Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian Federation's Weekly E-Newsletter

McLain Ward on Sapphire during the $400,000 FTI Finale Grand Prix CSI*****, one of his biggest career wins.
Photo by Ken Braddick

McLain Ward and Sapphire Win $400,000 FTI Finale Grand Prix CSI*****

Olympic Double-Gold medalist McLain Ward and Sapphire won the biggest purse in his career Saturday night by capturing the $400,000 FTI Consulting Finale CSI***** Grand Prix Saturday night at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC).

Todd Minikus of Wellington won the $200,000 FTI Rider Challenge in a double-header event that made the total purse the largest payday in U.S. jumping history.

The finale grand prix of the 12 weeks of the FTI Winter Equestrian at PBIEC that has undergone a multi-million dollar makeover was a dramatic highlight of the world's longest and largest horse show with prize money approaching $6 million in jumpers, hunters and dressage.

Lauren Hough of Wellington, FL, who had dominated the circuit-long FTI Rider Challenge withdrew her horse, Quick Study, only hours before the competition due to a slight strain in the high suspensory on the left hind leg, an ailment that veterinarians said could have allowed her to ride. She withdrew "for the sake of the horse," an action that drew unanimous praise.

More Hunter/Jumper News

Chester Weber and his four-in-hand team show the form that won them the Four-In-Hand FEI Team Horse division at the 2009 CAI Live Oak International competition in Ocala, FL.
Photo by My Elizabeth Weber

Chester Weber Wins FEI Horse Team at Prestigious Live Oak International

Combined driver Chester Weber continued his winning streak at the prestigious Live Oak International Combined Driving event by driving away the winner of the Four-In-Hand FEI Horse Team. The world-class qualifying competition draws top competitors to Ocala, FL, each year, and is considered to be one of the premiere combined driving events in North America.

Weber, who has his sights set on qualifying for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in the four-in-hand division, won all three phases of the Live Oak competition: dressage, marathon and cones. “I am really pleased with this win because it is the biggest FEI show of the year,” Weber said.

Weber’s team consisted of Reno W, Rolex W, Para, Senate and Boy W. Five-year-old Reno W, a new shining star on Team Weber, rose to the challenge of the difficult courses. Weber’s USEF Horse of the Year, Jamaica, took time off to give Reno W the chance to prove himself.

“Winning over the second-place team by more than 30 points demonstrates my team's continued preparedness to compete at the top of the international level,” Weber said. “Moreover, using a five-year-old in the lead over the three days insures that Team Weber’s depth continues to grow.”

Mark the Calendar: Plans for 2009 Adequan FEI North American Junior/Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North in Full Swing

The countdown to the 2009 Adequan FEI North American Junior/Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC) has begun in earnest. For the first time, the NAJYRC will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, which in 2010 will play host to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. This year’s NAJYRC will be held July 21-26, 2009.

Since 1979, these championships showcase the best young rider and junior horse/rider combinations in the three Olympic disciplines of dressage, eventing and jumping. In 2008, the Western discipline of reining was added, bringing the best young athletes, ages 14-21, in four of the most exciting equestrian disciplines together for the first time.

CN Continues Support of Adequan FEI North American Junior/Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North as Presenting Sponsor of Show Jumping

CN has been a steadfast supporter of the FEI North American Junior/Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC) as the title sponsor of the event since 2005. In 2009, CN will headline the discipline with which it is most closely associated.

Gotham North Renews Commitment to 2009 Adequan FEI North American Junior/Young Rider Championships by Returning as Presenting Sponsor

The 2009 Adequan North American Junior and Young Rider Championships will be presented, for the third year, by Georgina Bloomberg’s Gotham North.

Leslie Morse and Kingston were granted a wild card for the FEI World Cup™ Dressage.
Photo by Amy McCool

FEI World Cup™ Dressage Riders Announced

The FEI has taken some decisions on the Wild Cards considering the 24th FEI World Cup™ Final Dressage, taking place April 15-19 in Las Vegas. The wild cards are granted to Americans Leslie Morse on Kingston and Jan Ebeling on Rafalca.

This brings the complete list of 15 competitors to the following.

1. Title Defender
Anky van Grunsven on IPS Painted Black (NED)

Western European League
2. Isabell Werth on Satchmo or Warum Nicht FRH (GER)
3. Adelinde Cornelissen on Parzival (NED)
4. Hans Peter Minderhoud on Exquis Nadine (NED)
5. Monica Theodorescu on Whisper (GER)
6. Jan Brink on Briar (SWE)
7. Jeannette Haazen on Nartan (NED)
8. Minna Telde on Don Charly (SWE)

Central European League
9. Michael Rapcewicz on Randon (POL)

Pacific League
10. Heath Ryan Regardez on Moi (AUS)

North American League
11. Steffen Peters on Ravel (USA)
12. Ashley Holzer on Pop Art (CAN)

Jim Wofford to Give Rolex Cross-Country Course Walk

Join eventing legend and Practical Horseman magazine columnist Jim Wofford for a free (with event admission) fun and educational cross-country course walk during the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI**** at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington on Friday, April 24, 2009.

The World Games 2010 Foundation announced the launch of its Hospitality Program, providing the first opportunity for individuals or businesses to purchase a unique way to experience the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

Los Angeles Celebrates 25th Anniversary of 1984 Olympic Games Olympic-themed Dinner and Show at Coliseum

On Saturday, July 18, the famous L.A. Memorial Coliseum, site of the spectacular Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, again will be center stage for a special gala celebrating the 25th anniversary of those memorable Games, arguably the greatest event in the history of Los Angeles.

The 2009 American Saddlebred Registry (ASR) Futurity nomination forms and general provisions are now available on the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) website at www.asha.net/Prize-forms. The deadline to nominate mares and stallions for 2009 foals is April 15, 2009.

The Unwanted Horse Coalition’s (UHC) National Speaker Program has been up and running since January 2009 with immediate success. This program provides equine events around the country with UHC volunteers to speak about the issue of unwanted horses and what it means to “Own Responsibly.” To date the UHC has provided speakers for 12 events, with more set for the near future.

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.

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.