Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

Chester Weber added winner and his sixth consecutive USEF National Championship to his list of titles at the Live Oak Plantation Combined Driving Event presented by Budweiser. Not only did he win the FEI Team Horse Division, he also played host, presenter, bloodstock agent, farm manager and competitor.

“I want it seven times because nobody has ever won it seven times,” said Weber of his championship run. “So if I win it seven times in a row that's some sort of feat.”

Weber's beautiful Live Oak Plantation opened its gates to the community and hosted thousands of spectators over the three days.

Reiners to Qualify for North American Junior/Young Rider Championships at NRHA Derby

Young reining riders are taking the first steps towards international competition. This summer at the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby, the U.S. Young Reining Riders will have their first opportunity to compete on behalf of their country.

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American Hackney Horse Society Foundation Announces 2008 Adult Amateur Driving Challenge

The American Hackney Horse Society Foundation’s (AHHSF) goal is to preserve the past, promote the future and improve the breed of the American Hackney. To help accomplish this goal, the AHHSF announces the 2008 Adult Amateur Driving Challenge to help promote the showing of five-year-old and older Hackney ponies by adult amateurs at the smaller shows in a designated area.

Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions to Host USEF Selection Trials for Dressage

Continuing the successful partnership that delivered a host of dressage championships last year for the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), Collecting Gaits Farm renewed their commitment to dressage as the title sponsor of the 2008 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions. To be held in San Juan Capistrano, CA, on two separate weekends, June 20-22, and June 27-29, this year the Dressage Festival of Champions will also serve as the USEF Selection Trials for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team in Dressage.

Book your advertising space in the 2008 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions Program. This prestigious dressage competition takes place in June in San Juan Capistrano, CA. For more information, contact Kim Russell at (859) 225-6938 or krussell@usef.org.

Even though she had a comfortable lead going into the final phase at the Adequan United States Eventing Association Gold Cup Galway Downs CIC*** in Temecula, CA, Gina Miles wanted to give McKinlaigh a good solid round since their next event will be the Rolex Kentucky CCI**** at the end of April. Though she thought she had only one rail to spare, she actually could have had three down and still won the event. McKinlaigh was rhythmical and balanced as he performed a hunter-like round over the Richard Jeffery-designed course.

The final Phase III Ticket Sales for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games began on Monday, March 31, 2008. Sales will only be conducted through the official ticket agent’s website at www.cosport.com.

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.

The Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series has been enjoying great success at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL. The series finished its third month of competition, and is already shaping up to be one of the most competitive years ever. The series will see classes at more than 100 horse shows across the country before culminating in year-end championships at the National Horse Show.

American Saddlebred Horse Association/United States Pony Club Awards Program Open to All Levels

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) is pleased to sponsor the American Saddlebred Horse Association/United States Pony Club (USPC) Awards Program for Pony Club members who participate in Pony Club activities on their registered American Saddlebred or Half-Saddlebred horse. The ASHA/USPC Awards focus on activities and competitions in which Pony Club members participate with their horse as well as emphasizing horse management and leadership skills.

$400,000 Weekend of Jumpers and Hunters Draw Big Crowds to Winter Equestrian Festival

With more than $400,000 in prize money in 24 hours of jumping and hunter competition, huge crowds packed a celebration of the CN Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) presented by Zimmerman Advertising at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.

Qualifying for 2008 Adequan/USEF National Open Reining Championship in Full Swing

Qualifying for the 2008 Adequan/USEF National Open Reining Championship presented by Equine Motorcoach is well under way. Two of the four qualifying CRI competitions have already taken place. Both the National Western Stock Show in Denver, CO and the Cowboy Capital Classic in Stephenville, TX have happened and Matt Mills and Jordan Larson took home top honors.

Attendees of the 2008 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day will have the opportunity to walk the only four-star cross-country course in America with two of the country’s top event riders. Kim Severson and Jan Byyny, veterans of four-star competition, will be hosting the SmartPak Course Walk at the event. For Severson, this will be her third year leading the popular walk, and for Byyny, her second. Both riders will be addressing their strategies in riding the challenging cross-country course from start box to finish. This year’s course walk will be held on Friday, April 25. It is free of charge, and all are welcome to attend. Attendees are welcome to participate and ask questions.

“To me this was top of the bill. This was a top final at a top venue with a top field of competitors doing top performances,” Ground Jury President Jan Peeters complimented. Probably the highest standard field ever to compete in the 23rd FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final. After the grand prix as a warming up test won by Isabell Werth, Anky van Grunsven scored her ninth FEI World Cup™ Dressage victory, her fourth riding her Olympic champion IPS Salinero. Finnish Kyra Kyrklund took the third place aboard Max.

Unanimous Vote at the Annual USEF World Cup Riders Meeting Secures Four FEI World Cup Qualifiers for Thermal in 2009

HITS is pleased to report that last week it received unanimous support from attendees of the 2008 USEF World Cup Riders Meeting held at The Oaks in San Juan Capistrano, CA, to once again host four FEI World Cup™ Qualifiers at the 2009 HITS Desert Circuit in 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.

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:
— Chase Boggio
— Kristen Cassone
— Hannah Selleck

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

A few riders that have now qualifed on the West Coast:
— Morgan Kennedy
— Reed Kessler
— Casey Kole
— Taylor Land

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

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 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 90,000 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.

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.

Weber Finds Time to Win Sixth Consecutive USEF National Four-in-Hand Championship; Graburn Narrowly Defeats Ying in USEF Single Horse Championship at Live Oak International