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

The U.S. Team after their win in Rome in the Meydan FEI Nations Cup™.
Photo Courtesy FEI

U.S. Show Jumpers Romp through Rome to Win Second Leg of Meydan FEI Nations Cup™

The U.S. show jumping squad bounced back with a valiant effort, winning the second leg of the Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ in Rome, Italy. Chef d’Equipe George Morris continues to build a show jumping empire with the U.S. After winning back-to-back Olympic Gold medals in 2004 and 2008, Morris brought a team of mixed experience to Rome and dominated the nine other nations to finish on a two-round total of four faults. The French finished second on eight, followed by Great Britain on 12.

“I predicted last week that on paper this was a very strong horse/rider team,” said Morris. “I said that if we have the luck this is a strong group and the rest will be lucky to beat us.”

Ashlee Bond (Hidden Hills, CA) and Cadett 7 appear to have taken a serious liking to Europe. The 26-year-old rider jumped two immaculate rounds on the chestnut gelding, a feat only duplicated by three other riders.

Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ News

Host Country Heads Leaderboard as Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ Comes to Switzerland

Louise Koch's mount San Shivago captured the five-year-old division at the Western Selection Trial in the Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Selection Trial.
Photo by Terri Miller

2009 Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Selection Trials Conclude in Raleigh

The Markel/United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Young Horse Dressage Selection Trials concluded the 2009 qualifying season with competitions held across the country in Illinois, California and North Carolina to select the U.S. representatives for the 2009 FEI World Breeding Championships to be held in Verden, Germany, August 5–9, 2009.

The first Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Selection Trial was held at CDI***/Y/J Wayne & Dressage at Lamplight in Wayne, IL, May 15–17, 2009. In the six-year-old division, Kassandra Barteau rode her own chestnut Hanoverian gelding Aliko (Londonderry x Diana by Donnerhall, bred in the United States by Karen Pliszka) to an overall score of 6.956 to win the championship. Reserve champion, with an overall score of 6.912, was the bay Hanoverian mare Bijoux (Bugatti Hilltop x Whimsical L by Wallstreet Kid, bred in the United States by Margaret Drury) ridden by Missy Fladland for owner Janet Rolfs. No five-year-olds competed at this trial.

Next was the Western Selection Trial held at Dressage at Flintridge, May 22–24, 2009, in La Canada-Flintridge, CA. For the five-year-olds, the champion was Louise Koch riding her own black Westfalian stallion San Shivago (Sandro Hit x Donna by Donnerhall, bred in Germany by Walter Huning) to an overall score of 8.024. Sabine Schut-Kery rode the brown Westfalian mare Adora’s Radiant Heart (Fuerst Piccolo x Stutbuch 1 Majoli by Montmartre, bred in Germany by Eckhard Niedermowwe) to the reserve championship for owner Alice Womble with a score of 7.872.

USEF Forms Education Department: Greater Service to Members a Catalyst for Structural Change

As part of an ongoing series of structural changes designed to offer increased service to members while streamlining efficiency, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) announces the creation of its new Education Department, effective June 1, 2009. The Education Department, formerly a part of Licensed Officials, will strive to improve service to the membership through the expansion of educational opportunities for competitors and licensed officials alike, offering national level clinics, seminars and FEI courses for licensed officials, as well as training programs and opportunities for online education.

USEF to Offer FEI Stewards’ Courses in Reining and Vaulting

This summer, USEF will offer two FEI Stewards’ Courses at the Kentucky Horse Park during test events for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. The first course will be for FEI Reining Steward Applicants at the Kentucky Cup CRIO**** on July 20-23, including hands-on apprentice work. An optional apprentice experience can also be arranged at the CRI** on July 23-24. This course is open to licensed reining officials, competitors, and others experienced in reining who have an interest in becoming an FEI Steward for Reining. The deadline for discount registration for this course is July 10.

Leading Merial® Equine Brands Become Official Products of United States Equestrian Federation

The National Governing Body for Equestrian Sport and a world leader in animal health are teaming up by adding two leading MERIAL® Brand Products as official products of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). ZIMECTERIN® Gold (ivermectin/praziquantel) and EQUIOXX® (firocoxib) were recently added as official USEF deworming and pain management products, respectively.

