George Morris (USEF Archives) By Joanie Morris Lexington, KY – The pursuit of Show Jumping excellence in the United States continues. The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and George Morris have renewed Morris’ contract to serve as Chef d’Equipe and Technical Advisor through 2012. Morris has steered the US Jumping program to tremendous success over the first four years of his tenure. His attention to detail and meticulous preparation of his teams is world renowned....

Lexington, KY – For the first time in 2009, the USEF is sending athletes to the Australian Youth Olympic Festival. In its fifth year, the Australian Youth Olympic Festival showcases the world’s best in Youth Sports. More than 1500 athletes from 25 countries in 17 sports have arrived at the Olympic village at Homebush in Sydney, Australia. The US will be represented in Equestrian by four of our most promising show jumping riders from across the country. Taylor Land, 16 (Atlanta, GA), Mavis...

Lexington, KY – Six of the most promising US dressage riders will take on some of the world’s best when the Exquis World Dressage Masters heads to the Palm Beach International Equestrian Club January 28-31. This brand new series will travel from Wellington, FL to Salzburg, Austria and Munchen, Germany in May, then to Hickstead, UK in June. The series of competitions is bringing riders from across the globe together for a brand new initiative. Twenty starters will compete in the first Grand Prix...

The American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) recently created a Show Horse Hall of Fame, which honors registered Morgans with three or more world champion titles, or if shown prior to 1973, registered Morgans with three or more Grand Champion titles. These horses names will be embossed on a plaque that will reside at the AMHA Headquarters. Inducted as the inaugural horses into this prestigious Hall of Fame are these champions from the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s: Chasley Superman, Gay Dancer,...

Lifelong horseman Art Gottfried passed away on Sunday, December 21, in the presence of his immediate family. Gottfried is survived by Rosalie, his wife of many years, his children, grandchildren, and his beloved dog, Ralphie. Gottfried was well known throughout the hunter/jumper sport for his lifelong involvement, and he was probably best known as a USEF Steward. Services for Gottfried were held on Friday, December 26, at the McCormick & Sons Mortuary in Laguna Hills. Rosalie asks that any...

The American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) is pleased to announce those members who will receive the top awards at its Annual Convention in February. For the first time, awardees are announced prior to the convention, with hopes that friends and family will be able to join them for this special recognition before the Morgan community. The 2009 AMHA Annual Convention will take place in Sacramento, CA, February 18-21. Man of the Year and Woman of the Year Awards honor those individuals for...

Thanks to the vision of the American Shetland Pony Club (ASPC), children in Hong Kong are enjoying the love and companionship of two very special Shetland Ponies. The ponies, FMF Imagination and PC Karmel Kid, were donated in the summer of 2008 as a way to salute Hong Kong’s efforts in hosting the 2008 Equestrian Olympics. “Karmel Kid is doing really well. He has been given the stable name of Bear and is loved by all. He has been fabulous with the lead rein kids and has also enjoyed a little...

A group of six young Morgan equestrians have been named to Team Morgan 2009 and will travel to South Africa in March to compete in a saddle seat competition. Announced as team members are Lyssa Bomgaars, Brynne Cummings, Rachel Menard, Kelsey Irvine, Maggie Smith, and Taylor Sams. The team's alternate is Caitlyn Scholl, and Cindy Mugnier has been named team coach. Team Morgan is an international multi-discipline competition program for Morgan youth ages 13-21. Its mission is to promote the...

In 2005, the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) and Registry launched a program designating and supporting regional championship competitions around the country. Regional championships increase competitive opportunities for all types of horses and levels of competition, and are part of the association’s effort to improve public education and awareness of the breed throughout the nation. For further detailed and updated information on the regional championship program, including...

The United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) closed 2008 with a successful Annual Meeting in Nashville, TN, December 8-11 at the Hilton Downtown. The annual convention saw a record number of attendees with 250 members sitting in on rule change forums and open committee meetings. Many members, affiliate organizations and equestrian businesses donated either their time in the form of lessons or sponsored various clothing, artwork and equipment items to the silent auction that raised over...