Despite a previous week of sunshine when the field of 30 competitors began the Gulf Coast Mid Winter $10,000 Open Welcome, Mother Nature decided to add another challenge to Anthony D’Ambrosio’s course. A deluge of rain began as the first horse passed judges Fred Brown and Mike Christian. David Q Wright’s Step Right Up did just that. After a clear first round the 14-year-old Thoroughbred gelding from Murfreesboro, TN, gave a repeat performance in a jump-off field of eight with a speedy 34.494...

The Chatsworth International Horse Trials cross-country course has been modified to challenge the riders, perhaps more than the horses, in the FEI World Cup Qualifier (CIC***-W) to be held at Chatsworth, GA, April 8-10. The course for the FEI World Cup Qualifying event (CIC***W) will be run over 3600 meters with 30 numbered fences and 40 jumping efforts. “Most of the fences that seemed to cause too much trouble last year will be changed a bit to make it a bit more rider friendly.” said...

The American Vaulting Association (AVA) has launched a significantly improved and updated website. Visitors to the www.americanvaulting.org site can expect to find the addition of many new resources and educational tools, including video. Whether you are interested in finding a club, starting a program or learning about vaulting, the expanded website provides multiple sources of information. The AVA first entered the information highway in 1995, long before many had heard of the worldwide web....

Lendon Gray’s Youth Dressage Festival (YDF), to be held in Saugerties, NY, August 12-14, 2005, is pleased to introduce the inclusion of ParaEquestrian competition in 2005. ParaEquestrian has recently been accepted by both the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) and the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) as a full discipline, providing national and international competition in both dressage and driving for individuals with a disability. Both sports have been developing for many...

NYC2012 banners have been flying high around New York City during the last few days—as businesses joined city leaders in welcoming the International Olympic Committee’s Evaluation Commission. In what’s being called a historic milestone in New York City’s bid for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Commission wrapped up a four-day visit to the city on February 24, following a thorough evaluation of the NYC2012 Olympic plan. “It has been exciting sharing our...

On Sunday, February 12, many of the top national equestrians tested their skills in the Bayer-Legend $25,000 Grand Prix Sponsored by Gulf Coast Winter Series. The competition was held at the Harrison Country Fairgrounds on County Farm Road in Gulfport, MS. The winner of the Bayer-Legend $25,000 Grand Prix was I.Z’s Lifetime, owned by Bjorn and Clara Ikast of Laredo, TX with Bjorn Ikast in the irons. I.Z.’s Lifetime, an 11-year-old stallion won $7,500 with two clear rounds. Second place was CR...

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce details pertaining to the 2005 Mid-Year Board of Directors Meeting. This year’s gathering will bring the Board together in the heart of Kentucky, July 12th at the Hyatt Regency in Lexington. This landmark hotel is attached to the famed 23,000-seat Rupp Arena, known to host some of the most highly acclaimed sporting and entertainment events in the nation. The Hyatt is also connected by convenient skywalks to world-class...

The 2005 WIHS Equitation and WIHS Pony Equitation Finals, to be held during the Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), October 25-30, 2005 at the MCI Center in downtown Washington, DC, will accept 30 riders in the WIHS Equitation Finals and 25 riders in the WIHS Pony Equitation Finals. Qualifying is based on points accumulated in WIHS Equitation qualifying classes held at shows starting on or after September 1, 2004, through shows starting on before August 31, 2005. Letters of invitation...

With the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) annual meeting of members scheduled for Thursday through Saturday, February 17-19, at the Embassy Suites of Lexington, KY, proxy and voting materials have been mailed to the entire senior membership. Ballots for election of directors must be returned by members on or before Tuesday, February 1, 2005. The slate of candidates seeking a seat on the Board of Directors includes Victoria Gillenwater, Tim Lockard, Fred K. Sarver, Paul Treiber,...

Riders From Six Leagues Have Qualified, Seven Leagues Still Competing Six out of 13 FEI Show Jumping World Cup Leagues have completed their qualifying seasons for the 2005 FEI Budweiser World Cup Jumping Final, April 20-24, 2005, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, NV. The competition remains fierce in the other seven Leagues as riders around the world vie for the right to compete in Las Vegas along with those who have already secured themselves a place in the 27th annual FEI World Cup...