During the USEF Dressage Performance Standards Open Forum held December 4 as part of the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Annual Convention, it was clear that the majority of attendees support some form of performance standards for dressage, mirroring the support shown in a USEF online survey conducted in early 2008. However, in consideration of concerns which have been expressed by membership, and sensitivity to the current state of the economy, the USEF Dressage Committee has voted to...

Attention High-Performance Dressage Riders—Two major deadlines are just around the corner. Please note that the deadline to declare for the 2009 FEI World Cup Finals™ is January 15, 2009. The form can be found on the USEF Dressage High-Performance page on the USEF website . The Application of Intent deadline for the 2009 Elite Rider European Grant is January 31, 2009; the application can also be found on the USEF Dressage High-Performance page on the USEF website . Any questions,...

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) announced that its only Triple Crown winner this year, WGC CH Breaking News, has been named Horse of the Year. The connections of the Horse of the Year will be honored at the ASHA Annual Convention during the Saddlebred Ball, Saturday evening, February 14, 2009, at the Griffin Gate Marriott Resort and Spa in Lexington, KY. Rider/trainer Peter Cowart of West Wind Stables in Statesville, NC, will also be awarded with the Five-Gaited World’s Grand...

Every competitive horse owner knows that showtime is stressful. However, stress from training to trailering can affect horses, too. Horses can continue feeling the stress even after stepping off the trailer. Situations such as increased stall time—especially at an unfamiliar facility—and limited turnout, along with training and competing, can often lead to Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS). In fact, 63% of nonracing competitive horses can suffer from EGUS. EGUS can diminish the...

Greenville, SC, is the site for the 2008 Annual Meeting and Convention of the United States Pony Clubs, Inc. From Wednesday, January 21 until Sunday, January 25, an anticipated 1,000 Pony Club leaders, volunteers and youth are expected to attend the meeting for a variety of informative and exciting seminars on equestrian topics. Noted professionals from across the country will conduct workshops on subjects relating to equine activities and sports, and the popular Anatomy Room will be available...

Tara Gamble of Edmonton, Alberta, is the new president of the Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA). Gamble has over 17 years of industry teaching experience instructing Western, English and jumping lessons. She is a CHA Master Clinic Instructor and was awarded Clinic Instructor of the Year in 2006, and is a certified Site Visitor and Site Visitor Trainer, which is used for the accreditation of equestrian facilities. Gamble was recently designated a professional horseman with the American...

The 34th Hampton Classic Horse Show will be held one week earlier than usual in 2009, running from Sunday, August 23, through Sunday, August 30. The date change, due to the USEF Competition Calendar rotation, is in effect for this year only and means that the horse show will not end on Labor Day weekend as it usually does. "We wanted to be sure to give exhibitors, vendors, sponsors and spectators notice of this change in date in order to make their plans now," said Executive Director Shanette...

The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation awards many prestigious trophies throughout the year to various equestrian disciplines. One of the most coveted is the Fritz Cup, which is given to the national champion in show jumping every year. In 2008, the award was given to Margie Engle of Wellington, FL, for her win in the Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championship presented by Equine Motorcoach. Veteran rider Margie Engle was the most consistent over the two rounds of competition...

The most prominent Arabian horse farms in Scottsdale, AZ, will open their doors this holiday season (December 26-January 3) to allow visitors to view national champion horses, meet top trainers, learn more about this incredible breed and share in the passion of the Arabian horse. This year we will also be hosting a raffle along with the farm tours. Enter to win exciting prizes like; two tickets to the Arabian Breeders World Cup Gala & Show, Arabian horse artwork, magazine subscriptions, tickets...

December 1, 2008 marked the start of another show season and the launch of the United States Hunter Jumper Association’s (USHJA) newest program—the Members Choice Awards. Developed by the Show Standards Committee, the Members Choice Awards give exhibitors and participants the unique opportunity to vote for the competition they feel is the best in their zone, at the level they compete. The goal of the program is to promote exhibitor friendly competitions and reward excellence based on the...