Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

Photo by Mike Ferrara

USEF Announces Outreach Grant Program to Assist Breed Shows with Expenses

Throughout the year there are many competitions which are extremely valuable to the various USEF breed organizations but are a challenge to organize due to required expenses. The USEF wishes to support the widest possible network of shows for its breed members and enthusiasts by announcing a new Outreach Grant program.

A total of $125,000 has been budgeted in 2006 for grants to financially challenged breed competitions which meet the grant requirements and are approved by the USEF. This program will be on a first come, first served basis, so applications should be submitted as soon as possible. The maximum grant is $1,000.

For the full story, click here.

All That Glitters is Gold: 2004 U.S. Olympic Show Jumping Team to Receive Gold Medals, Kappler to be Awarded Individual Silver in Wellington, FL, on February 5

Following a star-studded performance that warmed our hearts at the Athens Olympic Games more than a year ago, U.S. show jumpers Chris Kappler, Beezie Madden, McLain Ward and Peter Wylde will finally be awarded their Olympic Gold medals at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 5, just before the Gold Coast Jumper Classic Grand Prix at Circuit Finale in Wellington, FL. In addition, Kappler will be officially awarded the Individual Silver.

For the full story, click here.

George Morris and Kim Severson named 2005 USEF Coaches of the Year

Stand-out coaches George Morris and Kim Severson will share recognition as USEF 2005 Coaches of the Year, as part of the Coaching Recognition Program, developed by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). Both will go on to become candidates for the USOC 2005 Coach of the Year.

For the full story, click here.

USEF Members Invited to an International Forum on February 4 in Wellington, FL

USEF members are invited to obtain updates and weigh-in on issues at an International Forum, Saturday, February 4 in Wellington, FL. The forum will provide updates on news concerning upcoming international events and issues.

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Dressage Competition Managers: Become an Official "Qualifying Competition" for the Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program

If your competition offers the Young Horse Tests and you would like to draw more interest from Young Horse competitors, become an official "qualifying competition." By simply using the title of the program (and logo if possible) in your prize list and/or show program, your competition will be placed on the Markel/USEF Young Horse Qualifying Competition list on the Young Horse page of the Federation website. Exhibitors will refer to our new list of qualifiers when planning their show schedules, thereby generating more entries for you. But don't forget to notify the USEF office about your Young Horse classes so that your competition will be added to our expanding "qualifying competition" list, which will be posted on our website beginning February 1.

Also, please remember USEF now has a new Four-Year-Old Test. For more information, visit www.usef.org/content/equestrianSports/disciplines/international/2004-YH-Program.php.

For more information or to request the USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage Program logo for your prize list or show program, contact Jennifer Keeler, National Director of Dressage, at jkeeler@usef.org, or call (859) 225-2024.

Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) announced that it has agreed to acquire the stock of Farnam Companies, Inc., for approximately $287 million, plus $4 million for the purchase of related real property. Based in Phoenix, AZ, Farnam is a leading manufacturer and marketer of innovative health care products primarily for horses, household pets and livestock sold through over-the-counter and veterinary channels.

USEF Members Residing in Kentucky: House Bill 263 Calls for Removing Sales Tax on Equine Products

This week a bill was filed in the Kentucky State Legislature that would benefit the horse industry in Kentucky. House Bill 263 calls for removing the sales tax that is charged on equine products, such as feed, grooming products, bedding supplies and many other items.

For the full story, click here.

2005 National Pleasure Horse Award Winners to be Recognized at ASHA Annual Luncheon; USEF Judges Clinic Taking Place in February

The 2005 National Pleasure Horse Award winners have been named in eight divisions, all of which are based on a high-point scoring system. All registered American Saddlebreds are eligible for these awards without payment of additional fees.

The Paso Fino Horse Association (PFHA) Board of Directors approved the addition of the Virginia Presidential Paso Fino Horse Association at the 2006 Paso Fino Horse Association Board of Directors and Annual Membership Convention, held January 13-15, in Redondo Beach, CA. The new region will encompass the state of Virginia.

If you have news you would like to contribute for the American Breeder News e-newsletter, a monthly news source about sport horse breeding in North America, brought to you by the Performance Horse Registry and the USEF, please review the “Guidelines for Releases” or e-mail press-ready releases to news@usef.org.

Langer Equestrian Group, Inc., jumped into the new year with record entries at the LAEC Opener, January 20-22. The USEF A-rated show attracted over 300 horses and riders to the first major show of the new year. "We've had really great weather, and I think that everyone could get their horses out and were looking forward to a nice show," said Langer Equestrian Group President Larry Langer.

Olympians Battle for Palm Beach Toyota’s $25,000 Grand Prix Prize at Littlewood

Federico Sztyrle on Fatalis Fatum edged out Margie Engle by less than a half second to win the Palm Beach Toyota’s $25,000 Grand Prix at Littlewood on January 22, 2006. Engle came in second place riding Canaille and third riding Hidden Creek’s Charlie Brown. Fourth went to Andres Rodriguez on Indien D’ Adriers.

The United States Eventing Association has announced that the 2006 Maui Jim Horse Trials in Wayne, IL, will again be part of the Adequan Gold Cup Series of events, thus designating it as one of the 12 “premier” eventing competitions in the United States.

Tommy Feigel of Ocala, FL, riding Contendress, a 10-year-old Oldenburg mare for owner Erin Stewart, won the Jacksonville Winter National Open Welcome, presented by the North Florida Hunter Jumper Association. Eighteen horse-and-rider combinations took on the first-round layout of course designer Anthony D’Ambrosio looking for a taste of what would come in the weekend’s grand prix and the $10,000 prize money.

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.