Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

USEF/Markel National Young Horse Dressage Championships Crown Four Champions in Three Age Divisions; American-bred Horses Tie in Six-Year-Old Division

Horses from across the United States gathered at the Kentucky Horse Park for the 2006 USEF/Markel National Young Horse Dressage Championships in Lexington, KY, September 8-10. This prestigious competition, proudly sponsored by Markel Insurance, included outstanding fields of five- and six-year-olds vying for the Dr. Edgar Hotz Memorial Trophy. Also, for the first time these championships included a four-year-old division.

Expectations were high for the inaugural four-year-old division, and BW-Callista did not disappoint, capturing the national championship with a score of 9.0. Ridden by Tami Glover of Colora, MD, this bay Oldenburg mare (Contucci – Ariane, by A Jungle Prince) is owned by Leslie Valente of Bedford Hills, NY, and was bred in the United States by Linda Santomenna of Maryland.

Will Germany Take the Title in the Samsung Super League? Can the U.S. Come Out on Top Again? Can the Irish Survive?

The Samsung Super League with FEI Final that will take place in Barcelona, Spain, on Sunday has attracted a world-class field and promises to be a thriller. And, for the very first time, the brand new Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Kentucky 2010 fence will be in use. Designed to resemble the white-rail fencing so familiar to visitors to the horse-loving U.S. state, the subtle, stylish obstacle consists of planks with a gate filler underneath and surrounded by white railings. With the FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Aachen just completed, equestrian sport is already turning its focus to the road that leads to Kentucky in 2010.

Megan Benjamin Named United States Olympic Committee's August Athlete of the Month

The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) announced equestrian athlete Megan Benjamin as the female August Athlete of the Month, along with male swimmer Brendan Hansen. The USOC Team of the Month was awarded to the U.S.A. National Baseball Team.

Benjamin of Saratoga, CA, won the Gold medal in women's vaulting at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany, on August 27. She was the first American woman to win the title. The Germans have won 20 of the last 32 World Championships. Benjamin was also a member of the American team that won Silver, which was another first. She was the only American vaulting as both an individual and part of a team. Also, Benjamin was the only American to win two medals at the same World Championship.

34rd Annual Paso Fino Horse Association Grand National Championship Show and Sale Begins on Sunday

The 34rd Annual Paso Fino Horse Association (PFHA) Grand National Championship Show and Sale brings together the best of the Paso Fino breed to compete head-to-head for various titles during the week-long event, which takes place September 17-23, at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agri-Center in Perry, GA. The schedule includes 120 classes ranging from versatility and Western, to performance and Fino. In addition to the competition, with amateur, youth and open divisions, the event features a trade fair, a stallion service auction, Breeders’ Sweepstakes classes, programs and games from the youth and various clinics and forums throughout the week.

For more information, visit www.pfha.org.

The United States Eventing Association (USEA) is proud to announce the newest inductees to the USEA Eventing Hall of Fame. The official induction will take place during a gala dinner at the USEA Annual Meeting and Convention in St. Louis, MO, on December 8, 2006.

The ceremony will honor eventing greats, both horse and human. USEA is proud to include Edward “Denny” Emerson, Michael Page, Karen Stives and the horses Kilkenny and Biko into the Hall of Fame.

Correction: The 2007 Palm Beach Dressage Derby has not been designated as a Pan-American Games Selection Trials at this time.

Make Your Stallion Stand Out

Advertise in the December/January stallion and breeding issue of EQUESTRIAN. Reach over 80,000 USEF members in this special double-month issue. As a USEF member, you receive discounted advertising rates and reach the best audience. For more information, contact Kim Russell at krussell@usef.org or (859) 225-8 Book Early! Space closes October 31.

Morgan Enthusiasts Prepare for 2006 Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show

For Morgan enthusiasts, October means more than just the introduction of fall; it also features the Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show held annually at the Oklahoma Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City. The Grand National promises to be another spectacular event this year, taking place October 7-14.

USRider Urges Horse Owners to an Use Air Pressure Monitor to Help Prevent Dangerous Blowouts

Flat tires are the leading cause of disablements involving horse trailers. USRider is involved in a research project with Dr. Tomas Gimenez to test the benefits (if any) of using air vs. nitrogen to inflate tow vehicle and horse trailer tires. An electronic air pressure monitoring system is being used to assist with the research. During the research, Dr. Gimenez and USRider have noted significant safety benefits resulting from using this system.

John Deere Announces Additional Discount Program for USEF MemberPerks: The John Deer Partner Program for Lawn and Garden

John Deere has made it even easier for USEF MemberPerks members to save money on John Deere equipment. In addition to the current program that allows USEF MemberPerks members to save up to 23% on new John Deere equipment to be used at equine facilities, John Deere has announced the John Deere Partner Program for Lawn and Garden. Discounts are now available toward the purchase of a variety of John Deere equipment for members’ and their families’ personal home use, including lawn and garden tractors, riding and walk-behind mowers, Gator utility vehicles, commercial mowing equipment and compact utility tractors. Discounts valid only at John Deere dealerships. Call today for your discount coupon*.

Through the John Deere Partner Program, USEF MemberPerks members are eligible to redeem two coupons per member every calendar year. Anytime you have a John Deere equipment interest, please call toll-free at (877) 576-6872 to make sure you receive the most current information on equipment discounts before you purchase from the dealership.

*Discount coupons can not be used in conjunction with other discounts provided through their current national agricultural program.

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.