Diana DeRosa (Meredith Beerbaum and Shutterfly, champions of the 2005 FEI Budweiser World Cup Jumping Final) Las Vegas, Nevada – There were many times during the 2005 FEI World Cup Finals when one had to take a reality check and pinch themselves just to be certain they weren’t at the NBA play-offs instead of an equestrian event. Anyone who loves sport, whether they have ever been interested in horses or not, would have enjoyed the pure entertainment value of this week’s...

Diana DeRosa (Kim Frey and Marlou during the first round of jumping at the 2005 World Cup.) Las Vegas, NV – Amidst the fabulous Las Vegas spectacle of fireworks, a laser show, jumbo-tron videos and even an opening musical act, it was shaping up to be a German jump-fest on April 21 until Belgium’s Ludo Philipaerts, on the grey stallion Parco, and Kimberly Frey of the U.S, on her consistent Dutch mare Marlou, showed up to throw down a challenge late in the evening. The first to go...

Diana DeRosa (Debbie McDonald riding Brentina during the Grand Prix portion of the 2005 FEI World Cup Dressage Final) Las Vegas, NV —As some predicted long before Thursday’s qualifying Grand Prix, the Dutch made a fantastic showing during the first leg of the 2005 FEI World Cup Dressage Final, April 21, proving their powerhouse precision is not to be underestimated. Edward Gal finished first on Geldnet Lingh with a total of 78.625. Ironically Gal’s score surpassed that of his...

Diana DeRosa (Show jumper Gabriella Salick riding Sandstone Laurin during warm up.) Las Vegas, NV – In a city where glitz and glam are the standard, our United States riders are preparing to shine with the best of them at the 2005 FEI World Cup Finals in Show Jumping and Dressage. Now that official warm-ups and open training have concluded for both disciplines, our skilled equestrians are depending on two final touches before the competition begins—a good night’s rest, and luck of the draw for...

Courtesy University of South Carolina (University of South Carolina's equestrian team after winning the NCAA National Championship.) Winning the Hunt Seat Division with 40 points, the University of South Carolina’s (USC) Equestrian team clinched its first national title in varsity equestrian on April 16. Overall, South Carolina tallied 60 points to second place University of Georgia’s 51 points (the two-time defending champion). Texas A & M University finished third, and...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce a new educational opportunity, made possible with funding support from The Dressage Foundation. The Continuing Education Program for Judges and USDF ‘L’ Graduates, developed by the USDF Judges Committee, has been designed to meet the growing need for continuing education. The goal of this program is to provide for, and continually improve, the training of individuals currently licensed as judges and those aspiring to become...

The Kentucky Horse Park, site of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, will soon be graced with a bronze sculpture of Bruce Davidson and Eagle Lion jumping into the well-known water obstacle, the Head of the Lake. A final casting of the sculpture, created by artist Jean Clagett, will be on display at this year’s event and a raffle for the casting will be held at the United States Eventing Association (USEA) booth to benefit the project—-1,000 tickets at $50 each will be available. The sculpture...

U.S. eventing legend Jim Wofford will be on hand at the United States Eventing Association (USEA) booth to sign the newly reprinted copies of his book, Training the Three-Day Event Horse and Rider . The signing will take place at noon on Friday, April 29. Wofford was a key member of the U.S. Equestrian Team’s eventing squad for two decades, including three Olympic teams, winning two team Silver medals. He also won four national championships and earned two world championships bronze medals. The...

Dr. Ellen Singer, a well-respected veterinarian out of the University of Liverpool, England, will present the results of her recent comparative study of the effects of the two competitive three-day formats: the long format (with Phases A, B, C and D) and the short format (Phase D only). Dr. Singer has considerable experience in the area of equine welfare research, and will be joined in her presentation by FEI and USEF veterinarian, Dr. Catherine Kohn. The presentation will take place at the...

Santa Fe will host the second annual New Mexico Grand Prix on Memorial Weekend 2005, May 28-29. The event takes place on the Polo Fields of the Santa Fe Horse Park. A huge step toward the goal of making Santa Fe a premiere equestrian destination, this major sporting event will feature top riders from all over the country who will compete for prize money. The event will attract equine professionals, amateur exhibitors, horse lovers, owners and riders, tourists and spectators. Proceeds from the...