Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

Don Burt Receives Lifetime Achievement Award; Karen O’Connor Named Equestrian of the Year at 2008 USEF Pegasus Awards Gala

It was a night for celebration and standing ovations during the much-anticipated Pegasus Awards where the equestrian world’s brightest stars gathered to be honored and celebrate achievements from 2007, as well as a lifetime.

The highlight of the evening was the awarding of the Lifetime Achievement Award to living legend Don Burt, who has dedicated his life to the equestrian world. From trainer to exhibitor, judge and educator to high-level administrator, Burt’s influence has been felt for decades.
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Among the regalia of the United States Equestrian Federation’s (USEF) historic Horse of the Year Awards program and black tie gala, eventing champion and newly-crowned star Theodore O’Connor was named the 2007 Farnam®/Platform™ USEF Horse of the Year at the Downtown Marriott in Louisville, KY.

Bred by P. Wynn Norman and owned by Theodore O’Connor Syndicate, “Teddy,” as he is known, burst onto the international stage in a big way in 2007. First, he caught the eventing world’s attention at the 2007 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event by taking a third-place finish. However, it was his incredible performance at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, that turned him into the breakout star of the 2007 competition year.

USEF Kicks-Off 2008 Annual Meeting in Louisville, KY, with Board of Directors Meeting & Keynote Address

USEF President David O’Connor presented his keynote speech at the meeting of the board of directors on Thursday, January 10. He spoke to the success enjoyed by the Federation over the past four years highlighted by the formation of the USHJA and the USEF Youth Council, increased financial stability, and the empowerment of the Federation’s professional staff. He further recognized the success of our international teams, the strengthening of the hearing process, and the continued efficacy of the Drugs & Medication Program under new staff leadership – all efforts which have enhanced focus on the welfare of the horse, both inside and outside of the competition arena.

On Saturday, more than 100 young equestrians and their parents gathered in Louisville’s downtown Hyatt to celebrate their shared love for horses. Organized by the United States Equestrian Federation’s (USEF) Youth Council, this inaugural convention focused on promoting youth involvement from all 18 affiliated breeds and disciplines under the USEF umbrella.

The United States Equestrian Federation has approved the following modifications to the selection procedures for CSIO/CSI competitions, aka “the USEF Computer List.” These changes became effective on January 15, 2008.

Concept of Dressage Qualification Standards Supported by USEF Board; Action Postponed Until 2009

On January 13, the final day of the USEF Annual Meeting, the Board of Directors considered rule change proposals for all breeds and disciplines. Included in this review was the much-discussed “performance standards” proposal from the Dressage Committee, which would establish a qualification process for competing at certain levels at USEF-licensed dressage competitions. After extensive discussion, the Board voted to officially table the proposal until the next USEF Annual Meeting in January 2009, but also included in their motion to specifically note its support of the concept and charged the Dressage Committee to bring back a detailed proposal for final approval.

2008 will be an important milestone in the international reining community. Previously, a World Reining Championship had only been offered at the FEI World Equestrian Games. But this year, in Manerbio, Italy, teams will compete for World Championship medals, September 11-14.

USET Foundation Awards Lionel Guerrand-Hermes Trophy to Show Jumper Hillary Dobbs

The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation is pleased to announce that 19-year-old Hillary Dobbs of Sussex, NJ, has been awarded the Lionel Guerrand-Hermes Trophy, which recognizes a junior/young rider who exemplifies the USET Foundation's ideals of sportsmanship and horsemanship.

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.

Supplier Registration Company Selected for 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

National Diversity Solutions (NDS) has been selected to manage the supplier recruitment, registration and qualification process for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

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 United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation is pleased to announce that Paul Long of Mahwah, NJ, has been named assistant director of development. Long will assist USET Foundation Executive Director Bonnie B. Jenkins in accomplishing the Foundation's mission of raising funds to support equestrian athletes, promote international excellence, and build for the future.

Karen Healey Given California Professional Horsemen's Association Special Achievement Award and United States Hunter Jumper Association Distinguished Service Award

For trainer Karen Healey of Thousand Oaks, CA, 2007 was a very good year. Her students won an amazing amount of classes throughout the year, and she was honored at the California Professional Horsemen's Association (CPHA) awards dinner with the CPHA Special Achievement Award, and she also received four leading trainer awards.

The World Games 2010 Foundation has appointed Peden Bloodstock as the official shipping agent for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, to be held September 25-October 10, 2010, at the Kentucky Horse Park.

The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation is pleased to announce that Miranda (Randy) Cadwell has been awarded the Whitney Stone Cup, which is awarded annually to an active competitor who displays consistent excellence in international competition and high standards of sportsmanlike conduct while serving as an ambassador for the United States and equestrian sport.

The HITS Desert Circuit kicked off its 2008 campaign on Wednesday, January 9, with the all new DC Premiere at HITS' state-of-the-art equestrian facility, in Thermal, CA.

The CN Winter Equestrian Festival opened a 12-week run Wednesday to accolades from riders over the rebuilt Palm Beach International Equestrian Center that was a celebration of color with thousands of flowers decorating the show grounds.

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)

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

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

Winter Wakeup Call!

Beat the winter blues with the Visa® card that offers 0% APR for twelve billing cycles*! With the United States Equestrian Federation Visa Platinum Card, you can book that weekend getaway you’ve been wanting to take. Or use it for whatever perks up your winter pace—from a day at the spa to a night out on the town. 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 1-800-853-5576, ext. 9197.

Hurry, offer ends March 31, 2008.

*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 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 nearly 90,000 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.