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

McLain Ward and Sapphire

Photo by Erin Cowgill

Ward and Sapphire Gallop to Win in Prix Longines de la Ville de La Baule; Americans Win at Every Turn in Europe

McLain Ward topped off a phenomenal week for the United States show jumpers with a brilliant win in the Grand Prix Longines de la Ville de La Baule at CSIO La Baule with his superstar mare, Sapphire. He topped teammate Mario Deslauriers on Jane Clark’s Urico by nearly a second.

There were 13 first-round clears out of 50 starters, and Ward went last in the jump-off. Riding for Tom Grossman’s Blue Chip Bloodstock, Ward and the 15-year-old Belgian mare galloped into the arena at La Baule on a mission. Ward never let up on the accelerator, and Sapphire thrived in the challenge. Deslauriers and Urico had set a blistering pace, more than two seconds clear of eventual third-place winner from Spain.

More Hunter/Jumper News

Horse Radio Network and U.S. Para-Equestrian Association Present First Ever Para-Webathon

Two-hour Live Web Televised Event to Raise Money for Para-Equestrians on Their Journey to the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

The first ever Para-Webathon to raise money and provide awareness for the United States Para-Equestrian team, which is competing at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games will be held on June 8, 2010, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on multiple websites. All monies will be channeled through the United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA) to offset the costs of the 10 United States para-athletes and their horses competing in the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. The presenting sponsors are the Horse Radio Network and the United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA).

Lucy Tidd

Photo Courtesy American Morgan Horse Association

American Morgan Horse Institute Announces Dressage Scholarship Recipient

The American Morgan Horse Institute (AMHI) is proud to announce that Lucy Tidd of Germantown, MD, is the recipient of the 2009 van Schaik Dressage Scholarship.

The goal of the van Schaik Scholarship is to support and encourage equestrians of dressage to advance to the fourth level and above. The scholarship honors Dr. H.L.M. van Schaik who worked to preserve the classical art of horsemanship in dressage. To Dr. van Schaik, the classical art utilizes gentleness, psychology, and the horse’s innate qualities to develop a horse that is useful, willing, and correct in his work. To preserve and encourage the classical methods that Dr. van Schaik promulgated, the AMHI makes an annual award of $1,000 to a Morgan individual wishing to further his or her skill, knowledge, and proficiency in classically ridden dressage. The scholarship award is used to further the training and education of the recipient. Eligible expenses include instruction, travel, and living expenses directly related to receiving instruction. The recipient attests that he or she will continue to pursue dressage training on a Morgan for the duration of the scholarship.

More Morgan News

Updates on the Mid Atlantic Morgan Horse Show

Compilation of the Latest USEF Rule Changes Now Online

The Executive Committee met Monday, May 17, and approved several clarifications that take effect immediately.

You can find compilations of the rule changes passed to date online at www.usef.org/_IFrames/RuleBook/Changes/2010.aspx.

These documents are in easy-to-print PDF format for members to use. Please feel free to print them out and tuck them into your rule book. If you have the USB flash drive, please be sure to update it.

USEF works hard to make the latest rule changes available to members in multiple formats on the website. The online rule book is updated with the latest changes shortly after any updates are passed, and the completed rule changes search is updated within 48 hours of any new rule changes.

If you have any other questions, please contact Abigail Cook at acook@usef.org.

Tickets for Finals Rounds Going Fast for Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

Tickets to the eight world championships of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are selling quickly, with many sessions, particularly finals sessions, approaching sell-outs. The 2010 Games will be held at Lexington’s Kentucky Horse Park, September 25-October 10.

Tickets for compulsory and finals rounds of competition in all eight sports are still available throughout the 16 days of the Games, and can be purchased at www.alltechfeigames.com/tickets, at www.ticketmaster.com, through the Ticketmaster hotline at (800) 745-3000, or at your local Ticketmaster outlet.

Entry Deadline for 2010 American Hunter Pony Classic Auction is June 15

Entries for the 2010 American Hunter Pony Classic are now being accepted. The auction of selected pony hunters will be held in conjunction with the USEF Pony Finals at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. The deadline for entries is June 15, 2010.

The 2010 American Hunter Pony Classic schedule has been revised to fit an expanded USEF Pony Finals schedule. The auction will be held on Tuesday, August 10, 2010. A preview of ponies and a cookout is scheduled for Monday, August 9.

Loafers Lodge Superman is a previous winner at the Penn MaryDel Welsh Pony Show.

