Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

The second and final leg of the Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championship presented by Equine Motorcoach showcased some of the country’s best horses and riders. Todd Minikus won the first leg on Friday night with Pavarotti but Sunday brought a whole new challenge.

Thirty-five riders went to task in Sunday’s $60,000 Holiday & Horses FEI World Cup Qualifier which included riders from six nations and featured the final USEF national championship of 2008. Veteran rider Margie Engle put in the most consistent performance over the two rounds to end up on top. Despite placing eighth overall on Sunday—their third place from the first leg propelled them into the winner’s spot. Riding Hidden Creek’s Quervo Gold on Sunday (and Hidden Creek’s Pamina L on Friday) she ended up on 44 points, beating out Kirsten Coe and Starlight for the coveted Rolex watch.

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) announces that Jessica Moctezuma has been selected as the USEF Junior Equestrian of the Year. Moctezuma will be honored during the USEF’s Annual Meeting, January 14-18, 2009, in Cincinnati, OH, as part of the Pegasus Awards held Saturday evening.

The Ruth O’Keefe Meredith Trophy was established in 1985 to honor a junior equestrian who has made outstanding contributions to equestrian competition while exemplifying exceptional talent, sportsmanship and dedication. After reviewing the many candidates nominated for one of the USEF’s highest honors, the Awards Committee selected the young equestrian who exceeded the demanding qualification criteria.

Moctezuma, 18, of Hardwick, NJ, has been making a name for herself in the Saddlebred world, not just by winning championships but by giving back to a cause that has given her so much. Moctezuma’s mother is the owner of North Wind Stables and in the last three years the stable has been very involved with Saddlebred Rescue, Inc. Moctezuma has been able to test ride over 200 horses and counting, and has helped in placing misused and neglected horses in loving homes.

Austria’s Rudi Kronsteiner Wins 2008 FEI World Reining Masters; U.S.’s Jordan Larson and Craig Schmersal take Silver and Bronze Medals

Last night the top reiners in the world came together for an evening of intense competition at the 2008 FEI World Reining Masters in Oklahoma City, OK, as part of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show. Austria’s Rudi Kronsteiner and Smart Spook scored 221 to take the 2008 FEI World Reining Masters in the Open division. The U.S. won the Silver and Bronze medals in the Open division— Jordan Larson and Lena Gallo took the Silver medal with a score of 218, and Craig Schmersal and Mr Dual Rey earned the Bronze medal with a score of 216.5.

Kronsteiner outmaneuvered 18 horse-and-rider pairs from 15 countries to win for the second year in a row. Last year, Kronsteiner took home the title, which made him the first reiner outside of the U.S. to win the FEI World Reining Masters.

Larson, of Whitesboro, TX, and his partner Lena Gallo, an eight-year-old bay Quarter Horse stallion owned by Lapke Quarter Horses, have proved to be quite a pair this year with their consistent performances. Larson said that he was especially pleased with Lena Gallo’s efforts in the Masters since he continues to step up to the plate in all of the competitions this year.

World’s Grand Champion CH Breaking News Named American Saddlebred Horse of The Year

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) announced that its only Triple Crown winner this year, WGC CH Breaking News, has been named Horse of the Year. The connections of the Horse of the Year will be honored at the ASHA Annual Convention during the Saddlebred Ball, Saturday evening, February 14, 2009, at the Griffin Gate Marriott Resort and Spa in Lexington, KY.

Rider/trainer Peter Cowart of West Wind Stables in Statesville, NC, will also be awarded with the Five-Gaited World’s Grand Championship Ring. Cowart will receive his Champions Ring from last year’s World’s Grand Champion Michele Macfarlane. Previous winners of this unique award were Smith Lilly and Todd Miles.

