Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

The Foreman Hangs on to his Lead and Gives Dutton First Win Under American Flag in the National CCI*** Eventing Championships at Fair Hill International

The competition continued on Sunday as numerous USEF National Championships were up for grabs at the Fair Hill International CCI***. Phillip Dutton won for the fourth time, but this was the first time that the U.S. national anthem was played in his honor. Riding The Foreman, an 11-year-old Thoroughbred gelding owned by Ann Jones, Dutton won the USEF National Eventing Championships on a score of 46.4, adding one rail to his dressage score.

“I knew he could win it,” said Dutton, who lives locally in West Grove, PA. “Obviously you are never quite sure. He’s a class horse and this field isn’t of the same experience that he is, so I was hoping he could win it.”

Dutton has produced The Foreman since he came from the racetrack and “Chip” was second at two CCI***s in 2005 but has missed a lot of time over the last two years with minor injuries.

Notice: The USEF website will be taken down October 27 for scheduled server maintenance.

A Call to Action: Southern California Wild Fires - Donate Now to the USEF Equine Disaster Relief Fund

Over the last few days, the Southern California area has been engulfed in flames caused by wild fires aggravated by the Santa Ana winds. These winds that annually cross the Southern California area have been much stronger than usual, making an already dry area even more prone to catastrophe. These fires have spread quickly over the weekend and ravaged the region.

San Diego County has seen widespread evacuations as a result of the fires. Nearly one-million people have been asked to leave the area as of today. President Bush has declared the situation a Federal emergency. Many evacuees have sought shelter at local community centers and schools, but the largest number—more than 10,000 people—has made Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego their temporary housing.

Kimberly McCormack Wins Pessoa/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Finals at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show

Nearly 300 young riders earned the privilege to compete for the coveted Pessoa/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Finals. They represented the best equitation riders from 34 states, British Columbia, Ontario and the District of Columbia. Despite an early lead being held throughout the daylong competition, the winner, Kimberly McCormack of Clermont, NJ, emerged from the final 42 riders.

Griffin Leads Zone 10 and Picks up Individual Honors at the 2007 Adequan/USEF National Junior Jumper Championships

Aurora Griffin made her trip from Westlake Village, CA, to the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, PA, worth the miles by picking up two major victories. She rode Tucker, a nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, and added one fault through three rounds to win the individual portion of the Adequan/USEF Junior Jumper National Championships. Second place finisher Karl Cook, one of Griffin’s Zone 10 teammates, was fault free and leading until the final round where a rail relegated him to second place.

New USEF National Eventing Championships got underway in Lexington, KY, October 17-21, and five CCI* titles were handed out at the Mid-South Three-Day Event held at the Kentucky Horse Park. Karen Shull put on a flawless performance at the Kentucky Horse Park and had the lowest overall score in any of the divisions to claim the junior and overall championship.

Poulin, Groves, Schmitt and Stroud Pull Off Big Season Finale Victories at the USEF National Driving Championships at Fair Hill International

Just before the event horses got underway in the show jumping at Fair Hill International, four USEF National Champions were crowned in advanced combined driving. In the third and final portion, the cones, a carefully designed course tested driver control and steering as well as the horses’ attentiveness and training.

In the National Pair Horse Championship, Larry Poulin and Lisa Singer were neck and neck throughout the entire weekend. Poulin, who had won the competition six times previously ended up with another win after a carefully executed cones phase. Poulin finished on a score of 167.53.

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Last Chance to Offer Up Congratulations to Your Favorite Horse, Rider or Trainer

Hurry! There’s not much time left to schedule your ad in the December/January issue of EQUESTRIAN. This is also combined with the 2008 USEF Competition Calendar, giving you exposure all year long! This is the perfect time to place a congratulatory ad for your favorite rider, horse or trainer. As a USEF member, you receive over 50% off our regular rates! Contact Crissi White at cwhite@usef.org or (859) 225-6936 for more information.

Idaho’s Chelsea Seburn and “Rolex” to Represent U.S. at FEI World Cup™ Dressage for Young Riders in Germany

Twenty-year-old Chelsea Seburn of Greenleaf, ID, is about to take the trip of a lifetime.

