Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

When it comes to promoting innovation and showing vision in the equestrian world, there are few people who are as adept at it as the United States Equestrian Federation’s own president, David O’Connor. And for his years of excellence as an equestrian athlete and his service to not only the Federation, but the equine industry as a whole, O’Connor was presented with the 2007 Equine Industry Vision Award in Albuquerque, NM, on Friday morning, June 22, at the kick-off of the 2007 American Horse Publication’s “Fiesta del Caballo” seminar.

Sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health and the American Horse Publications (AHP), the award is presented annually. For 2007, 13 nominees represented a wide array of the industry’s movers and shakers, in addition to individuals and programs that supported the industry in their own special ways. O’Connor was chosen to receive this year’s award for “innovation, leadership and service.”

Read More...

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), announced today that effective June 28, United States Dressage Federation members who have an active USDF participating membership and are USEF members can now obtain one joint USEF/USDF membership card as opposed to two separate cards. The card can be accessed online and carries both of the individual membership numbers.

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and the USEF Youth Council are excited to announce that registration is now open for the first annual Youth Convention which will be held January 12, 2008. The convention will unite youth equestrians from around the country and the focus will be on growing equine interest and participation in equestrian sports.

Held during the USEF Annual Meeting in Louisville, KY, the Youth Convention will feature many notable speakers involved in the industry, representatives from various college and university equestrian programs, as well as spokespersons from equine-related careers. This one-day convention will unite youth from around the country and help to grow equine interest and participation.

One of the nation’s leaders in the fight against degenerative joint disease in horses, Adequan® (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan), has renewed their commitment with the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) in a multi-faceted sponsorship. In addition, Adequan® remains as “The Official Joint Therapy of the USEF.”

Luitpold Pharmaceuticals, manufacturer of the flagship equine health product, Adequan®, continues their commitment as title sponsor for three USEF championships for the 2007 competition season: the 2007 USEF National Open Reining Championship and the 2007 USEF National Pony Jumper Championships, both in Lexington, KY, and the 2007 USEF National Junior Jumper Championships in Harrisburg, PA.

The American Horse Council’s 2007 National Issues Forum in Washington, DC, was a huge success and featured dozens of respected speakers on important issues and opportunities to meet and mingle with federal legislators and regulators.

More than 150 people gathered at the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel from June 17-19, participating in American Horse Council (AHC) committee meetings, attending panels on different topics and socializing with other attendees and Congressional staffers.

The newly created FEI Safety Sub-Committee held it first meeting in London on June 18, 2007. The committee is chaired by international rider and course designer David O’Connor (USA). Members include Chris Bartle, international rider and trainer of the German National Eventing Team; Laurent Bousquet, international rider and chairman of the French National Federation Safety Commission and trainer of the Belgium National Eventing Team; Yogi Briesner, trainer of the British National Eventing Team; Andrew Nicholson, Olympic eventing rider; Michael Tucker, international eventing technical delegate and course designer and FEI eventing course director.

Starting in 2007, the American Morgan Horse Association’s (AMHA) Youth Member of the Year award will now be called the AMHA Annual Youth Achievement Award, as decided by the AMHA Board of Directors at their May meeting. The award, which recognizes a youth who demonstrates outstanding achievement and dedication to the Morgan breed, is determined by a point system. In 2006, Caitlin Novotny of Oklahoma City received the first AMHA Youth Member of the Year award.

Read More...

Defending champion Jeffery Welles and two of the four riders on the United States squad for the 2007 Pan American Games head the impressive list of entries as the 38th Annual Lake Placid Horse Show opened at the North Elba Showgrounds in Lake Placid, NY.

The 2007 Lake Placid Horse Show will once again host outstanding non-stop equestrian action highlighted by the $75,000 Budweiser Grand Prix of Lake Placid CSI***, presented by RV Sales of Broward, on Sunday, July 1. The 30th Annual I Love New York Horse Show, highlighted by the $60,000 Hermès Grand Prix CSI*** on Saturday, July 7, follows at the same site, July 3-8.

Researchers To Come Together This Summer for Lameness Research Meeting and Panel

The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Foundation will be hosting a Lameness Research Meeting and Panel on August 1, 2007, at the Fort Collins Marriott in Fort Collins, CO. This special research meeting is being supported through donations by two major industry partners, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., and IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., as well as three partner equine foundations: American Quarter Horse Association Foundation, Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and Morris Animal Foundation. This one-day meeting will take place immediately following the AAEP's annual continuing education meetings—Focus on Lameness and Imaging 2007 and the 15th Annual Practice Management Seminar—which will be held July 29-31, 2007.

Make Your Best Deal with John Deere, Then Take an Additional Savings up to $2,000*

Up to $2,000 off current model 5003 and 5005 series tractors or 0% for 36 months.

Membership has its advantages. As a member of the USEF, you now have the opportunity to really save big on select John Deere equipment with sizzling hot summer savings on John Deere 5003 and 5005 series tractors. Depending on the 5003 or 5005 in-stock model (excludes 5603) and options you choose, you can save up to $2,000 on these utility tractors full of John Deere reliability and performance OR get 0% interest for 36 months.

