Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

Team U.S.A. Takes the Team Silver Medal in Show Jumping; American Drivers Sit at First and Fifth After Dressage Phase

It was a late start for the show jumpers on Thursday at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG), but it is better late than never. The Main Stadium was once again packed to the rafters, full of fans cheering the competitors and witnessing the contest of the team medal in Aachen. Earlier in the day, the second of two days of driving dressage was wrapped up, with an American driver sitting at first and fifth positions.

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.

Top Reiners From Around the World Gather in Aachen, Germany, for the FEI World Equestrian Games

The final roster of entries for the FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) reining competition is in. There will be 16 teams with an additional six countries represented by at least one rider.

Teams include Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Germany, Israel, Italy, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Slovakia, Sweden and the U.S.A. There will be one or two riders representing the Dominican Republic, Hungary, Mexico, Norway, Poland and South Africa.

The HorseTV Channel Launches New Broadband Channel; Channel's Debut Presents One Week Free of the FEI World Equestrian Games

The HorseTV Channel is set to introduce its new broadband channel "HorseTV Access," with a free six-day special presentation, beginning September 4, which will feature the network’s 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) coverage. The WEG presentation is a “free rein” direct feed intended to give viewers the feeling of being at the event. HorseTV Access will begin airing The HorseTV Channel’s regular programming on September 10, and viewers will receive an additional week free upon subscribing to the broadband channel.

Historic World Premieres Highlight The HorseTV Channel's September Programming Lineup

Western world championships, a Labor Day marathon and the much-anticipated presentation of The HorseTV Channel’s historic coverage of the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) headline the network’s September premieres.

“September promises to be a very special month in programming at The HorseTV Channel,” said Rachel Falleroni, Head of Programming for The HorseTV Channel. “In addition to the outstanding premiere lineup, we are pleased to bring our viewers their first look at the most comprehensive coverage of the FEI World Equestrian Games in United States history.”

Smith Lilly and his gifted mount, He’s The Man (CH Man On The Town X Perfect), were the judges’ unanimous winners of the Five-Gaited World’s Grand Championship in Louisville’s Freedom Hall on Saturday evening, August 26. Having won the Five-Gaited Gelding Stake earlier in the week, the pair wowed the audience from the moment they came into the arena, with the trademark Louisville roar growing with every pass down a straightaway.

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 USEF announced the formation of the USEF Youth Council, designed to encourage and support existing affiliate youth programs. The goal will be to create the most varied board possible with members from each and every USEF national affiliate.

This first-ever council will be made up of youth members, 21 years of age and under, and they must be active in their affiliate’s youth club, organization or young rider program. Applicants should also have governance experience, which includes any leadership role in a youth organization. Terms will be for two years.

The USEF announced the five riders that will compete in the eighth and final show in the Samsung Super League tour CSIO Barcelona, Spain (September 14-17). In Barcelona, all team points accumulated will count for double.

The USEF announced the team that will travel to Canada and compete at the 2006 CSIO Spruce Meadows, September 6-10. Selection was based on the ranking of the July 28, 2006 USEF Computer List.

The USEF has finalized the third list of breed events that will receive outreach grants through the new program announced in January. The maximum grant is $1,000, and grants are still available. A total of $125,000 has been budgeted in 2006 for grants to financially challenged breed competitions that meet the grant requirements and are approved by the USEF. To date, 68 applications have been received and 54 have been approved.

On December 2, 2005, the USEF announced the debut of the USEF Youth Sportsman’s Charter Award. This new program is designed for junior members who are current members of both the USEF and their recognized national affiliate. The youth candidates are to demonstrate an ongoing commitment and dedication to the USEF and their affiliate through the promotion of the horse. This person is to serve as a role model for their peers.

The 2006 American Hunter Pony Classic Auction, held every year during the USEF Pony Finals National Championships, posted major increases in nearly every category. Statistically, the 2006 sale ranks as the best American Hunter Pony Classic ever and possibly the best pony auction ever held in North America. “This was a great auction. The buyers were active from beginning to end,” said Tim Jennings, Marketing Director of Professional Auction Services, Inc. “The catalog included the best group of ponies the sale has ever offered.”

Dressage at Devon® Offers Bigger Than Ever Grand Prix Cash Prize, Various Educational Opportunities and Demonstrations

The Dressage at Devon committee recently announced that it is offering $10,000 in prize money for the Grand Prix Freestyle winners at the 2006 show, stating that it is believed to be the most prize money for an individual class ever offered at a dressage show in the United States. Prize money for the same class in 2005 was $5,000. The winner of that class was George Williams of Delaware, OH, on the Westphalian mare, Rocher.

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.

Buffalo International Horse Show Celebrates Its 60th Anniversary and Tradition As Top-Notch Horse Show

The 60th annual Buffalo International Horse Show (BIHS) will host yet another year of top hunter and jumper competition in the Northwest in 2006. Held at the Buffalo Equestrian Center (BEC), which is formerly known as the Buffalo Saddle and Bridle Club, the horse show has a long tradition of excellence and has seen some of the nation’s best equestrians compete in its hallowed indoor arena. The show will be held September 13-17 and will benefit the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center (BTRC).

Danielle Jacobs and Victoria Natale Crowned Champions of the Inaugural Long Island Horse Show Series for Riders With Disabilities Finals

Two champions were crowned at the inaugural Finals of the Long Island Horse Show Series for Riders with Disabilities held at the 31st Annual Hampton Classic Horse Show. Danielle Jacobs, 22, of Nesconset, NY, was named champion of the Equitation “Independent” Division. In the Equitation “With Aides” Division, Victoria Natale, 14, of Beguille, NY, took top honors.

It was hot in St. Louis on August 2-5 for the American Shetland Pony Club (ASPC) National Shetland Pony Congress, but the ponies who came to compete were even hotter. Some 480 ponies trekked to the new show site, the National Equestrian Center in Lake St. Louis. After almost a decade of hosting the show in Rantoul, IL, show officials were very pleased with the number of entries the new show location attracted. “With a new location, soaring gasoline prices and record temperatures, we were concerned about the turnout for the show,” said ASPC Marketing Director Johnny Robb. “But not only was the turnout very good, the caliber of the ponies was really high in every division.”

Barbaro Injury Highlights Need for Laminitis Research Funding; Current Research Efforts are Underfunded

Ten million dollars in equine research funding is needed to unlock the mysteries of the devastating equine disease known as laminitis, announced the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Foundation, Inc. The life-threatening injury to Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro and the subsequent development of laminitis in the horse’s left hind foot has highlighted the prevalence and severity of the disease, which affects horses around the globe.

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.

Whether you are new to competing in USEF-licensed competitions or an old pro, there comes a point when your mind will fill with questions that need answers. Whether it is a simple question of ‘What am I supposed to wear in my class?’ or a more complicated question, such as ‘What must I do to ensure the competition I’m organizing is compliant?’ all the answers can be found in the USEF Rule Book. Everything you need to know is in there; the only problem is how to find it? With the right know how, the Rule Book will become your best buddy. So first things first, grab your R ule Book and let’s get started!

There is the stereotype of a groom: Someone who cleans a horse’s stall. Someone who turns the horse out into a paddock to eat a little grass. Someone who grooms the horse, of course, and who puts the horse back in the stall. Someone who stays in the background and isn’t really all that involved.

And then there is the reality of being a top-notch groom who works for a top-notch rider.

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.