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Field Narrows in the East Coast; Laura Kraut Pulls Ahead in Rankings for 2005 FEI World Cup Show Jumping Final The field narrows yet again, as Laura Kraut edges her way to the top of the standings in the East Coast League. Adding more fuel to an already fiery 2005 season, Kraut, a native of Oconomowoc, WI, jumped her way to a first place finish at the $75,000 Cosequin Florida Open in Wellington, March 6. The double clear round atop Miss Independent put Kraut two points ahead of McLain Ward in the standings, previously the top ranked rider on the leader board. The victory in Wellington also means 20 world cup qualifying points for Kraut, adding a net 13 points for a grand total of 94. (Only the top six qualifying scores count towards a rider’s League ranking. Thus, if a rider competed in all 12 East Coast qualifiers, only the top six scores would count toward that rider’s ranking. Essentially, every time a rider brings in a score that surpasses one of the original six, their lowest score is wiped away.)
It's Out of the Bag: After months of anticipation and murmurings in the market, Farnam Companies, Inc. is ready to reveal its big scoop: the long-time national horse products company has entered the feed business. Through an alliance with Land O’Lakes Purina Feed LLC, Farnam has created its own signature feed and supplement brand. Adhering to both companies’ strict standards of quality, the new Platform product line offers a revolutionary, premium selection of feeds and supplements for a comprehensive approach to equine nutrition. The launch takes Farnam to a new level in the horse industry. Over The Walls Horse Trials Cancelled In the past five years, Over the Walls Horse Trials at Great Meadowbrook Farm has become one of the premier horse trials in the world. However, due to increasing costs and a lack of adequate sponsorship, Erik Fleming and Torrance Watkins have decided to cancel their event. “It’s a bittersweet decision as we have loved working with the finest people to create the finest event for the finest horses,” said Watkins. Highlights from Week Six of 2005 Winter Equestrian Festival Laura Kraut and Miss Independent Handily Secure the Victory in the $75,000 Cosequin Florida Open at the Winter Equestrian Festival USEF Calls for Bids to Host FEI Children’s Jumping Qualifiers The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) welcomes bids to host FEI Children’s Jumping qualifiers for the 2005 FEI Children’s International Jumping Final, scheduled for November 21-27 in Simi Valley, California. All qualifying competitions must be hosted at outdoor venues and must be complete before September 30. Qualifiers must be managed in accordance with FEI rules and must use an FEI Judge and FEI Course Designer. Organizers interested in hosting a qualifier should contact Jennifer Haydon in the Federation’s Hunter/Jumper department, by phone at (859) 225-6911, or via e-mail at jhaydon@usef.org. Important Notice for Dressage Exhibitors & Officials The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has issued updated Freestyle Tests for the following levels:
Please note these tests have been updated in format only (e.g. new logo, additional comments and clarifications). Actual required test movements have NOT changed. Conservation Innovation Grants Available CIG is a voluntary program intended to stimulate innovative conservation projects in conjunction with agricultural production. CIG enables NRCS to work with public and private entities to promote the use of promising technologies in order to address some of the nation’s most pressing natural resource concerns. The American Horse Council (AHC) encourages horse owners and organizations to explore the availability of these federal grants. They could be very helpful to equine facilities. CIG has three components available in the 2005 fiscal year: 1) National competition with up to $15 million available. Proposals for CIG are due March 28, 2005. Applications must include Standard Form 424 as the cover sheet for each project proposal, along with a project description. CIG applications must also include a letter of review from the appropriate NRCS State Conservationist. For more information on CIG and the grant application process, please see the NRCS website at www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cig and review the “2005 Grant Application materials” section.