As an USEF member, you also will receive a discount coupon for additional savings. For the 5003 and 5005 series tractors, you receive a $250 discount coupon. Coupons are available for other John Deere models as well. But to take advantage of these best offers of the summer, you’ve got to visit your participating John Deere dealer by July 31 and purchase a 5003 or 5005 tractor from stock. Certain restrictions apply, and the offer runs out as soon as the tractors are gone. So see your dealer for details. To find out more information, call us at (877) 576-6872 or visit www.usef.org.

*Offer limited to USEF MemberPerks members. Program begins June 15, 2007, and remains in effect until July 31, 2007.

Select John Deere agricultural products include: 5003 series tractors and 5005 series tractors, excludes model 5603. See dealer for details.

Officials with the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games recently announced Richard Nicoll as the driving course designer. Nicoll began designing and building courses in 1976 and has been working with carriages and horses since 1970. He competed with pairs and singles, and is currently the director of the Coach & Livestock Department of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation in Williamsburg, VA. Nicoll became course designer and technical delegate for the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) in the early 1980s. He has designed numerous courses, including three world championship courses, in several countries, including England, Canada, Austria, Argentina, Australia, Ireland, Sweden and the United States. Nicoll has recently been re-elected chairman of the FEI Driving Technical Committee where the number of international driving events has increased from 121 to 145 during his first term.

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 highlight of the Wachovia Showplace Spring Spectacular II was held on Saturday, June 23, at the Lamplight Equestrian Center and was the $50,000 Wachovia Securities Grand Prix, sponsored by Wachovia Securities, LLC. The rain lifted just in time, and a huge crowd at the Lamplight Equestrian Center saw 19-year-old Haylie Jayne of Elgin, IL, have her second career grand prix victory. Jayne piloted Merlin 369 to the win over Wilhelm Genn and his two mounts, Chantal and Ariado.

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) offers a new youth award this year, the Academy Master Medal Award. The Master Medal Award goes beyond the ASHA Academy Awards program, offering participants an opportunity to advance to a higher level after earning their first Gold medal in the Academy Awards Medal program. The Master Medal Awards program encourages participation in promotion, education and continued involvement with the American Saddlebred. Master Gold, Silver and Bronze medals will be awarded based on accumulation of riding and activity points.

Remember to take advantage of the USEF MemberPerks Program. USEF MemberPerks offers substantial cost savings on products and services from John Deere, Dodge, Office Max, UPS and many more!

For more information, please call (877) 576-6872 or fax (859) 422-9407, or visit USEF.org's MemberPerks page.

You hear it every year among those who exhibit at the summer series here, “We’re showing in Hotlanta,” which is generally a reference to the high temperatures, but for two months now it’s been Sergio Campos of the Florida-based Longwood Equestrian Center creating the real heat with his 10-year-old homebred mare Shakira do Jacare. Campos captured the top placing over a field of 30 international riders in the opening Welcome Show Jumping Stake presented by Classic Equine Equipment.

Read More...

Great Britain produced an emphatic victory in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, on Friday, June 22, where, for most of the rest, the going proved very tough indeed. Stung by elimination at the previous leg in St. Gallen, Switzerland, the winners came out with all guns blazing this time around and Chef d'Equipe Derek Rickett's side produced a super-polished performance. Particularly pleasing was the double-clear from David McPherson and AK Pilgrim 11, which was matched only by Sweden's Rolf-Goran Bengtsson and the veteran MacKinley. And The Maestro himself, John Whitaker, did not have to jump in the second round with Peppermill. The deal had already been sealed by his younger brother Michael, his niece Ellen and the 46-year-old former South African.

Protecting Equine Athletes from Osteoarthritis on Behalf of the Equine Research Coordination Group

Since most horses are used for recreational or performance activities, soundness is understandably of vital importance to horse owners. A 2003 study suggested that 60% of lameness problems in horses are related to osteoarthritis, thus stressing the importance of advancements in treating this disease. In humans, osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and in the U.S. alone afflicts more than 20 million people.

Al Dunning and Bob Avila Teamed Up on Reining Clinics Presented by Farnam Horse Products at Western States Horse Expo

Horse lovers from all walks of life gathered in the Sundowner Arena to attend a series of three clinics given by World Champion horsemen Al Dunning and Bob Avila, presented by Farnam Horse Products, during the Ninth Annual Western States Horse Expo, held June 8-10 in Sacramento, CA.

The American Saddlebred Museum was awarded a Silver Telly at the 28th Annual Telly Awards for its film Out of The Shadows. The 30-minute film, which features black horsemen from the late 1800s through the 1970s, was chosen among 15,000 entries for the highest prize offered by the Telly Awards. The Tellys honor outstanding local, regional and cable TV commercials and programs, as well as video and film productions. Out Of The Shadows competed in the Non-Broadcast Category.

USEF Members Offered Discount on Online Course on Horse Selection and Evaluation

Buying a horse is a big challenge. Choosing a mount that doesn't fit your needs, skill level or intended use can be painful emotionally, financially and even physically. To give would-be horse owners information that will enable them to make decisions that will lead to years of equine enjoyment, Michigan State University's (MSU's) My Horse University has launched a new online course called "Horse Selection and Evaluation."

For more than 20 years, horse owners have trusted Farnam Equine Pharmaceuticals for dependable deworming products for their horses. Now the name you know and trust is making a difference for children and adults with special needs by supporting a therapeutic riding program.

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.