Not a delay in site, as more Olympic horses arrived in Hong Kong on time and in great shape to then be swiftly ferried towards the comfortable Olympic facilities at Sha Tin. Another 35 horses representing 11 countries set foot on Chinese soil, having departed Amsterdam on three different flights to arrive in Hong Kong on Sunday and Monday. For many, their reputations preceded them, and their passports confirmed their jet setting status revealing a multitude of destinations and venues. The...

The newest addition to the international reining scene, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) World Reining Championships, is showing a world of support, literally. Twenty countries from four continents are entered to compete in the September 11-14, 2008, competition in Manerbio, Italy. Teams and individuals from these countries are to compete in the inaugural World Championships, a brand new event hosted by the FEI. In the past, a World Reining Championship has only been offered during...

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) has announced plans for its upcoming live video streaming Internet webcasts for August and September, following its very well-received Lexington Junior League webcast in early July. According to Will Wood, Technology Manager, the ASHA will again offer live Internet coverage of all events at the Kentucky State Fair’s World’s Championship Horse Show from Freedom Hall in Louisville, KY, from Sunday evening, August 17, through World’s Grand...

David O’Connor, President of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), Olympic Gold medalist, Pam American Games and World Equestrian Games medalist, has been elected to the Board of Trustees of the American Horse Council (AHC). In 2004, O’Connor officially retired from international competition and was elected as president of USEF for the 2005-2009 term, and has now been re-elected for another four-year term. As president, he works closely with the FEI, the international governing body...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has amended its import rules to allow noncompetitive entertainment horses to be temporarily brought into the U.S. from countries affected with the venereal disease, Contagious Equine Metritis. The final rule, titled Temporary Importation of Horses: Noncompetitive Entertainment Horses From Countries Affected with Contagious Equine Metritis, is effective July 7, 2008. Noncompetitive entertainment horses are those that participate in performances or...

Horse enthusiasts in 4-H District 5 Area will soon be able to enjoy permanent seating at the Mighty Mustang Arena in Green County because of funding from the Kentucky Horse Council (KHC). The Horse Council $10,000 grant supports the materials and construction of bleachers, which will seat as many as 320 spectators at the new facility. Despite the fact that no seating was previously available, over 3,000 area horse owners and 4-H club members used the partially completed arena in the past year....

David Holmes of Great Britain has been appointed to the key position of FEI Executive Director, Sports. In this role, Holmes will lead the FEI Sports Departments and manage their planning, financial, and operational activities. He will monitor the liaison with the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee, and the Organizing Committees in charge of the Olympic, Paralympic, and Youth Olympic Games and will coordinate the FEI World Equestrian Games, Regional Games,...

A 2007 registered Anglo-Arabian colt is being raffled off as a benefit for the Sport Horse Nationals Payback Program. Willis and Karin Foley of Solar Hill Sport Horses in Orange, VA, have generously donated their homebred colt, known as SH Deseo, to the program to show their support for this ground-breaking program. He is sired by CW Soxx and is out of Hips and Haws. “We totally support a program like this that rewards excellence in sport horse breeding.” said Karin Foley. “We are just putting...

The North American Anglo-Arabian Horse Association (NAAAHA) will again be honoring Anglo-Arabian horses competing at Youth Nationals and Sport Horse Nationals in 2008. The Top Five winning Anglos in all classes at each show will be awarded an embroidered cooler and neck ribbon; the Supreme Champions will also receive a gold trophy. NAAAHA has also implemented a High Point Program for Anglo-Arabians that compete in working hunter, jumper, eventing, dressage, Sport Horse, conformation, endurance...

Lexington, KY - This spring, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) hired Eric Stauffer of Middleburg, VA, as the Managing Director of Driving. Stauffer, a native of Northeastern Pennsylvania, has been riding all his life. He got his start in the pony hunters then moved on to the pony jumpers - riding on the A circuit in the Devon, PA, area. He was then introduced to eventing by Sally Graburn, mother of Sterling (the current National Singles Driving Champion). Stauffer moved to the...