Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

Jacqueline Beck riding her American Saddlebred Kiss of the Zodiac bested 19 other riders to win the 2008 United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Saddle Seat Medal Final-Junior. The championship was held November 22 as part of the United Professional Horsemen’s Association (UPHA) American Royal National Championship Horse Show in Kansas City, MO.

The class was filled with top riders from across the country and included a challenging two-phase competition that required both rail work and patterns in both rounds. Beck’s Medal Final win was just one of her many accomplishments this year in the show ring. Last month, Beck took top honors at the Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show winning the AMHA Saddle Seat Gold Medal Finals along with the UPHA Morgan Challenge Cup Final. Beck is instructed by Bonnie Zubrod, Cindy Boel and Anne Speck.

Upcoming USEF National Championships

Endurance legend Valerie Kanavy will be honored at the USEF Annual Meeting during the Pegasus Awards Dinner on January 17, 2009, when she will receive the Maggy Price Endurance Excellence Award.

Named for international endurance rider Maggy Price, who was a Silver medalist at the 1992 World Championships and a pioneer for the sport, the award honors the athlete who earns the most points in selected Ranking Trials during the ride year. This year, Kanavy will have the distinction of receiving an award that she, her husband Larry and Gold Medal Farm sponsor in honor of Price.

Kanavy earned points in six 160 km competitions in 2008, winning four to finish on top of the ranking list, besting 90 ranked riders. Kanavy had a very successful year across the board. She also won the American Endurance Ride Conference 100-mile championship riding King Ali Gold in October. Shortly thereafter, she rode Flash Flame to a 25th-place finish out of 127 competitors at the Endurance World Championship in Malaysia.

United States Dressage Federation Youth Convention Scholarship Winners Announced

The United States Dressage Federation’s (USDF) Youth Executive Board is pleased to announce the winners of the USDF Youth Convention Scholarship Program for the 2008 Adequan/USDF National Convention and Symposium. This year’s winners are Arielle Perry, Jannike Gray, and Jessica Rose Deimler.

Eighty-three National Federations gathered in Argentina for the 2009 FEI General Assembly. Some of the major matters discussed are outlined below.

Jumping
A detailed report on the activities of the FEI Jumping Committee was presented. It dealt with, among other things:

Rules Revision
The revised Rules for jumping events—23rd edition, effective January 1, 2009—were approved.

Stewarding
The system is being restructured for all FEI disciplines. The CVs for all stewards on the FEI list have been requested from NFs. All stewards in each discipline with no or very little equestrian experience will have their names removed from the FEI list.

The 2009 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit is fast approaching, and HITS is pleased to announce several enhancements being made in preparation for the new season, which begins with two consecutive unrated weeks on January 14, 2009, followed by six weeks of AA-rated competition beginning on February 3.

Starting from the ground up, HITS has completed footing upgrades to the property by resurfacing Hunter 6 and the Annex ring, which were the only two rings not completed for last year's circuit. A new drainage system was also installed in the Main Hunter ring and the adjacent schooling area.

Stabling area improvements include 2,000 brand new temporary stalls and new tents, similar to what was used at HITS Saugerties this summer. These new stalls have already been erected on the show grounds and feature wood and steel dividers. A project to install new concrete wash racks throughout the stabling area has also been completed.

For the second year, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) will host the Youth Convention, which will take place Saturday, January 17, 2009, in Cincinnati, OH. Held in conjunction with the USEF Annual Meeting, this one-day event features many notable speakers, including experts in the equine industry and equine-related careers. The convention will unite youth from around the country and help to grow equine interest and participation. Registration is still available for the convention.

The top reiners in the world face off at the 2008 FEI World Reining Masters, December 4, in Oklahoma City, OK, as part of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show. This year, 18 riders from 15 countries will compete for two titles, the $75,000 added Open and the $25,000 Restricted Open.

Representing the U.S. in the $75,000 added Open division will be Jordan Larson riding Lena Gallo and Craig Schmersal aboard Mr. Dual Rey. Both pairs competed in September at the 2008 FEI World Reining Championships in Manerbio, Italy. Together, they won the Team Silver medal and Larson took the Individual Gold medal and Schmersal tied for the Individual Bronze medal.

Don't miss the blog from USEF's Director of Reining Programs, Courtney Barnett. Courtney will be bringing an insider's viewpoint from the 2008 FEI World Reining Masters on ClubEquestrian.com at www.clubequestrian.com/blogs/courtney/default.aspx.

Southern Living magazine recently photographed Silver medalist combined driver Chester Weber at his farm in Ocala, for an upcoming article in the magazine. Known for bringing readers the best of everyday life in the South, Southern Living journeyed to Weber’s Live Oak Stud for a chance to capture the magnificent farm and the man behind the name that has become synonymous with combined driving.

The article and photos will appear in the Florida People and Places section of Southern Living and will take reader’s on a visual trip that showcases the spreading canopy of live oaks, the lush green grass and the gently rolling hills of Live Oak Stud. The trip to Live Oak wouldn’t have been complete without a stop at the stables that house Weber's horses—top European Warmbloods that have led him to countless victories in the field of combined driving. Weber's horses helped him make history in 2008, when he became the first American to win an Individual Silver medal in the FEI Four-in-Hand World Driving Championships in The Netherlands.

