Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

Gene Mische, winner of the 2008 USEF Lifetime Achievement Award.
Photo USEF Archives/Geoff Oliver Bugbee

Foundation and Future: The USEF Honors Champions at 2008 Pegasus Awards

The philosophy is pretty simple: “If you take care of this sport, it will take care of you.”

Gene Mische is a lifetime of living proof.

Mische was honored by legions of fans and friends for decades of involvement in the equestrian world. At the Pegasus Awards Ceremony, Mische was presented with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2009 USEF Annual Meeting.

“I’m overwhelmed,” said Mische. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be up on this stage receiving this award. It puts me in the company of legends.”

“He has changed the face of the sport,” said USEF President David O’Connor.

His life’s work, vision and determination have forged a place in history.

He hit West Palm Beach, FL, in the 1950s with $26 and two horses. Without him, horse people may never have found the place.

After years as a trainer, he became a show manager and then planned the first winter show circuit. In 1965, he continued to revolutionize the American face of equestrian sport by conceptualizing and promoting the first U.S. grand prix held outdoors.

He can certainly pick out a horse. His string of hunters and jumpers have been ridden by the day’s biggest names and won some of the world’s most impressive titles.

Steffen Peters won the USEF Equestrian of the Year Award for his outstanding performances last year, which include his rides on Ravel at the 2008 Olympics.
Photo by Shannon Brinkman

In 1973, he formed his Stadium Jumping, Inc., to produce shows across Florida, which aided in growing seasonal migration to Florida for horsemen. The next year the former Sunshine Circuit was renamed the Winter Equestrian Festival.

“This success is not mine alone,” said the legend. “I’m just a spoke in the wheel.”

The 1990s saw him assist in the founding of the USET Festival of Champions, and manage the Olympic Selection Trials for show jumping and dressage.

As the new millennia dawned, he continued his dedication to the sport by taking on the challenge of running the National Horse Show, which had left the historic Madison Square Garden.

Today, Mische is very active in breeding hunters and jumpers at his Imperial Farm in Palmetto, FL.

Mische has been a promoter of this sport at every level, and the sport got to say thanks.

Jamaica Named 2008 Farnam®/Platform™ USEF Horse of the Year

Chester Weber and his team, which includes Farnam®/Platform™ USEF Horse of the Year Jamaica, competing at the CHIO Aachen in 2008.
Photo Andreas Steindl/www.photo-steindl.com

Every year the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) honors the best horses across all breeds and disciplines at the Farnam®/Platform™ USEF Horse of the Year Awards dinner at the USEF Annual Meeting.

In 2008, there were some fantastic horses to honor. Five were singled out and recognized for their achievement as Horses of Honor.

Jamaica took the biggest accolade.

Jamaica, the foundation of Chester Weber’s four-in-hand team that won Individual Silver at the 2008 FEI World Four-in-Hand Driving Championships, came from the slaughter house to the world stage.

What he has achieved in his career is remarkable.

“The horse is amazing,” said Weber after receiving his trophy from Farnam’s Chris Jacobi and USEF President David O’Connor. “It is great to be part of his life.”

Oakcroft Trunks and Stable Accessories Awards Tack Trunk To Top Hunter Breeder at USEF Annual Convention

One of the top hunter breeders in the country will now have a place to store the coolers and saddle pads her horses have been awarded throughout the year thanks to winning a brand new Oakcroft tack trunk at the recent USEF Annual Convention.

Dr. Paula Pell of St. Petersburg, FL, was the lucky winner of the “Win An Oakcroft Trunk,” which took place during an Oakcroft sponsored breakout session at the annual convention in Cincinnati, OH, and was open to all attendees. Pell and her husband were at the convention to accept the championship Green Working Hunter Silver Stirrup Award won by their six-year-old gelding, Unbelievable.

USEF Annual Meeting Coverage Online at ClubEquestrian.com

Blog Update
Horse Awards Galore at the 2008 USEF Annual Meeting

Day Three of the USEF Annual Meeting in Cincinnati, OH, began with more breed and discipline meetings after a night of celebrating those members of the Performance Horse Registry during the Silver Stirrup Awards. After the awards let out, the hotel bars began to fill with revelers, none going to let an early day of meetings get in their way of enjoying their personal victories and raising glasses to toast their fellow winners.

Don't Miss Out on All the Videos from Annual Meeting

January's Contest Under Way
Vote for Your Favorite Holiday/Winter Photo

Visit ClubEquestrian.com until January 31 to cast your vote for your favorite image.

