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

Leslie Morse and Tip Top 962 were named USEF National Dressage Grand Prix Champions at the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions.
Photo by Sue Stickle

The Weather Wins the War at the 2009 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions; Five New National Champions Crowned

After a four-day battle, the rain finally won at the 2009 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions, and collectively the ground jury and the management decided that, in the best interest of the horses, the competition was suspended after the young riders rode first thing Sunday morning.

This meant that Leslie Morse was crowned USEF National Grand Prix Champion for the fifth time. Morse and her beloved 15-year-old Swedish Warmblood stallion Tip Top 962 put on a dominating performance in the grand prix on Friday on a score of 72.000% to win the first leg. The pair tried out a new freestyle on Saturday and scored 74.250% for second place. The Grand Prix Championship was scheduled to be decided with the grand prix special, but Mother Nature had other plans.

“It feels great to be National Champion,” said Morse who traveled from Beverly Hills, CA, to compete in Gladstone. “Tip Top did a fabulous job. I’m very excited. I leave here and go to England to train with Kyra (Kyrklund); we have a great tour planned and the timing is excellent to help us move forward.”

The final ranking was determined after the two legs of the competition, as only two of the three legs were completed. Morse was the only rider to score over 70% in both tests.

Catherine Haddad Victorious in the Grand Prix Special at the Vidauban CDI***

After a second-place finish on Thursday in the grand prix, Catherine Haddad and Cadillac rose to the occasion on Friday with a win in the grand prix special at the Vidauban CDI*** in France. This marked the sixth grand prix win for Haddad and her 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood this year. The annual show at Vidauban, which has traditionally been a jumping show, added international dressage to the schedule this year, and the competition did not disappoint.

ClubEquestrian.com Offers Special Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions Section

Catch all of ClubEquestrian.com's coverage of the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions at www.clubequestrian.com/coverage/festival_of_champions_2009.aspx. See photos of the competitors and read their bios, log in and become a fan of the event and leave comments, catch the latest news, learn more about the event, view scores, and read the blog by USEF's own Joanie Morris.

Vote for Your Favorite "Scenic Stable" Photo

Don't forget to vote on your favorite "Scenic Stable " photo in the June 2009 ClubEquestrian.com photo contest. Voting runs through June 30. The winner will win an Ambitious jacket by Gersemi.

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

Are you headed to a show anytime soon? We hope you will take your video camera and show off your reporting skills. Then enter your video in 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 equestrian event calendars online.

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.

Sergio Campos and Shakira do Jacare captured the Outback Steakhouse $25,000 Grand Prix at the Atlanta Summer Classics.
Photo by Flashpoint Photography

It’s a Sizzling Finale at the Atlanta Summer Classics with the Return of "The Queen of Speed"

The finale of the Atlanta Summer Classics proved to be a hot week for Brazilian-born Sergio Campos. Beginning with Thursday evening’s victory for the Longwood, FL-based pro in the Classic Equine Equipment sponsored Lucky Sevens Welcome Jumper Stake.

Longwood Equestrian Center’s owner Campos, partnered with the Millcreek Stables’ entry Millcreek Early Morning, bested 21 first-round horses on a snaky 12-obstacle, 79 second-allowed layout by renowned course designer Michel Vaillancourt. “He [Michel] set two lines with a half stride, but this was a riders course. You had to make quick decisions and unfortunately the ones who didn’t had a rail or other troubles,” Campos said. Given their clear-round time of 71.497, it’s safe to say Campos was both thinking and quick. Campos’ assessment of the tracks was a plausible explanation as to why only four horses returned for the jump-off.

Campos also gives a lot of credit for the win to the eight-year-old mare. “I’ve been working with her since she was a four-year-old, and basically I was the first one to ever show her. It’s a pleasure to bring her to this point—this far. She’s a thinker too,” he said.

More Hunter/Jumper News

American Hackney Horse Society Foundation Offers Three 2009 Educational Scholarships

The American Hackney Horse Society Foundation (AHHSF) will be offering three $2,500 college scholarships. These scholarships will be awarded to the selected students based on financial need, academic success and a commitment to the Hackney breed, whether present, past or future.

