Burbank, CA — R-E-S-P-E-C-T. That’s exactly what Debbie McDonald earned from officials, competitors and spectators alike as she rode Brentina to victory in the 2005 U.S. Grand Prix Freestyle Championship and U.S. League Final in Burbank, California this weekend. Strutting through a freestyle program to the sound of Aretha Franklin, Olympic Team Bronze medalist McDonald and Brentina earned the winning score of 77.975% and a standing ovation in defending her 2004 title. Riding her...

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation has announced the team for the 2005 Samsung Super League competitions for “Tour #1,” La Baule, France (May 5-8); Rome, Italy (May 26-29); and CSIO St. Gallen, Switzerland (June 2-5). The team members listed in order of their ranking on the March 25th, 2005 USEF International Computer List, with first ranked horse also listed, are as follows: Rider, Residence, Horse, Breeding 1. Laura Kraut (1st), Oconomoc, WI, Miss...

After a stellar winter circuit in Ocala, FL, Kacey McCann continued her hot streak in the first week of the Atlanta Spring Classic. McCann blew away the competition in Ocala, where she picked up circuit championships in the Equitation 12-14 on My Way; Large Junior 15 & Under and Modified Junior Hunter divisions on Pharrell for Euri Uchiyama; Small Junior 15 & Under Hunters on Jo Malone, another Uchiyama horse; and reserve circuit championships on Mick O Angelo in the Low Junior Jumpers and the...

The United States Equestrian Federation, Inc., announces that official bids are now being accepted to host the following Dressage Championships for 2006: • 2006 USEF Junior Dressage Team Championship • 2006 USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals • 2006 USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage Selection Trials (Eastern, Central and Western) for the 2006 FEI World Breeding Championships for Young Horses in Dressage • 2006 USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage National Championships Bid applications are available on...

The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) has issued updated Freestyle Tests for the following levels: • Grand Prix Freestyle • Intermediare I Freestyle • Young Rider Freestyle • Junior Freestyle Please note these tests have been updated in format only (e.g. new logo, additional comments and clarifications). Actual required test movements have NOT changed. These new test versions must be used by all CDI’s as of May 2, 2005. USEF-recognized dressage competitions may use either “old” or “new”...

Proving again that Morgans are among the some of the finest driving horses in the world, Fred Merriam drove Nicholas Mercede's Gaitwood Lightwing, a 1995 bay gelding, to finish first in the FEI Single Horse Division. Lisa Singer finished first in the FEI Pairs Division driving Mimi Torrington's chestnut geldings, Count On Me and LR Ami Bengali. Sara Schmitt was first in the FEI Single Pony Division driving her High Country Doc, a 1996 bay, who also had the best marathon score. Suzy Stafford was...

Some of the countries leading international riders head a strong cast of competitors for the Chatsworth International Horse Trials, April 8-10, in Chatsworth, GA. The event, now in its 18th year, will be hosting its first FEI World Cup Qualifier (CIC***-W) alongside Intermediate and Open Preliminary divisions to offer a total purse of $30,000. Athens Olympic Silver medallist, Kimberly Severson, of Scottsville, VA, and Linda Wachtmeister’s 12-year-old English Thoroughbred gelding, Winsome...

The Board of Directors of the American Saddlebred Horse Association(ASHA), Inc., completed the internal corporate reorganization of its governance structure Tuesday, March 29. Members, who approved the reorganization in February, will belong to ASHA, Inc., now a public charity, and the breed’s Registry will be supervised by a companion board, including nine newly-elected directors effective Friday, April 1, 2005. Following solicitation of suggestions for Registry board service from the...

Riders from Germany, Canada and Mexico will be competing against some 300 U.S. entries at the Galway Downs International Horse Trials, Temecula, CA, April 1-3, 2005. The FEI World Cup Qualifier (CIC***-W) has a strong field of 16 riders, including Natalie Rooney Pitts, of Napa, CA, who finished eighth at last year’s qualifier with Aladdin to make the finals. Lauren Whitlock, of Rohnert Park, CA, who came fifth aboard Kipling last year will also be back, as will James Moore who, in 2004,...

The all-time leading sire in national reining horse history, Hollywood Dun It, was humanely put down on March 30. The 22-year-old buckskin stallion had been suffering from severe health problems escalated by his continuing battle with testicular cancer. According to Tim and Colleen McQuay, who owned Hollywood Dun It along with partner Jennifer Easton, the decision to put him down was a difficult one. Tim noted, “He’s been a part of our family, and a part of our lives, for a lot of years. None...