It takes a lot of people to keep our U.S. show on the road, so the first Barn Notes will be fairly basic introductions of the Dressage staff: Barn Manager Dougie Hannum first travelled with the U.S. Team in 1966 as a show jumping groom and he hasn't missed much over the last four decades. The first team horse he looked after was called Ilan, he belonged to James Paxton but Frank Chapot rode him on the team and Dougie was part of the deal. He was around when a jumping horse named Sloopy had...

Lexington, KY- Four American horses and three riders are set to take on a huge, and hugely competitive field at the Boekelo CCI3* in The Netherlands. The Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for Boekelo is comprised of Boyd Martin’s pair Remington XXV (owned by Henley House Stables, LLC) and Otis Barbotiere (owned by The Otis Barbotiere Syndicate), Michael Pollard on his own, his wife Nathalie’s and his father-in-law Carl Bouckaert’s DV8 and Tamra Smith on Leigh Mesher’s Mar de...

Lausanne, Switzerland - The FEI, following approval by the FEI Bureau, has announced a small number of changes to its 2011 Equine Prohibited Substance List. These changes, which will be included in the 2012 List and will go into effect on January 1, are summarized here and below: • There are two additions to the Prohibited List: Magnesium Sulphate injections and any use of ACTH. • 17-Alpha-Hydroxy Progesterone is also being named on the List given similar biological effects to...

Lexington, KY - The inaugural Riders4Helmets Safety Incentive held in conjunction with the Supreme Extreme Mustang Makeover (SEMM) September 15-17 in Fort Worth, TX was a huge success. The SEEM, organized by the Mustang Heritage Foundation, is the richest wild horse competition in history and offered a wonderful platform on which to exemplify the example of being a "positive role model". The competition involves approximately 180 wild horses that competitors have had only 120 days to gentle and...

Lexington, KY - Last March, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) announced it will assume responsibility for fielding and supporting future U.S. Saddle Seat Equitation Teams who will represent the United States at the Saddle Seat Equitation World Cup. In July, USEF hosted a luncheon during the Lexington Junior League Charity Horse Show to celebrate the efforts of the 2010 U.S. World Cup Team and to begin fundraising efforts to support the Team who will travel to Parys, South Africa,...

Since my last correspondence, we have experienced many fabulous events here in Conty! The opening ceremonies certainly did not disappoint anyone as several breeds were displayed. There were two Spanish riding horses moving in unison with music and a lovely, young French woman working at liberty with a single horse. A lively ensemble of horns and drums kept the crowd in beat and alert during much of the presentation. We were even treated to a woman and her border collie herding a flock of geese,...

Denver, CO – Judges were impressed with Rosalind Ross and Devon Maitozo - their composition, performance and degree of difficulty – placing the pair atop the podium at last week’s USEF/AVA national Championships at the National Western Complex in Denver, CO. Ross and Maitozo – from the F.A.C.E. Vaulting Club in Moorpark, CA – were named champions of the Pas de Deux, an FEI- recognized event expected to be competed at the 2012 World Championships for the first time....

Exhibitor Megan Moschat writes: “It’s great to go national champion once in the competitive division of PB Western Pleasure amateur to ride but twice is just incredible. Nicole Pitassi won both the AAOTR and AATR 18-39 with her horse Kharismatic PGA and Rebecca Fulkerson went reserve in both classes with Koweta Phoenix. It has been really fun walking around the show and talking to the show’s staff. They are so appreciative of the understanding personnel at the Keystone Centre....

Woodside Vaulters (courtesy of Woodside Vaulters). Denver, CO – More than 300 top equestrian vaulters in the United States came together this weekend at the National Western Complex in Denver, CO, for the USEF/AVA National Championships – and they did not disappoint. The Woodside Vaulters of Woodside, CA, gained the top spot on the podium in the Team Championships. The A team consists of Katharine Wick, Gabe Aniello, Allysa Bonora, Tessa Divita, Kathryn Jaggers, Siddartha Kreaden,...

The North American Young Rider’s Championship was a great success! Everyone (myself included) seemed to have a great time, and the endurance Basecamp was full of positive things to say about the Horse Park and staff. Though it was hot, everyone was in great spirits, and the 75 mile race went as well as anyone could have hoped. I only got to see 55 miles of the trail, but what I saw of it, I loved. It was an amazing experience to ride parts of the WEG course, and see some of the beautiful...