Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

An equestrian who made his name in the reining world will be wearing the Tiffany sterling silver cowboy hat this January at the annual Pegasus Awards Banquet. After decades of service to the equestrian industry, Don Burt has been selected as the recipient of the 2007 USEF Lifetime Achievement Award and the Jimmy A. Williams Trophy. This unparalleled award is given to the horseman or horsewoman whose “life 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.” When asked how he felt about the honor, Burt said that winning the Lifetime Achievement award is “one of the highlights of my whole career.”

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

USEF Announces 2007 Equestrians of Honor; Membership Voting for Equestrian of the Year Now Available Online

As the year comes to a close, the United States Equestrian Federation® (USEF) is pleased to announce the 2007 Equestrians of Honor. Of these seven honorees, one will be selected as the 2007 USEF Equestrian of the Year, one of USEF’s most prestigious awards. All of the Equestrians of Honor will be recognized during the Annual Pegasus Awards Dinner at the USEF Annual Meeting on Friday, January 11. The Annual Meeting will be held January 9-13 at the Louisville Marriott Downtown in Louisville, KY. For more information about the Annual Meeting, visit www.usef.org/convention/2008.

Any USEF member can vote for the Equestrian of the Year. Simply visit www.usef.org and click on the Equestrian of the Year Voting link on the bottom-right of the homepage. Voting closes January 4.

USEF Announces Top Five Finalists in the Farnam®/Platform™ USEF Horse of the Year; Voting Now Available Online

The tally has just begun, and your votes will be an integral part of deciding which of the nation’s leading equines will be named the Farnam®/Platform™ USEF Horse of the Year. Merely weeks away from the 2008 USEF Annual Meeting, all heads are turning to five finalists in anticipation of which horse will be adorned with the title of Horse of the Year—one of the most prestigious awards the USEF bestows. This year’s winner will join dressage superstar Brentina (2005 winner) and jumping superstar Authentic (2006 winner).

All of the finalists for Horse of the Year will be recognized during the Annual Horse of the Year gala at the USEF Annual Meeting on Saturday, January 12, with the Farnam®/Platform™ USEF Horse of the Year Award topping off the evening.

Any USEF member can vote for the Horse of the Year. Simply visit www.usef.org and click on the Horse of the Year Voting link on the bottom-right of the homepage. Voting closes January 4.

The USEF is pleased to announce that it will be hosting a Para-Equestrian Training Session with U.S. Para-Equestrian Team Coach and international event rider Missy Ransehousen, January 19-20, 2008 at the J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center in San Juan Capistrano, CA.

Ashley Baker and Clementine Goutal Win Year-End Championships for 2007 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series

Ashley Baker and Clementine Goutal emerged as the Amateur-Owner and Junior division winners of the 2007 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series Year-End Championships held on December 9, 2007.

Following the completion of the 2007 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series, which included classes at 102 horse shows across the nation, the Show Jumping Hall of Fame conducted year-end championships at the 124th National Horse Show in Wellington, FL. Baker and Goutal bested fields of the nation's top horses and riders who had qualified for the championships based on their performances throughout the year.

Robert Higgins Named 2007 United States Dressage Federation Volunteer of the Year

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) announced the winner of the 2007 USDF Volunteer of the Year Award, presented by The Paddock Saddlery, at the 2007 Adequan/USDF Annual Convention. This award recognizes a USDF member who, through consistent and cumulative volunteer activities, has demonstrated exceptional commitment towards carrying out USDF’s mission. As the winner, Higgins was presented with a perpetual trophy, which is permanently on display in the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame, will be featured in the yearbook issue of USDF Connection, and received a “keeper” trophy and $500 gift certificate from The Paddock Saddlery.

United States Hunter Jumper Association Affiliate Equitation Awards Program Announced

The United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) has implemented an Equitation Awards Program through its Affiliate Organizations Medal Classes primarily offered at local and unrecognized horse shows.

The goal of this program is to increase the USHJA membership and outreach in the equestrian community by further informing and educating individuals who partake in equestrian sports at the unrecognized and local horse show level and demonstrating that USHJA has something to offer them through its many programs and shared involvement with the horse.

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.

The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) has started to receive applications from the domestic spectators for the tickets to the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Paralympic Games.

According to the ticketing plan, there will be 21,000 tickets for the opening ceremony and 26,000 tickets for the closing ceremony available. Their bookings will end on December 30.

