The 2009 Capital Challenge Horse Show will take place September 26-October 4 at the Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. This year's edition will feature the $40,000 North American Junior/Amateur Challenge Cup. The North American Junior/Amateur Challenge Cup will feature three rounds of jumper competition in a World Cup-type format. The first round, sponsored by Heritage Farm and Kate Considine of Willow Brook Farm, is a $5,000 Faults Converted class. The Time First Round...

Dressage trainer Todd Flettrich and his mount, Otto, owned by Cherry Knoll Farm, made their competitive debut in the United States this weekend at the New England Dressage Association's (NEDA) Fall Festival, held September 9-13, in Saugerties, NY. After spending three months in Germany training with Olympic Gold medalist Hubertus Schmidt, Flettrich and Otto returned to Cherry Knoll Farm's Pennsylvania location just one week prior to the Saugerties competition, and went on to win the CDI Grand...

Plantation Field will host its second international horse trials beginning Friday, September 18, 2009. One of only a handful of prestigious international competitions in the region offering CIC*, CIC**, and CIC*** divisions, Plantation Field will provide fierce competition for riders of all levels and exciting events and activities for spectators and families. "We're thrilled to enter our second year of international competition," said Denis Glaccum, co-director of Plantation Field...

Following consultation with National Federations, riders and event organizers, the FEI Bureau decided that Great Britain and Belgium will both be relegated from the Meydan FEI Nations Cup™. The two teams finished the 2009 season in eighth place on equal points ahead of the Italians, who are also relegated. The two highest-placed teams in the Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ Promotional League Final, which will be held in Barcelona, Spain, on September 20, will be promoted to the FEI Nations Cup™ Top...

Join the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) at the 2009 Annual Meeting held in St. Petersburg, FL, December 7-10. The four-day-long convention will take place at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort St. Petersburg. Registration will be open until December 3, 2009. Applications to register can be downloaded from the USHJA website at www.ushja.org/content/annualMeeting/registration.aspx . The Annual Meeting will include informative sessions on rule changes and hot topics in the industry as...

The 2009/2010 The Chronicle of the Horse /United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) International Hunter Derby series is off to a great start with top-level classes being held throughout the country. Many venues are experiencing an increase in exhibitors and spectators alike thanks to the efforts of show managers, course designers, the support of sponsors and the dedication of the High Performance Hunter Committee. In its second year of competition, the International Derby Series is...

Lexington, KY – A seasoned veteran of the USEF Driving Four-in-Hand Team battled the elements to win the 2009 Laurels at Landhope Advanced Horse Teams division in a deluge on Friday. Rain plagued the annual event in West Grove, PA and many of the competitors chose to withdraw from the marathon phase (including reigning Silver medalist from the 2008 World Driving Championships, Chester Weber) but Jim Fairclough (Newtown, NJ) made the best of a very wet weekend. Fairclough’s fortitude prevailed...

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) and the World Games 2010 Foundation announced the NRHA’s sponsorship of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. With its sponsorship, the National Reining Horse Association makes possible, for the first time in Games history, an exhibition freestyle event to the overall event schedule. NRHA Executive Director Dan Wall commented, “NRHA is proud to announce our official partnership with the Games and is thrilled to have this special opportunity to...

International grand prix dressage rider and trainer Heather Blitz will be moving her training base to a new location in Loxahatchee, FL, on December 1, 2009. The popular rider has been based in Europe for the past three years and is now ready to return stateside to a new facility that will provide the opportunity to operate a training business alongside her riding career. "I have had a wonderful time in Europe and have made many friends as well as some great clients, but the time has come for...

The American Association of Equine Practitioners’ (AAEP) 55th Annual Convention will take the stage in Las Vegas, Neveda, December 5–9, as the world’s most distinguished continuing education meeting for equine veterinarians. The convention attracts more than 3,500 veterinarians, veterinary students and technicians for scientific lectures, industry forums, networking events and other opportunities for professional development. All sessions will be held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Dr....