Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

Windfall and Chiacchia Reclaim Top Spot on Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series Advanced Leaderboard

It was a wire-to-wire victory for Darren Chiacchia and Windfall II in the Adequan United States Eventing Association (USEA) Gold Cup Series Advanced division at the Richland Park Horse Trials, August 25-27, in Richland, MI.

The pair took a commanding lead from the start with a spectacular dressage score of 24.6, 8.3 penalties ahead of their nearest competition, Missy Ransehousen and Critical Decision with 32.9, who were less than one point ahead of Kristen Bond and Three Wishes II with 33.3.

31st Annual Hampton Classic Horse Show Shines Through the Rain; Anne Kursinski Wins $150,000 Prudential Financial Grand Prix

Culminating what had been a wet week, the sun was shining bright as three-time Olympic veteran Anne Kursinski of Frenchtown, NJ, rode Roxanna 112 to victory in the $150,000 Prudential Financial Grand Prix to culminate the 31st annual Hampton Classic Horse Show.

“There’s no question that the rain was a factor in this year’s horse show, but I think everyone would have to agree that things still went extremely well,” said Hampton Classic Executive Director Shanette Barth. “Horse show people are used to going in the rain, and our Hampton Classic staff really rose to the occasion and made sure that the rain had as little effect on our event as possible.

USET Foundation Congratulates 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games Athletes and Supporters for Superior Performances

“Both our athletes and our supporters came through with flying colors for this year’s World Equestrian Games (WEG), and the USET Foundation is grateful to all of them for their superior performances,” stated Bonnie Jenkins, Executive Director of the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation. “Our supporters are simply the best, and their support allowed our athletes to focus on the competition and deliver the medals!”

Horses from across the United States have gathered at the Kentucky Horse Park for the 2006 USEF/Markel National Young Horse Dressage Championships, being held this weekend, September 8-10, in Lexington, KY. This prestigious competition, proudly sponsored by Markel Insurance, includes outstanding fields of five- and six-year-olds vying for the Dr. Edgar Hotz Memorial Trophy. Also, for the first time these championships will include a four-year-old division. The ground jury includes officials Axel Steiner (O-USA), Janet Foy (I-USA), Jayne Ayers (I-USA) and Liselotte Fore (I-USA). Regular updates and results will be posted throughout the weekend at www.showsecretary.com.

Advertise Your Stallion in EQUESTRIAN and Reach Over 86,000 Readers

Get great results when you advertise your stallion in EQUESTRIAN. Reach over 86,000 breeders, equestrians and horse owners when you advertise in the December/January Breeding issue of EQUESTRIAN. Book early! Deadline is October 23.

The 2006 American Saddlebred Registry Sweepstakes (ASR) began on Thursday, September 7, at the All American Horse Classic at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis. Sweepstakes payouts for 2006 are expected to increase over 20%. In 2005, the total payout was $139,433. Prize money was distributed as follows: Two-Year-Old Sweepstakes, $38,629; Three-Year-Old Sweepstakes, $70,428; Four-Year-Old Sweepstakes, $30,376. The total estimated payouts in 2006 are up almost $32,000. Since its inception, the Sweepstakes program has awarded more than $3.3 million.

Winsome Adante Now Heads the United States Eventing Association's All-Time High-Point Leaderboard; Long-time Leader, Giltedge, Drops to Second

Linda Wachtmeister’s and Plain Dealing Farm’s Winsome Adante has taken the lead on the U.S. Eventing Association’s (USEA) All-time High-Point Leaderboard with a record career score of 1,184 points.

Giltedge (1,114 points), who represented the U.S. on five international teams with David O’Connor, and who is owned by Mrs. Jacqueline Mars, has headed the all-time high-point leaderboard since his win at the Kentucky CCI**** in 2003 and is now in second place. Hannigan, owned by Bruce Duchossois has increased his score to 1,063, which keeps him in third place. Timothy Holekamp’s Windfall II is in fourth with 1,007 following wins at the Adequan USEA Advanced Gold Cup events at Millbrook and Richland Park.

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.

Note: Information packets have been sent to all USEF-recognized affiliates. Applicants must contact their affiliate regarding consideration for this program.

The American Horse Council (AHC) will be holding an Issues Forum in Austin, TX, to discuss current issues facing the horse industry, such as the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) and its impact on horse owners.

American Youth Horse Council Seeking Nominations for Youth Leader of the Year

The American Youth Horse Council (AYHC) is seeking nominations for Youth Leader of the Year, sponsored by the Certified Horsemanship Association. AYHC wants to emphasize how strong adult leadership for young horsemen and horsewomen helps ensure a vital industry for the future. Any leader who volunteers time and effort to the youth horse industry should be recognized as a candidate for the award.

Another successful show for Alexandra Thornton of Bedminster, NJ, placed the 12-year-old in the winner’s circle once again. This time, her triumph made history at the highly regarded Hampton Classic in Bridgehampton, NY. Thornton, who trains with renowned judge and trainer Susie Humes, piloted her way to the division tricolor in the Younger Small Junior Hunters aboard her mount Tobasco, a small, yet scopey chestnut gelding. She then continued her winning ways and became the youngest rider to ever win the Grand Junior Hunter Championship at the Hampton Classic.

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.

Note: Packages have been provided to all USEF-recognized affiliates. All nominations for the Youth Sportsman's Charter Award must come through the affiliates.

Lydia Todd and Julianna Bower Win Prestigious Children's Medal Finals at 72nd Annual Quentin Riding Club Fall Horse Show

Elizabethtown, PA, resident Lydia Todd beat out 15 riders to win the Josey Mohler Equitation Finals at the 72nd annual Quentin Riding Club Fall Horse Show over Labor Day weekend. Riding her horse Good Question, Todd was both nervous and excited as she entered the ring to compete in the first round—an over fences course consisting of 10 jumps at 3’. The Josey Mohler Finals are for children who have earned a ribbon in qualifying classes earlier in the show year.

$10,000 Ladies’ Side Saddle Hunter Joins Washington International Horse Show Schedule

The 2006 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) returns to the Verizon Center this year, October 24-29, in downtown Washington, D.C., to host one of the most exciting and innovative horse show events in the country. This year, the WIHS proudly welcomes ladies’ side saddle as a new division and evening feature.

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.

2007 Palm Beach Dressage Derby Will Serve as Pan-American Games Selection Trials

The prestigious Palm Beach Dressage Derby, March 1-4, 2007, will serve as one of the official selection trials for the U.S. Pan American Games team. In addition, the event is also a qualifier for the USEF Grand Prix and Intermediaire I National Championships, the U.S. League Final and U.S. Grand Prix Freestyle Championship. More than $20,000 in prize money and awards will be given to the winners, making the Palm Beach Dressage Derby one of the most lucrative for riders on the dressage circuit.

The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., recently awarded $250,000 in grants to charitable organizations that promote the positive use of the horse for the benefit of the general public and the equestrian sport as a whole. The “all volunteer” EQUUS Foundation raises funds from two annual events—one held in February during the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL, and the the Benefit Luncheon held in June in conjunction with the Fairfield County Hunt Club June Benefit Horse Show in Westport, CT.

The Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) is offering members an opportunity to register eligible Appaloosas over two years of age for the reduced rate of only $150.

ApHC Regional Clubs are eligible for monetary incentive by recruiting members to take advantage of this special opportunity. Aged Horse Special registration applications will be mailed to ApHC Chartered Regional Clubs on Sept. 15, 2006, and are available by request.

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.