List Your Equine Business/Organization in a New Online Directory for FREE

The United States Equestrian Federation would like to invite you to list your equine business in its new online Professional Directory at ClubEquestrian.com. The listing is FREE. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to get your name out there to those who may need your products or services. To make sure your business is listed, visit www.usef.org/prodir.

ClubElogo

Taylor Land after her Gold-medal win at the 2009 Sydney Youth Olympic Festival.
Photo USEF Archives/Jennifer Haydon

On Top Down Under: Taylor Land Wins 2009 Sydney Youth Olympic Festival Individual Gold Medal in Show Jumping

To go halfway around the world and win is a monumental achievement—especially on a borrowed horse.

No one told show jumper Taylor Land.

The 16-year-old from Atlanta, GA, peaked at the perfect time and came home with the Individual Gold medal at the 2009 Australian Youth Olympic Festival.

Land was part of the team that was fourth in the Nations Cup on Sunday and rode Tom McDermott’s Markovitch to win Gold.

“I couldn't have won this without the support of my team and (chef d’equipe) Dick Carvin, and coach Francie Steinwedell-Carvin,” said Land. “This was an amazing experience, and this medal is for the whole team.”

Land jumped off for the Gold medal with Rachel McGregor (who rode Rachel Higgins’ horse Dusty Rhodes) from New Zealand and showed her composure on the world stage. Both riders had four faults in the jump-off, but Land was the quickest.

Twenty-four horse/rider combinations started the Individual final and 13 came back for the second round. Land’s teammate, Kylie Wright, had four faults from the first round and jumped clear in the second. Wright returned to jump off for the Bronze along with four other riders. Matthew Sampson of Great Britain, riding Ben Blay's Sir Joindre, won the tiebreaker.

New FEI Test Reminder and Young Horse Test Update

As a reminder, the FEI issued new dressage tests for the following levels, effective January 1, 2009: Prix St. Georges, Intermediaire I and Freestyle, Intermediaire II, Grand Prix, Special, and Freestyle, Young Rider Grand Prix, and all Junior and Young Rider tests (including Team, Individual, and Freestyle).

These new test versions must be used by all USEF-licensed dressage competitions and CDI’s beginning January 1, 2009, and for all 2009 USEF High-Performance, USEF National and North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC) qualifying and championships. Of particular note to young riders, the Prix St. Georges test will now be used as the Team Test (not the Individual Test), and a new Individual Test has been issued and must be used.

Effective Prevention Needed for EPM

Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is an infection of the brain and spinal cord of horses by single-celled parasites known as protozoa. EPM, which is the most commonly diagnosed neurological disorder in horses, can be a permanently debilitating or a fatal disease. The disease is most commonly (probably over 95% of cases) caused by the protozoa Sarcocystis neurona; occasionally, another protozoa known as Neospora hughesi also can cause EPM. EPM is a disease of North, Central and South America, and is only observed in horses outside this region among horses that have been exported from the Americas. This infection is acquired by ingestion of the intermediate stages of the S. neurona parasite, which are passed in the feces of opossums and which contaminate feed and forage consumed by the horse. After the parasite is ingested, it is eliminated by the immune response in most cases.

American Endurance Ride Conference Annual Convention Set for February 20-21 in Kentucky

Endurance riders and equestrians interested in checking out the “ultimate distance riding sport” are invited to attend the American Endurance Ride Conference’s (AERC) 2009 Convention at the Galt House Hotel Louisville, KY, February 20-21.

American Saddlebred Horse Association Announces Dual Winners for Charter Club of the Year

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) is pleased to announce that the American Saddlebred Horse Association of Virginia (ASHAV) and the American Saddlebred Association of Maine (ASAM) have been selected as ASHA’s Charter Clubs of the Year. The two clubs’ dedication and commitment to the promotion of the breed will be honored during the Annual Awards Luncheon on Friday, February 13, 2009, from 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. The luncheon will be held in conjunction with ASHA’s Annual Convention, February 12-14, at the Griffin Gate Marriott Resort and Spa in Lexington, KY.

Working Equitation Clinic Offered in in Virginia with Kimberly Garvis

Looking for something new, exciting, and challenging for you and your horse? Well, mark your calendars for the upcoming clinic at Capriole Farm in Catlett, VA, presented by Kimberly Garvis, on the sport of working equitation, which is presently making its way to the United States and Canada.