Chattahoochee Hills to Host 2010-2012 United States Eventing Association American Eventing Championships

The United States Eventing Association (USEA) is pleased to announce that its Board of Governors has awarded the 2010-2012 USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) to Chattahoochee Hills Eventing in Fairburn, GA. This will be the third site to host the championships, which began in 2004 at the Carolina Horse Park in Raeford, NC, and moved to Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, IL, in 2007.

Winning Partnership Provides Scholarships for 33 Equine Veterinary Students

Thirty-three students studying equine veterinary medicine in 28 American states, four Canadian provinces and one school in the West Indies will continue their education with a financial boost from the Winner’s Circle Scholarship Program.

Under a partnership of The Race For Education, the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Foundation and Platinum Performance started in 2007, scholarship awards ranging from $1,500 to $5,000 will be given to the deserving veterinary students.

Award Recognizes Selflessness of Hoof-Care Professionals

Do you know a farrier or equine veterinarian who performs much-needed hoof-care work for a therapeutic riding center without charge? Maybe someone who provides free footcare clinics for 4-H Club youngsters or works closely with local Pony Club members? If so, here is your opportunity to celebrate this person’s volunteerism.

To recognize the dedication and volunteer efforts among hoof-care professionals, the Delta Mustad Hoofcare Center and American Farriers Journal are again sponsoring the “Summit Achievement Award.” Started last year, this award honors members of the hoof-care community who have freely given their time and expertise to help horse owners and groups in dire need of assistance.

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.

Check Your Points in the Farnam®/Platform™ USEF Horse of the Year Program to see how your horse is doing in 2009.

Please check your points and standings in your respective division(s) by:

Calling the Horse Report Hotline at (859) 258-2472, or
Ordering a copy of your horse’s point report via e-mail or mail (faxed copies will incur an additional charge), or
Checking your standings online.

Current Standings of a Few National Champion Divisions (as of June 23, 2009)

Division	Horse	Owner
Andalusian/Lusitano Junior Performance	Notorio Novio	Fernando Enriquez
Arabian Country Pleasure/Country Pleasure Driving Amateur	CP Alchemy	Ashley Smith
Combined Driving Single Horse	RG Cowboys Black Cadillac	Donna Crookston
Friesian Dressage	Beake Fan Boppe de Slus	Deni Bator
Roadster Pony Open	Regal's Special Effort LF	SGF Winning Ways Farm, Ltd.
Half-/Anglo-Arabian Country Pleasure/Country Pleasure Driving Amateur	Elegant Revival	Desert Rose Stables, LLC
Amateur Owner Hunter 18-35 Years	Isaac	Sarah Ward
Amateur Owner Jumper	U-2	Marley Goodman
Morgan English Pleasure Junior Exhibitor	Commanding Knight	Terri Sturm
National Show Horse Country Pleasure	BL Bingbang Boom	Katherine Tuttle
American Saddlebred Three-Gaited Park	Georgie's Sweet Conclusion	Allison Simpson
Welsh Pony Hunter	Hot Pursuit	Doug Wade
Western Pleasure	DarkCountryZippo	Allison Nelson

Joining the program is as easy as filling out an application, which may be found on the USEF website here, or may be obtained at any recognized horse show, or by contacting the USEF office at (859) 258-2472. In addition, you can record your horse online through your
My USEF Account.

Platinum Performance/USEF Talent Search
Qualified Riders

The Talent Search program is a very demanding show jumping competition, which attracts the nation’s top young riders in head-to-head competition. The qualifying period for the 2009 events began September 1, 2008.

Learn more about the program today.

To see the list of all qualified riders,
visit the 2008/2009 Ranking List online.

East Coast Riders
October 3-4, 2009, Show Jumping Talent Search Finals-East, Gladstone, NJ

A few riders that have now qualifed on the East Coast:
— Paulena Johnson
— Tess Renker

West Coast Championship
September 16-20, 2009, Los Angeles International Jumping Festival, Burbank, CA

A few riders that have now qualifed on the West Coast:
— Laura King
— Taylor Land
— Gabbi Langston
— Lauren Longfield
— Julia Lourie
— Jacqueline Lubrano
— Margo Lyons

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Savings on a wide range of products for your home, farm and business needs, include:
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To save 40% off your next purchase, click here for a coupon.

Call (877) 576-6872 to learn about additional savings or visit www.usef.org.

Attention all USEF Members

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.

Please Read—Important Information about Your Membership Card

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 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 90,000 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.

VISION STATEMENT

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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