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

Steffen Peters and Ravel in Las Vegas.
Photo by Shannon Brinkman

U.S. Set to Challenge Defending Champs at the 2009 Rolex FEI World Cup Final

With the anticipation building in the Thomas & Mack Arena for the 2009 Rolex FEI World Cup Final, both the dressage and jumping competitors got their final tune-up in the main arena on Wednesday.

Fourteen dressage horses from eight nations and 45 jumping competitors from 22 will take center stage today, the first day of competition.

Two masters are back to defend their titles. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Shutterfly are looking for their third World Cup title. After a stylish win last year, the German rider is looking to jump to victory again. On the dressage stage, Anky van Grunsven will try to add to her double-Gold Olympic laurels and defend her World Cup title in the dressage ring. Van Grunsven, from the Netherlands is without her Olympic horse, Salierno, and will ride Paint it Black in Las Vegas.

These champs will have plenty of challengers, some of the most formidable being from the U.S. The USEF sends out 12 riders to take the jumping title; leading the charge is McLain Ward and his two-time Olympic Gold medal-winning mare Sapphire. Ward has made it clear since January that winning the Final is a definite goal. Sapphire, who is a 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood, owned by Blue Chip Bloodstock has won three major competitions this spring on the way to the Final.

More World Cup News

Rolex FEI World Cup Preview

Read more about the U.S. Riders and Their Horses

American Shetland Ponies Featured as “Breed Of the Week” on ClubEquestrian.com

American Shetland Ponies are getting their well-deserved time in the spotlight, starring as the Breed of the Week on the United States Eqeustrian Federation’s ClubEquestrian.com website. The American Shetland Pony Club (ASPC) is a USEF-recognized breed association and has enjoyed a long and fruitful relationship with the USEF.

The “Breed of the Week” spotlight details the breed’s history, as well as the fact that the small but mighty equines are a favorite of children and adults. Many of today’s top horsemen got their start on a Shetland Pony.

ClubEquestrian.com: Your Backstage Pass to Rolex FEI World Cup Finals

Behind-the-scenes coverage of World Cup Finals in Las Vegas NOW on ClubEquestrian.com.

VIDEO — Sarah Lane will bring all the excitement of the World Cup Finals and Las Vegas to you! Don’t miss our interviews, features, behind-the-scenes access and competition overviews. Visit the ClubEquestrian.com Video Center.

BLOGS — Joanie Morris will keep her eyes and ears on the pulse of the riders and the competition; Sarah Lane will fill you in on her day-to-day video documentation of the World Cup experience. Visit the Club Equestrian Blogs.

TWITTER — Follow us on Twitter: SarahLane4clube and JoanieforClubE or watch for updates at www.clubequestrian.com/realtime.

Something you’d like to see from World Cup Finals? Log onto ClubEquestrian.com and message username: SarahLane

Find a Ride to an Equestrian Event with ClubEquestrian.com's Ride Share Program

In an effort to help equestrian enthusiasts and competitors save money in a tight economy, and to promote eco-friendly horse transportation, the United States Equestrian Federation now presents the Ride Share Program on ClubEquestrian.com. Often the logistics of long-distance travel is an unforeseen roadblock in the path to equine events. This new tool allows equine enthusiasts and competitors to post information about open trailer spots, as well as inquire about rides. Information such as where a trailer is leaving from, open trailer space and potential lay-overs will be readily available.

Check out the Ride Share Program by logging on to ClubEquestrian.com and going to "My Tackroom" or visit www.clubequestrian.com/tools/rideshare.

ClubEquestrian.com Announces First Video Contest for Prizes

ClubEquestrian.com is offering its first video contest. Aspiring film-makers are invited to "Tell Us A Horse Story" within a two-minute time frame. Submissions will be accepted through April 20. Voting for the top finalists will begin on April 22. The finalist with the most votes will win a $100 gift certificate to High Line Outfitters, along with a USEF Prize Pack.

Enter Today for Your Chance to Win

Submit Your Favorite "Kids and Horses" Photo in April for Your Chance to Win

April's Photo Contest theme on ClubEquestrian.com is "Kids and Horses." Enter your favorite image(s) of kids and horses for a chance to win a sterling silver saddle ring from Show Stable Artisans, the Equestrian Jeweler. Submit online by end of day on April 19 at www.clubequestrian.com/photos/contest/apr_2009/about.aspx.

Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Announces Teams for Upcoming National Championships

The Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) National Championships announces the participating teams in the upcoming championships beginning Thursday, April 23, through Sunday, April 26, at the Miller Coliseum at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN.

