Harrisburg, PA – Brianne Goutal of New York, NY, defeated more than 200 of the nation’s top junior riders to win the 2005 Pessoa/USEF National Hunter Seat Medal Final, on Sunday, October 16, at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show. This marked the second largest field in history, with 279 riders vying for the title. Goutal received a Pessoa saddle, Gold medal and a custom USEF cooler for the win, and will have her name added to the Adrian Van Sinderen Memorial Trophy, joining famous...

Las Vegas, NV – With solidly executed rides that can be described as nothing less than perfectly precise, it was Brazil’s show-jumping super-star, Rodrigo Pessoa who would stake his claim in the spotlight at the inaugural Las Vegas World Invitational at Las Vegas’ Thomas and Mack Arena, October 15. Out of a field of 25 of the world’s best, the 32-year-old Pessoa was one of only six riders to make it to the final jump-off in the most anticipated class of the weekend, the...

Media Contact: [email protected] Las Vegas, NV – The inaugural Las Vegas World Invitational got off to a promising start at Las Vegas’ Thomas and Mack Arena Friday night, crowning Georgina Bloomberg, of New York, NY, the winner of the Knock-Out class, and Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa the winner of the Casino Classic, two of four classes which make up the United States’ first ever five-star, million-dollar show jumping event. “It was my first knock-out…I was a little nervous at first,” said...

The youth of the Junior Colorado Arabian Horse Club has compiled a national silent auction of breedings generously donated by stallion owners from across the country. The showcase presents a unique opportunity to select from a variety of quality stallions that specialize in every discipline, from halter to English pleasure. And, even better, all proceeds will benefit the support and outreach programs of the JCAHC. In the past two years, the JCAHC has donated $1,250 to Colorado equine charities,...

The Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL,is a seven-week long hunter/jumper and three-week long dressage horse show circuit produced by Stadium Jumping, Inc. It takes place every year at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club. The Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club is the site of the first outdoor Nations Cup held in the United States. The competition areas include the 400’ x 400’ grass Internationale Arena, which is surrounded by bermed seating, chalets and VIP areas; plus the Bertalan...

The Area II Adult Riders Program Training Three-Day Event has received an outpouring of support from the equestrian community for its unique educational competition, to be held October 18-22, 2005, at Waredaca Farm in Laytonsville, MD. Among the upper level riders donating expertise are Olympic medalists Jim Wofford and Karen O’Connor, and Pan American Games medalists Jan Thompson and Phyllis Dawson. Other top people in the industry will also participate. The Training Three-Day Event...

Lexington, VA – Chester Weber of Ocala, Florida bested a field of five international drivers to win the CAI-B Oak Hill, October 8-9. Weber was named the USEF National Four-In-Hand Champion for 2005, and won his third consecutive Vanderbilt Trophy from the USET Foundation. Reserve Champion was James Fairclough of Newton, New Jersey. "As someone who thinks you make your own luck, I feel that this third straight championship is clear evidence that team work and a sound plan make the dream...

The 31st Dressage at Devon (CDI***/CDI-Y) saw ribbons awarded in more than 100 classes. The show, which ran September 27-October 2, is widely considered the most complete breed show outside of Europe, as well as one of North America’s highest-ranked dressage shows. Complete coverage and results for the show can be found at www.dressagedaily.com . ~~~

(Lexington, KY) - Gil Merrick joined the USEF as Director of Dressage Sport Programs on October 11th. Mr. Merrick will be based in the Lexington Headquarters and report directly to Jim Wolf, Executive Director of Sport Programs in our Gladstone office. In addition to his experience in showing and training dressage horses, Mr. Merrick has a strong career background in the management of international businesses most specifically in internal operations, financial planning, growth management and...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce the new USDF Breeder of the Year Award program, which will be initiated for the 2006 competition season, which started October 1, 2005. This is a year-end award, based on performance in a given competition year. Breeders of dressage performance horses and breeders of dressage in-hand horses will be able to vie for top honors. Scott Hassler, Chairperson of the USDF Sport Horse Committee, stated, "Over the last few years, a...