Chelsea and her 12-year-old Rheinlander gelding Rolex have qualified as the U.S. representative for the FEI World Cup™ Dressage for Young Riders, to be held in Frankfurt, Germany, December 13-16, 2007. Freestyle scores earned at CDI-Y’s in Burbank and Rancho Murieta, CA, kept this talented pair atop the rankings for most of the year with an overall average of 71.45%.

The qualification period for the 2008 Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program and for the 2008 USEF National Developing Horse Dressage Championship (sponsored by the Dutta Corporation and Performance Sales International) begins on January 1, 2008. In a new qualification format for these programs, only designated “qualifying competitions” held during the qualification period runs from January 1-August 15, 2008, may be used to obtain scores towards selection trials and national championships.

Last Chance to Submit Nominations for the United States Equestrian Federation’s Lifetime Achievement Award

Nominations are now being accepted for the United States Equestrian Federation Lifetime Achievement Award. The recipient of this award will be presented the Jimmy A. Williams Trophy at the 2008 USEF Annual Meeting. This award recognizes an equestrian whose lifetime experience and accomplishments exemplify uncommon devotion to the sport of competition with horses and whose equestrian career and horsemanship have continually elevated the sport’s excellence. Please be aware that the nominee must be living and should be retired from actively competing in equestrian sport.

In order to provide a unique benefit to USEF competitions and help promote the submission of electronic results, USEF has launched the 2007 Computer Hardware Grant Program. In 2007, USEF upgraded all workstations throughout the entire organization, and instead of disposing of these workstations, they are being offered to competitions that may have a use for them. Even though these workstations are three years old, they are excellent for running Windows XP, but lack the resources to fully run Windows Vista.

The Quest for the World’s Best at 2007 FEI World Reining Masters Set for November

It’s the quest for the sport of reining’s best rider in the world. The 2007 $100,000 added FEI World Reining Masters, set for Thursday, November 29, is shaping up to be one of the most colorful “must-see” events during the 2007 NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show at the Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, OK. Highly-skilled reiners from around the world will travel across oceans and continents to represent their countries and ride for their flag.

The lovely Warmblood gelding Brunello and Liza Towell-Boyd achieved the trifecta of the indoor circuit by taking home the championship ribbons in the regular working hunter division at the Capital Challenge Horse Show, the Washington International Horse Show and the final leg of the indoor championships, The Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, PA, on October 24.

Take advantage of one of the many USEF MemberPerks privileges by using Hertz for all of your travel needs. Simply use your USEF/Hertz discount CDP# 15757 each time you place a reservation, and instantly qualify for member discounts in the

U.S.

and around the world. For low web rates, special offers and free membership to Hertz #1Club®, visit their website at www.hertz.com or call (800) 654-2200.

Courtney King and Idocus Win $25,000 Washington International Horse Show Dressage Invitational

Only four top grand prix dressage riders are invited each year to compete in the $25,000 Washington International Horse Show Dressage Invitational, providing a showcase of topnotch dressage at the six-day indoor hunter/jumper competition. The 49th Annual Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), held October 9-14, 2007, at the Verizon Center in Washington DC, featured two nights of grand prix dressage, with Courtney King and Idocus claiming a solid victory, earning back-to-back wins for a combined overall score of 72.792%.

Remember to take advantage of the USEF MemberPerks Program. USEF MemberPerks offers substantial cost savings on products and services from John Deere, Dodge, 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.

From the October 2007 issue of EQUESTRIAN magazine:
The Cutting Edge...New Technology+New Treatment=New Hope

The two racing legends were separated in time by just over 30 years, but are joined forever in the heart of every horse lover by the
tragedies that ended their lives. The experiences of Ruffian and Barbaro provide a window through which the wonders of equine veterinary science can be glimpsed.

In 1975, the magnificent dark bay mare Ruffian suffered a horrific and very public breakdown in a match race with Kentucky Derby winner Foolish Pleasure. With much of the world standing vigil, veterinarians performed surgery to repair the broken sesamoid bones in her right foreleg. Tragically, when she emerged from anesthesia, she thrashed violently about—some say she was still trying to run her race—and broke the cast protecting her right leg, and her left leg as well. Within 24 hours, the horse America had embraced as the “Queen of the Fillies” was euthanized.

