Dressage

Matthew Williams of Lexington, KY, development manager of the American Saddlebred Horse Association, has been promoted to the new position of director of development and communications, effective immediately, according to Alan F. Balch, ASHA Executive Secretary. “Since Matthew joined us not quite a year ago now, his performance has been exceptional,” Balch said. “He was a champion in the Saddlebred show ring, and he’s been a champion in his professional life with us as well. Although we’re...

As a reminder to all Junior Dressage riders, the 2006 USEF Junior Dressage Team Championship, sponsored by Collecting Gaits Farm, the Dutta Corporation and Performance Sales International, will be held at Pebble Beach Dressage and CDI***, July 6–9. In order to be eligible for this championship program, an Application of Intent must be submitted to the USEF office by Monday, May 15. Applications are available on the Federation website at www.usef....

Saddlebred.com has a new and valuable feature titled, “Saddle Up a Saddlebred,” which allows anyone interested in seeing, riding or learning more about Saddlebreds to enter their zip code and find a number of stables within a 300-mile radius. It can be accessed by going to www.saddlebred.com and clicking on “About the Breed,” and then going to “Stable Search,” or type in www.saddlebred.com/breed/stables.php . Right now, there are approximately 400 Saddlebred farms and stables in the database...

Michael Desiderio from Chester, NJ, won the Arabian Horse Association (AHA) 2005 MD Barns High-Point Amateur Award by earning 594.5 points in the Amateur Achievement Awards program. The 15-year-old competed in both amateur and open classes, including working hunter, working hunter under saddle, hunter hack and hunter seat equitation not to jump and over obstacles. His younger brother, Anthony, was also among the Top Ten with 301 points. Desiderio earned 10 championships, two reserves and six...

A new high-point award, Showmanship at Halter, has been developed for Americaan Saddlebred Horse Assocation (ASHA) youth. Showmanship at Halter is designed to give junior exhibitors the opportunity to show a well-groomed and properly fitted horse from the ground. The skills associated with showmanship are designed to teach exhibitors overall horsemanship, safety and sportsmanship, as they focus on results through control, proper form, attention and style. Awards will be presented to a National...

The Forks Farm Horse Trials in Norwood, NC, is underway until April 9 as part of Outdoor Heritage Days with a marquee list of riders competing in this world-class event, including five-time Olympic veteran Bruce Davidson, Sr.; three-time U.S. Olympian Karen O’Connor and Pan American Individual Gold medalist and U.S. Olympic Team Bronze medalist Darren Chiacchia. Also participating are some of the brightest new stars in the Olympic sport of eventing. The Horse Trials at Forks Farm is one of only...

Jumpers have always been a major part of the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair, and this year, with three new sections, these terrific athletes will add even more excitement to the oldest and most prestigious outdoor show in the country. Devon, held May 25-June 3, benefits Bryn Mawr Hospital, to which it has donated over $11.4-million over its four decades of association. Jumper classes are held daily throughout the 10 days, culminating in two grand prix classes, held Thursday and Saturday...

Showcase, Ltd., based in Canton, GA, ended their 2005 show season on a high note as owner-rider Terry Brown, partnered with her 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding Sequel, were awarded Farnam®/Platform™ USEF National Horse of the Year titles in Second Year Green Working Hunter, Regular Working Hunter and Horse of the Year Grand Champion in Regular Hunters. They seem to be headed right back to the top in 2006 as their winning continued with the championship in the Regular Working Hunter division for...

Robyn Fisher, 26, of Topanga, CA, was the wire-to-wire winner of the FEI World Cup Qualifier (CIC***-W) at Galway Downs, CA, on April 2, on her 11-year-old Holsteiner Thoroughbred gelding, Le Samurai, with a score of 75.6. Fisher finished each of the three days as the top rider in dressage, cross-country and jumping. She also won the CIC** on Lady Calido, a 10-year-old Holsteiner, and received prize money totaling more than $6,000 for winning both classes. "I had a great day," said Fisher, who...

Courtesy Animal Planet (Brianne Goutal was the eventual winner of the 2005 ASPCA Maclay Finals.) Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation® has welcomed a new audience of horse lovers thanks to the recent success of Animal Planet’s new six-week series, Horse Power–Road to the Maclay . More than six million unique viewers of all ages tuned in to Animal Planet to watch the series which began February 1. More than 9 million unique viewers tuned into the three...

Hundreds of highly trained horses will be descending upon Traverse City, MI, for a three-week United States Equestrian Federation-recognized hunter, jumper and dressage festival slated for July 12-30, 2006. A total of five recognized events will take place over the three week period offering $330,000 series prize money. Horse Shows by the Bay, Series I, II and III are rated “AA-Hunter” and “Four Star-Jumper.” Show jumping highlights include a weekly regional level $25,000 grand prix, $10,000...

The 2006 USEA/Spalding Labs Young Event Horse (YEH) Series kicked off March 17 at the Rocking Horse Spring Horse Trials in Altoona, FL. Due to the early date, only a five-year-old division was held. Great Britain's defending Olympic Gold medallist and recent U.S. transplant Leslie Law, with youngster Rainman, ran away with the division on a score of 88.35%. It was a tight race for second place, with Eric Dierks and Text, his Thoroughbred gelding, slipping into second on a score of 79.26%, with...