Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

Even tropical storm Hanna could not stop the competition at The Laurels at Landhope, September 5-7, in West Grove, PA. With hard ground from a dry summer, drivers in the advanced, intermediate, and preliminary divisions got through dressage, but some had concerns that the hard going would be too rough for them.

"If there was anything that had me worried, it was that we wouldn't get the rain. I would have scratched. I was not going to sacrifice my 'A' team to the ground," said Lisa Stroud after completing the marathon phase of The Laurels at Landhope during pelting rain that Saturday.

Read More...

Hart Just Misses Medal in Individual Freestyle at 2008 Paralympic Games in Hong Kong

The venue was lively on September 10 as the freestyles got under way in the main arena at Sha Tin. All kinds of music were showcased in two sessions. Two U.S. riders went to task in the morning sessions on the penultimate day of competition at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Equestrian. In the Grade II Individual Freestyle, Rebecca Hart (Erie, PA) finally had the performance she knew she was capable of with Norteassa at these Games. The electric arena had been unsettling to the 15-year-old Hanoverian gelding, but they really shone—scoring 68.056% for their effort.

“I’m very, very happy with my test,” said Hart, who was born with Familial Spastic Paraplegia. “I had a definite goal in mind and I met that goal. I’m pleased with my horse; it was a great ride. I worked on the expression, got him to settle and got the cadence and elegance back.”

Great Britain Gallops Home with a Hoard of Medals at 2008 Paralympic Games in Equestrian; US.. Team Aims for 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

A collective sigh could be felt in the Sha Tin venue as the final day of competition at the 2008 Paralympic Games got under way on September 14. For everyone who has put so much time, money and work into the last six weeks—all that remained was 15 hours. The British made the best of those hours, winning 10 medals

The 2008 USEF Dressage National Championships Set to Begin at the Kentucky Horse Park

Some of the most talented young horses from across the country have come to the Kentucky Horse Park to compete in the 2008 Markel/United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) National Young Horse Dressage Championship presented by Collecting Gaits Farm along with the USEF National Developing Horse Dressage Championship sponsored by the Dutta Corporation and Performance Sales International. The show kicks off on Friday, September 12, and runs through Sunday.

The 19th edition of the World Four-in-Hand Driving Championship 2008 in Beesd, The Netherlands concluded with a thrilling final. The best four-in-hand drivers in the world showed the highest level of horsemanship and carriage driving sport in the crowded main arena in Beesd.

The overall winner of the World Four-in-Hand Driving Championship 2008 was Ijsbrand Chardon. Chardon, who won his fourth individual World title on his home soil in Beesd, drove a double-clear round in the final obstacle driving competition and also contributed to the Gold medal of the Dutch team.

Read More...

U.S. Show Jumping Riders Start Race To Qualify For 2009 Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping Finals at Las Vegas

The nation's best show jumping riders from coast-to-coast have started their quest to qualify for the 2009 Rolex FEI World Cup™ Finals in Las Vegas. The first two qualifying events of the season—the $200,000 FTI Grand Prix and FEI World Cup Qualifier at the Hampton Classic Horse Show in Southampton, NY, and the Showpark All Seasons Grand Prix in Del Mar, CA—have set the stage for an exciting race for the right to compete in Las Vegas.

Do you have an event you want to promote? Do you know of an exciting equine event—whether it be a 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 USEF would like to invite you to list your equine business to its new online Professional Directory. The listing is FREE. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to get your name out there to those who may need your products or services.

The U.S. Reining Team is currently in Manerbio, Italy, for the 2008 FEI World Reining Championship. Blogging from the event is Courtney Barnett, USEF Director of Reining Programs.

The Italian Equestrian Sports Federation (FISE) and the Italian Reining Horse Association (IRHA) are proud to welcome the world’s best horse-and-rider combinations to Manerbio, Italy. The Palasturla facility is home to the FEI World Reining Championship that is about to take place for the very first time.

The U.S. show jumpers continued their winning ways, storming to victory in the prestigious BMO Nations Cup at the Spruce Meadows Masters CSIO***** in Calgary, Canada. The American squad of Lauren Hough, Todd Minikus, Richard Spooner and Rich Fellers finished on four faults, leaving them clear of The Netherlands, Canada and Germany who all finished on eight.

George Morris, who led Team USA to Gold at the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong two weeks ago, again served as the winning chef d'equipe.