Sale! Save on Official USEF Merchandise The March feature item of the month is the Blue Ribbon dog jacket by Royal Riders. Available in numerous color palettes and sizes, there’s one that will surely fit your canine friend. Click here to order this item. From now until March 31, purchase $50.00 or more on USEF merchandise and you will receive a USEF Sport Bottle for 50% off the regular retail price – a savings of $5.50! Please enter the word sportbottle in the coupon code section when checking out to receive this special limited offer. To view the entire selection of official USEF merchandise, click here. Olympic Equestrians to Host Course Walk at Rolex Championship – Thursday, April 28 – Sponsored By Smartpak Equine While most of us only dream of running a four-star course, the next best thing is experiencing it through the eyes and insights of Olympian equestrians! Attendees of the 2005 Rolex Kentucky CCI**** can do just that at the SmartPak Equine-sponsored course walk with Kim Severson and Amy Tryon. Severson and Tryon will offer their tips and tactics for riding the toughest cross country course in the U.S. Everyone is welcome to attend this incredible opportunity; just sign up at the SmartPak booth in advance, and receive a free SmartPak sample. Sign up sheets also will be available at the start of the walk. In addition, Severson and Tryon will be signing autographs throughout the four-day championship at the SmartPak Equine booth. Severson’s recent career highlights include: 2004 Individual Olympic Silver medalist; 2004 Team Olympic Bronze medalist; winner of 2004 and 2002 Rolex Kentucky CCI****; 2002 World Equestrian Games Team Gold medalist; 2004 and 2002 USEA Leading Lady Rider; 2004 USEF Equestrian of the Year; 2002 and 2004 USEA Horse of the Year (Winsome Adante); 1999 Winner Rolex Kentucky CCI*** w/ Over the Limit. Tryon’s career highlights include: 2004 Team Olympic Bronze medalist; 2004 Chronicle of the Horse Horseperson of the Year; 2002 World Equestrian Games Team Gold medalist; 4th 2004 Rolex Kentucky Olympic Modified Division; 3rd 2002 Rolex CCI****; Team Gold and 4th Individual 1999 Pan Am Games. To schedule an interview with Severson and Tryon, contact Jaralyn Gibson at (774) 773-1105. Media Alert: All requests for media credentials for the Budweiser American Invitational at Raymond James Stadium, Saturday, April 2, 2005, should be directed to: Bob Hicks Equine Star of “Seabiscuit” Film Passes Away His registered name was “I Two Step Two” but to thousands of people who fell in love with him, he became known as Seabiscuit, after the movie in which he starred. I Two Step Two was humanely destroyed March 7, at the age of 11, at the Kentucky Horse Park after battling a rare type of tumor for several months. John Nicholson, Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Park noted, “This is a sad day for all of us at the park. This horse was not only very popular with our visitors, but was greatly loved by everyone who worked with him. I Two Step Two was a kind, gentle animal who gladly received thousands of visitors and never lost his patience.” He continued, “The only good thing about this is that we will continue to see him every time the movie is shown. We also have the comfort and satisfaction of knowing that he had an excellent, happy life at the park. We only wish had lived another twenty years.” His role as Seabiscuit helped to rekindle America’s love of horse racing. He not only helped to tell this wonderful story, but left his own legacy as well. The film had four categories of equine actors needed to portray Seabiscuit in different scenes. I Two Step Two was cast as the “blow by” Seabiscuit because he could turn on speed and blow by the other horses pulling into the lead. He was featured in the Seabiscuit festivities at the Louisville premiere of the movie on July 19, 2003 and was auctioned off at the charity fundraiser event that evening. Proceeds from the purchase of I Two Step Two benefited the Race for Education Foundation. Surgery had been performed on I Two Step Two in December at Hagyard-Davidson McGee to remove a tumor from his nasal cavity. This type of tumor is rare in horses. Unfortunately, he did not respond to treatment and the tumor regenerated. After having consulted with several equine veterinarians and a human oncologist, the decision was reluctantly made to euthanize the horse. Like other horses who died in retirement at the park, I Two Step Two was buried in one of the park’s cemeteries. 1% Below Factory Invoice on Select New Dodge Vehicles for USEF Members Real savings for USEF members through USEF Purchasing. For more information, call USEF Purchasing toll-free (877) 576-6872. 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 over 80,000 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. VISION STATEMENT 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. ©2005, United States Equestrian Federation, Inc. |
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March 10, 2005
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