Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program Kicks Off With First Two Selection Trials

Some of the most promising dressage prospects in the country were showcased in the quest to qualify for the FEI World Breeding Championships in Verden, Germany, as the 2007 Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program kicked off with two of the three official selection trials.

The first selection trial took place at Dressage at Lamplight, May 18-20 in Wayne, IL, as part of the central selection trial. In the five-year-old division, the championship was awarded to Solaris Hit, a black Hanoverian mare (Sandro Hit x Great Rubina, by Rubinstein I; bred in Germany by Heinrich Giesselmann). This mare was triumphantly ridden by owner Rebecca Knollman of Maineville, OH, to an overall score of 7.808. Reserve Champion was Vanessa Carlson’s dark bay Hanoverian mare, Roccoca WF, (Rienzi x Turtletaubchen, by Tin Rocco; bred in the United States by Vanessa Carlson, Claremore, OK), ridden by Verena Stock to an overall score of 7.320.

The advanced division at the Jersey Fresh Three-Day Event, which is serving as a selection division for the Pan American Games, got underway after the trot-up for the CCI**/CCI***s on Wednesday, May 30, in Allentown, NJ. Nineteen combinations from the U.S. and Canada got to work at 4:30 p.m., with Phillip Dutton (one of two riders with two horses) starting things off with Connaught for the U.S.

Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions Right Around the Corner

The Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions presented by Paul Miller is just a little over three weeks away. Please join us here in Gladstone on June 14-17 for some exciting dressage competition, including the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Grand Prix Championship, the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Intermediaire I Championship and the final selection trials for the 2007 Pan American Games.

West Coast’s Best Prepare for Pan American Games at Woodside

Woodside Horse Trials’ advanced division served as a “mandatory outing” for West Coast candidates for this summer’s Pan American Games, and U.S. Equestrian Federation officials were there to watch them. Capt. Mark Phillips (the U.S. eventing team’s Chef d’Equipe), four members of the USEF Eventing Selection Committee, and two team veterinarians were at Woodside to evaluate the riders’ and horses’ performances and soundness.

The formbook was turned on its head at the Piazza di Siena in Rome on Friday, May 25, when the British, who finished last at the opening leg of the 2007 Samsung Super League with FEI series in La Baule, France, two weeks ago, scored a superb victory in a competition that went right down to the wire. Course Designer Uliano Vezzani appeared to have been kind with his 12-fence track, but it created a thrilling battle that was only decided by the last horse into the ring.

Strong Swiss Team Will be the Pathfinder at St. Gallen in the Samsung Super League with FEI

The home team will show the way when first into the ring in the third leg of the 2007 Samsung Super League with FEI series, which takes place in St. Gallen, Switzerland, on Friday, June 1.

Swiss Chef d'Equipe Rolf Grass has chosen a strong squad that will be led by Christina Liebherr followed by the veteran Markus Fuch, Werner Muff and newly-crowned FEI World Cup champion Beat Mandli.

The new Ariat

USA

“Look of the Team” merchandise is now available at the USEF online store. Visit the store online to check out the latest Ariat USA men’s and women’s polos and vests!

The Arabian Horse Association (AHA) has named Stephanie Schroeder of Douglas, WY, the 2006 Youth of the Year for amassing a litany of accolades a mile long. Her commitment runs wide and deep. Whatever she tackles, she jumps in wholeheartedly, approaching each task with a discipline honed from hard work and a steely inner drive.

Sell your horse, congratulate a rider or publicize your farm. The July/August issue of EQUESTRIAN is the hunter/jumper issue. USEF members receive special rates. For more information, contact Kim Russell at (859) 225-6938 or krussell@usef.org. Hurry! Advertising space closes on Monday, June 4.

