Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

Paralympic Equestrian Team Wraps Up with Seventh Place Finish for United States Team

As a whirlwind of competition and ancient Olympic culture wraps up in Athens, the U.S. Paralympic Equestrian Team prepares to make the return journey after a seventh place finish in Sunday’s Team competition. Representing a compilation of Individual and Team scores, the group posted 399.876 points in the last equestrian event of these 2004 Paralympic Games.

Royal Kaliber, the stallion that took Chris Kappler to the Olympic Team Silver and Individual Bronze medals at the 2004 Olympic Games, is stable as he continues to recover from colic surgery performed in the Netherlands on Monday, September 27. Dr. Jack Snyder, the veterinarian who performed the surgery, reports that Royal Kaliber is eating, sleeping and drinking normally for this stage of recovery.

“Although there is still much concern and he is not out of the woods yet, all of Roy’s connections are very pleased with his progress at this point,” said Sally Ike, Director of Show Jumping for the USEF.

Olympic Silver Medalist Wins World Cup Qualifier at CSI-W Lexington Grand Prix

After jumping a clear round followed by a clear jump-off Friday, Olympian McLain Ward (Silver Team medal, Athens 2004) and Goldika 559 claimed a first place victory during the World Cup Show Jumping Qualifier at the CSI-W Lexington Grand Prix. Closely following in second place was Lauren Hough (Alternate, Athens 2004) on Casadora with four faults on the final jump-off.

Search for U.S. Show Jumping Team Chef d'Equipe to Begin with Forums in California and New York

The USEF is seeking an individual to fill the position of show jumping chef d’equipe. The successful candidate will be provided with a contract for the 2005-2008 quadrenium and possibly longer.

We’ve all heard the old adage, "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is." It's one of those time-tested pearls of wisdom that never fails, right? Well think again, because people like Sally Yacka, Business Manager of Derby Down, Inc., will tell you there are exceptions. Big exceptions. When Sally first saw the flyer from the USEF purchasing program, detailing how she could get big discounts on products the farm already used, she thought she might be missing the fine print.

USEF is now accepting requests for the USEF National Junior Hunter Championships bid packet. Requests for the bid packet must be received by October 15, 2004. Please do not send your actual bid at this time; this is strictly for requests for the USEF bid packet itself. Actual bids will be due no later than November 1, 2004. If you have any questions please contact Whitney Neidert at (859) 225-6967 or wneidert@usef.org.

The November issue of EQUESTRIAN featuring ARABIANS is a great time to showcase your Arabian stallion, farm or horses for sale. For more information, call Crissi Eggers at (859) 225-6936 or e-mail ceggers@usef.org.

*Special advertising rates are available for USEF members. Space closes October 1.

Young Riders Step into the Spotlight at the 2004 BET/USEF West Coast Show Jumping Talent Search Finals

With a weekend of competition to prove themselves, a ring full of young riders set out to convince judges they have what it takes to become tomorrow’s equestrian stars. Emerging at the top of the list from the BET/USEF West Coast Show Jumping Talent Search Finals is 17-year-old Kasey Ament (Reche Canyon, CA), who took home the Denali Trophy atop San Francisco. Riding her own horse first and then starting the rotations that are characteristic of these tests, Ament demonstrated effective and polished riding, emerging as the undeniable winner.

The top reining horses and riders in the country are set to begin competing in the USEF 2004/2005 Reining Qualifying Season as they gear up for the 2005 championship season. The first qualifying reining competition will be hosted in Columbus, OH, on October 9, during the All American Quarter Horse Congress. As one of the largest equestrian events in the world, the Congress typically sees more than a half million people every year.

For the full story, click here.

Q: How do I apply for an ID to get an Authorized User Account (AUA)?
A: In order to create an AUA account, you must first have a USEF ID. If you have previously been a member of USEF, the ID you will use to create an account is your membership ID. You do no need to apply for another ID. If you are not a member and need to apply for an ID, complete the Request ID form. The requested information includes contact information. Required fields are indicated with an asterisk. If you fail to complete one or more of the required fields, you ID request will not be submitted until the appropriate fields are completed. You will receive your ID via e-mail within two business days. When you receive your ID, you will be able to create an AUA account.

Note: The USEF ID that you receive as a result of the ID request will become your USEF membership number when you apply for membership via fax, mail or online.

USEF Members Can Now Order Nextel Phones, Accessories and Nextel Service Online

USEF members are eligible to receive a 5% discount on Nextel monthly service plans and a 27% discount on National promotional price of phones. To learn more, please visit www.nextel.com/usef or contact USEF Purchasing toll-free at (877) 576-6872.

The American Horse Council has been informed that effective November 5, 2004, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport will close the Atlanta Equine Complex, which has served as an export-import facility for horses.

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) continues to grow in memberships, foal registrations, futurities and horses in the 2004 World's Championship Horse Show as the third quarter results are released for the fiscal period ending September 30, 2004.

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) has named Hackney World Editor Mae Condon as field representative for the ASHA Charter Clubs effective October 1, 2004. As field representative, Condon will increase involvement between the clubs, ASHA staff and leadership by contacting the clubs, having members communicate with the home office, conduct charter club workshops and encouraging members to attend the ASHA Annual Meeting in Lexington, KY, February 18-19, 2005.

For more information, click here.

Real savings for USEF members through USEF Purchasing. For more information, call USEF Purchasing toll-free (877) 576-6872.

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 80,000 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.