Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

With a stellar field of 22 riders, the 2007 United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Dressage Seat Medal Finals presented by Dressage Today® brought together a wealth of talented juniors from across the country to the spectacular HITS on the Hudson show grounds in Saugerties, New York, August 17–19, 2007. Hosted by Centerline Events, the finals were held in conjunction with the CDI-W/Y/J/P Saugerties, NY, an event also showcasing some of the nation’s top high performance dressage riders.

The purpose of the USEF 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 2006 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. Thanks to the generosity of local horse owners, more than a third of the juniors rode borrowed horses, enabling these competitors to travel from across the country for the finals.

The USEF has announced the Show Jumping World Cup Qualifiers for the upcoming season to culminate with the World Cup Final in Gothenburg, Sweden April 23-26, 2008.

The eight American combinations boarding planes to head to the 2007 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials include a grandfather, an Idahoan, an 18-year-old horse, a combination contesting their first CCI**** and a combination looking to settle a score with one of the most challenging CCI**** tracks in the world. Ranging in age from 21 to 56 these riders bring all levels of experience and expectation to England to take on the world’s best at the prestigious event.

The Saddlebred World’s Grand Champions were crowned Saturday night before a crowd of nearly 15,000 at Louisville’s Freedom Hall for the World’s Championship Horse Show. A South African-bred horse ridden by a Californian claimed the $100,000 “Big Stake” as Michele Macfarlane won the five-gaited title aboard (SA) CCV Casey’s Final Countdown, co-owned by Si-Si Stables and Macfarlane. Grande Gil grabbed the three-gaited championship with Neil Visser in the irons for owner Joan Hamilton. George Knight showed Along Came A Spider to the Fine Harness World’s Grand Championship for owner Georgia Herpin Baker.

United States Equestrian Team Foundation Announces Dressage Riders for 2008 Rose Parade—Olympians Sue Blinks, Debbie McDonald, Steffen Peters and Guenter Seidel

The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation has announced that Olympians Sue Blinks, Debbie McDonald, Steffen Peters and Guenter Seidel will be the four dressage representatives riding on the 12-member squad representing the USET Foundation in the 2008 Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA. In the coming weeks, the USET Foundation will also announce the selection of four Olympians from the discipline of show jumping and four from eventing to ride in the 119th Rose Parade.

The American Horse Council (AHC) will host a National Issues Forum at Keeneland Race Track in Lexington, KY, on November 2, 2007. The AHC’s National Issues Forum provides an excellent opportunity for all horse enthusiasts and industry participants to gain insight and knowledge about national topics directly affecting the equine community in the United States.

The leadership of the American Saddlebred Registry has announced the most comprehensive changes and updating of its American Saddlebred Grand National prize program in its 23-year history, based on decisions made by its board of directors in late July. Since 1984, over 10,000 Saddlebreds have been recorded in the program, including approximately 320 stallions; more than $2.6 million in prizes have been paid by the Grand National since its inception.

Don’t miss a second of the action at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials in England where eight Americans will be contesting for the coveted £50,000 prize. For the first time, the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials will be offering live webstream of the cross-country and show jumping worldwide September 1-2.

If you sign up before August 26, not only can you enjoy every minute of the 2007 event but you can also enjoy highlights of the 2006 event for free. There is also a special offer combining access to the webcast and a copy of the 2007 DVD after the competition is over.

Colorful commentary will be provided by some of the biggest names in the game, including:

—Alice Plunkett, Channel 4 Horse Racing Anchor, former eventer and wife of William Fox-Pitt;
—David O'Connor, Individual Sydney Olympic champion, World and Pan Am medalist, and winner of Badminton and Rolex Kentucky;
—Ian Stark, four-time Olympic Silver medalist, and triple Badminton champion; and
—Tina Cook, World and European Team medalist.

Bob Bell, president of the horse show management firm The Classic Company, is delighted to announce that the 2007 Atlanta Fall Classic, held annually at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, will expand from two exciting weeks to three (October 31-November 18). In addition, the super-sized show will offer four supplementary Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) point-eligible classes.

2007 Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Dressage Championships Dates and Locations Announced

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) announced the dates for the 2007 Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Dressage Championships.

National Horse Show and Family Festival Manager Michael Morrissey Prepares for 124th Edition of Prestigious Event

In his seventh year of managing the National Horse Show and Family Festival, Michael Morrissey has seen some changes in the event, but all were for the better. This year's 124th National Horse Show and Family Festival will be held on December 5-9, 2007, at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington, FL.

Although the show is held after December 1, all points from the National Horse Show and Family Festival will count towards the 2007 USEF year-end awards.

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Selection Procedure for the Adequan®/USEF Junior Jumper Team Championship-Prix des States

While the USEF Jumper Committee will oversee the selection process of the Adequan®/USEF Junior Jumper Team Championship-Prix des States, the committee is subject at all times to oversight and supervision by USEF, as the National Governing Body. Classes below defined as follows: Junior Jumper per JP117.2 and Open Jumper classes offering $25,000 or more in prize money per JP150.

Record crowds came to the Hampton Classic Horse Show on Manhattan Mortgage Company’s Opening Day to watch Long Island’s best horses and riders compete. The 32nd Hampton Classic Horse Show, one of the nation’s premier show jumping competitions, continues through Sunday, September 2. The Classic hosts hunter/jumper competition for riders ranging from the youngest competitors in leadline and short stirrup classes all the way up to the Olympic veterans in the $150,000 FTI Grand Prix.

American Saddlebred Horse Association Competition Registration Now Available Online

Formal registration of all competitions offering Saddlebred classes by the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) is now under way. This step comes with the Kentucky State Fair World’s Championship Horse Show having announced that ASHA will administer point-keeping records on its behalf for its 2008 Pleasure and Park Horse sections. Those qualifying requirements can be viewed at www.asha.net/files/ksfwchs_pleasure_park_requirements_08.pdf.

Sulu Rose-Reed and Leondor Win the $40,000 Footings Unlimited Grand Prix at HITS Culpeper

What a difference a week makes. Just ask Sulu Rose-Reed who captured the top prize in the $40,000 Footings Unlimited Grand Prix aboard Leondor on Sunday, August 26, as the duo got the best of 21 other pairs to conclude the Winston National horse show at HITS Culpeper.

Tickets for the world-class Wachovia Securities American Gold Cup, September 19-23, at the Cleveland Metroparks Polo Field are now on sale. This premiere show jumping competition features Olympians, as well as top local riders, competing for more than $200,000 in prize money.

The Fidelity Investments Jumper Classic, the only American Grand Prix Association grand prix show jumping event in New England, will be presented by Animal Planet this year at the show grounds in South Hamilton, MA, September 5-9, 2007. As presenting sponsor, Animal Planet will provide one of the jumps in the grand prix course by Olympic course designer Richard Jeffrey.

World Games 2010 Foundation Announces New Director of Community and Volunteer Affairs

The World Games 2010 Foundation, Inc., the organization responsible for planning, staging and conducting the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, announced that Cathy Rutter has been hired as the Director of Community and Volunteer Affairs.

The FEI has announced the departure of its secretary general, Michael Stone. On August 24, Stone tendered his resignation to the president, and the first and second vice presidents in Lausanne, Switzerland. This was accepted, and has been approved by the Bureau. Stone has worked for the FEI for 10 years in various positions, culminating in his appointment in August 2006 as secretary general, the chief executive of the organization.

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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.

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.