USEF Archive ( ) For the past nine months the USEF Competition Date Approval Task Force has worked on a major overhaul of the current “Mileage Rule” which dictates how competition dates are awarded to horse show organizers. As the Task Force examined the process it became apparent that several other important issues involved in the awarding of dates were critical to the improvement of equestrian competition in the United States. These involved the licensing of competitions; establishment and...

The Organizing Committee of the World Endurance Championships, which are taking place next month in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, have confirmed that they have received definite entries for 188 horses from 41 nations. The horses are all due to start arriving in Dubai around January 8, allowing them time to acclimatize ahead of the competition which takes place on January 26-27, 2005. At the final trial, which took place in Dubai last weekend held at the Dubai Endurance Village, the...

The FEI Task force on Doping and Medication Control held its first meeting in Lausanne on December 15, 2004. Chaired by Sven Holmberg (Sweden), the Task Force heard submissions from the FEI Legal Department, the FEI Communications department, the Chairman of the FEI Medication Sub Committee Andrew Higgins (Great Britain), and the Chairman of the FEI Judicial Committee Ken Lalo (Israel). The areas covered in the day long meeting included: - The difference between Medication Control and Doping -...

Gladstone, New Jersey (December 21, 2004) – The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (USET Foundation) announced that the Festival of Champions would not be held in 2005. The main reason for the decision was the need for the USET Foundation to focus its efforts and resources on a new fundraising campaign to be launched in 2005. Foundation officials stressed that, while the fundraising efforts must take precedence over the Festival of Champions, steps are being taken to properly plan for a...

Lexington, KY —Following in the footsteps of Victor Hugo-Vidal and Mrs. F.D. Sinclaire, the late Stephen Hawkins and the late Dr. Eugene LaCroix have been named the newest honorees for the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Awards of Merit. Named for Richard E. McDevitt, AHSA President from 1975-1987, the Award of Merit is given in memory of an individual or individuals who have passed away during the competition year, and who have given “meritorious service to equestrian...

Sponsor Slots Selling Fast for USEF 2005 Annual Meeting Sponsor slots are selling fast, but a limited number of spaces are still available for the USEF's 2005 Annual Meeting. Known to attract the most influential equestrians and decision-makers in the sport, the 2005 Annual Meeting will be hosted at Louisville’s prestigious Seelbach Hilton Hotel, January 12-16. Two Platinum sponsorships remain—offering, by far, the most exclusive opportunities for name recognition and...

AAEP ( ) Nearly 6,300 veterinary professionals, guests and exhibitors attended the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ (AAEP) 50th Annual Convention in Denver, Co, breaking the meeting’s attendance record once again. The convention, held December 4-8, featured nearly 100 scientific presentations, a sold-out trade show and successful equine health seminar for horse owners. "Once again, Dr. Scott Palmer and the Program Committee outdid themselves," said David Foley, AAEP...

The 121st National Horse Show enjoyed it’s third successful year at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington, FL and this year the Nations top hunter, jumpers and dressage horses shared the limelight with some little stars--Shetland ponies and miniature horses. During the Family Festival held at the show on December 4-5, Shetland ponies and miniature horses strutted their stuff in four educational demonstrations hosted for spectators. “I think most people were impressed by the...

James R. Wolf has been selected by the USEF to assume the leadership of the Federation’s High Performance discipline programs as the Executive Director of High Performance. He had been serving as Interim Executive Director. Jim has many years of administrative and competitive experience in horse sports. Prior to joining the USEF staff full-time, he managed the USET’s three-day eventing squad at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain, where he was responsible for the coordination of the...

Lexington, KY —Competing against a record number of submissions from across the country, 12 outstanding entries have emerged victorious in the 2004 United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Awards for Media Excellence. The winning entry in each of the six individual categories will go on to compete for the Daniel P. Lenehan Trophy , a capstone award celebrating outstanding achievement in media excellence. In addition, the Federation is pleased to introduce the President’s Award ,...