Congratulations to 12-year-old Katerina Barrett of Middletown, MD, who was announced October 17 as the 2009 American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA)/Team Morgan "Win a Morgan Horse" Contest winner. Barrett will soon meet her new Morgan horse, CBMF Phoenix (DBA Street Talk x Treble's Wild Memories), graciously donated by Ann Hailey of Copper Beech Morgan Horse Farm in New Albany, OH. Barrett is a seventh grader who likes riding, playing soccer and the piano, and running. She takes lessons with...

Boyd Martin Jumps to the Win with Neville Bardos (Shannon Brinkman) Elkton, MD - Wind substituted for four days of relentless rain for the finale of the 2009 Dansko Fair Hill International but Boyd Martin was not to be blown of the top of the leaderboard. In an impressive performance with Neville Bardos, Martin had one rail down, but landed his first USEF National CCI*** Championship on the strength of the only double clear cross country round on Saturday. “I just wanted the horse to jump...

Karen O'Connor and Mandiba Deliver (Shannon Brinkman) Elkton, MD – Karen O’Connor and Mandiba did not take the easy road to the 2009 Dansko Fair Hill International CCI***, but they delivered on the second day of dressage and put in a dynamite test for a score of 39.6, making them the only pair to go under 40 going into Saturday’s cross country. Also serving as the USEF National CCI*** and CCI** Eventing Championships, Fair Hill International showcased some very professional...

John Williams and Sweepea Dean Lead CCI*** (Shannon Brinkman) Elkton, MD – Autumn seemed to bypass the 2009 Dansko Fair Hill International in favor of winter, as cold temperatures and steady rain gripped the USEF National Eventing CCI** and CCI*** Championships for the first day of dressage. John Williams’ faith in Sweepea Dean was finally rewarded with a breakout performance for the Olympic veteran with the 10-year-old Thoroughbred gelding. Their test showcased good lateral work...

The Morgan breed's largest horse show has begun. The Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show is held in Oklahoma City, OK, and already some athletes have taken world championships in their respective divisions. If you weren't able to make it to Oklahoma this year, have no fear. You can still see all of the action ringside by going to www.morgangrandnational.com and order your live, streaming video. You can also read all of the results posted on www.gaitkeeper.com at the end of...

Elkton, MD – The 2009 Dansko Fair Hill International Horse Trails was inundated with a record number of entries, as 141 horses will go forward to the dressage after a chilly Wednesday afternoon horse inspection. Of those, 113 will be vying for the United States Equestrian Federation’s (USEF) National CCI** and National CCI*** Eventing Championship titles. The only fall CCI*** held in the United States, the Dansko Fair Hill International Horse Trials brings the best to Elkton, MD every October....

It is with great sadness that the United States Equestrian Federation reports that former Olympic mount and dressage horse Mythilus was humanely euthanized Friday, October 9, as a result of complications discovered during a colic surgery. The 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding was the former partner of Olympian Courtney King-Dye. In June 2008, King-Dye finished in third place at 2008 Olympic Dressage Trials with Mythilus, securing the pair’s trip to compete in Hong Kong. “He began to colic...

The American Saddlebred Registry (ASR) Sweepstakes classes were held recently at the All American Horse Classic (AAHC), with payouts expected to reach near record numbers. The ASR Sweepstakes’ estimated total payout of over $222,000 tops the 16-year high of $210,000 in 2008, and is the most prize money awarded in one year since the Sweepstakes all-time high set in 1992. This is in addition to the $160,000 in prize money expected to be paid out to top-placing Kentucky-bred horses, from the...

International grand prix dressage rider and trainer Heather Blitz will be moving her training base to a new location in Loxahatchee, FL, on December 1, 2009. The popular rider has been based in Europe for the past three years and is now ready to return stateside to a new facility that will provide the opportunity to operate a training business alongside her riding career. "I have had a wonderful time in Europe and have made many friends as well as some great clients, but the time has come for...

Applications are being accepted for the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Youth Sportsman's Award, sponsored by Breyer Animal Creations®. Focused on developing leaders in equestrian sport, this award recognizes youth who are members of both USEF and a USEF Recognized National Affiliate for their participation in the community and equine industry. To be considered for the award, the following criteria must be met: • Active membership in good standing with USEF and a USEF Recognized...