Lexington, KY – To assist breed shows with financial challenges, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) offers the 2008 Outreach Grant program, which provides assistance to various USEF breed competitions. And even though the competition season is under way, it’s not too late to apply for a USEF grant. The USEF grant program assists financially challenged breed competitions that meet the grant requirements and are approved by the USEF. The grants are available on a first come, first...

Lexington, KY – Aiken, SC resident Meghan Benge won an Individual Gold medal today at the 2008 FEI World Championships for Drivers with Disabilities CPEAI4* in Greven, Germany. Driving Jack, a pony borrowed from England, Benge won the dressage and never looked back. She also led the U.S. to a Team Silver at the conclusion of today’s Cones competition. Benge’s teammates were Arroyo Grande, CA.driver Diana Kastama, who drove her own horse Jasper to the Individual Bronze medal, followed very...

It was triple honors this past weekend for Miranda and Sophia Gali of Potomac, MD. Both sisters earned top division titles at the Roanoke Valley Horse Show, held at the Salem Civic Center in Salem, VA. Miranda, 12, captured the Championship in the Large Green Pony Hunters aboard her own Chris Craft. She also rode the mare Catamaran, owned by Centennial Farm, Inc, to Reserve Champion honors in the Medium Pony Hunters. Sophia, 10, was Champion in the Small Pony Hunters aboard the Miranda Gali...

Kirsten Coe aboard Starlight, owned by Laura King-Kaplan, emerged victorious at the $25,000 Fairfield Grand Prix on Saturday, June 28, the culminating event of the Fairfield County Hunt Club June Benefit Horse Show in Westport, CT. On hand to bestow The Callari Cup were George N. Venizelos of Wachovia Securities, LLC, the presenting sponsor of the grand prix, Claire Sussman and Catherine Herman, co-chairs of the show, along with Chairman Jenny Belknap and President Lynn Coakley of The EQUUS...

The FEI World Vaulting Championships are just a month off, to be held at the Brno Fairgrounds in the Czech Republic from July 29 to August 3, in conjunction with the FEI European Junior Championships. There are 400 competitors from 20 countries, with around 200 horses lined up for this important event on the calendar. The Brno Fairgrounds The Championship will take place at the Brno Fairgrounds, one of the architectural marvels of Europe. The events of the Championship will happen in several...

Lexington, KY ­– The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has approved the following three individuals and three alternates for the 2008 Vaulting World Championships to be held in Brno, Czech Republic, July 29-August 3: Name/Age/Hometown —Elizabeth Osborn/18/Menlo Park, CA —Mary McCormick/24/Woodside, CA —Alicen DiVita/19/Redwood City, CA Alternates in Ranked Order: —Megan Lanfri/19/San Jose, CA —Annalise Van Vranken/16/Mays Landing, NJ —Shannyn...

Richard Spooner and Cristallo won the CSI5* Grand Prix du Prix de Monaco. This was the fourth leg of the Global Champions Tour 2008. Spooner and the 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding sped around the course and picked up the win with a time of 38.99 seconds, only 0.02 seconds ahead of second place. Jeanne Hobbs won the Fourth Class at the FEI CSIO4* at Lipica, Slovenia. It was a 1.45 meter class with 58 starters. Hobbs was riding Night and Day 8, a 15-year-old Oldenburg gelding. In the Team...

Ravel, Brentina, Harmony's Mythilus (Amy McCool) By Joanie Morris Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has approved the following nominated entry for the dressage team for the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong. Final entries will be made to the USOC on July 15, 2008. The following riders are ranked based on their performance after the USEF Selection Trials for Dressage: Name/Age/Hometown/Horse/Age/Breed/Sex/Owner 1. Steffen Peters/44/San Diego, CA/Ravel/10/Dutch...

Lexington, KY ­– Highlighted by clear rounds from James Benedetto and Kannans Gigi Z and Michael Morrissey with Crelido, U.S. Developing/Young Riders handily won the Nations Cup today at CSIO Lipica in Slovenia. The team of Benedetto, Morrissey, Alexa Lowe (Nadyleen) and Tracy Magness (Tarco van Ter Moude), finished the Nations Cup with a two round total of 10 faults to beat Austria (13) and Italy (14). Melanie Smith Taylor is serving as the Chef d’Equipe and she was thrilled with the win. “I...

Oklahoma City, OK – Under the lights at the Oklahoma State Fair Park, Craig Schmersal bested some of the top reiners in the country to win the 2008 Adequan®/United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) National Open Reining Championship presented by Equine Motorcoach. Schmersal, an Oklahoma native, won the title along with his share of the $25,000 in added money. The USEF championship was part of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby. This is Schmersal’s second time...