Do you have questions about the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games? Here’s your chance to get answers. The World Games 2010 Foundation is partnering with the Lexington Public Library and Business Lexington to host its first community forum for the 2010 Games. The first forum will take place on September 23, from 12:30-1 p.m. at the Central Library Theater, 140 East Main Street in downtown Lexington.

The 42nd Annual U.S. National Arabian and Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show (U.S. Nationals) makes its debut in Tulsa, OK, at Expo Square on October 17-25, 2008. The move comes after years of the show alternating venues between Albuquerque, NM, and Louisville, KY. This year is the first of a three-year contract with the city of Tulsa that was four years in the making. Expo Square staff and leadership worked diligently with the U.S. Nationals Show Commission to provide an upgraded, functional facility that will adequately host the U.S. Nationals. According to a formula developed by the International Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus, U.S. Nationals will have approximately an $18.2-million impact on Tulsa.

Olympian McLain Ward Returns with the Golden Touch to Win the $75,000 Fidelity Investment Jumper Classic Grand Prix

It may have been McLain Ward's first time at the Fidelity Investments Jumper Classic, but it won't be the last after he came in and took the top prize on Goldika 559 in the $75,000 Fidelity Investments Grand Prix.

"What better way to end the week then to have the sun shining, the field be in pristine condition despite torrential downpours the night before and an Olympic Gold medalist return to the ring on U.S. grounds and win the class," said esteemed course designer Linda Allen.

The American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) Youth Department is preparing some exciting events for this year's Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show. Applications to participate in AMHA Youth Club Contests are due September 15. If you are planning to attend the Grand National, please be sure to check out the amazing displays our youth present for these contests.

Equine Motorcoach continues its exhibition tour of North American horse shows. The updated schedule reflects the diversity of the North American equestrian market. Equine Motorcoach has sponsored or exhibited at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL; the Olympic Show Jumping Selection Trials at the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows in Lexington, KY; Ranch Outlet Anniversary Celebration in Lafayette, LA; East Coast Dressage Championships in Raleigh, NC; National Reining Horse Association Derby in Oklahoma, City, OK; the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships in Parker, CO, and the Reichert Celebration in Tulsa, OK.

International dressage trainer Susan Dutta has stayed busy over the summer accumulating many blue ribbons during the hot Florida summer. In an effort to stay in top form before Dressage at Devon, Dutta has competed at the Summer Sizzler I and the Summer Sizzler II held in Newberry, FL. Golden Choice DC, Currency DC, and Manette DC have all thrived in the competition arena this summer with Dutta, showing that they are ready for the difficult tests that lay ahead.

At the Summer Sizzler I in July, Golden Choice DC performed her first grand prix. Dutta's coach, Lars Petersen, went to the show for the purpose of watching "Goldie's" first grand prix. Goldie and Dutta showed wonderful harmony in their test that secured a first-place ribbon and a score of 67.083%.

It was an exciting weekend for Hasbrouck Donovan as she and her horse Levity bested 40 of the region's top competitors to capture the ASPCA Maclay Regional Championship for Region 3 (the Southeast), held during the final weekend of the 2008 North Florida Hunter Jumper Association's Labor Day Horse Show. This marks the second year the prestigious Region 3 Championship was held at the Agricultural Center in Green Cove Springs, FL.

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) will conduct a Veterinarian Forum for Horse Show Veterinarians, November 21-23, 2008 in Anaheim, CA. Among the subjects that will be covered are: dealing with infectious disease at a horse show, medication rules and guidelines at USEF Licensed Competitions, emergency treatment of horses at shows, welfare of the horse at competitions, etc.

HITS Extends the 2009 Ocala Winter Circuit with a New Rated Week and a New Schedule for the Season

HITS is pleased to announce that the 2009 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit will feature a sixth week of AA-rated competition. The new week, named the Ocala Winter Celebration, will take place March 10-15, 2009, and serve as the climactic end of the circuit with several championship classes, including the featured class the $100,000 DeLuca Toyota Tundra Grand Prix, presented by Great American Insurance Group.

Arabian Horse Foundation Awards $20,000 for Equine Research, Horse Rescue and Rehoming

The Arabian Horse Foundation has announced that it will award nearly $20,000 in grant monies to fund requests for equine research and horse rescue and rehoming. The Foundation, which is the philanthropic arm of the Arabian Horse Association (AHA), is based in Denver and has four target areas for granting funds: youth scholarships, general education, equine research (particularly for Arabians), and equine displacement and rehoming.

