The Palm Beach Dressage Series introduces the new Derby Series Challenge. Bragging rights, prize money and a host of goodies will be on the line for the riders that rise to the top of their classes at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby and Dressage at Equestrian Estates. The Challenge Series awards will be presented to competitors with the highest averages in training level through grand prix, with an additional Challenge Award, including a perpetual trophy, for the adult amateur high scorer in...

Six young competitors earned the American Morgan Horse Association's (AMHA) highest equestrian honors for their wins at the 2008 Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show, held October 4-11 at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City. Sponsored in part by AMHA, this annual showcase brings together top finishers from horse shows from across the country. Gold medals are awarded in the six equitation seats: saddle seat, Western seat, hunter seat on the flat, hunter seat over...

In June of 2008, Susan Valley Chen and her gelding Royal Crest's Rock Island (a.k.a. Tucker) were filmed by RFD TV, “Rural America’s Most Important Network,” at the Western States Horse Expo in Sacramento, CA. Ryan Gingerich, whose program "The Behaviorist" is part of RFD TV’s regular programming, and Richard Shrake filmed this episode. The segment aired on Tuesday, October 14, and Wednesday, October 15; and will again air on Saturday, October 18; and, Sunday, October 19 as follows: EASTERN...

Last year, the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Open Hunter Task Force began re-organizing the separate hunter sections of the USEF Rule Book . This task is now complete; and the hunter, hunter pony, junior hunter, pony breeding, and hunter breeding sections will be combined into a single section in the 2009 USEF Rule Book . So that licensed officials, show managers and competitors involved in the hunter disciplines can familiarize themselves with the new layout, the USHJA is...

The first Laminitis West Seminar will be held on November 1, 2008, at the Monterey Convention Center in Monterey, CA. Presenters for the one-day seminar are James A. Orsini, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, of the University of Pennsylvania; Thomas J. Divers, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, Dipl. ACVECC of Cornell University; and Patrick Reilly, farrier, of the University of Pennsylvania. This seminar is an outgrowth of the International Equine Conference on Laminitis and Diseases of the Foot (ILC), which is held in West...

Some of the world's best eventing horses and riders have gathered to compete at the Dansko Fair Hill International, October 16-19, at the Fair Hill Natural Resource Area in the heart of beautiful Cecil Country, MD. The Fair Hill International is celebrating its 20th year of presenting world-class equestrian competition as well as a wide array of family activities and attractions during its Festival in the Country. This year's Dansko Fair Hill International features both the United States...

Lexington, KY – A mutual decision has been made not to renew the contract of USEF National Dressage Coach Klaus Balkenhol which expires at the end of 2008. The decision between Balkenhol and the USEF’s High Performance Dressage Committee means that his role as Chef d’Equipe, National Dressage Coach and Technical Advisor to the Committee shall be concluded according to the terms of the existing contract on December 31, 2008. In recognition of Balkenhol’s excellent service to the USEF over the...

The Humane Society of Ventura County is reaching out to the community for extra help and assistance in the care of 38 severely neglected horses that arrived on October 8 at the Ojai Shelter. This is in addition to the 13 animals Humane Officers and Animal Control Officers took into protective custody for immediate medical treatment and care on September 25. All of the animals are from a ranch in Frazier Valley. “After the first rescues, we approached the family about taking more horses into...

Equestrian Sports Productions' inaugural clinic with hunter trainer Geoff Teall has been postponed due to illness. The first in what was planned as a series of monthly clinics with hunter, jumper and dressage trainers had been scheduled for Friday, October 24 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Details of future clinics will be announced as they become available.

The Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) will be holding its annual conference, open to both members and the general public, on November 22, 2008. This conference offers educational sessions relevant to the horse community, and provides an enjoyable day for networking with other members, guests and the public. This year's conference will be held November 22 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Lexington. Three concurrent educational tracks will offer speakers discussing "Safety for Horse and Rider," "Trails...