With his win at the United Professional Horsemen's Association (UPHA) American Royal National Championship in Kansas City, MO, CH Breaking News, a 10-year-old gelding, claimed the American Saddlebred Triple Crown, sweeping the Five-Gaited Championships at Lexington Junior League, Kentucky State Fair and American Royal—the three shows which comprise the Saddlebred Triple Crown—for the first time since CH Boucheron (also a World’s Grand Champion) accomplished this feat in 2004. WGC CH Grande Gil was the Three-Gaited Triple Crown winner in 2007. Previously named as American Saddlebred Horse of the Year have been Fine Harness Triple Crown Champion WGC CH Callaway’s Copyright and CH Callaway’s Sugarplum.

Lars Petersen and Success Win Holiday & Horses CDI*** Grand Prix Freestyle Over Tuny Page and Wild One

Denmark's Lars Petersen played his crowd-wowing cartoon medley to Success to capture his second straight major grand prix freestyle with a convincing win at the Holiday & Horses CDI*** at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center on Saturday night.

The score of 73.90% with four of the five judges awarding first place for the longtime partnership that began in Europe and flowered in America edged out 2006 World Cup Finalist Arlene "Tuny" Page and Wild One of the USA who placed second with 70.00% and the USA's Tara Stegen and New Tango, who finished third on 67.55%

Mikala Munter Gundersen, also of Denmark and the wife of Danish jumping grand prix rider Henrik Gundersen, rode the Horses Unlimited-owned Leonberg to fourth place with a score of 67.20%.

This is a reminder that the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) will conduct a seminar for licensed competition management serving both secretaries and managers. The early registration deadline is December 14 and early registrants receive a discount. The early registration price is $100. After December 14, the cost is $125.

Imagine what would happen if your trailer became disconnected from your tow vehicle, and your emergency breakaway battery was fully discharged. Disaster! However, when a breakaway system is working properly, it will lock the brakes automatically if the trailer becomes disconnected from the tow vehicle.

Para-Equestrian and High School Senior Jonathan Wentz to be Featured in the Television Series, The Real Winning Edge

Para-equestrian and high school senior Jonathan Wentz will be featured in the television series, The Real Winning Edge, January 10-11. Find channels and times for airing at www.realwinningedge.com/index.php.

Wentz was selected for the show after seeing an article in USEF’s Week in Review in June 2007, "TV Producer searching for Equestrians for New Series," and submitting his bio.

The 30-minute show profiles three young achievers who have overcome challenges and each are introduced by well-known celebrities. Wentz’s segment deals with overcoming disabilities, and he is introduced by Belmont winning jockey John Velazquez. Wentz is a para-equestrian with goals of riding for Team USA in dressage at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, KY, and the 2012 Paralymics in London, England.

The most prominent Arabian horse farms in Scottsdale, AZ, will open their doors this holiday season (December 26-January 3) to allow visitors to view national champion horses, meet top trainers, learn more about this incredible breed and share in the passion of the Arabian horse.

ESP Christmas Shows at PBIEC South Grounds Offers $25,000 Grand Prix on December 14

Equestrian Sport Productions' two Christmas shows, the Christmas Festival, held December 12-14 and the Christmas A, held December 19-21, both A-rated, three-star jumper events, will be held at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center's South Grounds while the multimillion dollar improvements to the North Grounds are completed in time for the 2009 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival that starts on January 7.

Every competitive horse owner knows that showtime is stressful. However, stress from training to trailering can affect horses, too.

Horses can continue feeling the stress even after stepping off the trailer. Situations such as increased stall time—especially at an unfamiliar facility—and limited turnout, along with training and competing, can often lead to Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS). In fact, 63% of nonracing competitive horses can suffer from EGUS.

The new video message by the FEI Secretary General is now available on www.fei.org. In the December issue Alex McLin talks of the outcomes of the recent FEI General Assembly and the main actions to be undertaken in 2009, and the FEI Year of Youth. The CEO also takes a look at the preparations for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010, which are now less than two years away.

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.

Blog Update Club Equestrian's Horse Bits Blog: Kentucky Derby Trail; Reining Videos; Equine Herpesvirus-1 Back Again

Blog Update
Club Equestrian's Horse Bits Blog: Kentucky Derby Trail; Reining Videos; Equine Herpesvirus-1 Back Again