The Mid-A Youth of the Year Contest was well attended with 13 contestants, thanks in part to top-notch contest organization provided by Leitha Stone and a wonderful crew of volunteers. In the oral presentation section, contestants were asked to think critically about today’s difficult economic situation and how it is impacting the equine industry. Walk-trot and junior contestants focused on horse rescue organizations and how they are dealing with an influx of surrendered horses, while senior...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to now offer historical awards reports, dating from 1974 to the present. These reports, available through the USDF website, include award name, levels, rankings, median score, and the year the award was earned, for most awards that USDF has provided over the past 35 years. Reports are available by owner, rider, or horse for a fee of $20 each for members and $35 each for non-members. The rider’s report will list the awards that a specified...

The Laurels At Landhope International Combined Driving Event, one of the most prestigious events of its kind in the U.S., will be held in West Grove, Chester County, PA, September 11-13, 2009. Combining family fun with international equestrian competition in a beautiful country setting just 40 miles from Philadelphia, the event hosts the best drivers from Canada, Mexico, and the United States, who compete in a series of three events with combinations from single horses and ponies to...

Photo Courtesy American Connemara Pony Society On two weekends at the end of June and beginning of July there were three United States Equestrian Federation (USEF)-recognized Connemara shows or divisions in USEF-recognized shows. On June 26, the West Coast Connemara Show was held in Pasa Robles, CA, and this year included a USEF- and United States Dressage Federation-recognized dressage show and a USEF-recognized in-hand breed show. Marynell Eyles was the judge for the in-hand and performance...

From the USEF Driving Department Lexington, KY – The USEF has named the following Drivers and Horses to represent the United States at the 2009 World Driving Championships. The Pair World Driving Championships will be held in Kecskemet, Hungary August 20-23, 2009. Driver/Age/Hometown Horse/Age/Breed/Sex/Owner Larry Poulin/59/Petersham, MA Wiley/10/Hanoverian/G/Natasha Griggs Rivage/11/Oldenburg/G/Natasha Griggs Cody/12/Swedish Warmblood/S/Natasha Griggs Keady Cadwell43/Southern Pines, NC...

The excitement of cutting horse competition returns to the Will Rogers Memorial Coliseum July 13–August 2 with the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Summer Cutting Spectacular presented by Great American Insurance. The event lists 1,775 entries vying for more than $2 million in prize money. Classes are divided between a classic challenge competition for five- and six-year-old horses and a derby for four-year-old horses. The Summer Cutting Spectacular is the third leg of the prestigious...

The Chincoteague pony herd is thought to be descended from animals aboard a wrecked 16th century Spanish ship, but today the herd is getting 21st century health care. Again this year, the herd is receiving donated vaccinations and deworming products from Merial, maker of Recombitek® Equine West Nile Virus (WNV) vaccine, Imrab® rabies vaccine and Zimecterin® Gold (ivermectin/praziquantel). These products represent health care technology used by top equine competitors—but even wild ponies...

The Essex Classics/United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Hunterdon Equitation Cup Classic will be held July 28 in Saugerties, NY, in conjunction with the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) East Coast Junior Hunter Finals. In its fifth year, the prestigious class combines the precision of equitation and the handiness of hunters to test the horsemanship skills of some of the most talented young riders in the country. The class consists of three rounds with the highest scores...

There was no roll of the dice for junior rider Halle Salisbury and her Casino in the Marshall & Sterling Hunter Classic during the Colorado Circuit Preview at the Colorado Horse Park in Parker, CO (June 25-28). The youngster, who rides with Libby Barrow, had two horses in the event: Casino, the class winner, and Zhivago, who finished eighth in the class of 14. However, it was aboard Zhivago that Salisbury won the Marshall & Sterling Childrens Medal Class. Amateur Joyce Baldwin was quite pleased...

The second Kentucky International Equine Summit (KIES), sponsored by the Equine Industry Program at the University of Louisville in cooperation with the University of Kentucky’s Equine Initiative, will be held Monday and Tuesday, April 26 and 27, 2010, in downtown Lexington, KY. The inaugural Summit held in April of 2008 featured more than 90 speakers and panelists from around the world discussing industry economics, horse welfare, and genetics and breeding. Program subjects for 2010 include...