Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

McLain Ward and Sapphire Scorch the Arena with a Lightening Fast Final Jump-Off to Win the 2006 Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championship

It came down to a four-rider jump-off speed round at the 2006 Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championship at the 123rd National Horse Show in Wellington, FL, on Sunday afternoon. And in a finish befitting the championship's sponsor—Rolex—the crowds counted split seconds in the final speed test. When the last rider left the course and the points were tallied, McLain Ward and his Sapphire bested all challengers to win the title in a suspenseful, yet perfect finish to the work he began two night’s earlier in the first of two phases of the championship.

The 123rd National Horse Show and Family Festival held hunter, jumper and dressage competition this year from November 29-December 3 at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL.

Jumper Results
They say that history repeats itself, and Eric Flameng has proven that statement. The Belgian rider and the 11-year-old Selle Francais/German-bred mare Mazelle, owned by Floriac, LLC, won the Palm Beach Post National Welcome Stake CSI for the second time in the National Horse Show and Family Festival history. Their first win in the class came in 2004, and Flameng was thrilled to ride for the blue ribbon again.

Arabian Horse Association's Leg Up Program Offers Ready-Made Lessons About Horses

The Arabian Horse Association (AHA) announces that its new program, Leg Up: A Ready-to-Use Lesson Series About Arabian Horses. Leg Up is available for 4-H leaders, teachers, scout troops and anyone else with a need for fun, effective lessons about horses geared to young people.

There’s no cost to try it, and each Leg Up lesson plan is a compact and comprehensive presentation suitable for youth. Plans may be used “as is” or modified to suit a group’s age or knowledge.

EQUESTRIAN magazine, the official publication of equestrian sport in America since 1937, was honored with the Vaquero Media Award, co-sponsored by the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) and the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in the Publications category at the 2006 NRHA Futurity Show. The presentation was made during the Gathering of Legends reception on Friday, December 1, at the NRHA Office.

EQUESTRIAN editor Brian Sosby said, “The entire staff of EQUESTRIAN magazine, as well as the Federation, would like to thank the awards committee for naming EQUESTRIAN as the winner in this category. We are truly thankful for the honor, and we are continuing in our effort to feature and report on the exciting sport of reining and to share it with all the members of the Federation.”

USEF's Director of Reining Courtney Barnett was on hand to accept the honors for EQUESTRIAN magazine.

Transfer balances while leaving the interest payments behind, with the United States Equestrian Federation® Visa Platinum Card, now offering…

Wrap up great holiday memories with this unique card, knowing you’ll pay no interest on balance transfers until next winter. The U.S. Equestrian Federation Visa is perfect for stuffing stockings at home, or for taking the whole family to grandma’s house. Plus, you’ll benefit our international teams and earn great rewards with every purchase!

The U.S. Equestrian Federation® Visa Platinum Card also provides great benefits, including:

This Visa Platinum card issued by U.S. Bank is now the only card that supports the U.S. Equestrian Federation. Upon receiving your new card, the U.S. 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.

The creditor and issuer of the Visa Platinum card is the U.S. Bank National Association ND.

$50,000 Dressage Challenge Announced by Cunningham Insurance for Grand Prix Competitors at 2007 Winter Equestrian Festival

The Cunningham Insurance Dressage Challenge presented by Great American Insurance Group (GAIG) guarantees $50,000 to the winner of all three grand prixs at the 2007 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). The rider who meets the challenge will be awarded 50% of the purse, and the owner of the horse will receive 50%. The grand prixs are scheduled during the 2007 Stadium Jumping, Inc., Dressage Series at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington, FL.

Cheska, Jayne, Nor and Levine at the Top of the 2006 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series Standings

Cara Cheska, Haylie Jayne, Josephina Nor and Amber Levine emerged as champions of the 2006 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series. The Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series conducted its largest series ever in 2006, with classes at 98 horse shows across the nation. This gave competitors an abundance of opportunities to accumulate points throughout the year. The series featured separate divisions for amateur owner and junior riders with separate standings kept for East and West conferences.

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The new USEF long sleeve tees will make the perfect gift! This Forrest Green unisex long sleeve tee is made of 6.1 oz. heavyweight 100% pre-shrunk cotton, with double needle stitching at the neck and a hemmed bottom. USEF is screen printed on the front chest. Be sure to stop by the USEF Online S tore for all of your holiday needs.

From the November issue of EQUESTRIAN magazine:
A Life Dedicated to Horses...John Lengel

Little did a young John Lengel know that his first dealings with the United States Equestrian Federation (then American Horse Shows Association – AHSA) more than 30 years ago would turn into a lengthy and most respected lifetime career. But, that is exactly what happened. And, it’s been a career that has seen revolutionary change in the Federation’s drugs and medications program—all the while with Lengel devoting his energies to the task of creating a level playing field for show horses and competitors. There is no doubt that is has been a career well-spent.

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 86,000 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.