The qualifying season is now under way for the 2009 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Dressage Championships for the Junior, Young Rider, and Young Adult “Brentina Cup” divisions. Selection procedures and qualifying competition lists are now available on the National Dressage Page of USEF.org. Please note the age range for the USEF Young Adult “Brentina Cup” division has been expanded for 2009. Riders between the ages of 20 and 28 years old are now eligible to participate in this program. For...

Richard Johnson of Great Britain has been appointed to the new position of FEI Director of Communications following an extensive and open international search. Johnson, who is currently Head of Media of The Children’s Society, will join the FEI on September 1. The Children’s Society is a leading charity dedicated to the care of young people and is a benchmark for media relations in that sector. With 14 years’ experience, working in the charitable/not-for-profit sector for organizations with...

Ballindaggin, the stately 23-year-old New York-bred chestnut who swept the 1987 New York Stallion Series and defeated an international field in the 1988 Molson Export Challenge, was humanely euthanized on July 22 at the Hagyard Equine Institute. A multiple stakes winner of $946,894 in just 14 starts, Ballindaggin was recently diagnosed by Dr. Doug Byars as suffering from severe back problems brought on by degenerative arthritis. The decision to euthanize was made in consultation with Dr. Byars,...

The pony hunter industry's signature auction will be held in conjunction with the USEF National Championship Pony Finals at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 13, 2008, at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. The sale’s offerings include 12 ponies that have placed in-hand at the Devon Horse Show. Three of the top five three-year-old geldings and four of the top eight three-year-old fillies from the 2008 Devon Horse Show will be offered in this sale along with the grand champion and reserve...

The very first International Equestrian Federation (FEI) World Reining Championship will be held in Manerbio, Italy, September 11-14, 2008, at the Palasturla facility. The FEI competition will be organized by the Italian Equestrian Sports Federation (FISE), with the technical support of the Italian Reining Horse Association (IRHA). Invitations have been formally extended to all Foreign National Federations (NF) with the ability to enter one team. Each team can be comprised of a minimum of three...

The 2008 Nominating Committee of the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) held its first, formal meeting during the Lexington Junior League Horse show, under the direction of Chairwoman Barbara Molland. Also on the committee are Nancy Becker, Vicki Gillenwater, Scott Matton, and Carol Reedy. The duty of the committee is to prepare recommendations for ASHA directors to be elected to three-year terms beginning in February 2009. The Nominating Committee directed the staff of the...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) announced today the riders selected to represent the U.S. in the USDF/Platinum Performance North American Junior and Young Riders’ Dressage Championships (NAJYRDC), part of the 2008 CN FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC) presented by Gotham North at The Colorado Horse Park in Parker, CO. The championships will be held July 29-August 3, 2008. A total of 61 juniors and young riders will represent each of USDF’s nine regions....

Pfizer Animal Health is pleased to announce their support of the New Canaan Mounted Troop, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to building leadership, responsibility and confidence in youth through sound horsemanship. As part of the growing relationship, Pfizer Animal Health and the troop will work together to help foster good health for the organization’s horses, while providing a hands-on learning experience in equine care for its young members. New Canaan Mounted Troop (NCMT) has used...

The United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) is proud to announce the creation of the Emerging Athletes Program. This program supports continuing efforts to bring educational and developmental opportunities to the grassroots members of the sport. The USHJA Emerging Athletes Program consists of a system of identifying and nurturing talented young riders. The program’s mission is to provide these riders with the support and assistance necessary to facilitate the opportunity to reach their...

Save December 5-7 on your calendars this year for Lynn Palm's Women LUV Horses® retreat in City of Industry, CA. The event is sponsored by many major leaders in the horse industry, and will include some thrilling events, including the new America's Greatest HorseWoman Challenge. This first-of-its-kind event will highlight women trainers, by invitation only, who have been top 10 winners of any 2008 Mustang Makeover Challenges in the U.S. Last year Palm launched the first ever, original Women LUV...