Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian Federation's Weekly E-Newsletter

Pablo Barrios and La Gran
Photo by Randi Muster

2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival Opens Competition

The 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) began their competition on Wednesday, January 14, with opening jumper classes in the International Arena. The first week of the FTI WEF is sponsored by G&C Farm and runs through Sunday, January 17. The 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 4, 2010, and almost $6 million in prize money will be awarded through the circuit.

This week's course designer is Olaf Petersen of Germany, and he set a welcoming course for the $6,000 Spy Coast 1.40m Speed class. Thirty-four entries went to post, and the fastest of the day was Pablo Barrios of Venezuala on La Gran, owned by Pablo Barrios and Andres Olivares. They had no faults in a time of 61.369 seconds. Barrios also finished second on Quick Star 11, owned by Gustavo Mirabal of G&C Farm of Wellington, FL. Quick Star 11 and Barrios were also clear and had a time of 64.105 seconds. Third place went to Jeffrey Welles on Abigail Wexner's Tango. They were clear in 67.725 seconds.

More Hunter/Jumper News


Capt. Mark Phillips Photo USEF Archives

Capt. Mark Phillips to Retire in 2012; Search Committee Forming to Find Successor

At the conclusion of 2012 the U.S. Eventing Program will undergo a significant change. After 20 years, Capt. Mark Phillips has announced his retirement as Chef d’Equipe and Technical Advisor following the London Olympic Games to "give someone else the opportunity to put their stamp on the program."

To date, Capt. Phillips has led the eventing team to 23 Team and Individual medals during his time at the helm of the program. Highlights include Team Silver and Individual Bronze at the 1996 Olympic Games, Team Bronze and Individual Gold at the 2000 Olympic Games, Team Bronze and Individual Silver at the 2004 Olympic Games and Individual Silver at the 2008 Olympic Games. His teams also won Team Gold at the Pan American Games in 1999, 2003 and 2007 and Team Gold at the 2002 FEI World Equestrian Games.

In order to create a timely and seamless transition for the program, the process for identifying Phillips’ successor has begun. The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) will announce the members of the Search Committee in the near future. The search committee will include athletes, committee members and experts in equestrian sport.

More Eventing News


Trip Harting Photo Courtesy The Dressage Foundation

The Dressage Foundation Creates Scholarship Fund to Honor Trip Harting

The Dressage Foundation is pleased to announce the formation of the Trip Harting Fund. The Trip Harting Fund was established through The Dressage Foundation to award a scholarship for a Pony Club A or B members. This scholarship is to help a young person pursue their education in dressage; the award will honor Harting's lifetime commitment to youth in dressage and his love of Pony Club.

Trip Harting was one of the leading judges in the world of dressage horse riding and formally one of the top 10 horse riders in the world. He passed away on August 21, 2008, in Los Angeles, CA, at age 62. Harting was a beloved judge and competitor and clinician; always going out of his way to help anyone who needed encouragement. As the head coach for the U.S. Pony Club, Harting had a special fondness for helping young riders.

The Trip Harting Fund is asking donations from anyone who would like to help keep his dream for young riders alive. Donations are appreciated in all sizes: small, medium and large; every gift is important. If all the people Harting touched through his years of judging, teaching and giving clinics could donate even $25 or whatever was in their budget, his fund would achieve his goal: assisting deserving Pony Club member(s) on a yearly basis.

2009 American Morgan Horse Association Open Competition Results Announced

It is with great pleasure that the American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) announces the results of the 2009 Open Competition Program. Each year, Morgan horses compete against the country's best competition and 2009 was no exception.

The Medallion, Champion High-Point, and Reserve Champion High-Point winners will be honored at the annual AMHA Convention Awards Luncheon in Lexington, KY, Saturday, February 20.

American Driving Society Offers Webinar "Continuous Day of Driving with Jeff Morse"

In a webinar, Jeff Morse explains the new, flexible American Driving Society (ADS)-recognized event, the Continuous Day of Driving, which consists of at least three ADS competitions driven consecutively with brief periods of rest in between. If you are an organizer or just interested in learning more about how to run this new event, don't miss this webinar.

Celebrate Their Achievements!

Honor your favorite rider, horse or trainer with a congratulatory ad in equestrian magazine.
The February/March 2010 issue will showcase the Farnam®/Platform™ USEF Horse of the Year award winners.

Show them how special they are by celebrating their victory with a congratulatory ad. This is also a great time to advertise your horse for sale or publicize your equine facility.

Over 90,000 USEF members will see your ad in this special keepsake issue. *Ad design available at no additional charge. Deadline to book your ad is January 20 . For more information or to schedule your ad, contact Kim Russell at (859) 225-6938 or krussell@usef.org, or Crissi White at (859) 225-6936 or cwhite@usef.org.

American Horse Publications Horse Industry Survey Deadline Extended to January 31, 2010

American Horse Publications (AHP) is conducting an Horse Industry Survey to gauge participation trends in the U.S. equine industry. In addition, the survey seeks to gather information regarding the most important issues facing the industry. The deadline has been extended to January 31, 2010.

