Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Ad Hoc Committee on Selection has approved naming the horse/rider combinations of Authentic/Beezie Madden and Sapphire/McLain Ward to the Show Jumping Short List for the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong August 8-24, 2008.

As per the USEF Selection Procedure for the Show Jumping Team, the Selectors have the discretion to recommend up to four of the 10 horse/rider combinations to the Short List regardless of their participation or placing in the Selection Trials. The remaining six combinations will be chosen according to their ranking at the conclusion of the Selection Trials, which run February 27-March 9 in Wellington, FL.

Read More...

Year-end awards for 2007 competitions will be presented at the American Saddlebred Horse Association's (ASHA) Annual Awards Luncheon, which will be held Friday, February 15. The association honors their outstanding recipients and is proud to announce the winners during the 2008 ASHA Annual Meeting and Youth Conference. For a complete list of the FEI and Pleasure Award winners, visit http://www.asha.net/fei-p_awards.

Kentucky Horse Park’s Museum to Add Major Addition from the Purebred Arabian Horse Trust

The Purebred Arabian Horse Trust will soon begin construction of an 8,000 square foot addition to the Kentucky Horse Park’s International Museum of the Horse. Ground breaking for the project, funded totally by the Trust and the American Arabian horse community, is anticipated by April first. It will be the first major addition to the 52,000 square foot museum since its opening in 1978, and will expand its permanent exhibition space by nearly 30%.

Before the start of the summer travel season, it is critically important for horse owners to perform basic, yet essential, maintenance on their trailers. USRider, the national provider of roadside emergency assistance for horse owners, reminds equestrians to invest time doing routine preventive trailer maintenance. This will be time well spent because it will ensure that their trailers will be in optimal shape to provide safe passage for precious cargo during the upcoming season.

The World Games 2010 Foundation recently announced that John Long of Shelbyville, KY, has been selected as chair of its board of directors. Long is the Chief Executive Officer of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). He replaces interim Board Chair Tandy Patrick, who will continue to serve as an active board member.

The Polk County Economic Development Commission will present the Second Annual National Equine Economic Development Summit from April 17-19, 2008, at the famed Biltmore Estate, in Asheville, NC.

This year's conference, themed "The New Ruralism," promises to establish a new dialogue in land conservation and rural-based economies. It will bring together policy makers, community and equine industry leaders from across the country in an effort to strike a balance between equestrian and commercial land use interests.

Roberto Teran and Hasbrouck Donovan Victorious as Finale Week Begins in Jacksonville

The finale week of the 2008 Jacksonville Winter Series began with near perfect weather and a nice win for Roberto Teran and Distant Star 3E in Thursday’s Lucky Sevens Welcome Stake sponsored by Ring Power.

Sports Hall of Fame Inaugural President's Award Given to 2004 U.S. Olympic Equestrian Show Jumping Gold Medal Team

The 2004 U.S. Olympic Equestrian Show Jumping Gold-medal team has been awarded the Sports Hall of Fame inuagural President's Award.

Donald P. Dufresne, President of the Palm Beach County Sports Commission and Institute, announced the award Thursday. The awards banquet will be held March 9 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.

The four team members and the horses on which they won Gold are: Beezie Madden of Cazenovia, NY, on Authentic; McLain Ward of Brewster, NY, on Sapphire; Chris Kapler of Pittstown, NJ, on Royal Kaliber; and Peter Wylde of Maastricht, The Netherlands, on Fein Cera.

Bidding Procedure for the FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 Announced; France Submits First Letter of Intent

With preparations for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010 well under way, the time has come to think of the following edition, the FEI World Equestrian Games 2014.

2009 FEI Rules for Eventing Officials—Requirements for the Qualification of Judges

The FEI Eventing Committee has reviewed the Qualification of the FEI Eventing Judges and will propose the following changes for the Revision of the 2009 FEI Rules for Eventing. It is the intention of the committee that these principles be applied for the 2009 Revision of Officials at the end of 2008.

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.

Mark your calendars for March 12-14 and March 15-16 for two exciting events being held at the Treasure Coast Farm in Palm City, FL. FEI “I” Dressage Judge and current Director of Education and Training of the German Olympic Committee, Christoph Hess, will be conducting a clinic March 12-14, 2008. This clinic will focus on the FEI Young Horse Tests for Dressage Horses and their relation to the proper development and training of the dressage horse. Auditors are welcome.

That's Entertainment at Curtiswood Farm in Georgetown, KY, is offering a vaulting clinic, the first one ever offered in the area. The clinic, run by Jennifer Welsh Nicholson and the renown team of Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls, will take place June 21-22, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants will be broken down into groups according to skill level. The team will work from the ground level up to the more skilled vaulting, or trick rider. The horses will be provided by Riata Ranch in California. The fee for both days is $350, while auditors can attend for $35 per day. Lunch is included with the fee price.

For more information, contact That's Entertainment at Curtiswood Farm at curtiswoodfarm@aol.com.