Collecting Gaits Farm Returns as Title Sponsor of 2009 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions

Collecting Gaits Farm will once again provide dedicated support to the 2009 Collecting Gaits Farm/United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Dressage Festival of Champions, which last year determined the 2008 Olympic team in dressage. Collecting Gaits Farm has supported the Festival of Champions for many years, and will once again serve as title sponsor.

The Festival of Champions is set to return to the USET Foundation headquarters in Gladstone, NJ, June 18-21. This prominent event will showcase the nation’s 12 best horse/rider combinations competing for national championship titles in the Junior, Young Rider, Young Adult “Brentina Cup”, Intermediaire I, and Grand Prix divisions. Held annually since 1991, the Festival has played a vital role in selecting the elite teams that represent the U.S. at the World Championships, Olympics and Pan American Games.

More Dressage News

Henk van Bergen Returns for 2010 Succeed/United States Dressage Federation FEI-Level Trainers’ Conference

Online Bidding Added to American Hunter Pony Classic

The industry’s premiere auction for hunter ponies will be accepting bids online and live for the first time in 2009. Pre-approved bidders will be able to place their bids from their computer, anywhere in the world. The Sale and the Preview of Ponies will be webcast for free viewing.

Dr. Les Carr and Tulip at the March 2008 Cuyama XP Pioneer Ride, where they completed rides of 50, 55 and 50 miles over three days.
Photo by Lynne Glazer/www.lynneglazer.com

Twenty-Year-Old Horse First to Go 20,000 Endurance Miles and Is Still Going Strong

Tulip, a Morab gelding who will turn 21 on June 21, is endurance riding’s most enduring equine, with 20,805 miles to his credit. He is the first horse in American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) history to surpass the 20,000 mile mark.

Tulip’s name? The rumor, according to Dr. Les Carr, Tulip’s owner, is that a bed of lovely tulips was nearby during Tulip’s birth. The 15.2-hand Tulip, registered as a half-Arabian by the Arabian Horse Association, is by the Morgan stallion Calamity’s Pizzaz, whose sire is from the Kingston line. His dam, Belif, is a granddaughter of Bu-Zahar, a son of Ferzon, a Hall of Fame sire of National Champions.

Carr, of Somerset, CA, has amassed 46,460 miles of his own during his 24 years of AERC competitions. Both Carr and Tulip exemplify AERC’s commitment to valuing equine longevity.

Although he has completed four 100-mile rides, Tulip’s specialty is the 50-mile endurance ride, especially when combined into AERC Pioneer Rides, which include at least three consecutive days of 50- to 55-mile rides. And the grey gelding’s not burning up the trail; he and Carr tend to finish towards the back of the pack in most competitions.

Iron Spring Farm Says Goodbye to Heinse 354

Iron Spring Farm lost a beloved member of the family when Heinse 354 succumbed to colic last week. The 15-year-old stallion was known for his impressive performance career as both a dressage and driving horse, as well as for his successful offspring, which includes three approved sons. The handsome Friesian exemplified the best traits of the breed—beauty, athletic ability and an excellent temperament—and is already missed.

More Friesian News

Friesian Judges’ Clinic at International Friesian Show Horse Association Nationals

USEF Adult Medal Final Clarification for Lexington Junior League Horse Show

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final will again be held during the Friday morning performance of the Lexington Junior League Horse Show.

To be eligible to compete in this Final, riders must have won a ribbon in at least one qualifying class between June 28, 2008, and July 9, 2009. Please note the Lexington Junior League Horse Show has added a “qualifying” class to their show schedule to allow riders to qualify for the Final at the Junior League Horse Show. This “qualifying” class is a separate class (inadvertently listed as the same class in the show program). THE FINAL ITSELF WILL ACTUALLY BE HELD ON FRIDAY MORNING (class 101). Riders that are already qualified for the Final on Friday may participate in this separate class but are not required to do so. Therefore, any rider that has not yet qualified for the Final being held on Friday, July 10, is encouraged to enter the qualifying class being held during the morning session on Wednesday, July 8. Entries should be made to the Junior League Horse Show by contacting Beth Snider at (502) 647-0076.

More Saddlebred News

American Saddlebred Horse Association Nominating Committee Accepting Candidate Nominations for ASHA Board of Directors

Revitalized 2009 Children’s Benefit Horse Show Opens July 23

United Professional Horseman’s Association (UPHA) Chapter 15 is proud to announce major enhancements to the 20th edition of its Children’s Benefit Horse Show.

