Anky van Grunsven, the most successful musical freestyle competitor in the history of dressage, Holland's Edward Gal who captivated American audiences at the World Cup Finals, and USA Olympian Steffen Peters are among riders to confirm their participation in the inaugural $140,000 Exquis World Dressage Masters CDI***** in Wellington, January 28-31, 2009. Olympians Ashley Holzer of Canada and Hans Peter Minderhoud of The Netherlands have also committed to the event at the Palm Beach...

Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has approved the following modifications to the Selection Procedures for CSIO/CSI Competitions, aka “the USEF Computer List”. The following changes (noted in bold/italics) became effective on December 1, 2008. CONSEQUENCE LANGUAGE • If a competitor withdraws from a CSI***/CSIO*** and above (US, CAN, MEX are excluded) more than three (3) times in one year after Athlete Services has sent the competitor’s invitation request to the...

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has approved the sports competitions programme for the first Summer Youth Olympic Games (YOG) to be held in Singapore in 2010, as well as the qualification system for each event. Showjumping, the sole discipline representing equestrian sport, will see a total of 30 riders between 17 and 18 years of age competing on borrowed horses at the Singapore Turf Club. The qualification system is available at www.fei....

The American Saddlebred Registry has announced a change in the fee required for submitting Saddlebred Record Applications. The current application fee of $50.00, which has remained without increase for well over 10 years, will be adjusted to $75.00, effective February 1, 2009. Saddlebred Record is designed to provide a source of current and accurate information concerning the breeding records of Saddlebred stallions and mares, to identify successful breeding combinations, to honor the...

After years of research and planning, a much-awaited plan that allows piroplasmosis positive horses to compete in the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) was announced at November’s FEI General Assembly, by the World Games 2010 Foundation in coordination with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). The Games will be held in Lexington, KY, at the Kentucky Horse Park September...

Lake St. Louis Winter Series Horse Show manager Tommy McIntyre put together another spectacular event that ran through the first weekend in December and featured the ASG Software Solutions/United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) International Hunter Derby on December 5, 2008. Held at the National Equestrian Center in Lake St. Louis, MO, the class was a challenging combination of grace and courage that tested exhibitors’ horsemanship and wowed spectators. “It was an honor, a privilege...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) announced the winner of the 2008 USDF Volunteer of the Year Award, presented by The Paddock Saddlery, at the 2008 Adequan/USDF Annual Convention. 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, Jenkins was presented with a perpetual trophy, which is permanently on display in the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of...

The Pennsylvania National Horse Show has announced modifications to its standard horse show format for 2009. Competition in the hunter and jumper divisions will be expanded and the traditional Saddlebred, Western and Draft horse sections will now be showcased as exhibitions and special attractions. Acting in the best interest of the show, the Board of Directors recently determined this new direction. The new look will continue to serve the original purpose of the association, which is to...

Lexington, KY— As the year comes to a close, the United States Equestrian Federation® (USEF) is pleased to announce the 2008 Equestrians of Honor. Of these seven honorees, one will be selected as the 2008 USEF Equestrian of the Year, one of USEF’s most prestigious awards. All of the Equestrians of Honor will be recognized during the Annual Pegasus Awards Dinner at the USEF Annual Meeting on Saturday, January 17. The Annual Meeting will be held January 14-18 at the Hilton...

Lexington, KY— This year’s USEF Horses of Honor have been decided and your vote will be an integral part of deciding which of the nation’s leading equines will be named the Farnam®/Platform™ USEF Horse of the Year. With the 2009 USEF Annual Meeting around the corner, all heads are turning to five finalists in anticipation of which horse will be adorned with the title of Horse of the Year—one of the most prestigious awards the USEF bestows. This year’s winner will join dressage superstar...