World titles will be up for renewal and grabs this year as the 12th FEI World Endurance Championship edge their way closer. Indeed, from November 6-9, 2008, Terengganu in Malaysia will be host to defending, aspiring and future world champions.

The Dressage Committee proposed a change to the “R” and “S” Dressage Judges Training Program requirements and the Licensed Officials Committee approved this change at the USEF Annual Meeting. The change made to each of these two programs was to allow an ‘r’ (recorded) judge to start the application process for the “R” program after holding the ‘r’ license for two years (24 months) instead of the three years (36 months) previously required.

The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation has announced that "Hong Kong by Night," a benefit held on February 8, 2008, at the International Polo Club in Wellington, FL, raised $500,000. Generous supporters contributed to the effort by purchasing tables for the dinner and by bidding on three once-in-a-lifetime trip packages in a live auction. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the U.S. equestrian teams competing in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

It's amazing what a difference a few days can make! Just ask Kim Farlinger who had an unlucky fall off her mount Cordoba in last Sunday's $125,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by EMO at HITS Thermal. The Canadian pulled off a complete 180-degree turn aboard Cordoba when she outlasted a field of 38 combinations to capture the blue ribbon in Thursday's $25,000 Ariat Grand Prix at HITS Thermal.

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.

Thousands of Volunteers Sign up for Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010

In the first 10 days since the launch of a new web-based volunteer registry system, nearly 4,000 new volunteers have already signed up online for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. The World Games 2010 Foundation estimates that at least 6,000 volunteers will be needed to work before and during the Games, to be held at the Kentucky Horse Park from September 25-October 10, 2010 in Lexington, KY.

Ki-Juan Minors Named 2008 Equestrian Idol After an Evening of Fun, Feasting and Fundraising

Ki-Juan Minors wowed the judges and the energetic crowd of horse lovers on Saturday, February 9, and walked away with the grand prize and the title of "Equestrian Idol."

American Saddlebred Horse Association and Registry Announce Year-End 2007 Results

The American Saddlebred Horse Association and American Saddlebred Registry, which will conduct their annual convention this week in Lexington, KY, announced audited results for the year ending December 31, 2007.

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)

A few riders that have now qualifed on the East Coast:
— Samantha Senft
— Carolyn Zelenetz

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

A few riders that have now qualifed on the West Coast:
— Elizabeth Benson
— Victoria Birdsall
— Chase Boggio

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

Simple Biosecurity Techniques Help Protect Horses from Disease Threats

In recent years, the months of the show season have included news of disease outbreaks that can pose a threat to the health of performance horses. More and more, horse owners are searching for simple and effective techniques to help protect their horses from these threats year round.

Knowledge and practice of basic biosecurity has become critical for horse health. Whether traveling, accepting new horses into a facility or performing day-to-day tasks around the farm, an eye to sanitation and disinfection, as well as proper vaccinations and veterinary care, will help assure a healthy environment.

From the February 2008 issue of EQUESTRIAN magazine:
The 2008 USEF Annual Meeting
By Brian Sosby, Kristyn Kay and Sarah L. Evers

Members of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) gathered in the Derby City—
Louisville, KY—for the 2008 USEF Annual Meeting, and it proved to be a productive and congenial
gathering according to those who made the trip to take part in a five-day series of meetings, forums and
award programs. From approving rule changes to socializing at cocktail receptions, there was absolutely no “down time” as the packed schedule kept attendees busy from dawn into the late night.

The event began on Wednesday, January 9, with a cocktail reception and a few early meetings, but it wasn’t until an early Thursday morning that the bulk of the committee meetings got under way across the large scope of breeds and disciplines, including Drugs & Medications, licensed officials, rules forums, issues dealing with the NCAA and the parade of breeds, in addition to the first in a series of USEF Board of Directors’ meetings.

For the full story in PDF format, click here.

Winter Wakeup Call!

Beat the winter blues with the Visa® card that offers 0% APR for 12 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.

SPECIAL OFFER! Save $20 on your USEF membership by renewing with your new United States Equestrian Federation Visa® Card!†

Apply Now – Here’s how it will work:

Apply and receive your USEF Visa Card by calling 1-800-853-5576 ext. 9076 -- or click here to apply online. You must apply for the USEF Visa Card via this link or 800# in order to get the $20 credit.

Renew your USEF membership* with your new USEF Visa Card by visiting www.usef.org/aua. Your card will be billed the USEF membership fee. A $20 credit will appear on your USEF Visa statement by the second billing cycle

It’s a win-win. You get a great new card and receive all the benefits of a USEF membership, plus a $20 credit!

*After entering your username and password click LOG IN to log in to your Authorized User Account (AUA). Or you can create an AUA if you do not have one by clicking on "Don't have an AUA account? Click here to SIGN UP." Then, select 2008 Membership Application/Renewal/Life Questionnaire/License Renewal to renew your membership.

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.