In December of 2007, the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Board of Directors unanimously approved the creation of the United States Hunter Jumper Association Foundation. The USHJA Foundation is an independent organization, developed in response to the requests of members to support the programs of the USHJA, while creating and implementing additional initiatives to benefit the sport. The programs that the new USHJA Foundation will be supporting include educational scholarships...

Dressage judge Betsy Berrey was the featured speaker at this month's Shop Talk. Michelle Hundt and Betsy Rebar-Sell, co-owners of Sho Clothes, hosted the third in a series of monthly discussions at the Sho Room in Wellington, FL. The Gold Coast Dressage Association (GCDA) co-sponsors the event with Sho Clothes to provide local equestrians the opportunity to learn from top professionals in the area. Betsy Berrey is a well-respected "S" judge who often officiates at dressage shows on the winter...

In support of its mission to end the abuse of high-stepping show Tennessee Walking Horses, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) announced its sponsorship of the first National Walking Horse Association Youth Leadership Conference, taking place this week at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. Attendees from around the country, ages 11 to 17, will have the opportunity to hone their leadership skills and learn about the horse industry. “The best way to effect large-scale change in...

Regular vaccinations, deworming and farrier visits can help prevent damaging and costly diseases. As your partner in equine health care, Merial, the maker of Zimecterin® Gold (ivermectin/praziquantel) is offering a free horse health record available at select veterinary clinics and retailers nationwide. This durable resource helps record important contact information, feeding schedules, vaccinations, deworming dates, farrier visits and Coggins test results. These fundamental, preventive horse...

U.S. four-in-hand driving champion Chester Weber maintained a full schedule at the World Equestrian Festival held July 1-6 in Aachen, Germany. In addition to competing successfully, Weber spent time signing autographs at the Life Data Labs, Inc.®, display. Fresh off another undefeated year in the United States, Weber traveled to Europe in June to begin preparations for his European tour including CHIO Aachen, CAI-A Riesenbeck July 31- August 3, and culminating with the World Championship Teams...

When the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games take place at the Kentucky Horse Park in 2010, horses and riders will compete on a new state-of-the-art surface, which is being installed by the German company who developed it. The Outdoor Stadium which is currently under construction at the Kentucky Horse Park will be ready to receive its new surface in January or February of 2009. Otto Sport–und Reitplatz GmbH is the developer and supplier of this 86,000-square-foot stadium surface, as well as two...

Lexington, KY- The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has approved the following horse/rider combinations for the U.S. Reining Team for the 2008 FEI World Reining Championship in Manerbio, Italy September 11-14: The horse/ rider combinations are as follows: Rider/Age/Hometown/Horse/Age/ Breed / Sex / Owner Craig Schmersal / 35 / Overbrook, OK / Mr Dual Rey / 8 / Quarter Horse / Stallion / Holly Casey Jordan Larson / 26 / Whitesboro, TX / Lena Gallo / 8 / Quarter Horse / Stallion / Lapke...

Lexington, KY - Pending U.S. Olympic Committee approval, the USEF has named the following horse/rider combinations to the 2008 U.S. Olympic team in eventing. These five combinations will represent the United States at the 2008 Olympic Games, the equestrian portion of which will be held in Hong Kong, beginning on Northern Spy and Heidi White (Mike McNally) August 8. Rider/Age/Hometown/Horse/Age/Breed/Sex/Owner (in alphabetical order): Phillip Dutton/44/West Grove, PA/Connaught/15/Irish Sport...

Norwood, NC - There were no ribbons and no winners, but today was as important as any competition day in the lives of the 10 horses preparing for a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team in Eventing. The horses, along BallyNoe Castle RM (Mike McNally) with five who have been preparing in England, are on the USEF Short List for Eventing, from which the Team for the 2008 Olympic Games will be selected on Monday. The Fork Stables graciously opened its gates to the USEF to allow the horses and riders a...

Norwood, NC - Ten event horses from the USEF Short List for Eventing made the trip to Jim Cogdell's The Fork Stables in Norwood, NC for the final mandatory outing for the 2008 Olympic Games. Five horse/rider Bonnie Mosser and Merloch (Mike McNally) combinations from the Short List competed at the Barbury Castle CIC*** last weekend in England and per the selection procedures riders were allowed to choose which one to contest. The outing began with the dressage test designed specifically for...