second and third.

However, although the Dutch have moved up one place to sixth on the leaderboard after taking runner-up spot when collecting just four faults, the Irish remain at the bottom of the table despite an impressive six-fault performance, and it is Sweden who will be their main opponents in the battle to avoid relegation when the final kicks off in Barcelona in five weeks time.

The fourth annual USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals were held during the Golden State Dressage Warm-Up and Cool-Down Show in Rancho Murieta, CA, July 28-30. Junior dressage riders from across the country competed in their respective age divisions of 13 & under and 14 to 18 years of age.

The purpose of the Dressage Seat Medal Program is to promote and reward excellence in equitation, including correct seat, position and use of aids in the sport of dressage. Junior riders in these Finals qualified last year by competing in the Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Final classes held at each of the nine United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Regional Championships, with the top two competitors in each age division being eligible for the Finals. Since the rider, not just the horse, is the primary focus of the judges’ scrutiny, one of the unique aspects of the Dressage Seat Medal Program is that riders may use borrowed horses.

USEF Accepting Bids to Host 2007 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships

The United States Equestrian Federation® (USEF) is accepting bids to host the 2007 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships, which will also be the selection trial for the 2007 Para-Equestrian Dressage World Championship team and a CDPI****. The CDPI**** would serve as a qualifying event for the 2008 Paralympics in Hong Kong, China. The event is currently awaiting FEI approval.

The event must be held at a USEF-licensed dressage competition between April 15 and May 31, 2007. To request a bid application, please contact Jennifer Brown at USEF at (859) 225-2037, or by e-mail at jbrown@usef.org by September 15, 2006.

The United States Equestrian Federation® (USEF) is requesting applicants for part-time dressage coaching positions as needed for the 2007 para-equestrian year. These coaching positions will provide support to the head coach, Missy Ransehausen.

USEF holds up to four para-equestrian training sessions during a season, one selection trial and one or two international trips. Applicants must have coaching expertise in dressage and preferably have a background working with para-equestrian riders. Interested parties should send a resume to Don Whittle, Manager Director of FEI Affiliates, at dwhittle@usef.org. Funding for these part-time coaching positions are contingent on funding approval from the United States Olympic Committee.

The USEF will host an open Hackney/Harness forum during the Kentucky State Fair World’s Championship Horse Show. The forum will be held immediately following the American Hackney Horse Society General Membership meeting, which begins at approximately 1:30 p.m. in the Lock/Heather room at the Executive West hotel on Thursday, August 24. The forum is open to any that wish to attend and will be led by USEF Hackney/Harness committee members. This is your chance to voice your opinions regarding the current Federation Rules and gives you the opportunity to make suggestions for future rule change proposals. If you have any questions about the forum, please contact the USEF office at (859) 225-6955.

Get Your Team U.S.A. World Equestrian Games Lapel Pin Before Supplies Run Out

Limited edition U.S.A. 2006 World Equestrian Games pins are now available! Get your limited edition lapel pin and show your support for Team U.S.A. Pin measures 1 ½” length x ½” width.Quantity is limited, so order now! $5 each. Order online through the United States Equestrian Federation® at www.usef.org/content/formsPubs/lapelpins.php.

Olympic Medalists Named Guest Correspondents for the HorseTV Channel's 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games Coverage

Olympic medalists David O’Connor and Lisa Wilcox are set to contribute their equestrian expertise to The HorseTV Channel’s coverage of the ultimate equestrian competition - the 2006 World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Aachen, Germany. O’Connor and Wilcox will deliver extensive interviews with top competitors and present feature stories, giving viewers a rare glimpse into behind-the-scenes action at the WEG. The Games take place from August 20 to September 3 and feature the world’s best horse-and-rider combinations in all seven equestrian disciplines.

USEF Apparel Collection by Ariat Launches in Europe at FEI World Equestrian Games

Ariat International, Inc., the world’s leading manufacturer of English and Western riding boots and apparel, will debut its newest collection of technologically advanced apparel to the world when it launches its USEF Apparel Collection at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) beginning August 20 in Aachen, Germany.

In an effort to help improve safety of horses and those who travel with horses, USRider has been working with nationally known large animal rescue experts Drs. Tomas and Rebecca Gimenez.

For the past three years, Dr. Tomas Gimenez, Professor of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at Clemson University, and Dr. Rebecca Gimenez, an animal physiologist and a primary instructor in technical large animal emergency rescue, have assisted USRider in gathering and analyzing data about horse trailer accidents. Drs. Gimenez began collecting data through a survey in December 2003. The research team also culled data from incidents reported in newspapers and Internet postings. The data is being used to formulate recommendations for preventing accidents and enhancing the safety of horses.

Karin Offield of Offield Farms Offers USEF Members Interested in Dressage Free Membership to DressageDirect.com

Offield Farms has the opportunity to introduce all American dressage-interested USEF members to www.dressagedirect.com. Dressagedirect is dedicated to promoting the sport of dressage throughout the world.

In case you are not familiar with ressagedirect, the service aims to provide its members with all international dressage show results on the grand prix level, along with interesting facts of the dressage community. This information is sent directly to the subscriber’s e-mail box shortly after each event.