Last year, Barbaro, another racing legend who was seemingly poised to win racing’s elusive Triple Crown, broke down on the track only seconds after the start of the Preakness Stakes. The colt was wrestled to a stop by jockey Edgar Prado when the bones in the horse’s right hind leg shattered. History repeated itself as millions of horse enthusiasts, not just race fans, grasped at any news of Barbaro’s condition. The treatment scenario, highlighted by 30 years of veterinary advances, played out on a public stage for the next eight months.

Duncan Peters, DVM, MS, of Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington, KY, said, “Barbaro was a perfect example of how far technology has come. Thirty years ago, even 15 years ago, there
would not have been any question about trying to save the horse. His injury was that catastrophic. Saving him would not have been possible. Today, the technology exists that gave that horse eight months. What was learned from his life may help other horses
live longer.”

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)

Riders are still qualifying.

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

A few riders that have qualifed on the West Coast:

— Haley Barnhill
— Anna Becker
— Alexandra Biederman
— Rebecca Busterud

To see the list of all qualified riders,
visit the 2007/2008 Ranking List online.

Pennsylvania National Horse Show Update

If you play your cards right, like McLain Ward did in the $10,000 Gem Twist Gambler’s Choice on October 18, you could win. For Ward, his hand is his daring and skill combined with his hold card—Larioso. The bay Selle Francais gelding, owned by Blue Chip Bloodstock, dealt with the 11 options with due alacrity, acquiring a high score of 990 prior to successfully clearing the final fence, the 1.4-meter Joker. The pair scored 1,190 points to shiver past Leslie Howard at 1,180 and Todd Minikus at 1,170.

Watch the Budweiser Grand Prix de Penn National Live As It Happens from the Comfort of Home

Make a note: Sit down at the computer Saturday night, October 27, at 8 p.m. The $65,000 Budweiser Grand Prix de Penn National will be webcast live in its entirety exclusively by Productions East Video and LiveBroadcast.TV.

International Olympic Committee and Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad Delegation Visit Olympic Equestrian Facilities

On October 22, members of the International Olympic Committees (IOC) Coordination Commission for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad - Beijing 2008 and of the Beijing Organising Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) toured the Olympic Village and equestrian venues in Sha Tin and Sheung Shui on the last day of their visit to the Olympic co-host city of Hong Kong.

Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital Becomes Second Sponsor of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital will be the Official Equine Hospital and Veterinary Partner for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG), as announced by the World Games 2010 Foundation, Inc. Rood and Riddle is the first sponsorship partner since Alltech became the Games’ title sponsor.

World Games 2010 Foundation Commissions LeRoy Neiman as Official Commemorative Artist

The World 2010 Games Foundation, Inc., the organization responsible for planning, staging and conducting the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG), announced it has commissioned internationally-renowned artist LeRoy Neiman as the Official Commemorative Artist of the 2010 Games.

As the Official Commemorative Artist, Neiman will create an original painting that will serve as the “Official Image of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games,” as well as a commemorative print that will incorporate each of the eight disciplines that will be featured at the 2010 WEG. The Official Commemorative Artwork will be produced and marketed by Cobalt Artworks of Louisville, KY.

Additional Clinician for the USDF FEI Junior/Young Rider Clinic Series

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to have Jan Ebeling join the list of clinicians for the USDF FEI Junior/Young Rider (Jr/YR) Clinic Series. These clinics, with funding support provided by The Dressage Foundation, are open to riders between the ages of 14 and 21, currently riding at third level or above. However, auditors of all ages are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Take a holiday from interest payments!

Leave the interest payments behind this holiday season with the United States Equestrian Federation Visa® Platinum Card, now offering 0% APR for twelve billing cycles*! Wrap up great holiday memories with this unique card, knowing you’ll pay no interest until next winter. The United States Equestrian Federation Visa is perfect for holiday shopping, but you need to switch now to save. Plus, you’ll benefit our organization and earn great rewards with every purchase!

0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 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 we will continue to receive a percentage of each net purchase you make on your card. This helps us fund our international teams.

Click here to apply today or call (800) 853-5576, x9164.

Hurry, offer ends December 31, 2007.

*Click product name for terms and conditions: Platinum, Cash Rewards, Select Rewards, College 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 12 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 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.