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

Lisa Goldman and Morocco won the $10,000 SJHOF High Junior/AO Jumper Classic.

Photo by Lauren Fisher/PMG

Showplace Spring Spectacular I Wrap-Up

It was a fantastic day for 21-year-old Denise Wilson of Oconomowoc, WI, and Blue Gate Farm, LLC's Life is Life 15 when the pair raced to victory in Saturday afternoon's $30,000 Showplace Productions Grand Prix. Held in the beautiful Grand Prix Ring at the Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, IL, the grand prix was the first of three in the 2010 Showplace Spring Spectacular Horse Show Series, which runs through June 25.

A total of 34 competitors showed over Saturday afternoon's $30,000 Grand Prix, sponsored by Showplace Productions. The challenging course was set by Hector Loyola of Puerto Rico, and just seven entries were able to complete the first round fault free to advance to the jump-off. The course featured winding turns, long gallops, vertical options, a tricky oxer-vertical-oxer triple combination, as well as many other difficult questions for the horse and rider to answer. The most problematic fences were fence 2, a vertical going towards the ingate off of a tight turn, as well as the (b) element of the triple combination. Riders seemed to have rails down all over the course, and it was not until 16 horses into the order that the first clear round was completed by Ryan Genn and Loredo. Several horse-and-rider combinations followed suit, and an exciting jump-off was held just as the skies opened up over the horse show to conclude the day.

More Hunter/Jumper News

100 Reasons to Attend the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

Thursday, June 17, marks 100 days to go until the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Still looking for a good reason to come? We’ve got you covered. We came up with 100 reasons to come to the Games.

100. You get to walk on the Bluegrass. It’s pretty famous in Kentucky.
99. You know that saying “When pigs fly?” Horses actually do fly here...over jumps.
98. Because trail riding is fun, but horses do much cooler things at the 2010 Games.
97. You get to meet someone from a different country, or actually, more than 60 different countries.

USEF Dressage Talent Search Program Launches with Great Success

New in 2010 the USEF has developed the Dressage Talent Search Program as a means to identify combinations that have world-class potential. Up-and-coming dressage riders have had the opportunity to participate in clinics with USEF Developing Dressage Coach Debbie McDonald.

Observation days are held one day prior to the USEF Developing Rider Training Sessions in which applicant riders present their horses in groups of up to three for 30 minute evaluations. McDonald then selects a limited number of horse/rider combinations from all the pairs observed that day and they are invited to participate in the USEF training session on the subsequent two days (with McDonald).

Nevada Bay and Will Coleman

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This Week in International Disciplines

Eventing

At the Bromont Olympic Park in Quebec, Canada the Bromont Three-Day Event took place, featuring a CCI3*, CCI2* and CCI1*. Will Coleman rode Nevada Bay to the win in the CCI3*. The pair started the competition with a stong dressage test. Bromont was Nevada Bay's first CCI3*, and Coleman took it a little slow on cross-country and entered the show jumping phase sitting in third. The pair jumped double-clear for the win with a final score of 59, besting Canadians Rebecca Howard and Jessica Phoenix in second and third, respectively.

In the CCI2*, Canadian Kelli McMullen Temple and Axel Rose put in an impressive dressage effort and finished cross-country clean to go into show jumping with a 9.6 point lead, with two rails down the pair was still able to take the win. Will Faudree and Andromaque jumped clean for second place; Nate Chambers and Rolling Stone II were third.

Boyd Martin and Minotaure du Passoir led from the start in the CCI1* to win on their dressage score of 47.5. Going into show jumping the top four riders were all separated by less than a rail. Nina Ligon and Tokay jumped a clean round to finish second, Martin had his second clean round on Charla to take home third.

2010 equestrian magazine Art Contest: You Pick the Winners!

We asked our young readers of equestrian magazine to get creative and share their artistic talents with us. From finger paints to black-and-white line drawings and beyond, young artists answered the call and submitted their own original artwork.

Now, it’s time for you to decide which are your favorites and cast your vote. The entries with the highest number of votes will be featured in the next issue of equestrian magazine!

All of the artwork received are displayed on ClubEquestrian.com for a two-week period. Winners will be named in three categories: Age 6 and under; Age 7-12; and Age 13-18.

Vote Now!

Woodside Vaulters Spring Fest Celebrates 20th Anniversary, Hosts the Third WEG Selection Trial

The Portola Valley Training Center in Menlo Park, CA, was the site of the June 5-6 Selection Trials for teams hoping to represent the U.S. at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. It was a celebration of top vaulting and Woodside Vaulters' 20th anniversary as a vaulting club.

