American Horse Council ((L to R) Ben Gibbs on Peaches, David O’Connor on a U.S. Park Police horse, Kendall Jennings on a Quarter Horse and members of the U.S. Park Police Mounted Unit in Washington D.C.) The horse industry in the United States contributes $39 billion in direct economic impact to the U.S. economy and supports 1.4 million jobs on a full-time basis, according to a new study released today by the American Horse Council (AHC). When indirect and induced spending are included, the...

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) has developed a new high-point ASHA Youth Award to recognize the hardest working and most active youth members in the industry. Youth members can receive points in a number of areas including attending the ASHA Youth Conference, being a member of a youth club, participating in junior judging, earning an ASHA scholarship, volunteering at a horse show, having a paid job in the equine industry and more. Beginning in 2006, the award year will be...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) held the official groundbreaking ceremony for the USDF National Education Center on Wednesday, June 22, 2005, at the Kentucky Horse Park. The organization's president, Dr. Samuel Barish, stated, "I believe that this is the most significant event in the history of USDF. We are looking forward to being included on a daily basis in an equestrian community environment where we can work effectively on behalf of dressage and our members.” The USDF National...

The Reining Horse Sports Foundation (RHSF) recognizes the importance of growing reining worldwide. That growth begins with great leaders. Great leaders begin with our youth, which is why the National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA) delegate elections and Youth Team Tournament Scholarship Reining are being held this year at the NRHA European Affiliate Championship in Deurne, The Netherlands. “Having European representation among the officers of the NRHyA is truly a milestone in the...

The National Horse Show Association of America, Ltd., and the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament announced that they have reached an agreement that will see the ASPCA Maclay class produced by the National Horse Show at the 2005 Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament to be held on November 2-6, 2005. The present plan is to hold the warm up for the ASPCA Maclay on Saturday morning and the first two phases of the Maclay on Sunday morning. The Maclay competitors would then be able to...

To compete in Gladstone has become a milestone for dressage competitors looking to make their mark on the national scene—from Olympians to seasoned World and National Champions, the famed facility at Hamilton Farm in Gladstone, New Jersey has seen them all. Last weekend, June 16-18, several young riders and a junior joined the ranks, competing alongside the pros, and stabling their horses on-site in the same areas as those competing in the 2005 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Grand...

USDF is pleased to announce that the Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Championship program has reached a new record for the amount of prize money available for 2005. This year's prize money fund totals over $116,000. This fund, which is made up of qualifying ride fees paid by competitors, enables USDF to distribute prize money to all champions and reserve champions in as many as 279 championship classes in all of USDF's nine regions. These championship classes provide opportunities...

Three days of seminars, one-on-one consultations and networking opportunities for equine business managers, stable owners, trainers, coaches and instructors are right around the corner. The National Riding Instructors Convention takes place October 20-23, 2005, in Orlando, FL, and the American Riding Instructors Association (ARIA) has announced the line-up of major speakers. This year’s keynote speaker is Susan Harris, best known for her work as a Senior Centered Riding instructor and...

The horse industry is huge, competitive and powerful. But do you know just how huge and powerful we are? According to the American Horse Council's 1996 industry study, the horse industry impacts the United States Gross Domestic Product by $112.1 billion. It provides 1.4 million jobs and pays $1.9 billion in taxes. How competitive is our business? There are approximately 87 breed registries and associations; the largest of which has more than 161,000 members. So how does the 10,000-member...

Entries for the 2005 Paso Fino Grand National Show are due by August 9, 2005, in order to be published in the 2005 National Show Program and to receive the lowest entry fee of $70 per class. Entries received after August 9, but prior to August 23, are slightly higher at $95 per class. All other entries must be received no later than September 16; however, entry fees are significantly higher at $396 per class. The last day to qualify for the show is August 31. If you are trying to qualify your...