Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

North Carolina Sweeps World’s Grand Championships; Four-peats for Walterway’s Remember Me, Big Red

Saturday night in Freedom Hall at the Kentucky State Fair and World's Championships was one of those performances that demonstrated once again the unpredictability of sport. It was a mix of the familiar, the new and the unexpected, cast against a backdrop of 12,000 cheering fans.

In the world of horses, four wins is a big number! That two horses in the same, most prestigious of championship nights could both score four-peats, one an American Saddlebred and one a Standardbred, is beyond all odds. But it happened.

First, in a class of nine stellar five-gaited ladies’ horses, CH Walterway’s Remember Me and Ceil Wheeler of Virginia emerged on top yet again for the fourth straight year. Just think of it - four different sets of competitors, four different sets of judges and four different sets of circumstances, not to mention horse and rider each aging four years in the process—just how remarkable this is begins to set in.

Two lucky youths won big with a small equine prize. At the American Shetland Pony Congress this month, two American Shetland ponies were awarded to winners of two youth essay contests. Youths from around the country exercised their writing skills for the chance to win one of these amazing Shetland ponies. Entries were numbered and judged anonymously. Kimberly Cotter was the lucky winner of E’s Sir Nite and Kasey Waxler of Pennsylvania was awarded Cross Country’s Mr. Banker.

Megan Fellows Crowned the New USHJA Tad Coffin Zone III Equitation Finals Grand Champion at HITS Culpeper

Megan Fellows of Great Falls, VA, rode Guinness to victory during the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Tad Coffin Zone III Equitation Finals under the lights in the majestic grand prix ring at HITS Culpeper on Saturday evening.

"The young lady that won the class was an excellent rider," said veteran hunter and equitation judge Christina Schlusemeyer. "The quality of the riders in this class was tremendous. Out of the 27 riders that competed in the class, I would say there were a dozen really good riders that I would like to have ride my own horses at my farm."

Fellows, who has been riding under the watchful eye of trainer Jenny Graham for the past nine years, won the Virginia Medal Final last week and now adds the title of USHJA Tad Coffin Zone III Equitation Finals Grand Champion to her impressive resume for 2008.

The Charleston Summer Horse Show Classics are returning July 8-18 of 2009 after nearly a decade absence.

Bob Bell, Chairman of the summer classic, recently announced the big news to thunderous applause during a meeting with professional trainers, course designers and judges who fondly remember the original series. “I started the Charleston Summer Classics at the Seabrook Island Equestrian Center in July of 1992, but unfortunately, or fortunately depending on how you look at it, the show outgrew the facility after seven years and moved to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC,” said Bell as he explained some of the event’s history. “The show then moved to Conyers, GA, home of the Georgia International Horse Park and site of the 1996 Olympics, but for years I’ve had this longing to return to Charleston...to our roots.”

The very first edition of the FEI World Reining Championship, which will be held at the Palasturla in Manerbio, Italy, on September 11-14, has already proven to be a success. Forty-eight riders from 17 countries will be competing for the highly coveted FEI medals. A total of five continents will be represented.

The USEF has approved the following drivers for the U.S. team for the 2008 FEI World Four-in-Hand Driving Championships to be held in Beesd, Holland, September 3-7, 2008.

Do you have an event you want to promote? Do you know of an exciting equine event—whether it be a horse show, training seminar or clinic, a horse health care seminar, a continuing education event for equine professionals, an expo, a trail ride, a charity event/fundraiser or an equine social event? If so, fill out our online form to add your event to the ClubEquestrian.com Calendar, one of the most comprehensive online equestrian event calendars out there.

The mayor of the Paralymic Village, Elsie Leung, officiated at Thursday's ceremony to declare the village open for the Beijing 2008 Paralympics Equestrian Events being held in Hong Kong, September 7-11.

Dressage at Devon Presents a Forum with Dr. Hilary Clayton on Fitness Training to Maximize Dressage Performance

Hilary M. Clayton, BVMS, PhD, MRCVS, will be the speaker at the Dressage at Devon Forum on Wednesday, September 24. With "The Bio-Mechanics of the Horse," participants will enjoy a brief lecture as well as a lively question-and-answer discussion session. A gourmet boxed dinner and drinks will be served.

Each year at the USEF Pony Finals National Championships, Welsh Pony and Cob Society of America (WPCSA) President Dr. Ruth Wilburn, with the help of computer guru Robin Nowak, host a grand competition for registered Welsh and Half-Welsh ponies. Again the WPCSA would like to salute the winners whose riders are amply rewarded for their talents; they receive a $250 cash stipend from Dr. Wilburn, a halter from Just For Ponies, and a silver plate from USEF, plus they were photographed with the perpetual tray. All winners through fourth receive a handsome neck sash for their pony.

Jimmy Torano of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, topped the $10,000 Open Jumper High Score Awards, presented by Sir Ruly, Inc., at the six-week Vermont Summer Festival held July 9-August 17 in East Dorset, VT.

