Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

The final United States Equestrian Federation National Eventing Championship of the year wrapped up the season at the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event. Held in Temecula, CA (concurrently with the CCI**) on November 1-2, juniors and young riders shone in the 2008 USEF National Junior/Young Rider CCI* Team Championship-West.

The team made up of three riders from Area I and VI triumphed in the long format CCI* over the team from Area VII to claim the championship. Suzy Hettich and Given Half a Chance led the team; they were third individually on a score of 54.0, one place ahead of their teammate Katherine Erickson and Dually, who were fourth. Jillian Terzian and Belmont Ballygowan picked up costly time faults on Roads and Tracks but added no jumping faults on the cross-country.

Upcoming USEF National Championships

At the United Professional Horsemen's Association/American Royal National Championship in Kansas City, MO, November 18-22

Friesian Enthusiasts Come from All Over for the 2008 IFSHA World and Grand National Championships

For the second year in a row, Friesian horses from all over the United States converged at the very center of the country in beautiful Lake St. Louis, MO. One horse and rider, Bernhard and Christiane Henrichs even traveled all the way from Germany to compete in a variety of classes, winning among others, the Prix St. Georges test in dressage.

This year the event was held in honor of International Friesian Show Horse Association (IFSHA) founder and longtime breeder Dr. Genevieve de Montremare who passed this year after a long and brave battle with cancer. It was indeed a sad year for IFSHA and its members as within a few short months we lost several friends in a short span of time. Classes at the show were held in memory of Jim Mosebrook, Pamela Jackson and Anita Mellott. All were great supporters of the breed and will be sadly missed.

One-hundred-sixty km on horseback is no easy feat. But 142 riders from 34 nations will undertake the task when the FEI World Endurance Championships get under way in Terengganu, Malaysia, November 6-9, 2008.

The U.S. has six horse/rider combinations in Malaysia under the guidance of three-time World Champion Becky Hart, who is serving as chef d’equipe. The team includes another multiple world champion: Valarie Kanavy. She is hot off of a win at the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) National Championships in the 100-mile Championship. In that victory she rode King Ali Gold 45 minutes clear of the runner-up, but the Fort Valley, VA, rider will contest the World Championships on Flash Flame, a 10-year-old Arabian mare.

Katharine Brunjes left the Maine winter behind and headed to the desert for her second World Championships. She is diligently preparing for the night ride in Malaysia aboard Theatric, a 10-year-old Arabian gelding she has had since he was an unbroken four-year-old.

Brunjes and Theatric were invited to compete in the Sultan’s Cup in 2007 which served as the test event for these World Championships. They finished fifth. Improvements have been made all over the venue based on the experiences of the previous year’s event. The team has settled in well, and Brunjes looks forward to the competition getting under way.

A three-time Grand National Champion American Shetland Pony was recently donated to the Arabian Nights dinner show in Orlando, FL, proving that the Shetland Pony can be a star going from the show ring to show business. The pony was donated by the American Shetland Pony Club (ASPC) and will join more than 60 other horses at Arabian Nights, becoming the first-ever ambassador of the Shetland Pony breed to appear at the attraction.

Tap Dance Kid, known as Dancer, was the 2008 American Shetland Pony Grand National Champion Gelding and had a successful show career at top pony shows across the country. Dancer will now have the opportunity to endear people of all ages to the American Shetland Pony, as up to 1,600 people visit Arabian Nights daily.

Update Your USB Drive USEF Rule Book Today

If you received a copy of the 2008 USEF Rule Book on a USB drive, it is necessary to update your USB drive to prepare for the 2009 version of the Rule Book. At this time, you can download the new USB flash drive image from the USEF.org website. This new image will enable you to have both the 2008 Rule Book as well as the 2009 Rule Book on your drive for the remainder of the 2008 competition year.