Riders from Three Nations Make the Pennsylvania National Horse Show an International Event

Riders from three nations, Gold- and Silver-medal show jumpers fresh from the Olympics, and the wildly popular Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride—all at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, October 15-18, at the Farm Show Complex. In the world of horses, it doesn't get any more exciting.

Crowd Wowed by Chris Hickey’s Exhibition Freestyle at Dressage at Devon Preview Party

The theme for the Dressage at Devon Preview Party was "Be Part of the Magic," and a magical evening it was. The affair took place in the lovely gardens of Jane MacElree’s historic Fairy Hill estate in Newtown Square, PA. The weather was perfect, the flowers were blooming in a riot of color, and guests were treated to a stellar musical freestyle by Chris Hickey on Bugatti Hilltop. Approximately 150 supporters of Dressage at Devon were on the guest list.

To boogie woogie music that was well-matched to his powerful presence, Bugatti showed off his talents in the temporary arena set up on the grassy lawn behind the MacElree home. Hickey, a Pan Am Games Gold medalist and head trainer at Hilltop Farm in Colora, MD, has been riding the stallion for less than a year, but the pair are clearly in sync. "This horse never says, 'No!'" said Hickey.

More changes are being announced for the 2009 HITS Desert Circuit, including a new entry policy. The HITS Desert Circuit will run from January 20 to March 22 with eight weeks of competition at the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, CA.

William Fox-Pitt of Great Britain is invincible in the 2008 HSBC FEI Classics rankings, having scored an emphatic one-two at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials in Lincolnshire, England, the fourth out of the five legs in the series.

The Board of Directors of The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., is pleased to announce the award of over $300,000 in grants to 50 charitable organizations. Grants were awarded in three funding areas: public welfare—organizations that use the horse to benefit the public; horse welfare—organizations involved with horse health and welfare; and equestrian sport—organizations devoted to the elevation of the sport.

"Libraries are built over time, and we can always use all the help we can get for our libraries," said Hart School District liaison Pat Willet. Comments like these are usually completely unrelated to horse showing, but thanks to the Riding For Reading charity, and riders such as eighth grader Ashlyn Matheus, horses are helping school libraries in a very big way. With a record 55 riders competing for $10,000 worth of library grants, the enthusiasm surrounding the very special Riding For Reading class was palpable at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center on Labor Day.

Competition was intense in the hunter rings over Labor Day weekend at the Horse Park at Woodside, as the second to last show in the 2008 Woodside Show Series concluded with a flurry of hunter and equitation finals on Monday morning. At the Woodside Labor Day Classic, August 29–September 1, the quiet, tense spectators watching during the second round and work-off of the Carousel Junior/Amateur Medal Finals finally took a collective breath when rider Jill Stevens was named champion. Stevens was among the top eight riders called back for a work-off that included starting counter-canter at the entrance to the ring, halting on a straight line after a two stride, and jumping the last two fences without stirrups.

Laura Chapot took advantage of the enviable last-to-go spot in the jump-off of Thursday's final $25,000 Ariat Grand Prix of the season at HITS Saugerties on September 4, as she captured the blue aboard Church Road to rev up an exciting weekend of show jumping.

Over 400 horses descended on the Los Angeles Equestrian Center for Gold Coast 6, which was held August 28-31. Not only is this the sixth show of the Gold Coast Series sponsored by Markel Insurance, but the show is also a benefit for the Los Angeles Hunter Jumper Association (LAHJA). "Gold Coast 6 serves as a fundraiser for LAHJA," said President Marnye Langer.

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:
— Reed Kessler
— Jocelyn Neff
— Jacquelyn O'Connell
— Brianna Raab
— Julianna Richardson
— Christine Cici Riddle
— Katherine Stewart
— Kelly Tropin
— Katie Tyler
— Lauren Vogel
— Ali Apruzzese
— Alice Barr

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

A few riders that have now qualifed on the West Coast:
— Samantha Schaefer
— Katherine Schmidt
— Jackson Schurtz
— Emma Scudder
— Rebecca Sexton
— Sophia Shain
— Emma Short
— Paige Sorenson
— Christy Sutherland
— Helen Szymanski
— Katie Taylor
— Emily Van Der Walde
— Sophia Verges
— Ali Apruzzese
— Stephanie Barnes
— Ellie Bernstein

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.