Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

In the newly created 2008 United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) National Developing Horse Dressage Championship sponsored by the Dutta Corporation and Performance Sales International, Guenter Seidel and U II had a strong showing Sunday to win the championship with a total score of 70.873.

Similar to the Young Horse championship, the competitors faced high winds, which made their rides difficult and a spooky environment for the horses. Seidel felt he was lucky to draw an earlier time since the winds were not as strong as what the other riders had to face later in the day. Seidel felt that U II (pronounced You Too) did very well with his test.

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Nicole Bellah and Winsor, Christopher Hickey and Cabana Boy Win Divisions in the 2008 Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championship presented by Collecting Gaits Farm

In the final day of competition with fierce winds gushing around 50 miles an hour, it was Nicole Bellah and Winsor who prevailed by winning the five-year-old championship division while Christopher Hickey and U.S.-bred Cabana Boy swept the six-year-old division of the 2008 Markel/United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) National Young Horse Dressage Championship presented by Collecting Gaits Farm.

In the five-year-old division, Bellah and her horse Winsor came into the final phase of the competition with a strong score in the preliminary class and finished with a total score of 8.028. Winsor (San Remo x Para Lady by Julia Mariner) is a dark bay Dutch Warmblood stallion who was bred in The Netherlands by PPW Janssen.

Michael Bragdell and Selten HW Win the Four-Year-Old Division in the 2008 Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championships presented by Collecting Gaits Farm

In the second day of competition at the 2008 Markel/United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) National Young Horse Dressage Championships presented by Collecting Gaits Farm, claiming the title in the four-year-old division was Michael Bragdell and Selten HW, besting 19 other horses to win with a score of 8.56.

Bragdell and Selten HW came into this competition in first place after qualifying. Bragdell decided to ride in the optional warm-up class the day before the championship, which helped him and Selten HW get a feel for the arena along with the overall show environment—ultimately they placed first in the class.

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Larson Cruises to Individual Gold; Schmersal Bronze at 2008 FEI World Reining Championship

The U.S. reiners had plenty to celebrate at the first FEI World Reining Championship, convincingly bringing home three medals. Jordan Larson will return to his Whitesboro, TX, home with two medals, adding individual honors to his team Silver. Riding Lena Gallo, Larson loped into the arena on Sunday and had a nearly perfect trip.

The coliseum was full of atmosphere and Larson’s ride was clearly the crowd favorite, nearly bringing the house down. His large circles were fast and accurate and his small slow circles were fluid and relaxed. His lead changes were dead on and each one of his slides were straight, deep and long.

It was a close finish, but with a total of 667.5 points Team Italy took the Gold medal in the very first FEI World Reining Championship on Friday, September 12. Team USA took the Silver medal with 663.5 points closely followed by Team Germany, which finished only a point behind the United States.

Sixteen countries were represented in the World Reining Championship and in order to determine who would step on the podium for the Bronze medal, reining enthusiasts had to wait for the last German horse and rider combination, Daniel Klein and Dealin Gin owned by the Dealin Gin Syndicate, to show—three horses before the end of the competition.

The Wellpride USEA American Eventing Championships were, like much of the country, the victim of some volatile weather over the weekend of September 13-14. Torrential rain caused for the amendment of some of the championships and prizes were awarded after the dressage and show jumping. Advanced, intermediate and preliminary were all scored as combined tests, despite the organizers’ best efforts, in the interest of safety due to quagmire conditions at Lamplight Equestrian Center.

Amy Tryon and Jersey Fresh CCI*** winner Leyland (an 8-year-old Thoroughbred gelding owned by Elizabeth Nicholson) were the best of the star-studded division finishing on their dressage mark of 29.2.

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.

Good news awaits when you renew your membership online for 2009! If you were an amateur, professional or junior member in 2007 or 2008, you will be able to renew online using our new Quick Renewal. In the next week or two when the 2009 online applications are available, you can just log in to your Authorized User Account and select the Quick Renew option. All of your membership information will be there. All you have to do is review it; edit it, if necessary; submit payment; and print out a copy of your 2009 card.

In addition, the membership process has been further streamlined by doing away with the breed/discipline dues. The new USEF Competing Equestrian Membership fee for all Senior Active and Junior Active members is $55. With that, you will be able to participate at all USEF Licensed Competitions, as well as receive automatic insurance and MemberPerks.

There are also two new member categories for individuals not participating in USEF Licensed Competitions. The USEF Equestrian ($35) includes the automatic insurance and access to the MemberPerks program, while the Club Equestrian ($15) includes access to MemberPerks.

If you have any questions about the new memberships, please call one of our Customer Care Agents at (859) 258-2472.

This year marks the inception of the Tristanne Weber Childress Memorial American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) Youth of the Year Contest Sportsmanship Award. A Morgan horse trainer, Tristanne Weber Childress of Siler City, NC, passed away March 17, 2008, following a short illness at the age of 34.

The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Foundation’s Equine Disaster Relief Fund is accepting aid to help horses in Louisiana and Texas. Money donated to the fund will go to credible programs and organizations that are helping with recovery and rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike and any future disasters that may occur. Just as the Equine Disaster Relief Fund did during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, funds will only be used to benefit the health and welfare of horses affected by disasters and to assist with emergency and disaster preparedness programs.