This year, UPHA Chapter 15 will welcome exhibitors to a beautiful new venue for this well-loved show— the Gloucester County DREAM Park in Logan Township, NJ, just across the river from Philadelphia, PA.

Road to the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Reining Championship

The 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Lexington, KY, is scheduled for September 25–October 10 with more than 60 nations expected to compete. The Western discipline of reining will be included in the games for the third time, giving U.S. reiners an opportunity to make history on their native soil. A calendar of qualifying competitions and qualification criteria are explained below to assist those who wish to represent the U.S. at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

Enter Your Favorite "Scenic Stable" Photo for a Chance to Win on ClubEquestrian.com

If you would like to share your best "Scenic Stable " photo, please enter by June 18. You will be entered for a chance to win an Ambitious jacket by Gersemi. Voting starts June 20.

Gersemi is the new equestrian fashion brand for women who want style and performance. It is a premium European brand that has the emphasis well and truly on fashionable riding apparel. For more information, visit www.gersemi.se.

Enter the "Best Horse Show Reporting" Video Contest for a Chance to Win

Enter the "Best Horse Show Reporting" Video Contest by July 13th on Club Equestrian.com for a chance to win a USEF Prize Pack.

Don't Miss Out on Your Chance to Promote Your Equine Event for FREE

Do you have an event you want to promote? Do you know of an exciting equine event—whether it be a training seminar or clinic, a horse health care seminar, a continuing education event for equine professionals, an expo, a trail ride, a charity event/fundraiser or an equine social event? If so, fill out the online form at www.usef.org/clubEquestrian/clubeqevent.aspx to add your event to the ClubEquestrian.com Calendar, one of the most comprehensive online equestrian event calendars out there.

List Your Equine Business in Our FREE Equine Directory

The United States Equestrian Federation would like to invite you to list your equine business in its new online Professional Directory at ClubEquestrian.com. The listing is FREE. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to get your name out there to those who may need your products or services. To make sure your business is listed, visit www.usef.org/prodir.

Willie Tynan and Victoriano
Photo by Lauren Fisher/PMG

Willie Tynan and Victoriano Triumph in Seven- and Eight-Year-Old Young Jumpers at Showplace Spring Spectacular

The Showplace Spring Spectacular Horse Show got under way with its second day of competition on June 3 at the Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, IL. The Six-Year-Old and Seven- and Eight-Year-Old Young Jumper divisions were held in the grand prix ring in the morning, with courses set by Canadian course designer David Ballard. The show will be held over two weeks and will run through June 14, 2009.

Willie Tynan rode Victoriano, owned by Liz Millikin of Millwood, VA, to the win in the first class of the Seven- and Eight-Year-Old Young Jumpers. Only four entries earned the chance to advance to the speed round, and it was Tynan and Victoriano who had the fastest round in a time of 31.409 seconds to take home the blue ribbon. Lauren Tisbo rode Varina, owned by Tequestrian Farms of Barrington, IL, to the only other clear round in a time of 35.890 seconds to earn second place.

Third place was awarded to Tommy Fiegel and Bling It On, owned by Chuck Waters of Sparr, FL, with four faults in a time of 29.107 seconds. Fourth place went to Tisbo aboard Norlam Des Etisses, owned by Tequestrian Farms, with eight faults and a time of 45.181 seconds.

More Hunter/Jumper News

American Morgan Horse Association/American Morgan Horse Institute Building Committee to Hold Fundraisers

The American Morgan Horse Association/American Morgan Horse Institute Building Committee will hold two fundraisers in the coming months, including a raffle for 16 x 24 original oil painting by Jeanne Mellin Herrick for building repairs to the Shelburne, VT, headquarters. Raffle tickets will be available from committee members beginning next week and the winner will be drawn in October. The committee is also sponsoring a Wii bowling competition at the New England and Mass Morgan shows. Participants will purchase a pass to play all week long at the show and the high-point winner will receive 50 percent of the proceeds.

Place Your Ad in the NAJYRC Program

Advertising space is available in the 2009 Adequan FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North Program. For more information, contact Kim Russell at 859-225-6938 or krussell@usef.org.

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 removing 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.