Lexington, KY - The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) is pleased to announce the unveiling of a brand new Saddlebred blog on the ASHA website . Featured in this week's blog is the first in what will be a series of entries about a three-year-old American Saddlebred filly, who began as a show horse, but is now learning how to jump. Future blog posts will include an array of subjects from fun facts to helpful hints, reflections, and more! To suggest ideas to the blog or to make a...

Team USA's first training ride in Abu Dhabi. Photo courtesy Kelly Kimbler. Lexington, KY - The U.S. finished fourth among 19 teams Saturday in Abu Dhabi, UAE, at the FEI Junior and Young Rider World Endurance Championship despite an uphill battle that included an injured horse at the first inspection. "What an exhilarating team effort and realistically an unexpected result - but privately hoped for," said Chef d'Equipe Emmett Ross. Unexpected, in part, because Natalie Muzzio's horse...

Last night we went into the city of Frankfurt for a little fun after a good practice session. The city was so busy and vibrant with Christmas market stands. As beautiful as Kronberg is, it was great to see the big city for a change. Watson continues to progress through our practice sessions. We have started to ride tests everyday before the competition, as the Schafhof Team was nice enough to set up a standard arena for us in the Riding Hall. I hope that things will continue to go well as we...

Lexington, KY - Applications for media credentials to attend the 2012 United States Equestrian Federations's Annual Meeting are now open for submission. The 2012 USEF Annual Meeting will be held from January 11-14, 2012, at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza in Cincinnati, OH. Included during the five days of meetings will be the Performance Horse Registry (PHR) Silver Stirrup Awards, the Horse of the Year Awards, and the Pegasus Awards galas. To apply for credentials, contact Brian...

Lexington, KY - Following submission of the proposed slate to the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA), the list of nominees standing for election as Directors of the Association for terms beginning in February 2012 was released. In February 2012, six directors are to be elected by ASHA members for terms ending in 2015, from the following 11 candidates: Susan Aschenbrenner (Iowa), Betsy Boone (North Carolina), Randall Cates (Oklahoma),...

Paul E. Chovanec Former American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) member Paul E. Chovanec passed away on Sunday, December 4, 2011, at the age of 63. Paul grew up on a small farm in Wisconsin, son to parents who had survived the great depression and a father who worked in the navy shipyard. In addition to working the farm, Paul’s father lead an orchestra at fancy dinner clubs in the evening and the couple ran Paul’s Beauty Shop, where they served Milwaukee’s finest clients....

Things have begun to settle into a rhythm as our full practice schedule has resumed. Watson and I had a good practice today and I hope it continues to get better. We have much to work on in the next few days in order to fully prepare for the competition. We are all enjoying the atmosphere at Schafhof. Everyone is so nice, and there is much to see and do. I finished my work early today, so we all decided to take a short field trip to the Schloss Johannesberg Wiesbaden. The castle, which has now...

West Grove, PA - After 25 years as a featured equestrian event on the Delaware Valley fall schedule, the Laurels at Landhope is ending its run. Led by Jamie O’Rourke, of Unionville, PA, for much of the last two decades, the event grew from its roots as a small schooling driving trial, located at Maresfield Farm in Unionville, to international recognition by the FEI and to its selection as the site of multiple USEF National Championships and international selection trials. In 2002, the...

Lexington, KY - The UPHA and The UPHA Ribbons of Service program wish to congratulate the following participants on their outstanding accomplishments: Kohlette Weaver – Overall winner of the program with the most funds raised. Thirteen-year-old Kotie is also the American Saddlebred Breed Winner. Together, under the direction of Jimmy and Helen Robertson she and her horse CH Sports Night raised a total of $11,802 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, as well as completing 79 hrs...

Wellington, FL - At the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in West Palm Beach, FL, dressage is poised to take center stage this January. Among the many high-level competitions that will occur at the venue this winter will be a Para-Equestrian CPEDI3* qualifier for the 2012 Paralympics. This exciting three-test qualifying competition will serve as an inspiring opener for both the Gold Coast Dressage CDIW and the Wellington Classic Sunshine Challenge CDI3*, both of which now offer the chance to see...