Mark Leone, George Morris, Mason Phelps and Susie Schoellkopf have signed on again as judges for the 2009 Equestrian Idol Musical Talent Show to benefit The EQUUS Foundation, Inc. New this year, the event will be held at the International Polo Club Palm Beach on Friday (not Saturday) evening, February 6, 2009, in Wellington, FL. Featuring musical performances by talented equestrians, including returning performers, Heather Caristo, Hillary Dobbs, Patricia Griffith, Casey Hodges, Brian...

Fifteen nations, 18 top riders, 18 quality reining horses = 1 night of high-caliber competition! The excitement is building for the 2008 $100,000 added FEI World Reining Masters. The competitors will strive to be named the sport of reining's best rider in the world. The FEI World Reining Masters is set for Thursday, December 4, and is definitely one of the most colorful "must-see" events during the 2008 National Reining Horse Association's (NRHA) Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate...

Freedom Health, LLC, is proud to announce the winners of the 2008 United States Eventing Association (USEA) SUCCEED® Challenge Series. This incentive program was open to USEA members competing in the Adequan® Gold Cup Series Events, who use SUCCEED® Digestive Conditioning Program® (DCP) to foster optimum digestive health in their horses—thus supporting overall wellbeing and performance. At the USEA Annual Convention in New Orleans, Elissa Estes and Alexandra Knowles will be recognized...

Lexington, KY— The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) announces that bid packets are now available for any artist interested in becoming the “Official Artist of the USEF Pony Finals” for 2009. The USEF Pony Finals National Championships is a five-day championship which draws young riders from across the country competing for the title of four championships— USEF National Pony Hunter Finals, USEF National Green Hunter Pony Finals, USEF National Pony Medal and the USEF National Pony...

Esther Fiddes and her Morgan gelding, LBF Hickory Smoke, competed in the Kay Fullerton Memorial NEATO 25-Mile Competitive Trail Ride in Marlborough, Connecticut, November 2. The pair earned a perfect score of 100, the ride championship, and the high-score American Morgan Horse Association (AmHA) Morgan Award. Fiddes and "Pokey" have had a very successful season, earning many high ride scores and top Morgan awards. This ride certainly was the highlight of their year.

Wilbur "Sug" Utz, American Saddlebred trainer and owner of Blue Ridge Stables in Raytown, MO, died Wednesday, November 5, 2008. He was 90 years old. Sug, son of Emil and Sudie Utz, was born and raised on a farm outside Maysville in northwest Missouri. Coming from a horse training family, Sug learned his craft at his father’s side, along with his three brothers. Two of his brothers, Don and Jay, similar to Sug, went on to become world’s champion caliber Saddlebred men. They were all exciting...

Over 140 riders and their families, and members of the Board of Directors of the National Horse Show attended the EQUUS Foundation "Deal or No Deal" event at the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament and National Horse Show on Halloween, Friday, October 31, 2008, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Oncenter Ballroom. Hosted by Bates Saddles, the event featured many of the top junior riders competing in the coveted Maclay Finals as the Deal or No Deal Suitcase Models. Alexa Anthony, Carly...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that Kassidy Peacock of Helotes, TX, has been selected as the recipient of the 2008 USDF Youth Volunteer of the Year Award, presented by The Paddock Saddlery and sponsored by the USDF Youth Executive Board. This prestigious award honors one outstanding youth volunteer who has contributed on a national and local basis to the USDF and dressage. As the recipient of this award, Peacock's name will be engraved on a perpetual trophy,...

Friends of Sound Horses (FOSH) has announced the details of the second national conference to focus on ending soring of Tennessee Walking Horses and all gaited horse breeds. The conference is being held March 20-21, 2008, at the Paramount Plaza Hotel in Gainesville, FL. Soring is a cruel and illegal practice used to create a winning gait for the show ring. The purpose of the conference is to bring together a wide complement of experts, research and resources to address alternatives and...

The latest addition to the Hilltop Farm Guest Stallion Program, Hit Parade (Show Star x Ehrentusch), owned by Savoire Faire Stables, competed at the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Region 7 Championships & CDS Annual Championships this October and was truly one of the "hits" of the show with his second-level championship win in both the USDF Horse of the Year and the CDS Horse of the Year Championships. The CDS Championship title was awarded based on the averages of Friday and Saturday...