Week in Review - U.S. Equestrian

2005 United States Eventing Association Year-End Awards Celebrated at the Annual Meeting and Convention

More than 350 members of the United States Eventing Association (USEA) made their way to Charlotte, NC, for the USEA Annual Meeting and Convention, sponsored by Nutrena, held December 1-4, 2005. Over the weekend the association proudly honored the recipients of its 2005 Year-End awards at the annual luncheon, sponsored by Maui Jim Sunglasses.

The USEA Horse of the Year honors went to The Foreman, the nine-year-old Thoroughbred gelding owned by Ann Jones of Coatesville, PA, and ridden by Phillip Dutton. Of his eight starts in 2005, The Foreman placed first in two of them, and second in four events, most notably the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Farnam in April, and the Burghley Three-Day Event CCI****. In addition to the title Horse of the Year, his owner received a $1,000 purse.

“Original” Junior Teal Dowling Honored as 2005 USEF Junior Equestrian of the Year

When asked to choose one word that best describes who she is, Teal Dowling pauses, laughs a little and gives a word that all who know her would heartily agree with. The word would have to be “original,” she told the panel of judges in her interview as a finalist for 2005 USEF Junior Equestrian of the Year. The delightful 18-year-old from Spring Prairie, WI, does her best to live up to that word, charting her own course as she navigates life and the world of equestrian sport, as the newest recipient of the USEF Junior Equestrian of the Year award.

Attention Farnam®/Platform™ - USEF Horse of the Year Champions and PHR Silver Stirrup Champions

You are invited to mail in a photograph of your Farnam®/Platform™ - USEF Horse of the Year Champion for publication in the March issue of EQUESTRIAN magazine to our Lexington offices. Photos must be in by Monday, January 16, 2006. There is no charge for publication of your photo. For complete details on submitting your photo, click visit www.usef.org/hoty/faq.html.

To check your points, visit www.usef.org/content/pointsAwards/index.php.

As the year comes to a close, the USEF is pleased to announce the 2005 Equestrians of Honor. Of these eight honorees, one will be selected as the 2005 USEF Equestrian of the Year. Online voting is underway, and all members in good standing are invited to cast their votes.

For the full story, click here.
Vote for Equestrian of the Year

USEF Accepting Bids to Host the 2006-2008 Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championship

The USEF is now accepting bids to host the 2006-2008 Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championship. To request a bid document, please contact Jane Ohlert at (859) 225-6921 or via e-mail at johlert@usef.org. All completed bids are due back to Jane Ohlert at USEF by the close of business on Friday, January 6, 2006. Any bids received after this time will not be considered.

USEF Dressage Committee Seeks Candidates for USEF National Young Horse Dressage Coach

The USEF Dressage Committee has proposed expansions to the USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage Program, including the possible appointment of a USEF National Young Horse Dressage Coach for 2006. Therefore, the Committee is seeking qualified candidates to fill this position. The primary responsibilities for this coach will be to increase awareness and visibility of USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage Program; further the education of riders, trainers and owners and the importance of proper development of new equine athletes for high-performance; conduct training sessions; attend championships to observe and coach competitors; and work closely in cooperation with the U.S. team coach, National Dressage Director and USEF Dressage Committees as to prospects for further training and observation, continued development of the Young Horse Program, and coaching approach and direction.

USET Foundation 2005 Limited Edition Breyer Model Horse Winsome Adante Still Available for Holiday Season

The USET Foundation still has a few models remaining of the 2005 Limited Edition Breyer Model Horse, Winsome Adante. This one of a kind present is available for holiday delivery. The USET Foundation announced earlier this year that Winsome Adante, owned by Plain Dealing Farm of Scottsville, VA, and ridden by Kim Severson, was chosen as the 2005 USET Foundation Breyer model horse. Winsome Adante, an 11-year-old English-bred Thoroughbred gelding, is the tenth Breyer model in this popular series.