2009 Great American Insurance Group/United States Dressage Federation Regional Dressage Championship Dates and Locations Announced

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) announced the dates and locations for the 2009 Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Dressage Championships: USDF Region 1 (October 22-25) at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA; USDF Region 2 (September 17-20) at the Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, IL; USDF Region 3 (October 22-25) at the Palm Beach County Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in West Palm Beach, FL; USDF Region 4 (September 10-13) at the North Iowa Fair Grounds in Mason City, IA; USDF Region 5 (October 16-18) at the New Mexico Expo in Albuquerque, NM; USDF Region 6 (September 25-27) at the Devonwood in Sherwood, OR; USDF Region 7 (October 1-4) at the Murrieta Equestrian Center in Rancho Murrieta, CA; USDF Region 8 (September 9-13) at HITS on the Hudson in Saugerties, NY; and USDF Region 9 (October 29–November 1) at the Great Southwest Equine Center in Katy, TX.

The United States Equestrian Federation, Inc. (USEF) is pleased to announce that it will now accept American Express, which will allow USEF members to pay for memberships and other services both online and through downloadable forms.

The eyes of the horse world may have been focused on the Olympics in Hong Kong, but the pony hunter world is excited about a large Welsh pony appropriately named Newsworthy who is making headlines of his own. For a string of lucky junior riders, Newsworthy has been their ticket to the top. And now, the stellar grey pony is being honored by Breyer Animal Creations® as its newest equine sculpture. Breyer’s Newsworthy model, sculpted by Susan Carlton Sifton, shows the champion equine in a perfect jumping pose—the very pose that made him and all the children who rode him champions!

Simple, But Critical, Management Practices Are Necessary for Optimal Herd Health

Managing one horse can be challenging enough, but when there is a whole barn full of horses—each with its own individual needs—keeping schedules straight and preventing disease outbreaks can become a daunting task. Whether it’s a breeding facility, a bustling show barn, or simply a pasture full of backyard companions, horse owners and managers have a responsibility to stay current on the necessary management practices to keep their herd healthy.

Melissa Doddridge Wins 2008 USEF National Junior Hunter Championships - West Coast

The 2008 United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) National Junior Hunter Championships-West Coast was conducted in three phases over the course of two days. The first two phases, the Under Saddle and the Handy Hunter, were held on August 12, and the third phase, the Classic Round, was held on August 13.

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is now accepting bids to host the HSBC FEI Eventing 2009 World Cup™ Qualifier.

Once again, geographic restraints will no longer keep horse sport fans from enjoying the Capital Challenge or the Washington International horse shows. Using today’s streaming video technology, Equestriansport.tv is bringing the show to you. Visit www.equestriansport.tv and you will be face-to-face with the action in several rings. See the arena, the judges, the presenters, and of course, the horses and their riders. There is no longer a need to rely on a friend’s description; instead, see it for yourself.

The American Youth Horse Council (AYHC) cordially invites individuals to submit proposals to speak at the 2009 National Youth Horse Leaders Symposium in Lincoln, NE, on March 27–29, 2009. The deadline for presentation proposals is September 15, 2008. This annual event, now in its 32nd year, presents an opportunity for leaders in the youth horse industry to come together to learn, network, share ideas and grow as an industry. The AYHC is a network of academic, breed, industry and other representatives interested in facilitating the flow of horse-related educational and promotional resources for youth. AYHC's mission is to provide encouragement, communication, leadership and resources to serve and promote the youth horse industry.

The American Horse Council is pleased to announce the arrival of Julia Andersen, who will serve as the director of the Unwanted Horse Coalition (UHC).

Raul de Leon Earns Prestigious Title of Master Instructor with American Riding Instructors Association

Raul de Leon was awarded the designation of Master Instructor by the American Riding Instructors Association (ARIA) in July. A former Cuban junior jumping champion, de Leon furthered his career in the U.S., working closely with former United States Equestrian Team coach Bertalan de Nemethy and eventually settling on Long Island.

USEF Response to FEI Press Release Regarding Positive Drug Test of Mythilus at 2008 Olympic Games

Following a routine drug test on August 19 at the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong, Mythilus, a U.S. dressage horse, ridden by Courtney King-Dye, was found to have tested positive for Felbinac. Felbinac is considered a class A prohibited substance by the FEI. Felbinac is usually applied topically for the relief of local pain and inflammation and belongs to a group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

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:
— Julia Weiss
— Genevieve Zock
— Victoria Zwarycz
— Alexa Anthony
— Sophia Benjamin
— Allyson Blais
— Haley Burke
— Alexandra Carlton
— Olivia Clancy
— Anna Cooley
— Danielle Cooper
— Rachel Crown

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

A few riders that have now qualifed on the West Coast:
— Taylor Kain
— Faye Keegan
— Chelsea Keyes
— Laura King
— Kelly Lively
— Caitlin Maloney
— Courtney Marous
— Natalie Medlock
— Kendall Meijer
— Matthew Metell
— Kendall Milkey
— Cassie Moffatt
— Laura Mormann
— Michelle Morris
— Anna Murphy
— Jocelyn Neff

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.