NBC and Universal Sports Bring Inspiring Athlete Stories to the Screen with Beijing Paralympic Games

Paralympians take over TV beginning November 9 with an NBC Sports special of the extraordinary athletes narrated by Bob Costas followed by extensive event coverage on Universal Sports.

Hillary Dobbs Named Leading Open Jumper Rider Two Consecutive Years at the Washington International Horse Show

Hillary Dobbs, last year's Leading Open Jumper Rider, returned to defend her title at the Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) and retained it for the second consecutive year. The 19-year-old equestrian did this by taking the blue ribbon in the $20,000 Gambler's Choice aboard Marengo, her horse that won two classes last year.

A rising star in the show jumping world and full-time Harvard student, Dobbs of Sussex, NJ, and Palm Beach, FL, is the daughter of CNN reporter Lou Dobbs. Dobbs first took top honors at the WIHS by winning the $20,000 International Open Jumper class. The top three finishers in the class jumped without fault, but Dobbs won on Marengo in a time of 35.58 seconds. She defeated Todd Minikus of Loxahatchee, FL, who placed second on Pavarotti; and Jill Henselwood of Oxford Mills, Ontario, who placed third on Black Ice. Henselwood helped Canada to an Olympic Silver medal this past summer in Hong Kong.

With the 2008 competition season coming to a close, the Adequan/USEA Gold Cup Series is pleased to announce the winners of this exciting series. It was a tight race throughout the year, but in the end it was a pair of young friends who claimed the titles.

There are two leaderboards in the Gold Cup series—intermediate and advanced. Gold Cup points are given to horse-and-rider combinations that place well (in the top 10 or less, depending on the number of starters) at designated Gold Cup events across the country throughout the year, with the opportunity to earn bonus points, as well. Currently, there are six events on the East Coast, three in the Midwest, and four on the West Coast. Gold Cup divisions are the highest divisions offered at an event. For instance, if a single event offers CIC*** and advanced divisions, the Gold Cup division will be the CIC***.

American Morgan Horse Institute Board Approves American Morgan Horse Pavilion at Kentucky Horse Park

The American Morgan Horse Institute (AMHI) Board of Trustees adopted a resolution to build an American Morgan Horse Pavilion at the Kentucky Horse Park with a targeted opening of Spring 2010. The AMHA offices and the National Museum of the Morgan Horse will remain headquartered in Shelburne, VT.

Results of a United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) online survey conducted in May and June 2008 concerning the USEF Dressage Performance Standards Proposal showed that 65% of the over 1,250 respondents feel that there should be a proficiency requirement in order to advance through the levels in dressage competition. In addition, 56% of respondents indicate that the levels of proficiency identified in the draft proposal were appropriate.

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. 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 due 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.

Once your membership has been processed you will be sent a membership card as well as key fobs. You are required to present proof of current USEF membership in order to compete in USEF Licensed Competitions. If you do not have your membership card, a key fob, or a copy of your membership card, you will be required to pay a $30 non-refundable non-member fee. You can print a copy of your card from www.usef.org. Please note, effective 12/01/08 you will no longer be able to sign a membership affidavit in lieu of paying the non-member fee.

Your USEF membership also verifies your amateur status. If you wish to compete in amateur classes and you have not presented proof of USEF membership with Amateur Certification, you will also be charged the non-member amateur fee of $30.

Competitions that are also recognized by an Affiliate organization may require membership in the Affiliate organization to be eligible to compete. You may be required to show proof of membership in the Affiliate organization, e.g. USHJA, USDF, USEA, AHA, AMHA, ASHA, IALHA, AHHS, IFSHA and others.

USEF Membership information can be verified online, however, should the competition office not have the opportunity to verify your membership information online, you will be assessed the relevant non-member fees.

FarmVet, an Internet catalogue company offering horse and pet care products, has announced a new program that benefits the Equestrian Aid Foundation (EAF). The first Tuesday of each month, starting November 4, has been designated as EAF Day where a portion of that day’s proceeds are donated to the EAF. Exact dates are listed at www.equestrianaidfoundation.org. The one-year program enables horse owners and managers to contribute to the EAF through their regular monthly purchases of animal care products.

