The Arabian Horse Association (AHA) reports that 2008 Sweepstakes Program figures look similar to that of 2007. A March report indicates that over $2.2 million in prize money was awarded to nearly 5,000 AHA members. Just over $1 million of the total money awarded was through the Points Payout Program. The second largest payout came from the Allocated Payout Program, followed by the Breeder Nominator Payout, and then Nominated Sire Payout. Broken down, horses enrolled in the Sweepstakes Point...

Content provided by the Intercollegiate Dressage Association The 2009 Intercollegiate Dressage Association’s National Championship was one of many surprises. Hosts University of Findlay masterfully created a championship that was certainly worthy of the title and occasion. Kicking off events on Friday afternoon, Findlay’s 32-acre James L. Child Jr. Equestrian Complex became an Hawaiian paradise that quickly became over run with golf cart decorating and driving competitions designed to really...

This year, more than $180,000 will be offered from the Kentucky Breeders Incentive Program, for Kentucky-bred American Saddlebreds exhibited by members of the Kentucky Saddlebred Owners and Breeders Association (KSOBA), a charter club of the American Saddlebred Horse Association. The Fine Harness Open Championship at the Kentucky Spring Premier Horse Show, held at the Kentucky Horse Park beginning Thursday, April 30, is the first 2009 class to receive a supplement from the Kentucky Breeders...

Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) is now offering the Recreational Vaulting Coach Certification as a stand-alone certification clinic. This clinic was designed in conjunction with the American Vaulting Association (AVA). Prior to approval of the change by the CHA Board of Directors in March of this year, it was required by the participant to either hold an instructor certification or attend a “standard equivalency test out” prior to the vaulting clinic. Since so many excellent vaulting...

The FEI Dressage Task Force met in Lausanne, Switzerland, April 21-22. The Task Force discussed the following items: Olympic Games: competition formula and qualification process. A proposal will be included in the Task Force’s final report to be presented to the FEI Bureau in November. Dressage Committee: future composition. A proposal in line with the FEI Statutes is currently being prepared in cooperation with the FEI Nominations Committee. The Secretary General briefed the task force on the...

In a repeat performance, DFG Stables’ owner/head trainer Daniel Geitner partnered with Kyle Register’s Trading Places to win Sunday’s $30,000 finale grand prix at the Aiken Spring Classics. The duo was also victorious in last week’s $25,000 event. “It’s been a good two weeks,” an exuberate Geitner said by phone after besting 22 tough competitors in Sunday afternoon’s featured event the $30,000 Carolina Real Estate Grand Prix. In sharing that Trading Places had a good portion of the winter...

People Helping Horses (PHH) Founder and Executive Director Gretchen Salstrom was recently made aware of the need in the community to serve children with disabilities through therapeutic riding. After careful consideration and much discussion, Salstrom and the PHH Board of Directors agreed to partner with NARHA certified instructor Laurie Grow in the launch of a new program, Leg Up for Kids Therapeutic Riding. The program officially commenced on April 1, 2009. It is run at Half Trak Farm, a...

All participants at NARHA centers are unique and deserve recognition, but as we all know, some just shine. So every year NARHA celebrates some especially outstanding equestrians, equines, instructors and volunteers. Right now NARHA centers all over North America and beyond are nominating their own special equines and people. Since nominations close on June 15, members, and participants alike are working with center leaders to make sure their special people and equines are not left out. All...

The Professional Riders Organization (PRO) hosted a press conference at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. The press conference came on the heels of the first day of competition and in the midst of an exciting membership drive at the competition. “We are excited by the reception the Professional Riders Organization has received in Kentucky,” said Craig R. Thompson, a distinguished event rider and PRO founder. “Though PRO is a relatively new organization, the encouragement and excitement riders...

Lexington, KY – It was tight at the top of the leaderboard at the 2009 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event but the first three places remained unchanged, as Lucinda Fredericks, Bettina Hoy and Buck Davidson each jumped immaculate clear show jumping rounds. Fredericks, who took over the lead from Hoy after the cross country, had all kinds of horse left in the brand new main arena at the Kentucky Horse Park and Headley Britannia bounded around Richard Jeffrey’s track, giving the pair their...