The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) announced equestrian athlete Megan Benjamin as the female August Athlete of the Month, along with male swimmer Brendan Hansen. The USOC Team of the Month was awarded to the U.S.A. National Baseball Team. Benjamin of Saratoga, CA, won the Gold medal in women's vaulting at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany, on August 27. She was the first American woman to win the title. The Germans have won 20 of the last 32 World Championships. Benjamin...

The United States Eventing Association (USEA) is proud to announce the newest inductees to the USEA Eventing Hall of Fame. The official induction will take place during a gala dinner at the USEA Annual Meeting and Convention in St. Louis, MO, on December 8, 2006. The ceremony will honor eventing greats, both horse and human. The USEA is proud to include Edward “Denny” Emerson, Michael Page, Karen Stives and the horses Kilkenny and Biko into the Hall of Fame. Edward E. “Denny” Emerson is a...

Flat tires are the leading cause of disablements involving horse trailers. USRider is involved in a research project with Dr. Tomas Gimenez to test the benefits (if any) of using air vs. nitrogen to inflate tow vehicle and horse trailer tires. An electronic air pressure monitoring system is being used to assist with the research. During the research, Dr. Gimenez and USRider have noted significant safety benefits resulting from using this system. “At USRider, we are all about safety when it...

The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., recently awarded $250,000 in grants to charitable organizations that promote the positive use of the horse for the benefit of the general public and the equestrian sport as a whole. The “all volunteer” EQUUS Foundation raises funds from two annual events—one held in February during the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL, and the the Benefit Luncheon held in June in conjunction with the Fairfield County Hunt Club June Benefit Horse Show in Westport, CT....

The American Horse Council (AHC) will be holding an Issues Forum in Austin, TX, to discuss current issues facing the horse industry, such as the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) and its impact on horse owners. Dr. Bob Hillman (Texas State Veterinarian and Executive Director of the Texas Animal Health Commission), Neil Hammerschmidt (USDA APHIS Veterinary Services Animal Identification Coordinator) and Equine Species Working Group members Dr. Billy Smith (Executive Director of...

Horses from across the United States have gathered at the Kentucky Horse Park for the 2006 USEF/Markel National Young Horse Dressage Championships, being held this weekend, September 8-10, in Lexington, KY. This prestigious competition, proudly sponsored by Markel Insurance, includes outstanding fields of five- and six-year-olds vying for the Dr. Edgar Hotz Memorial Trophy. Also, for the first time these championships will include a four-year-old division. The ground jury includes officials...

The 2006 American Saddlebred Registry Sweepstakes (ASR) began on Thursday, September 7, at the All American Horse Classic at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis. Sweepstakes payouts for 2006 are expected to increase over 20%. In 2005, the total payout was $139,433. Prize money was distributed as follows: Two-Year-Old Sweepstakes, $38,629; Three-Year-Old Sweepstakes, $70,428; Four-Year-Old Sweepstakes, $30,376. The total estimated payouts in 2006 are up almost $32,000. Since its...

Linda Wachtmeister’s and Plain Dealing Farm’s Winsome Adante has taken the lead on the U.S. Eventing Association’s (USEA) All-time High-Point Leaderboard with a record career score of 1,184 points. Giltedge (1,114 points), who represented the U.S. on five international teams with David O’Connor, and who is owned by Mrs. Jacqueline Mars, has headed the all-time high-point leaderboard since his win at the Kentucky CCI**** in 2003 and is now in second place. Hannigan, owned by Bruce Duchossois has...

The American Youth Horse Council (AYHC) is seeking nominations for Youth Leader of the Year, sponsored by the Certified Horsemanship Association. AYHC wants to emphasize how strong adult leadership for young horsemen and horsewomen helps ensure a vital industry for the future. Any leader who volunteers time and effort to the youth horse industry should be recognized as a candidate for the award. The annual award recognizes an adult offering outstanding leadership to young people within the...

The Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) is offering members an opportunity to register eligible Appaloosas over two years of age for the reduced rate of only $150. ApHC Regional Clubs are eligible for monetary incentive by recruiting members to take advantage of this special opportunity. Aged Horse Special registration applications will be mailed to ApHC Chartered Regional Clubs on Sept. 15, 2006, and are available by request. Contact the Regional Club Coordinator at (208) 882-7758 (ext. 235), or...