Check Your Points in the Farnam®/Platform™ USEF Horse of the Year Program

Do not wait until the end of the year! Your points are already online.

Please check your points and standings in your respective division(s) by:

Calling the Horse Report Hotline at (859) 225-2040, or
Ordering a copy of your horse’s point report via e-mail or mail (faxed copies will incur an additional charge), or
Checking your standings online.

Current Standings of a Few National Champion Divisions (as of November 6, 2008)

Division	Horse	Owner
Andalusian/Lusitano High-Point Amateur Horse	Fandango del Sol	Cara Rothrock
Arabian English Pleasure/Pleasure Driving Open	Wisely Keepn Time	Georgia Hodge
Combined Driving-Single Horse	RG Cowboys Black Cadillac	Donna Crookston
Friesian Driving	Esteban	Deb Goldmann
Hackney/Harness Pony Open	Twin Willow's Dimitri	Misty Hills Farm
Half-/Anglo-Arabian English Pleasure/ Pleasure Driving-Open	Sparkssafire	Janice Scott
Green Working Hunter Second Year	Smitten	Stephanie Danhakl
Low Amateur Owner Jumper	Largo	Central Pennsylvania Equestrian Center
Morgan Pleasure Driving Open	Oak Creek Chief of Staff	Margaret Brown
National Show Horse Pleasure Driving	Major Good	Rosemarie Pelfrey
Roadster Pony Open	Rant 'N Rave K.V.	Karen Voerg
American Saddlebred Three-Gaited Junior Exhibitor	Show Baby Show tied with Stonecroft Nightlight	Christina Collis (Show Baby Show) and Karrie Graham (Stonecroft Nightlight)
Welsh Pleasure Over 12.2-14.2 Hands	Loafers Lodge Devon	Dr. Ruth Wilburn
Western Pleasure Adult Amateur	Whispering Faded Love	Lisa Heath

Joining the program is as easy as filling out an application, which may be found on the USEF website here, or may be obtained at any recognized horse show, or by contacting the USEF office at (859) 258-2472.

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 12 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 alsoprovides 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, we 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 continue to fund important programs and activities.

Click here to apply today or call 1-800-853-5576, x9244.

Hurry, offer ends December 31, 2008.

*Click product name for terms and conditions: Signature, Platinum, Cash Rewards, Select Rewards. The 0% introductory APR does not apply to Cash Advances or the College Rewards Visa Card and is valid for the first twelve billing cycles on Purchases and Balance Transfers. Thereafter, the APR may vary, and as of 9/30/08, the undiscounted variable APR for Purchases and Balance Transfers is 9.24%-20.24% (depending on your credit history).The variable APR for Purchases and Balance Transfers or any Delinquency Rate then in effect will apply to any outstanding balances after the promotional period ends. For updated rate information, call 1-866-322-7989.The variable APR for Cash Advances is 21.24%-26.24%. We apply your payments to balances with lower APRs first. There is a variable Delinquency Rate APR of 29.24% if your payment is late or you are over the limit. Cash Advance Fee: 4%, $10 minimum. Convenience Check Advance Fee: 3%, $5 minimum. Overdraft Protection: Advances posting as Overdraft Protection are subject to a fee of $10 per occurrence. Cash Equivalent Fee: 4%, $20 minimum. No Balance Transfer Fees for balances transferred with this application. Thereafter 3%, $5 minimum. There is a $2 minimum finance charge where interest is due and a $2.50 Closed Account Management Fee if you voluntarily close your account with a balance. Foreign Transaction Fee: less than or equal to 3% of the amount of your transaction in U.S. dollars. The Late Payment Fee is $19 for balances less than $100, $29 for balances of $100–$250, and $39 for balances of $250 and higher.

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.