Paso Fino Horse Association Membership Convention in January; Proxy Voting Form Available

The 2006 Paso Fino Horse Association (PFHA) Board of Directors and Annual Membership Convention will be held January 13-15, at the Crowne Plaza in Redondo Beach, CA. The agenda for the meeting is available in the December issue of Paso Fino Horse World. For reservations, call (310) 318-8888.

Official Insurance Provider to USEF Members: $1 million in excess liability insurance free with your USEF junior, senior, platinum or life membership

When you think of horses and insurance, you probably think of hurdles...At Equisure, we pride ourselves on giving you a smooth ride.

Because we employ insurance people who are horse owners, competitors and equestrian participants, we really know the industry inside and out. Our personal involvement means our insurance solutions are up-to-date and will work for you. The unexpected in the horse world can be costly, but we have put together affordable coverage for your peace of mind. Equisure has more than 11 years of experience in the insurance field, and we are proud to be the "Official Insurance Provider to United States Equestrian Federation Members" and its affiliates.

As a member of USEF, you are entitled to $1 million in personal excess liability insurance for horse-related accidents that cause riding injury or property damage to third parties. In addition, you are entitled to personal accident insurance that insures you for death or permanent disability resulting from horse-related accidents. The benefit amount is determined by where the accident occurred and the result, with a maximum benefit of $35,000. For more information, contact Equisure at (800) 752-2472, or visit their website at www.equisure-inc.com.

The 51st Annual Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), held December 3-7 in Seattle, WA, attracted a crowd of nearly 5,900 veterinary professionals, guests and exhibitors, making it again the largest equine veterinary continuing education event in the world. Attendance was the third largest in AAEP history, behind only the Denver convention (2004) and the New Orleans convention (2003).

The six-week Arizona Winter Circuit has been a staple of West Coast circuits for many years. HITS took over production of this circuit in 1991. The Arizona Winter Circuit offers a full range of competition classes for beginners to advanced riders. Exhibitors gain valuable experience in the show ring under the eye of some of the country's top judges.

Are you looking for an opportunity to maximize your visibility and awareness to a community of equestrian leaders from across the country? Consider a sponsorship at the USEF Annual Meeting, January 11-15. As a sponsor, you can interact with hundreds of active equestrians and industry movers/shakers, all in a festive and comfortable setting as the leaders and athletes of our sport convene this year in Cincinnati, OH.

We have a multitude of opportunities available to get your message in front of the customers you want. For sponsorship opportunities at the 2006 USEF Annual Meeting, click here or e-mail sponsorships@usef.org.

From now until December 31, purchase $50 or more on USEF merchandise and you’ll receive a FREE USEF magnet. Click here to enter the official USEF online store.

The December feature item of the month is a set of four glasses, each displaying a different quote. Great gift idea for that hard-to-shop-for family member or friend this holiday season. Click here to view this item.

Don't miss the February 2006 issue of EQUESTRIAN

This issue will have coverage from the USEF annual convention. As a USEF member, you receive special advertising rates. This is a great time to advertise your stallion, publicize your facility or advertise your horse for sale. Space closes on December 19. Contact Kim Russell for more information at (859) 225-6938 or krussell@usef.org.

From the December/January 2006 issue of EQUESTRIAN magazine: The American Breeding Scene

Over the past century, American sport horse breeding has grown and changed. In the early 20th Century, many equestrians who were active in showing also bred their own horses. The average horseman had a good working idea of bloodlines and what they desired in the attitude and conformation of a specific breed.

In this new century, often a rider will buy a horse and perhaps not be as concerned about pedigree. An active show rider wants an equine that will be pleasant and talented to ride, drive or show in hand, and sometimes thinks of little beyond those attributes. It is now common for many equestrians to fly to Europe to look for and purchase horses. However, the American breeder still supplies most of the horses bought and sold in this country.

If you have news you would like to contribute for the American Breeder News e-newsletter, a monthly news source about sport horse breeding in North America, brought to you by the Performance Horse Registry and the USEF, please review the “Guidelines for Releases” or e-mail press-ready releases to news@usef.org.

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.