Currently a little-known discipline in North America, working equitation competition is divided into three phases that are designed to test through a range of activities. It combines flatwork movements and obstacle tests, inviting horse and rider to negotiate a number of obstacles similar to those encountered when riding and working in the fields. At the international level, a fourth phase is included in the competition, which comprises a team cattle penning trial. Overall, the competition aims to promote good horsemanship and a level of submission and control of the horse in a variety of situations one might encounter.

The USEF has allocated the following dates and locations for the 2009 Eventing Training Sessions. Riders named to the 2009 Eventing Training List are invited to participate in these sessions with U.S. Chef d’Equipe, Mark Phillips. Where specified, those riders named to the USEF Developing Rider List for 2009 will be afforded the same opportunity.

Good news awaits when you renew your membership online for 2009! If you were an amateur, professional or junior member in 2007 or 2008, you will be able to renew online using our new Quick Renewal. Just log in to your My USEF Account and select the Quick Renew option. All of your membership information will be there. All you have to do is review it; edit it, if necessary; submit payment; and print out a copy of your 2009 card.

In addition, the membership process has been further streamlined by doing away with the breed/discipline dues. The new USEF Competing Equestrian Membership due for all Senior Active and Junior Active members is $55. With that, you will be able to participate at all USEF Licensed Competitions, as well as receive automatic insurance and MemberPerks.

There are also two new member categories for individuals not participating in USEF Licensed Competitions. The USEF Equestrian ($35) includes the automatic insurance and access to the MemberPerks program, while the Club Equestrian ($15) includes access to MemberPerks.

If you have any questions about the new memberships, please call one of our Customer Care Agents at (859) 258-2472.

Once your membership has been processed you will be sent a membership card as well as key fobs. You are required to present proof of current USEF membership in order to compete in USEF Licensed Competitions. If you do not have your membership card, a key fob or a copy of your membership card, you will be required to pay a $30 non-refundable non-member fee. You can print a copy of your card from www.usef.org. Please note, effective 12/01/08 you will no longer be able to sign a membership affidavit in lieu of paying the non-member fee.

Your USEF membership also verifies your amateur status. If you wish to compete in amateur classes and you have not presented proof of USEF membership with Amateur Certification, you will also be charged the non-member amateur fee of $30.

Competitions that are also recognized by an Affiliate organization may require membership in the Affiliate organization to be eligible to compete. You may be required to show proof of membership in the Affiliate organization, e.g. USHJA, USDF, USEA, AHA, AMHA, ASHA, IALHA, AHHS, IFSHA and others.

USEF Membership information can be verified online, however, should the competition office not have the opportunity to verify your membership information online, you will be assessed the relevant non-member fees.

Check Your Points in the Farnam®/Platform™ USEF Horse of the Year Program to monitor how you are doing in this new competition year.

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.

The 2008 USEF Horse of the Year Grand Champions

Division	Horse	Owner
Grand Champion Andalusian/Lusitano	Fandango Del Sol	Cara Rothrock
Grand Champion Half-Andalusian/Lusitano	Adelina RLA	Lauren M. La Vine
Grand Champion Arabian	DA Durado	Tracy Ratliff Lord
Grand Champion Arabian Gelding	DA Durado	Tracy Ratliff Lord
Grand Champion Half-/Anglo-Arabian	FF Irish Vodka	Collier E. McLeod
Grand Champion Junior Arabian Exhibitor	KJR Lexington	Hannah Beall
Grand Champion Half-/Anglo-Arabian Junior Exhibitor	Hope JF	Highland Pride Arabians, Inc.
Grand Champion Friesian	Dante FQ	Friesian Quest, LLC
Grand Champion Part-Bred Friesian	Kyran Oscuro	Elizabeth Nguyen
Grand Champion Amateur Saddlebred	Callaway's Kit Carson	Susan Gebhardt Shepherd
Grand Champion Hunter Breeding	Wow	Mrs. Leslie Nelson
Grand Champion Green Pony Hunter	Monroe	Meehan Kathryn Shirey
Grand Champion Pony Hunter	Fancy Feet	David Q. Wright

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.

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.

Blog Update Horse Awards Galore at the 2008 USEF Annual Meeting

On Top Down Under: Taylor Land Wins 2009 Sydney Youth Olympic Festival Individual Gold Medal in Show Jumping

New FEI Test Reminder and Young Horse Test Update

Effective Prevention Needed for EPM

American Endurance Ride Conference Annual Convention Set for February 20-21 in Kentucky

American Saddlebred Horse Association Announces Dual Winners for Charter Club of the Year

Working Equitation Clinic Offered in in Virginia with Kimberly Garvis

Blog Update
Horse Awards Galore at the 2008 USEF Annual Meeting