Laura Kraut and Miss Independent (Randi Muster/PMG) Lexington, KY – The field narrows yet again, as Laura Kraut edges her way to the top of the standings in the East Coast League. Adding more fuel to an already fiery 2005 season, Kraut, a native of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, jumped her way to a first place finish at the $75,000 Cosequin Florida Open in Wellington, March 6. The double clear round atop Miss Independent put Kraut two points ahead of McLain Ward in the standings, previously the...

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) welcomes bids to host FEI Children’s Jumping qualifiers for the 2005 FEI Children’s International Jumping Final, scheduled for November 21-27 in Simi Valley, California. All qualifying competitions must be hosted at outdoor venues and must be complete before September 30. Qualifiers must be managed in accordance with FEI rules and must use an FEI Judge and FEI Course Designer. Organizers interested in hosting a...

Despite a previous week of sunshine when the field of 30 competitors began the Gulf Coast Mid Winter $10,000 Open Welcome, Mother Nature decided to add another challenge to Anthony D’Ambrosio’s course. A deluge of rain began as the first horse passed judges Fred Brown and Mike Christian. David Q Wright’s Step Right Up did just that. After a clear first round the 14-year-old Thoroughbred gelding from Murfreesboro, TN, gave a repeat performance in a jump-off field of eight with a speedy 34.494...

Red Hills Horse Trials is preparing to host a major international event with an FEI World Cup Qualifier as well as being part of the USEA Gold Cup Series at the Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park near Tallahassee, FL, March 11-13, 2005. A total of seven divisions will be held during the three days with prize money reaching $20,500. Now in its eighth year, Red Hills welcomed over 37,000 visitors to the event in 2004 to watch some 200 competitors and is anticipating another hugely successful event. Over...

The Chatsworth International Horse Trials cross-country course has been modified to challenge the riders, perhaps more than the horses, in the FEI World Cup Qualifier (CIC***-W) to be held at Chatsworth, GA, April 8-10. The course for the FEI World Cup Qualifying event (CIC***W) will be run over 3600 meters with 30 numbered fences and 40 jumping efforts. “Most of the fences that seemed to cause too much trouble last year will be changed a bit to make it a bit more rider friendly.” said...

The American Saddlebred Horse Association 2005 annual convention had 579 attendees. The total includes both adults and youth who attended the various events that took place February 17-19, including the American Saddlebred Ball, youth field trip, forums, luncheons and more. This year 248 adults attended the Annual Meeting and other functions at the Embassy Suites of Lexington and the Keeneland Race Course. In addition, 206 youth members attended the Youth Conference. Youth Conference attendance...

The American Vaulting Association (AVA) has launched a significantly improved and updated website. Visitors to the www.americanvaulting.org site can expect to find the addition of many new resources and educational tools, including video. Whether you are interested in finding a club, starting a program or learning about vaulting, the expanded website provides multiple sources of information. The AVA first entered the information highway in 1995, long before many had heard of the worldwide web....

Lexington, KY – When the world’s most talented show jumpers converge on Las Vegas, April 20-24, Nicole Simpson, of Thousand Oaks, California, will be among them. Following her third-place performance on El Campeon’s So Long at the $75,000 Ultimate Equine Grand Prix in Indio, California, February 27, Simpson’s ticket to the Entertainment Capital of the World has essentially been purchased. Leading a group of more than 30 equestrian hopefuls in the West Coast League,...

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce a new and exciting opportunity for drivers to be recognized for their achievements, with the newly created Carriage Driving Horse of the Year Awards. The following class descriptions (restricted to open classes) are eligible for points: turnout, working, reinsmanship, obstacle driving, and coaching. There will be categories for both horses and ponies, and awards will be given for singles, pairs or...

Randi Muster (McLain Ward) Lexington, KY – Exactly three-quarters of the way through a series of 12 qualifying competitions for the East Coast League, the dust of a heated race to the 2005 FEI World Cup Show Jumping Final is quickly starting to settle. Just as quickly, a clear trend in leaders begins to unfold, and Brewster, New York’s McLain Ward seems determined to lead the way to Las Vegas on April 20. Heading up a varied group of more than 60 riders, Ward holds onto the...