HITS is pleased to announce that its on-site schools will return to the HITS Desert Circuit and HITS Ocala Winter Circuit when show jumping begins at each venue this winter. Education Station (HITS Ocala) The Education Station at HITS Ocala has existed since 1992 and offers students an intimate 5-to-1 teacher-to-student ratio. Students are grouped according to subject and or age and professional teaching assistants will be on hand for one-on-one instruction. "We are looking forward to another...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) elected a new president and treasurer for three-year terms. George Williams of Delaware, OH, who was vice president of the federation for nine years and a United States high-performance rider, takes the helm as president from Dr. Samuel Barish. Steve Schubert of Methuen, MA, replaces Barb Tuohino Funk as treasurer. Williams also appointed Melissa Creswick of Clovis, CA, as interim vice president for a one-year term. George Williams is currently a...

The deadline for submission of applications for the 2010 U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team Selection has been extended to January 15, 2010. Applications are available online for riders interested in pursuing an opportunity to qualify for the teams that will represent the United States at the 2010 International Saddle Seat Equitation World Cup event, to be held October 6-8, 2010, at the Kentucky Fall Classic Horse Show in Shelbyville, KY. In addition, the Saddle Seat World Cup will be a featured...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) would like to congratulate the 11-year-old 16.3-hand Dutch Warmblood gelding Ravel, owned by Akiko Yamazaki of Woodside, CA, and ridden by Steffen Peters of San Diego, CA, for being named 2009 Adequan/United States Dressage Federation Grand Prix Horse of the Year. Ravel’s median score of 75.574% made him the top horse in the United States competing at this level and the recipient of USDF’s highest honor. Ravel was recognized at the 2009 Adequan/USDF...

Equestrian Sports Productions (ESP), owner and manager of the FTI 2010 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), is busy with the final preparations to the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) for the January 12 opening day. ESP has spent millions of dollars since the last circuit to ensure that the experience for both customers and horses will be excellent in the New Year. Mark Bellissimo, Chief Executive Officer of ESP, and Managing Partner of Wellington Equestrian Partners (WEP),...

The Stephens College Department of Equestrian Studies was host to an International Saddle Seat Invitational competition with South Africa. The event, which took place December 11-12, was patterned after the Saddle Seat World Cup competition, which consists of five countries fielding two teams each. Saddle seat is typically an individual discipline, so team competition requires strategy, which enhances the challenge. South Africa brought two teams to Stephens for the event—a three-gaited...

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the 2010 triple point competitions for the Saddlebred, Roadster, and Hackney/Harness divisions. Each year, the corresponding breed/discipline committees vote to assign “triple point” status to a competition in each of the 12 regions. Points won at any of these designated competitions will count as triple points for the Farnam®/Platform™ USEF Horse of the Year program. For more information on USEF triple point competitions,...

The 2009 winners of the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Members Choice Awards Program were announced, Wednesday, December 9, 2009, at the USHJA Annual Meeting in St. Petersburg, FL. Lynn Walsh, Chair of the Show Standards Committee, gave a brief overview of the program and announced the winners. Winners were selected in two categories; AA- and A-rated competitions, as well as B- and C-rated competitions. Winners will receive a banner, which can be displayed at their competition,...

The inaugural United States Hunter Jumper Association's (USHJA) Emerging Athletes Program National Training Session (level 3) will take place January 8-10, 2010, in Reno, NV at Maplewood Stables, Inc., owned by Julie Winkel. The top 12 finalists will spend three days focused on displaying their riding, horsemanship and stable management skills. Finalists for Reno in Alphabetical Order 1. Alexa Anthony, Richmond, WA 2. Carly Anthony, Redmond, WA 3. Hayley Barnhill, Collierville, TN 4. Nelson...

The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation Holiday Fundraiser, presented by Succeed® and Wellington Classic Dressage, was a great success as spectators had the opportunity to experience the one-of-a-kind equestrian event featuring performances, exhibitions and team competitions with Olympians and many top equestrian stars. A benefit for the USET Foundation, the fundraiser was held at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL, on December 11-12, 2009. Through generous...