Take the survey at www.horsesurvey.org.

United States Equestrian Team Foundation's Road to Kentucky: The Event of the Season—Don't Miss Out!

While there are countless social events to attend throughout the 2010 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation's Road to Kentucky benefit dinner on February 5 tops the list of important places to be this season! Nearly sold out, the Road to Kentucky is just three weeks away. Before time runs out, mark your calendars and get your tickets, as this is an event you will not want to miss.

Canada to Host Three FEI Para-Dressage Courses

Equine Canada is pleased to announce that three FEI Para-Dressage courses will be held in conjunction with the WindReach International Para-Dressage CPEDI***, which is being held May 28–30, 2010 in Ashburn, ON, and we are pleased to invite individuals from your National Federation to participate.

Unwanted Horse Coalition Releases Best Practices Handbook

The Unwanted Horse Coalition (UHC) has published a handbook entitled Best Practices: How Your Organization Can Help Unwanted Horses. The handbook is part of the UHC’s continuing effort to get the horse community more involved in solving the problem of unwanted horses. If the horse community is to succeed in lessening the problem of unwanted horses, more organizations and more events, large and small, regardless of their breed or discipline, must institute activities and programs to deal with their horses after their active lives are over or when their owners are no longer able to care for them.

Kentucky Horse Council Redefines Mission

The Kentucky Horse Council (KHC), for over three decades, has worked to benefit and support all equine breeds, disciplines, and activities across Kentucky, primarily through education and leadership.

"Support and Promoting of Equine Awareness in Kentucky" Program Revolutionizes Equine Education

Renowned course designer and horse show manager Bobby Murphy has taken equine education to the next level by implementing the Supporting and Promoting of Equine Awareness in Kentucky Schools (SPEAKS) program. The SPEAKS program is designed to work with elementary schools and community groups to develop knowledge of the equine industry. From demonstrations at the horse park, to visits at the equine educational museums, SPEAKS goal is to educate the future of society about the importance and impact of the horse industry in their lives.

New Caregiver’s Guide to Rehabilitating the Neglected Horse is Now Available

The American Horse Council (AHC) is pleased to announce the availability of a new brochure, done in partnership with AHC sponsors Nutrena, Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, and the American Farrier’s Association.

Special Offer for USEF Members from Just Horse Videos Worldwide

For a limited time, USEF members will receive a 30% discount on DVDs of 2007 and earlier competitions and a 20% discount on all other DVDs, including 2009 competitions, at www.justhorsevideos.com.

This offer is good until January 31, 2009. Use coupon code USEF20 at checkout to receive the discount.

All customers who register with Just Horse Videos when placing their order will receive FREE media mail shipping.

Visit www.justhorsevideos.com.

What is USEF MemberPerks?

USEF MemberPerks is much more than a cost savings program for some of the best retailers and services. It's a link to a special collection of companies that support equestrian sport.

Who Can Participate in USEF's MemberPerks?

The benefits of USEF MemberPerks Program are available to all USEF members and employees.

For more information, call 877-576-6872, fax 859-245-6868, or visit www.usef.org/_IFrames/memberServices/memberperks/companies.aspx

Check Your Points in the Farnam®/Platform™ USEF Horse of the Year Program to see how your horse did in 2009. Please check your points and standings in your respective division(s) by:
Calling the Horse Report Hotline at (859) 258-2472, 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.
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. In addition, you can record your horse online through your My USEF Account.

Renew for 2010

The 2010 USEF Competition year has begun (as of December 1, 2009). Renew your membership now. It is so easy when you log into your MY USEF Account and click on "2010 USEF Membership Application" under 2010 Competition Year. For your convenience and the best membership deal, you can opt for a three-year membership for $150.

The annual USEF Competing Equestrian membership costs only $55. As a competing member, you are eligible to participate at all USEF Licensed Competitions, receive "equestrian" magazine at no additional charge, a million-dollar personal excess liability policy for horse-related accidents that cause bodily injury or property damage to third parties, and the added benefits of USEF MemberPerks—a members-only discount program with unbeatable deals from companies like John Deere, Hertz, Sherwin Williams, USRider, FarmVet, LifeLock, Moxie and others.

Not participating in USEF Licensed Competitions but still want to be a member? There are member categories for you. With the USEF Equestrian membership, at $35, you receive automatic insurance along with the MemberPerks. If you are a college student who is busy studying and not competing, you can join as a USEF Collegiate member for $25. This is another non-competing membership that will give you the benefits of MemberPerks plus four issues of "equestrian" magazine to keep you well informed of equestrian sports. And Club Equestrian, which is only $15, gives you access to the MemberPerks program.

USEF is pleased to announce that we can offer you the ability to pay for your membership renewal with a credit or debit card or by utilizing our newest electronic check payment method. We accept American Express, Visa, MasterCard and electronic check.

If you have questions, call the USEF Customer Care Center and a personal agent will assist you. You may call (859) 258-2472. Monday through Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm [ET]

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 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.

VISION STATEMENT

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.

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