Shelburne, Vt. - The American Morgan Horse Association Young Adult Alliance (YAA), a group of 18-40 year old amateur and professionals working together to strengthen the Morgan breed, today shared details of its first Professional Development Project, a scholarship for amateur and professionals who are interested in attaining their United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) "R" Morgan judging card. This is an opportunity for young adults to educate themselves on the show ring and develop...

Lexington, Ky. - The USEF launched a pilot "high performance" training program in 2012/2013 with approximately twenty drivers attending one or more clinics held in Kentucky, Florida, and North Carolina. Since there are limited training opportunities for driving at the USEF/FEI levels, the opportunity to train with an International Four-in-Hand driver and coach was overwhelmingly positive. To further this program, it is the intention of the USEF to roll out the 2014 Developing Driver Program...

Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has revamped the selection criteria for the 2014 FEI World Breeding Championships for Dressage Young Horses. Seven Markel/USEF Selection Events will be held at CDI competitions throughout the United States. Combinations wishing to compete at the FEI World Breeding Championships for Dressage Young Horses need to compete in at least one Markel/USEF Selection Event and one Markel/USEF Qualifying Competition. Markel/USEF Selection...

Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce that 19 USEF eventing competitions have been approved by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) as Targeted CNs. The approval of FEI Targeted CNs comes in response to concerns voiced by National Federations to the FEI regarding Eventing Rules that went into effect January 1, 2013. Among the new rules implemented was the deletion of CNs, often referred as National Horse Trials, in the Matrix...

Happy New Year everyone! I am glad to be here and since it is obvious that the Earth did not tip over on its axis turning our mountains into oceans and our oceans into mountains, I have to wonder what 2013 will bring to Western Dressage. Maybe the better question is “What will Western Dressage bring to the world?” Indeed it is an intriguing question when put this way. As our fledgling discipline begins to feather out, the directions in which western dressage may fly continue to...

Dalton, GA - Michael Pollard’s team of international event horses was involved in a road traffic accident just five miles from his training center in Dalton, Georgia this morning when their trailer turned over trapping all six horses on board. Five horses were cut free and survived with lacerations but tragically Michael’s new stallion VDL Ulando H died at the scene. No-one was injured in the accident which was caused by the driver of another vehicle pulling out in front of them...

South Woodstock, VT - The Green Mountain Horse Association, South Woodstock, Hitching Post Farm, South Royalton and Huntington Farm, South Strafford, VT are teaming up to create a new program for event riders for 2012. The Vermont Eventing Challenge is a year end awards program for riders competing in Vermont’s USEA recognized Horse Trials. Annie Penfield owner of Strafford Saddlery Shop is pleased to support the goal of the program to promote event competition at many levels in the state...

Lexington, KY - James Kennedy “Jimmy” Skipton, Jr., age 76, Saddlebred owner, ASHA member, and father of longtime exhibitor and American Saddlebred Museum curator Kim Skipton, died on Wednesday, May 25, 2011 in Houston, TX. Skipton was founder and president of Texas Fire & Safety, Inc. with locations throughout Texas. He was a lifetime member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, an early supporter of the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show, a founder and President of the Texas...

Eric Lamaze and Hickstead captured the €200,000 Loro Piana Grand Prix of Rome CSIO5* Rome, Italy (Photo by Marco Proli). Rome, Italy – In what can only be described as a phenomenon, Olympic Champions Eric Lamaze and Hickstead captured yet another major grand prix victory, the €200,000 Loro Piana Grand Prix of Rome on Sunday, May 29, in Italy. An exciting jump-off to determine the winner saw the world’s best vying for victory. France’s Michel Robert held the...

Stephanie Riggio and Compliment (Classic Communications). North Salem, NY – The weather finally broke and the sun came streaming through the clouds as the competition for ribbons and prizes continued at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows. Stephanie Riggio, New York, NY, and her amazing string of mounts won top titles in every division they contested. Moshi, Riggio’s newest, was named Champion in the Conformation Hunter Division and eventually Grand Hunter Champion as their...