Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

Three-Way Ride-Off Decides Medals, U.S. Settles for Silver and Bronze at the 2007 FEI Reining Masters

The 2007 FEI World Reining Masters drew riders from 15 countries to the Oklahoma State Fair Grounds on November 29, but two riders from the United States that caught the judges attention—equally. Not to be outdone by the home team, an Austrian rider answered their challenge with an equally stellar performance. This meant that at the end of the competition Americans Casey Hinton and Gabe Hutchins were tied with Rudi Kronsteiner for first place on a score of 221. Under FEI rules, this situation warrants a ride-off.

Kathy Meyer to Become Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the United States Equestrian Federation

Kathy Meyer, longtime officer and administrator of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and professional sport events marketer, has been named Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the USEF, effective January 13, 2008. She fills the position vacated by the retirement of Maria Partlow earlier this fall.

Plans are under way for the 2008 United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Youth Convention and registration is open, but space is limited for the convention. Already, over half of the available spots have been filled for the first annual Youth Convention, which will be held January 12 in Louisville, KY. Along with the schedule, the break-out sessions have been finalized.

The United States Equestrian Federation is pleased to announce the promotion of Sara Ike to the position of Managing Director of Eventing. Ike has worked at the USEF Gladstone office since 2003, and has served as the Eventing High-Performance Director since March of 2007. Prior to that appointment, she was the Director of Vaulting.

Note: The United States Equestrian Federation offices will be closed December 24-January 1.

American Horse Council Reminds Horse Industry to Participate in 2007 USDA Census of Agriculture

The American Horse Council (AHC) is reminding all members of the horse-owning community to participate in the 2007 Census of Agriculture being conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA census, taken every five years, is a count of U.S. farms, ranches and the people who operate them. A link to the census can be found on the front page of the AHC’s website at www.horsecouncil.org or at https://www.agcounts.usda.gov/cgi-bin/counts.

As the final major "A" show on the West Coast circuit, the Los Angeles National (November 14-18) attracted a record number of entries. For grand prix riders, the LA National was doubly important; the show was holding two $50,000 World Cup qualifying grand prix events. Unseasonal rains and a severe power outage crippled the Los Angeles International in September. Show Chairman Larry Langer made the decision to cancel the show. "I didn’t like making the decision," he said at the time, "but it wasn’t hard. There really wasn’t any other choice." This meant that the Saturday night $50,000 LA International Grand Prix was one of the cancelled classes.

The March issue of EQUESTRIAN magazine featuring the 2007 Farnam®/Platform™ USEF Horse of the Year award winners is coming soon. Book your space now and receive unprecedented low rates just for USEF members. This is a great opportunity to showcase their achievements with an ad that will be seen by over 90,000 people in this special keepsake issue. But you better hurry! Space closes on January 22. For more information, contact Crissi White at (859) 225-6936 or cwhite@usef.org.

If you aren’t fortunate enough to attend this year’s United States Eventing Association's Annual Meeting and Convention, presented by Nutrena, in Colorado Springs, you can still listen in on the action at the pinnacle forum: the G10 Summit. The USEA’s Group of 10 (G10), a day-long national forum for the 10 Areas of the United States, will be held on Saturday, December 8, beginning at 8 a.m. MST. Check out the convention schedule on the USEA Convention webpage for exact times for each section, and remember that speakers will be presenting all day, until approximately 3:30 p.m., so you’re sure to catch something.

During the 2008 winter horse show season, Horse Shows in the Sun (HITS) will begin to implement several new convenient ways to assist exhibitors with their busy show days at HITS Thermal and HITS Ocala.

Brand new for 2008, exhibitors will be able to complete and submit online feed orders and add/scratch forms on the HITS website at www.HitsShows.com. Feed orders that are submitted online will be processed for next-day delivery while add/scratch forms will be available for classes that occur on the following day or in future weeks. As always, the horse show office will be open from 6:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on show days to assist exhibitors with their same-day needs.