The problem of unwanted horses is being studied through a nationwide initiative of the Unwanted Horse Coalition (UHC) with help from equine associations, veterinarians, breeders, state and local law enforcement, horse owners, rescue/retirement facilities, and other facilities using horses. The first step is an online survey—and everyone with an interest in the welfare of horses is encouraged to respond at http://survey.ictgroup.com/uhcsurvey.

John Deere Named Official Equipment Sponsor of 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

John Deere is the “Official Equipment Sponsor” of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, as announced today by the World Games 2010 Foundation. The Games will be held September 25-October 10, 2010, in Lexington, KY.

“On behalf of the Federation Equestre Internationale, we are pleased to have John Deere Company partnering with our sport as the official equipment provider of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games,” said FEI President HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein.

The delegation from Chicago 2016 traveled to Istanbul, Turkey, to present Chicago's vision for the Olympic and Paralympic Games at the European Olympic Committees (EOC) XXXVII General Assembly. The delegation, including Honorary Chairman of Chicago 2016 and Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and Chicago 2016 Chairman and CEO Patrick G. Ryan met with sport leaders from across Europe to discuss Chicago's bid for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The deadline for nominating stallions to the American Saddlebred Registry (ASR) Grand National in order for all 2008 foals to be eligible for lifetime recording is Monday, December 1, 2008, with a 10-day grace period deadline of Thursday, December 11, 2008.

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 doing away with 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.

Check Your Points in the Farnam®/Platform™ USEF Horse of the Year Program

Do not wait until the end of the year! Your points are already online.

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 November 13, 2008)

Division	Horse	Owner
Andalusian/Lusitano Saddle Horse	Kripton-Seni 1	Nancy Latta
Arabian Country Pleasure/Pleasure Driving Open	Wisely Keepn Time	Georgia Hodge
Combined Driving Single Pony	Smoke	Sherri Dolan
Friesian Hunter	Dante FQ	Friesian Quest, LLC
Hackney Roadster Pony Open	Rant N'Rave K.V.	Karen Voerg
Half-/Anglo-Arabian Country Pleasure/ Country Pleasure Driving-Adult Amateur	Luver's Moon	Susan Istre
Regular Conformation Hunter	Cunningham	Mary Slouka
Five-Year-Old Jumper	Zero Point	Matt Yeterian
Morgan Western Pleasure Junior Exhibitor	DFM Poetic Justice	Jenna Britt
National Show Horse English Pleasure	Eminent Sensation	Kimberly Kachurchak
Roadster Horse Under Saddle	High Velocity	SGF Winning Ways Farm, Ltd.
American Saddlebred Five-Gaited Amateur	Callaway's Kit Carson	Susan Shepherd
Welsh Pony C & D	Minyfford Maid Megan	Carolyn Bronson
Trail Adult Amateur	Roxy Music	Peggy Weems

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.

Take a holiday from interest payments!

Leave the interest payments behind this holiday season, with the United States Equestrian Federation Visa ® Platinum Card, now offering 0% APR for 12 billing cycles*! Wrap up great holiday memories with this unique card, knowing you’ll pay no interest until next winter. The United States Equestrian Federation Visa is perfect for holiday shopping, but you need to switch now to save. Plus, you’ll benefit our organization and earn great rewards with every purchase!

0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 billing cycles*

The United States Equestrian Federation Visa ® Platinum Card alsoprovides 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, we 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 continue to fund important programs and activities.

Click here to apply today or call 1-800-853-5576, x9244.

Hurry, offer ends December 31, 2008.

*Click product name for terms and conditions: Signature, Platinum, Cash Rewards, Select Rewards. The 0% introductory APR does not apply to Cash Advances or the College Rewards Visa Card and is valid for the first twelve billing cycles on Purchases and Balance Transfers. Thereafter, the APR may vary, and as of 9/30/08, the undiscounted variable APR for Purchases and Balance Transfers is 9.24%-20.24% (depending on your credit history).The variable APR for Purchases and Balance Transfers or any Delinquency Rate then in effect will apply to any outstanding balances after the promotional period ends. For updated rate information, call 1-866-322-7989.The variable APR for Cash Advances is 21.24%-26.24%. We apply your payments to balances with lower APRs first. There is a variable Delinquency Rate APR of 29.24% if your payment is late or you are over the limit. Cash Advance Fee: 4%, $10 minimum. Convenience Check Advance Fee: 3%, $5 minimum. Overdraft Protection: Advances posting as Overdraft Protection are subject to a fee of $10 per occurrence. Cash Equivalent Fee: 4%, $20 minimum. No Balance Transfer Fees for balances transferred with this application. Thereafter 3%, $5 minimum. There is a $2 minimum finance charge where interest is due and a $2.50 Closed Account Management Fee if you voluntarily close your account with a balance. Foreign Transaction Fee: less than or equal to 3% of the amount of your transaction in U.S. dollars. The Late Payment Fee is $19 for balances less than $100, $29 for balances of $100–$250, and $39 for balances of $250 and higher.

The creditor and issuer of the Visa Platinum card is the U.S. Bank National Association ND.

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.