Again, the team competition was fierce. All five declared teams were present and the top two repeated the last trial's placings. FACE topped the leaderboard with an impressive overall score of 8.272, an improvement of more than 0.5 points over their score from Garrod’s Spring Classic. Adding and tweaking some incredible moves to their "Romeo and Juliet" theme made for exciting entertainment. In talking with Mary Garrett of the team, she attributes much of their success to the incredible work ethic. Annalise VanVranken agrees adding that there's fun stuff, too. "We do improvisations...making [our routine] a dance." And dance this team did. Right to the top.

Welsh Welcomed at International Equestrian Festival Parade

The Welsh Pony and Cob Society of America (WPCSA) would like to encourage members to participate in the upcoming International Equestrian Festival (IEF) Parade of Breeds. This event will be held in downtown Lexington, concurrent to the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games at the Kentucky Horse Park, September 25-October 10, 2010.

While all breeds are encouraged to participate, the WPCSA makes a special appeal to their membership to participate in order to feature all of the sections of Welsh Ponies, Cobs and Half-Welsh during the festival in downtown Lexington.

American Saddlebred Horse Association Names New Executive Director

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) has officially named Paula Johnson of Mound, MN, as its new Executive Director.

When the ASHA Selection Committee began the search for its next Executive Director, the committee determined that strong leadership skills, a background with budgets, and strong communication skills were essential to success in this position.

The United States Para-Equestrian Association Thanks Everyone For a Successful Para-Webathon

The United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA) would like to thank everyone involved with the Para-Webathon, which occurred on June 8, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. Broadcast from the studios of Alltech, the Para-Webathon was presented by the USPEA and Horse Radio Network. For two hours supporters for the United States Para-Equestrian Team were able to call or click to donate to the Para-Equestrians. The Para-Webathon was a very successful event bringing in $10,000 to support the organization. The USPEA will be using this money for the 10 riders that will travel to Lexington, KY, for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™. The Para-Webathon would not have achieved its success without the volunteers, equestrians, Alltech, Horse Radio Network, and Kentucky Performance Products.

American Morgan Horse Association Youth Council Seeks New Members

Looking for leadership opportunities? Ready to leap beyond student government or club leadership? The American Morgan Horse Association Youth Council is seeking new members to help achieve its mission of promoting the Morgan horse while helping AMHA to put forth exciting and engaging programs for youth members.

Jodie Stowell and Comet Rocket to the Win at the Indiana Eventing Association's Training Three-Day

Jodie Stowell and Comet, a 13-year-old Appaloosa/Thoroughbred-cross whom she raised from a two-year-old, took home the top honors at the Indiana Eventing Association (IEA) Training Three-Day Event, June 3-6. Finishing on their dressage score of 35.9, the two put in two flawless jumping phases to take home the blue and a bevy of prizes in the most recent event in the SmartPak Equine/United States Eventing Association's (USEA) Classic Series.

Feed a Family of Four This Season!

Earn a free $50 restaurant gift card when you stay two separate times at any Choice hotel.

• Just stay two separate times at any Choice hotel with arrival between now and August 5.
• Earn enough Choice Privileges® points to redeem for a free $50 restaurant gift card.
• Stays must be booked at choicehotels.com or (800) 258-2847.
• Must be a Choice Privileges member. Not a member? To sign up today, visit:
www.choiceprivileges.com/signup/USEQUEST

Don’t forget to book in advance and reference both the USEF Special Rate ID # and your personal Choice Privileges member number to take advantage of your benefit and earn points.

Reservations must be made at choicehotels.com or (800) 258-2847 at qualifying rates and Choice Privileges member number must be provided upon check-in. After every second qualifying stay with arrival between 5/20/10 and 8/5/10, enough points will be added to points earned to reach the 8,000 point level, which can be redeemed for a $50 Chili’s gift card that can be used towards the purchase of a meal for 4 excluding tax or tip. Members may earn and redeem for up to two awards during the promotion. Redemptions must be completed by Oct. 31, 2010. A stay is defined as any number of consecutive nights at one hotel regardless of check-ins or check-outs at any Comfort Inn®, Comfort Suites®, Quality®, Sleep Inn®, Clarion®, Cambria Suites®, MainStay Suites®, Suburban Extended Stay®, Econo Lodge®, Rodeway Inn® and Ascend Collection® property included in the Choice Privileges program. You must maintain a U.S. address (including U.S. territories) to be eligible for this promotion. For program details, qualifying rates, eligible properties and point redemption rules, visit choiceprivileges.com.

Brinker International® (Chili's®, Macaroni Grill®, On The Border®, Maggiano's®) is not a sponsor or co-sponsor of this promotion.

John Deere Drive Green

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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