2008 Succeed®/USDF FEI-Level Trainers’ Conference and Biomechanics Seminar Offered in Florida

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to offer another opportunity for its members to attend the Succeed®/USDF FEI-Level Trainers’ Conference featuring Jan Brink, the current Swedish National Dressage Champion for the fifth year in a row. The conference is set for January 20-21, 2008, at High Meadow Farm in Loxahatchee, FL. In addition to the two-day conference, the Palm Beach Dressage Derby is pleased to offer a biomechanics seminar on the Pyramid of Training with Dr. Hilary Clayton, to be held on January 19, 2008, at the Palm Beach Hotel.

Horse Shows by the Bay's Dean and Alexandra Rheinheimer Receive 2007 Community Champions Award from the Traverse City Visitor and Convention Bureau

Dean and Alexandra Rheinheimer, known for their production of Horse Shows by the Bay, were two of six individuals last Thursday to receive a 2007 Community Champions Award from the Traverse City, MI, Convention and Visitors Bureau (TCVB).

Acknowledged during the 26th Annual TCVB Meeting and Reception at the Grand Traverse Resort, the Rheinheimers were given a plaque for their "uncommon vision and public spirit" in bringing an event to the Traverse City area that "advanced the economic health and vitality of the community." A Special Tribute Certificate signed by Governor Jennifer Granholm, State Senator Jason Allen and State Representative Howard Walker Representative were also awarded to the recipients.

Special Exhibitions at 124th National Horse Show and Family Festival Bring Variety and Panache to the Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championships

Every year, the National Horse Show and Family Festival brings some of the most interesting and unique equestrian exhibitions to crowds in Wellington. The 124th annual equestrian competition, which is held December 5-9, 2007, at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club, will be no different.

This year, there are a variety of interesting and fresh exhibitions for spectators. They all center around the Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championships, presented by Equine Motorcoach, which are held in two phases. The opening ceremonies for the first phase are on Friday evening at 7 p.m., and the first horse will be on course at 7:30 p.m. The second round opening ceremonies are on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m.

2008 Wellpride United States Eventing Association American Eventing Championships Qualifications Announced

For everyone aiming for the 2008 Wellpride United States Eventing Association (USEA) American Eventing Championships (AEC), the qualifications are now available on the USEA website, www.useventing.com. Just click on the Wellpride AEC button on the right side of the homepage and follow the links. There are two items referring to the qualifications. The first, called 2008 Wellpride AEC Complete Qualifications, gives the qualification information in its entirety. The other, called 2008 Wellpride AEC Qualifications Summary, is to be used only as a quick reference guide.

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.

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.

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 now qualifed on the West Coast:

— Anthony Desiderio
— Katharine James
— Iris Lichtenberg
— Samantha Ramsay

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

From the November 2007 issue of EQUESTRIAN magazine:
If the Shoe Fits

New technologies in shoeing are giving sport horse owners more
choices when it comes to protecting and supporting their horses’ feet.

Technology is booming in every facet of our lives. The past century alone saw perhaps the biggest explosion in technology the world has ever known. People born into a house with no phone at the turn of the century can now receive text messages on their cellular phones from their grandchildren. Televisions are no longer black
and white; they are color and in high definition. Horse and buggy is now a thing of hobby and parade in the era of Hummers. It is only natural that the horse industry
should follow suit in an age of technology and innovation. Yet, oddly
enough, many of us are still riding our horses on technology that
pre-dates the birth of Christ.

Archeological evidence suggests the first use of horseshoes
dates back to 450 BC. Though who first invented the horseshoe is
lost to history, evidence shows that the Celts may have been the first
to use iron on their horses’ hooves. They fashioned these shoes out
of necessity to prevent their horses’ feet from wearing down. As they
advanced across Europe with their blacksmiths in tow, the idea of shoeing horses spread across the continent.

For the full story in PDF format, click here.

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.