Eighth Annual Varsity Equestrian National Championships Begin at Heart of Texas Fair and Rodeo Complex

For the third straight season, Baylor and Waco will host the Varsity Equestrian National Championships (VENC) at the Heart of Texas Fair and Rodeo Complex. The eighth annual championships began on Thursday, April 16, and continue through Saturday, April 18. The event is open to the public and no admission will be charged.

Tsarina Bint RII and WH Bodacious Named Ambassadors for the Arabian Breed

The Arabian Horse Association (AHA) recently bestowed two distinct horses, Tsarina Bint RII and WH Bodacious, with the honor of being named Arabian ambassadors. The Ambassador Award, presented annually, recognizes Arabians, Half-Arabians and Anglo-Arabians for outstanding achievement in representing the Arabian Horse community to the general public.

Stacy Parvey-Larsson and her Trakehner gelding High and Mighty after their big win at the Jacksonville Dressage on the First Coast show.
Photo Courtesy WNCPhoto.com

Stacy Parvey-Larsson Earns FEI High-Point Title at Jacksonville’s Dressage on the First Coast

Stacy Parvey-Larsson, owner of Hidden Acres Dressage in Ocala, FL, rode away with the FEI High-Point title at the recent Dressage on the First Coast show in Jacksonville, FL, aboard the beautiful black Trakehner gelding High and Mighty. Parvey-Larsson earned a high score of 79.211% in the Intermediare I class, which was sponsored by The Oaks of Lake City Equestrian Center.

“Aileen Daly recently purchased High and Mighty, and I am very grateful to have been able to show him throughout the winter season,” Parvey-Larsson said. “I am looking forward to Aileen taking over the reins now.”

Parvey-Larsson said she is excited for Daly to begin showing High and Mighty, known as Ozzie around the barn, as the 17.3-hand gelding is an excellent teacher. “Aileen is going to start at third level and work toward FEI,” Parvey-Larsson said.

A USDF Bronze and Silver medalist, Parvey-Larsson was pleased with High and Mighty’s ride, as well as the entire weekend. “I was worried for the horses and my students when we arrived at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center because it was raining. By the time the show started, however, the rings were high and dry and the show ran very smoothly,” she said.

More Dressage News

International Trainers to Present "Naked Truth of Riding" Symposium

Details Regarding the USEF Return to Play Rule now Available Online

At the 2009 United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Annual Meeting, the USEF Board of Directors passed the "Return to Play" rule. This rule (GR 1317) mandates that any competitor at a USEF-licensed competition that is deemed concussed or unconscious (by qualified medical personnel) cannot return to competition until they have been cleared by a medical professional, who will sign and submit a letter to the USEF stating the rider is fit to compete.

Morgan Riders Compete in South Africa

A group of six young equestrians traveled to Middelburg, South Africa, in March as Team Morgan 2009 to compete in an international saddle seat competition. Team Morgan is an international multi-discipline competition program for Morgan youth ages 14-21. Its mission is to promote the breed through international competition and provide educational experiences to Morgan youth.

More Morgan News

Learn About the Morgan Horse with Online Radio

2010 International Equestrian Festival™ to Be Held During the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

As thousands of visitors travel to Lexington, KY, to watch the world’s premiere equestrians compete for top honors at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, there is another reason to explore the city in the heart of the Bluegrass.

Horse Capital Productions, LLC, a Lexington-based company, will present the 2010 International Equestrian Festival™, to be held simultaneously with the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. The 2010 International Equestrian Festival™ will run from September 25-October 10, 2010, at the state-of-the-art 100,000 sq. ft. Lexington Convention Center, located in downtown Lexington.

Eastern States Exposition Big E Horse Show to Host American Saddlebred Horse Association New England Regional Championship

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) 2009 New England Regional Championship will be held at the Eastern States Exposition Big E Horse Show. The show is set to take place September 17-October 4, at the Eastern States Exposition, in West Springfield, MA.

United States Hunter Jumper Association Building for Growth Capital Campaign Under Way

Since its inception just five years ago, the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) has experienced unprecedented growth and has quickly become the largest recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). Albeit the USEF’s largest affiliate, USHJA is also one of the only affiliates to not have its own headquarters.

But that is changing. On September 24, 2008, the USHJA celebrated two landmark occasions: the launch of the “Building For Growth” Capital Campaign and the groundbreaking of the new USHJA national headquarters.

Located in a prominent spot within the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, the USHJA national headquarters will house office space, conference rooms, a dining lounge, National Hunter/Jumper Sport Museum, courtyard and gardens.

Representatives from dozens of national and state-based equine protection, advocacy and rescue organizations gathered April 9-10 at Bally's Las Vegas for the third annual Homes for Horses Coalition Conference to discuss the re-homing of at-risk horses in America and other equine welfare concerns.

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.