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce a new partnership with Breyer Animal Creations® as the title sponsor of the 2008 USEF Youth Sportsman’s Award. This partnership supports the effort to continue to expand the base of young people contributing to the leadership and promotion of equestrian sports through this awards program.

The Capital Challenge Horse Show is proud to open the 2008 show with the prestigious Monarch International Equitation Weekend. The Monarch International Equitation Weekend will take place on Saturday, September 27 and Sunday, September 28, kicking off the nine-day show held September 27-October 5 at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD.

Tickets for the 50th anniversary of the Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) are now on sale. The WIHS is the highlight of the equestrian calendar and one of the most prestigious competitions in North America. It features the top hunters and jumpers, including Olympic champions, competing for more than $400,000 in prize money. The event will take place Tuesday through Sunday, October 21-26, 2008, at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.

Tremendous Response to Wellington Aid Drive for Haiti Flood Victims; Collections to Continue

A trailer full of clothing, blankets and other items to help victims of widespread flooding in Haiti has been sent from Wellington to Miami for shipment to the devastated nation.

"We have had a tremendous response so far," said Katherine Bellissimo, who initiated the collection effort. She is a partner in Wellington Equestrian Partners that owns the management company, Equestrian Sport Productions, of the Wellington horse shows.

California dressage rider Jan Ebeling and the 11-year-old Oldenburg mare Rafalca won the dressage World Cup qualifier at Saugerties CDI-W show in upstate New York this past weekend with a score of 71.700%. This result came after their victory in the grand prix on Saturday.

USEF Announces Show Jumping Selection Procedures for the 2009 Australian Youth Olympic Festival

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) announces that the Executive Committee has recently approved the Show Jumping Selection Procedures for the Australian Youth Olympic Festival, which will be held January 14-18, 2009, at the Sydney International Equestrian Center. Athletes from across the world will be competing in this international competition.

First-Ever American Saddlebred Horse Association Sponsored Presence at East Coast Equine Affaire

On November 13-16, 2008, the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) will sponsor a breed booth at the East Coast Equine Affaire event, being held at the Eastern States Exposition Center in West Springfield, MA. Equine Affaire, the nation's premiere national equine exposition and equestrian gathering, organizes four days of clinics, seminars, demonstrations and exhibits, with an expected attendance of tens of thousands of horse people.

The World Endurance Championship Definite Entries and Alternates were named after the final training session in Williston, FL, on September 13. All 12 nominated entries participated under the guidance of Chef d’ Equipe and three-time World Champion Becky Grand Hart. The veterinary panel examined the horses and the endurance selectors observed the horse/rider combinations as they completed a 38-mile course.

Clark Montgomery Sole American Up Against a Tough International Field in the HSBC FEI World Cup Eventing Final

A strong international field descends on the stylish French seaside town of Deauville, France, this week to contest the HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing Final in what should be the most competitive finale yet. It all starts on September 18 with the first horse inspection.

William Moyer, DVM, has been named the 2009 vice president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners. Dr. Moyer of College Station, TX, will join the Executive Committee next year and then serve as AAEP president in 2011.

62nd Buffalo International Horse Show Offers Classics and Generous Prize Money for All Ages and Abilities

The Buffalo International Horse Show (BIHS) is a historical horse show that benefits a wonderful equestrian organization. BIHS is one of the oldest horse shows in the country, heading into its 62nd year. All proceeds are donated to the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center. This year, the show will be held September 17-21, 2008.

2009 North American Junior and Young Rider Championships for Show Jumping Zone 8 Announcement

Attention junior and young riders in Zone 8 interested in competing at next year’s FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC) for show jumping: Please check your zone’s selection procedures for the 2009 NAJYRC on the jumping discipline page of the USEF website at www.usef.org/Contentpage2.aspx?id=natjumping.

Please direct questions to Jennifer Haydon, Director of Show Jumping for National Programs, at jhaydon@usef.org or (859) 225-6911.

Signe Ostby and her husband Scott Cook, parents of successful junior/young rider show jumping athletes Karl and Annie Laurie Cook, graciously hosted approximately 50 guests at their Northern California home on September 9 to hear about the USET Foundation's role in helping this country's high-performance programs and to celebrate the success of the United States equestrian team at the 2008 Olympic Games.

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:
— O.J. Berkes
— Jennifer Burke
— Samantha Elser
— Brian Feigus
— Katharine Galbraith
— Navona Gallegos
— Christina Gellos
— Phoebe Goldenburg
— Molly Hay
— Taylor Kaine
— Casey Kole
— Kelsey Landrigan

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

A few riders that have now qualifed on the West Coast:
— Jennifer Burke
— Ainsley Carter
— Grace Carucci
— Olivia Clancy
— Tara Corr
— Arielle Cotroneo
— Audrey Coulter
— Saer Coulter
— Leah Curtis
— Katherine Dinan
— Kirstie Lynn Dobbs
— Jennifer Elrod
— Alyssa Ericson

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.