Oklahoma City, OK – The National Reining Horse Association will once again host the $100,000 added 2009 FEI World Reining Masters Final during the 2009 NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show in Oklahoma City on December 3. The competition brings 20 riders from 18 countries to Oklahoma City along with many international visitors. Set to return are Austrian rider Rudi Kronsteiner and Rosanne Sternberg’s Smart Spook, 2007 and 2008 open and restricted division champions....

HITS, Inc., is pleased to announce that one of their competitions has won a national award from the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA). The HITS Ocala Winter Classic, which was held on February 3-8, 2009, was selected as the USHJA "A/AA" rated Member's Choice award-winning competition for Zone 4. "We are honored that our Zone 4 exhibitors selected the HITS Ocala Winter Classic for this award," said Tom Struzzieri, HITS President and CEO. "I'm proud that their experience at HITS...

While many events are making cut backs in prize money, Bob Bell and Janet McCarroll, co-managers of the 2010 Gulf Coast Winter Series, were ecstatic to announce an increase to the High Junior and Amateur Owner Jumpers this season. Over $100,000 will be awarded during the six-week 2010 winter series. “That is a lot!” a happy Bell commented. The high section will offer $2,000 per class, and on the weekends there will be a $15,000 High Jumper Classic. “This is for each and every week!” said Bell....

Equestrian Sport Productions announces the online publication of the 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival Prize List at www.equestriansport.com . This year's circuit promises to be the best ever with over $5.5 million in prize money and awards and exciting classes every week. Following are the Highlights of the circuit: • FTI $500,000 Finale Grand Prix in Week 11 • FTI $100,000 Rider Challenge • CN $200,000 CN World Cup in Week 9 • Spycoast Farm $150,000 World Cup in Week 5 • CN $75,000 Nations...

The USEF is supportive of the rule change allowing certain non-steroidal medications included on the “Progressive List” passed at the FEI General Assembly in Copenhagen earlier this month. The list includes medications that would be allowed in FEI competitions and which are already permitted in USEF competitions. These medications are not considered by WADA to be performance enhancing in human athletes and because of this distinction, they are not prohibited. While it is the human athlete that...

McLain Ward and his Beloved Sapphire at the 2009 Rolex/FEI World Cup Final (Shannon Brinkman for USEF) Gladstone, NJ -The USET Foundation is pleased to announce that the Whitney Stone Cup has been awarded to McLain Ward of Brewster, NY. The Whitney Stone Cup is awarded annually by the USET Foundation Executive Committee to an active competitor who displays consistent excellence in international competition, high standards of sportsmanlike conduct, while also serving as an ambassador for the...

The 2010 schedule of the Exquis World Dressage Masters, the globe's richest line up of competitions each with €100,000 (US$149,850) in prize money, was announced Monday. A WDM Rider Ranking award of €25,000 (US$37,000) is also offered by Nürnberger Versicherungsgruppe at WDM in Munich in 2010. Munich will also be the venue for a WDM gala celebration. The 2010 schedule of confirmed competitions of the Exquis World Dressage Masters, founded by Exquis and also sponsored by Moorland Stables and...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that Charles “Chuck” Smith has received the 2009 USDF Volunteer of the Year Award, presented by The Paddock Saddlery. This award recognizes a USDF member who, through consistent and cumulative volunteer activities, has demonstrated exceptional commitment towards carrying out USDF’s mission. As the winner, Smith will be presented with a perpetual trophy, which is permanently on display in the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame,...

Photo USEF Archives (Top equestrian athletes sign autographs at the USEF booth.) This weekend the USEF highlighted its new National Affiliation with the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) during a presentation of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) disciplines at the AQHA World Championship Show. Bobby Murphy of Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC, was brought in as the producing director for the USEF showcase, which was held on Friday, November 20. The event showcased the...

A national Welfare Code of Practice has been endorsed by the American Association of Equine Practitioners, the American Quarter Horse Association, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, the United States Equestrian Federation and the U.S. Trotting Association. The Welfare Code of Practice, drafted by the American Horse Council, outlines in generic terms what it means for an organization to be committed to the responsible breeding, training, care,...