For the full letter, click here.

From the July/August 2006 issue of EQUESTRIAN magazine:
The "How To" Issue

Have you ever asked yourself, "How Do I...?" Of course you have. And you're not alone. EQUESTRIAN magazine has compiled a series of features on a wide variety of topics which offers some good advice, instruction and fun reading.

Winter, spring, summer and fall, they’re always there to take the call. If you don’t mind the rain, the heat, the cold, the sleet, the dust, the long hours and writer’s cramp, maybe judging is for you. Yet, if you think about it that way, why would anyone want to sign up for that job? Ask any judge and you will hear the simple answer, people become judges because they love the game. They love the sport. They love to see horses and riders continuously strive to do their best. “Judges are giving back to the industry,” said Carl Hansen, a Big “R” Hunter, Hunter Breeding, Hunter Equitation and Jumper Judge. “You don’t do it just for the money, because you certainly don’t make that much money sitting at the ring for 12 hours. You do it because you love the sport.”

For 2006, the USEF had 1,671 licensed judges who held 3,458 licenses. So for that 1,671 people who made it through the process of licensing, how did they do it? And, is judging for you?

These days free time seems to be the one thing we are all lacking. However, there is much to be gained from volunteering, and with the myriad of equestrian events that the USEF recognizes each year, there is something for everyone. Currently, USEF recognizes 28 breeds and disciplines, all of which can use an extra pair of hands. Most, if not all, equestrian organizations are not-for-profit and therefore must rely heavily on the generosity of volunteers. Volunteering is not limited to shows. In addition to just being a warm body, organizations can always utilize any special skills you have. If you are a fast typist, you can help with data entry; if you are good with technology, you can help with a web site; if you are a good writer, you can develop a newsletter; there is always something that needs to be done. To volunteer for something other than a show, feel free to contact the organization directly. The USEF website has a list of organizations and their websites that can be found at www.usef.org/content/links.

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) announced plans for its second annual Internet webcast of all classes at the World’s Championship Horse Show at the 2006 Kentucky State Fair in Freedom Hall in Louisville, KY.

“We are expecting to provide live streaming video of every class in the show, as we did last year in our first attempt at such an ambitious project,” explained Alan F. Balch, Executive Secretary of the AHSA.

Dueling Events on Both Coasts Shakes Up Leaderboards in the Adequan United States Eventing Association's Gold Cup Series

It was another busy weekend for the Adequan United States Eventing Association (USEA) Gold Cup Series, with the action taking place on both coasts at the Millbrook Horse Trials and the Woodside Eventing Summer Horse Trials.

Held August 11-13 at The Horse Park at Woodside in Woodside, CA, the Woodside Eventing Summer Horse Trials hosted both intermediate and advanced Gold Cup divisions. Gina Miles, making the trip from Creston, CA, with longtime partner McKinlaigh, swept the advanced division starting with a nearly unheard of dressage score of 24.6. With 5.6 time penalties on cross-country, they entered the show jumping arena with three rails in hand, needing only one of them. Ending on a score of 34.2, Miles and McKinlaigh bested the rest of the competition by more than 14 points.

Morris Animal Foundation to Raise $2.5 Million for University of Minnesota to Lead Consortium to Study Equine Diseases

The Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) selected the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine to receive funding for the first ever Equine Consortium for Genetic Research grant. The goal of the grant is to bring together the world’s best researchers in a focused, collaborative effort to improve equine health.

The consortium grant, led by University of Minnesota professors Jim Mickelson and Stephanie Valberg, received the highest score out of 27 multi-institutional applications reviewed by MAF, and could rapidly advance the health and welfare of horses worldwide. The University of Minnesota was identified as the lead institution with 32 scientists from 18 elite academic institutions throughout nine countries collaborating on the development of the proposal.

The American Horse Council (AHC) has confirmed Dr. Bob Hillman as a speaker for the AHC Issues Forum, which will be held on September 25 in Austin, TX. Dr. Hillman currently serves as the Texas state veterinarian and executive director of the Texas Animal Health Commission. He is also currently the chair of the USAHA Committee on Livestock Identification and serves on the Secretary’s Advisory Subcommittee for the National Animal Identification System (NAIS).

“We are excited about Dr. Hillman’s participation in this informative meeting,” said Jay Hickey, AHC President. “Dr. Hillman will be presenting as part of the afternoon Equine Identification and the National Animal Identification System session, and will sit on the 'Ask the Experts' panel. He will be discussing where Texas currently stands with the NAIS and any plans Texas may have for participation in the system.”

Taylor Adams Wins Best Child Rider on Pony and Lyrik Perpetual Grand Junior Hunter Trophy at Blowing Rock Horse Show Series

At the Blowing Rock Horse Show series, held July 26-August 6, Over the Hill Farm had more stellar performances from their horses and riders. They took home five grand hunter titles and five trophies from the horse show. Once again, young Taylor Ann Adams of Eads, TN, was the star of the show. Adams was named the Best Child Rider on a Pony and won the Evelyn O. Faulkner Trophy. She was also the Leading Point Rider on a Horse and Pony and will have her name etched on the Jennifer Cox Memorial Trophy.

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.