A Month to Winter Equestrian Festival and Stabling Almost Sold Out; Revised Prize List on the Internet

With one month to go before the start of the newly expanded Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) into the world's largest and richest horse show, virtually all on-ground stabling has been sold out. Of 2,800 permanent and tent stalls at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), fewer than 150 stalls—50 permanent and fewer than 100 tent stalls—were uncommitted as of Sunday, a month from the kickoff of WEF on January 16. It runs through April 6.

The World Games 2010 Foundation, Inc., and The Rolex Company announced that Rolex, the leading maker of luxury wristwatches, has signed on to become the "Official Timepiece of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games."

Shelby French Wins United States Hunter Jumper Association Volunteer of the Year Award

Of all the awards the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) offers, it is the Volunteer of the Year Award, that is deemed the most prestigious. The 2007 Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Shelby French of Sweet Briar, VA, on December 13, at the USHJA Evening of Equestrians Dinner.

“The Campaign for the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) National Education Center (NEC) has been a big success. We have also made a very good start towards building a long-term endowment,” announced USDF President Sam Barish during the Adequan/USDF Annual Convention, held in Orlando Florida, November 27-December 2.

Offield Farms Announces a Special Video Offering of Robert Dover’s Search for the Next American Equestrian Star: Dressage

Responding to an incredible demand for a personal copy of Robert Dover's successful reality series, the producers of Search for the Next American Equestrian Star: Dressage have made available the entire series via digital download from the show’s website: www.americanequestrianstar.tv. The full five-episode series, plus over 35 minutes of never-before-seen footage is available as a holiday special for $34.95 (regular price is $39.95.) Viewers also have the option of an online viewing-only version of just the five episodes for a price of $19.95.

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.

You can now accumulate points in the 2008 competition year. If you haven't recorded your horse in the Horse of the Year Program, now is the time so that you can begin accumulating points.

Horse Shows in the Sun (HITS) is pleased to announce that Ocala Style Magazine will be the title sponsor of the Ocala Style Award that will be presented on March 16, 2008. This special award will be presented to the rider who exhibits the best American style of riding and possesses the respectful, dignified, courteous and workmanlike manner of a true sportsman at the 2008 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. The award winner will be revealed prior to the $100,000 DeLuca Toyota Tundra Grand Prix, presented by Great American Insurance Group.

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.

Horses Unlimited’s flagship stallion Pik L continued his winning ways at the 124th National Horse Show in Wellington, FL, with two wins at intermediaire II. The handsome bay by Pik Bube II has won Prix St. Georges and intermediaire I classes at the most prestigious shows in the country and now continues into the large tour classes. His son Pikk Primero also competed and won in the young horse division.

Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Phelpssports.com Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W/Y

For 25 years the Palm Beach Dressage Derby has offered spectators the opportunity to watch the best horses and riders in North America compete in front of the most prestigious judging panels. The 25th edition of the event not only will showcase world-class competitors, but three full days of celebration of the show that has become a must-do for serious dressage aficionados. Where else can you watch Olympians like Klaus Balkenhol and Ulla Salzgeber coach their protégés while Lisa Wilcox and Lars Petersen compete? And this year’s Phelpssports.com Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W/Y, held February 28-March 2, 2008, features top-notch shopping, an art show reception, the Taste of the Derby and the once in a lifetime “An Olympic Tribute” celebration.

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)

The first rider has now qualifed for the East Coast:
— Michael Desiderio

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

A few riders that have now qualifed on the West Coast:
— Lucy Davis
— Kristi Doyle
— Violet Fludzinski
— Amber Henter

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

From the December 2007 issue of EQUESTRIAN magazine:
Take a Walk in Their Parks: Horses Most Welcome Too!

They’re a long way from being “the barn” or even a “riding stable.”
Horse parks are an idea whose time has come, and just in time, as “sold” signs on farmland go up one day and a giant yellow earthmover appears the next. Acres of formerly horse-friendly land are rapidly being gobbled up and carved like a pie for profitable residential or commercial development. It’s not great news, given that humans haven’t (yet) mastered the art of riding a horse on a cross-trainer or treadmill. Land is still required and lots of it.

For the full story in PDF format, click here.

Arabian and Friesian Enthusiast Jeff Wonnell Passes Away

Jeff Wonnell, a lifelong consummate horseman who assisted with the introduction of the Friesian breed to the Federation, passed away on November 21, 2007, from injuries related to an accidental fall at his Branson West, MO, home. He was 86.