Photo by Janice Thompson

Welsh Ponies Will Soon Shine in Bel Air, MD

On June 12-13, 2010, at Heavenly Waters Equestrian Center in Bel Air, MD, Welsh ponies will be in the spotlight. Penn MaryDel Welsh Pony and Cob Society will be hosting the 2010 Penn MaryDel Welsh Pony Show, which is also designated as the Welsh Pony and Cob Society of America (WPCSA) Eastern National Show. The show will feature double-gold breeding divisions and A-rated USEF performance divisions. To make an even more exciting event, the Bel Air Welsh Classic will be held June 10-11, 2010. This is also a WPCSA double-gold rated show in the breeding divisions and gold-rated performance divisions. It's four days of Welsh pony fun. There will be a pizza party on Friday night and an exhibitor appreciation party on Saturday night. There will be in-hand classes, children’s classes, driving classes, and much more. After show hours you can shop and then eat in any of the wonderful restaurants in the area.

Good Luck to the 2010 USEF Show Jumping Long List!

Fifteen of America’s best horse/rider combinations are taking on the world at eight venues across the European continent, each jumping to earn a spot on the U.S. Show Jumping Team at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Join them—and us—as we wish them luck on their “Road to Kentucky.”

ClubEquestrian.com Photo Contest Winner

Congratulations to ClubEquestrian.com member Jumpthat for her winning photo titled "How high can we go?" in the Club Equestrian Photo Contest at the 2010 Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event. The photo features Boyd Martin on Neville Bardos.

Jumpthat won a pair of Dubarry boots. The iconic Galway boot is the flagship of Dubarry’s Country Footwear Collection; rugged but style-conscious GORE-TEX® lined footwear made from Dubarry’s DryFast-DrySoft™ leathers. These are waterproof, breathable leather boots that will go with you no matter where you are or what you are doing.

To see more products from Dubarry, visit www.dubarry.com.

Stay tuned to ClubEquestrian.com for future contests.

The Spring Event at Woodside Gets You Close to the Action

San Francisco Bay-area equestrian fans who can’t attend the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games this autumn will enjoy a special treat at the Spring Event At Woodside on May 28-30. Fans can sit or stand close by as the West Coast’s best event riders compete in dressage, cross-country and show jumping at the inviting Horse Park at Woodside.

Tucker Johnson at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

Photo by RWHS/Peter Nixon Photo

This Week in International Disciplines

The Royal Windsor Horse Show hosted one of the most important driving events on the UK calendar: the Land Rover International Driving Grand Prix. U.S. veteran driver Tucker Johnson guided his four-in-hand team to a second-place finish behind Australian driver Boyd Excell. After Johnson had to substitute his lead dressage horse, Excell went into phase two with a sizeable lead. But Johnson's team put in an impressive effort in the marathon and finished two points behind Excell in phase two. Johnson and his team excelled again in the cones to finish on 149.91, but it wasn't quite enough to catch the Australian. Johnson's team proved once again that they are a threat to be reckoned with as the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games draw closer.

For full results please click here.

American Association of Equine Practitioners Offers Horsemen's Seminar Before the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

The American Association of Equine Practitioners will offer a Horsemen's Seminar, A Winning Edge: Promoting Peak Performance in Equine Athletes, on Friday, September 24, 2010, at the Embassy Suites in Lexington, KY.

This seminar, designed exclusively for horse owners, will provide the knowledge needed to care for a horse that is a world-class athlete. Held in conjunction with the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Lexington, the program features topics that are important to the overall health and well-being of performance horses.

The Drive Green tour events give USEF members and other interested consumers a chance to ask questions and get a "hands-on" experience with John Deere's utility tractors and many other products and attachments. In addition, the events feature a uniquely detailed semi-tractor and trailer that transport several of the company's utility tractors, as well as a refurbished "Chip Foose" 4020.

The 2010 USEF Competition year has begun (as of December 1, 2009). Renew your membership now. It is so easy when you log into your MY USEF Account and click on "2010 USEF Membership Application" under 2010 Competition Year. For your convenience and the best membership deal, you can opt for a three-year membership for $150.

The annual USEF Competing Equestrian membership costs only $55. As a competing member, you are eligible to participate at all USEF Licensed Competitions, receive "equestrian" magazine at no additional charge, a million-dollar personal excess liability policy for horse-related accidents that cause bodily injury or property damage to third parties, and the added benefits of USEF MemberPerks—a members-only discount program with unbeatable deals from companies like John Deere, Hertz, Sherwin Williams, USRider, FarmVet, LifeLock, Moxie and others.

Not participating in USEF Licensed Competitions but still want to be a member? There are member categories for you. With the USEF Equestrian membership, at $35, you receive automatic insurance along with the MemberPerks. If you are a college student who is busy studying and not competing, you can join as a USEF Collegiate member for $25. This is another non-competing membership that will give you the benefits of MemberPerks plus four issues of "equestrian" magazine to keep you well informed of equestrian sports. And Club Equestrian, which is only $15, gives you access to the MemberPerks program.

USEF is pleased to offer you the ability to pay for your membership renewal with a credit or debit card or by utilizing our newest electronic check payment method. We accept American Express, Visa, MasterCard and electronic check.

If you have questions, call the USEF Customer Care Center and a personal agent will assist you. You may call (859) 258-2472. Monday through Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm [ET]

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.

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