Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and the National Affiliate Working Group (NAWG) committee is pleased to announce that Madeleine Genereux is the winner of the 2008 USEF Youth Sportsman’s Award sponsored by Breyer Animal Creations®. Genereux was selected from an outstanding group of young adults from across the country. Genereux, of Mahtomedi, MN, was nominated by the United States Hunter/Jumper Association for her passion and commitment to the sport along with academic excellence.

Genereux, 18, has demonstrated an ongoing commitment and dedication to the USEF and her affiliate organization. Genereux was selected based on her impressive resume and contributions, passion and dedication to the equine industry. Genereux is an active member of the Minnesota Hunter Jumper Association (MHJA) and currently attends Notre Dame University in South Bend, IN. Genereux’s academic accomplishments include being a member of the National Honor Society and receiving a National Merit Scholarship. Genereux is also a two-time Zepher Award winner, which recognizes students who achieve academic excellence, leadership and service to Mahtomedi High School.

Genereux began riding as a child and was showing by the age of nine. As she progressed with her riding, Genereux was offered mounts from members of the MHJA that helped to educate her and added to her competitive showing dreams, which she is still actively pursuing. In addition to horses, Genereux also enjoys gymnastics and volunteering for service organizations.

Dover Saddlery is pleased to announce that Dobbin, owned and ridden by Dover Saddlery employee Corinne Ashton, has been named 2008 Horse of the Year, by the United States Eventing Association.

Dobbin, a 14-year-old Thoroughbred gelding is owned and ridden by Corinne Ashton who works part time in customer service at Dover Saddlery, near her home in Princeton, MA. Ashton enjoys answering customers’ questions about eventing products while her co-workers love to follow Dobbin’s successful career and affectionately call him “Dover’s Dobbin” around the office.

“It has always been a privilege to be partnered with Dobbin; he is a rare and true friend,” commented Ashton. “Indeed the same can be said for my employer, Dover Saddlery. Their great support has contributed to our accomplishment. Dover is, of course, my source of fine riding apparel and tack, and keeps us at the top of our game!”

Arabian Horse Foundation Establishes Scholarship in Honor of Arabian Horse Association Former President

The Arabian Horse Foundation has established a scholarship in honor of Myron Krause, President of the Arabian Horse Association for the past four years. Krause served longer than any other president in the association’s recent history.

Dressage Athletes and Committee Members Meet to Shape Future of U.S. Dressage Program

Fourteen high-performance dressage athletes traveled from across the U.S. and from as far away as Germany to join the 19 members of the USEF High-Performance Dressage Eligible Athletes Committee and the USEF High-Performance Dressage Committee to attend a forum held November 11, 2008, in Chicago, IL. The objective of the forum was to discuss the USEF’s High-Performance Strategic Plan for the period leading up to the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

The World Games 2010 Foundation unveiled the Official Image of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, created by internationally renowned artist LeRoy Neiman.

The painting features each of the eight equestrian sports that comprise the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, illustrated in Neiman’s style of brilliantly-colored, energetic imagery. As the Official Commemorative Artist of the 2010 Games, creating the piece was a return to a subject, and a place, with which Neiman has had a lifelong love.

“The horse has always been a favorite subject of mine, from the work horse to race horses,” said Neiman. “Kentucky is horse country, where this noble animal is prominent and appreciated. It has been a joy to paint the eight different disciplines for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. I’m looking forward to attending in 2010 with sketchbook in hand.”

With the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games on the horizon, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has hired Peter Tischer to serve as the Developing Driver Four-in-Hand Coach for 2009.

A former international driver and member of the German driving team, Tischer drove internationally until 2006. He drove competitively for more than 20 years, from single ponies to four-in-hand horses. Tischer offers a broad perspective and a wealth of expertise to the U.S. driving program. He has served on a number of driving committees in Germany and coached the Luxembourg driving team.

Eleven 10-day clinics with Tischer have been allotted for the next 12 months, and he wasted no time assessing the U.S. drivers, as he conducted a clinic with some of them in Southern Pines, NC, December 1-4, 2008. There are scheduled clinics in Houston, TX; Ocala, FL; and Lexington, KY.

Holiday & Horses CSI-W/CDI*** Opens at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center

Holiday & Horses CSI-W/CDI*** opened Wednesday in the made-over Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) with about 200 horses competing in hunter and jumper classes.

Competitors expressed amazement at the multimillion dollar improvements to PBIEC, especially seating around the showcase International Arena. Spectator seating for the International Club, VIP boxes, rider stands and general admission seating were all rebuilt from the ground up.

Opening of the show that features the Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championship presented by Equine Motorcoach was rated about perfect, under blue skies and the temperature reaching 70 degrees.

Pennfield Announces "That’s a Promise" East Coast Tour; Public to Meet Olympic Stars, Win Training Packages and Bid on Auction Items

Pennfield Equine Feed Technologies is proud to announce an eight-city East Coast tour to bring equestrian fans together with Olympic riders to celebrate and explore the meaning of “promise.” Each evening will include hors d’oeuvres, wine, a presentation and discussion led by a world-renowned equine nutritionist, a silent auction with unique sport horse items and collectibles, and the chance to win training with a top rider in your chosen sport.

The stories of U.S. Paralympians as they prepare for and compete at the 2008 Paralympic Games will be featured once again on NBC this Saturday, December 6, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The documentary, which originally aired November 9, takes viewers on a compelling journey into the lives of U.S. Paralympians as they vie for triumph in Beijing, China. The 90-minute broadcast is narrated by NBC Sports’ Bob Costas.

Now, saddleseat equitation riders can ride with a new reason in mind: raising funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the rider’s selected charity.

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 26, 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.

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