On behalf of all those who contribute to the equestrian family, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), governing body of international equestrian sport, announced on November 20 the creation of a commission on medication and doping chaired by Dr. Arne Ljungqvist, Chairman of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Medical Commission and Vice President of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The Commission will offer a robust examination of the way the equine anti-doping policies can...

The 2008 FEI General Assembly week got underway on Monday, November 17, in Buenos Aires, Argentina and is set to run through Saturday, November 22. An impressive number of meetings are scheduled for the week, including the General Assembly on Thursday, November 21, as well as informative sessions and forums with guest speakers on the current issues facing the sport today. A Brief Glance at the Program Monday: Bureau Meeting I Tuesday: Regional Group Meetings Wednesday: Regional Group Meetings...

The audience cheered even more enthusiastically when Will Simpson entered the arena aboard Archie Bunker to contest the $50,000 Los Angeles National Grand Prix. The 2008 Olympic Gold medalist did not disappoint as he piloted Archie Bunker to one of just four clear rounds during the featured class at the LA National, November 12-16. Olaf Petersen, Jr., designed a challenging course for the 34 horse field that served as a West Coast League World Cup Qualifier. "This was a difficult course. This...

The 2008 Trail Blazer Festival took place at the Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara, CA, November 14-16, 2008. The festival had many speakers, exhibits and other events. One of the events participated in by Rocky Mountain, Paso Fino, American Saddlebred, Icelandic, Kiger Mustang, Mangalarga Marchador, Morgan, Arabian, Mustang, Quarter Horse, Peruvian, and Tennessee Walker horses was the “Battle of the Breeds,” which was a unique trail competition held between a select group of horses that...

Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Executive Committee approved the specifications for the Eventing Watch List on November 17, 2008. Born out of discussions at the USEF/USEA Safety Summit in June, the goal of the Watch List is to notify riders at USEF licensed and USEF endorsed Eventing competitions that their riding is potentially dangerous. The Watch List is a list of horse/rider combinations that could be regarded as displaying a pattern of potentially dangerous...

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) would like to extend thanks and gratitude to the Eventing Selectors who have served the US Eventing program from 2005-2009. Chairman Peter Green, Bea DiGrazia, Ann Getchell, Ann Taylor, and Mark Weissbecker have selected three championship teams. They chose the horse/rider combinations that made up the fourth placed team and earned an individual bronze at the 2006 World Equestrian Games. The following year they selected the team that went to Rio de...

Lexington, KY— For the second year, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) will host the Youth Convention, which will take place Saturday, January 17, 2009 in Cincinnati, OH. Held in conjunction with the USEF Annual Meeting, this one-day event features many notable speakers including experts in the equine industry and equine-related careers. The convention will unite youth from around the country and help to grow equine interest and participation. Registration is still available for the...

With little equines on their minds, members of The American Shetland Pony Club (ASPC) and the American Miniature Horse Registry (AMHR) recently met for their 2008 national convention in Branson. The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), who has been strong supporter of the ASPC throughout 2008, hosted a luncheon during the convention for all the attendees and conducted the USEF Shetland Pony Committee meeting. One of the highlights of the convention was a drawing during the awards banquet...

The American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) Board of Directors has approved a grant program in an effort to help struggling United States Equestrian Federation-licensed Morgan shows. Ten percent of the net from the 2009 AMHA Stallion Service Auction will be available through the grant program on a first-come, first-served basis. Maximum grant per show is $1,000. To be considered for a 2009 USEF-rated Morgan Show Grant through AMHA, please download the application . It must be completed and...

The USEF Dressage Committee invites all members of the dressage community to participate in an open forum on Thursday, December 4, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. local time during the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Annual Convention in Denver, CO. The Dressage Committee hopes for as much input as possible on the Performance Standards Rule Change Proposal during this open forum. We also would like to further discuss the challenges for regions outside the major competition areas, and also review...