HITS is pleased to announce that the Stallion Services Department of the Equine Medical Center of Ocala will offer the Leading Mare Award to the mare that finishes the highest in the $100,000 DeLuca Toyota Tundra Grand Prix, presented by Great American Insurance Group on Sunday, March 15, at HITS Ocala. The award consists of a free embryo transfer that will be performed by Dr. Corey Miller, head of reproduction at the Ocala-based veterinary hospital. Any mare based in the United States who...

The dates on which McLain Ward and Beezie Madden will be presenting at the 2009 USEF Horsemastership Training Session presented by Bates Saddles, January 5–9 at the South Grounds of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center Grand Prix Ring in Wellington, FL, have changed. Ward and Madden will swap dates, with Madden now scheduled to present on Thursday, January 8, and Ward now scheduled for Friday, January 9. Also, rider Shelby Wakeman has withdrawn from participation in the clinic and is...

Karen O'Connor (right) was named USEF's Equestrian of the Year in 2008. (USEF Archives/Geoff Oliver Bugbee) Lexington, KY — Voting is now open for the United States Equestrian Federation’s (USEF) most prestigious awards, the 2008 Farnam®/Platform™ USEF Horse of the Year award and the 2008 USEF Equestrian of the Year award. Any USEF member can vote for the Farnam®/Platform™ USEF Horse of the Year or USEF Equestrian of the Year. Your vote will help decide which of...

Lexington, KY— The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) announces the new partnership with Pennfield Equine Feed Technologies as the “Official Horse Feed of the USEF.” Pennfield is a widely respected, family-owned feed company in Pennsylvania that has been serving the eastern seaboard states since 1919 and has partnered with Kentucky Equine Research (KER) for their unparalleled nutritional expertise since 1996. Known for using only the finest, most consistent feed ingredients and precise...

Lexington, KY – Mindy Darst was named Volunteer of the Year by the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) at the USHJA Evening of Equestrians on December 10, 2008. Evening of Equestrians is the USHJA’s awards ceremony held in conjunction with the Annual Meeting which took place at the Hilton Downtown in Nashville, TN, December 8-11. The Volunteer of the Year Award is given to an individual who donates their time to develop and implement programs in the organization. Darst was selected...

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has announced that Elizabeth Osborn of the Woodside Vaulters equestrian vaulting club has won the prestigious title of Vaulter of the Year. Osborn’s coach, Isabelle Bibbler Parker, was named USEF Coach of the Year. Osborn and Parker will receive their awards on January 16 at a ceremony during the USEF’s Annual Meeting in Cincinnati, OH. The USEF, based in Lexington, KY, is the national governing body of equestrian sport in the U.S. Osborn is the...

Anky van Grunsven, the most successful musical freestyle competitor in the history of dressage, Holland's Edward Gal who captivated American audiences at the World Cup Finals, and USA Olympian Steffen Peters are among riders to confirm their participation in the inaugural $140,000 Exquis World Dressage Masters CDI***** in Wellington, January 28-31, 2009. Olympians Ashley Holzer of Canada and Hans Peter Minderhoud of The Netherlands have also committed to the event at the Palm Beach...

Lake St. Louis Winter Series Horse Show manager Tommy McIntyre put together another spectacular event that ran through the first weekend in December and featured the ASG Software Solutions/United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) International Hunter Derby on December 5, 2008. Held at the National Equestrian Center in Lake St. Louis, MO, the class was a challenging combination of grace and courage that tested exhibitors’ horsemanship and wowed spectators. “It was an honor, a privilege...

Lexington, KY— As the year comes to a close, the United States Equestrian Federation® (USEF) is pleased to announce the 2008 Equestrians of Honor. Of these seven honorees, one will be selected as the 2008 USEF Equestrian of the Year, one of USEF’s most prestigious awards. All of the Equestrians of Honor will be recognized during the Annual Pegasus Awards Dinner at the USEF Annual Meeting on Saturday, January 17. The Annual Meeting will be held January 14-18 at the Hilton...

Imagine what would happen if your trailer became disconnected from your tow vehicle, and your emergency breakaway battery was fully discharged. Disaster! However, when a breakaway system is working properly, it will lock the brakes automatically if the trailer becomes disconnected from the tow vehicle. “Be a good steward—don’t take chances with the safety and welfare of your precious cargo,” said Mark Cole, managing member for USRider, the nationwide roadside assistance program for...