Infectious respiratory diseases constitute one of the major causes of death in the horse industry. In addition to the sorrow caused, they also are major economic threats. One of the most common diseases in foals six months and younger is pneumonia. Though many different organisms can cause foal pneumonia, Rhodococcus equi is considered the most common culprit in a severe case. A nationwide survey indicated that respiratory disease is the third-leading cause of disease in foals and ranks second as a cause of death, following injury or wounds.

Challenger Films is accepting recommendations for high school and college age equestrians to be featured on The Real Winning Edge television series for teens.

The Winning Edge is a reality show that features three real life high school and college athletes each week who have triumphed over hardships and challenges. Each of these young people is introduced by a celebrity, such as Jeff Gordon, John Smoltz, Matt Hasselbeck, Shaun Murray, Evander Holyfield, and Gail Devers. The purpose of the program is to provide good role models for teens through the latest high-quality entertainment.

Officials with the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) along with Dr. Pearse Lyons and airport officials unveiled new permanent signage at the Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, KY. The display designed by the Games’ advertising partner, Red7e, includes scenic landscapes from local photographer Doug Prather and highlights four of the equine disciplines that will be part of the 2010 WEG.

Gene Mische, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Stadium Jumping, announced that John Canavan has been appointed as president of Stadium Jumping. Canavan's appointment was approved by Stadium Jumping's board of directors. In addition, the board also re-elected Mische as the chairman of the board and chief executive officer, reconfirming its commitment to Mische's leadership.

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From the May 2007 issue of EQUESTRIAN magazine:
What's Going on Among the USEF Breeds?

Each of the 11 breeds that are a part of the United States Equestrian Federation is as unique and individual as the many members that participate in them. With so many groups and so many interests, there is a wide array of happenings among them. EQUESTRIAN magazine took a look at each of the breeds and asked, “What’s going on?”

We wanted to know about the state of the grassroots movement in the breed, and specifically learn about new programs or initiatives set forth to pique the interest of the affiliate members. We also wanted to hear from the members themselves, and spotlight some of their involvements and contributions to their favorite breed.

Whether the breed is large or small, there is something to share with others we found—and there are always opportunities to grow. From Andalusian to Welsh, we see a bright and expanding landscape full of energetic members and enthusiasm.

Beautifully Hand-Crafted USEF Leather Bags Made Exclusively by Freedman Harness, Canada

Call toll free today to order your USEF Leather Bags at (877) 256-7674 or visit www.freedmanharness.com.

Do some serious spring cleaning with the United States Equestrian Federation Visa® Platinum Card

This spring it’s out with the old and in with the new when you use the United States Equestrian Federation Visa® Platinum Card, now offering 0% APR for 12 months*! With this exclusive card, every dollar you spend is interest free until next year, allowing you to purchase those new items you’ve been waiting to buy. So whether you use your United States Equestrian Federation Visa for everyday purchases, or that special purchase, switch now and save.

The United States Equestrian Federation Visa® Platinum Card also provides great benefits, including:

• No annual fee
• Your choice of benefits and rewards
• A percentage of every purchase goes directly to the United States Equestrian Federation

This Visa Platinum card issued by U.S. Bank is now the only card that supports the United States Equestrian Federation. Upon receiving your new card, the United States Equestrian Federation receives a payment from U.S. Bank, and then we will continue to receive a percentage of each net purchase you make on your card. This helps us fund our international teams.

*Click product name for terms and conditions: Platinum, Cash Rewards, Select Rewards, College Rewards. Offer not applicable for the College Rewards Visa Card. We may change APRs, fees, and other Account terms in the future based on your experience with other creditors or U.S. Bank National Association, N.D., and its affiliates according to the Cardmember Agreement and applicable law. The introductory rate does not apply to cash advances and is valid for the first 12 billing cycles. The rate will end early and increase to the APR for Purchases and Balance Transfers or to a Delinquency Rate APR if your Account is delinquent, over the limit or closed. We apply your payments to balances with lower APRs first.

The creditor and issuer of the Visa Platinum card is the U.S. Bank National Association ND.

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 86,000 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 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.