The 2008 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby took center stage in Oklahoma City, OK, June 23-28 at the Oklahoma State Fair Park. After the entries were completed and purses were tallied, the show exceeded last year’s number in several categories including a solid 4 percent increase in total purse and whopping 31 percent increase in the Non Pro division purse. In 2007, the NRHA Derby offered $575,800 in purse money, including ancillary classes. This year’s purse broke the $600,000...

Continuing their success from 2008, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Youth Council will host the 2nd Annual USEF Youth Convention in Cincinnati, OH, as part of the USEF Annual Meeting. On Saturday, January 17, 2009, hundreds of youth athletes from the Federation’s 28 breed and discipline backgrounds will come together to participate in a day-long convention culminating with a dinner and dance for convention attendees and USEF Youth Sportsman’s Award finalists. The 2009 Youth...

Kirsten Coe aboard Starlight, owned by Laura King-Kaplan, emerged victorious at the $25,000 Fairfield Grand Prix on Saturday, June 28, the culminating event of the Fairfield County Hunt Club June Benefit Horse Show in Westport, CT. On hand to bestow The Callari Cup were George N. Venizelos of Wachovia Securities, LLC, the presenting sponsor of the grand prix, Claire Sussman and Catherine Herman, co-chairs of the show, along with Chairman Jenny Belknap and President Lynn Coakley of The EQUUS...

At the Lucky Sevens Welcome Stake, which kicked off week II of the Atlanta Summer Classic, the crowd was left singing the praises of Troubadour. With the Leary, GA, based Mariano Bedoya Guido at the controls, the young gelding bested the field of 28, including eleven in the jump-off round, with two clear rounds and a sizzling jump-off time of 30.33 seconds. “I liked this course very much, it looked not too big, but it was very technical,” said Guido of the Allen Rheinheimer designed challenge....

Lexington, KY - The U.S. trio of drivers arrived in Greven, Germany for the 2008 FEI World Championship for Drivers with Disabilities CPEAI 4* and put the world on notice after the dressage phase. Meghan Benge of Aiken, SC drove her borrowed pony Jack to a score of 41.2 with a brilliant performance. The pony was leased from England and his owner was on hand to help groom. “I think Mary is still is shock,” said Boots Wright who is serving as U.S. Assistant Chef d’Equipe and Assistant Coach. “I...

Dressage at Devon is pleased to be the first horse show in the United States to offer a foal championship. The foal championship, sponsored by Hassler Dressage, will be a part of the event’s extensive breed division, which takes place September 23-25. The foal championship was added for a number of reasons. Because their ever-changing conformation can impact their movement, foals will be on a more equal ground when judged against each other. “It is always difficult to judge foals against other...

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) announces the continuation of a partnership with Adequan® for the 2008 Adequan®/USEF National Open Reining Championship presented by Equine Motorcoach. Some of the top reiners in the country will compete for $25,000 added money Friday, June 27, at the State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, OK, as part of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby. Last year, it was Gabe Hutchins and Juiced Up Doc who took home the Adequan®/USEF...

The upcoming Fairfield County Hunt Club June Benefit Horse Show, June 24-28, 2008, on the grounds of the Fairfield County Hunt Club in Westport, CT, is filled with activities for the entire community to enjoy. The show is open to the public with no admission fees and features more than 700 riders competing in 200 classes over five days. The show benefits The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) grant giving foundation that seeks to raise public awareness of the value of the horse in society...

The U.S. Saddle Seat Equitation World Cup will be hosting a benefit dinner on Sunday evening, July 6, at the beautiful and historic Spindletop Hall in Lexington, KY. The 2008 Gold Medal Celebration will feature a seated dinner, cash bar and great auction items. Tickets may be purchased for $75 each from any World Cup team member or by contacting Executive Secretary Christy O’Donnell at [email protected] or (813) 760-0465. The U.S. Saddle Seat Equitation World Cup is also proud to announce...

Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has approved the following horse/rider combinations to the Driving Preliminary Training Short List for the 2008 World Horse Championships (Singles) to be held in Jarantow, Poland August 28-31. The combinations are as follows (listed alphabetically): Name/Age/Hometown/Horse/Sex/Age/Breed/Owner Leslie Berndl / 45 / Newcastle, CA / Koopman’s Lightning Rod / Gelding / 12 / Hackney / Ann McClure Marjas Becker / 61 / Brooker, FL /...