Lexington, KY – At the 2009 United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Annual Meeting, the USEF Board of Directors passed the ‘Return to Play’ rule. This rule (GR 1317) mandates that any competitor at a USEF licensed competition that is deemed concussed or unconscious (by qualified medical personnel) cannot return to competition until they have been cleared by a medical professional, who will sign and submit a letter to the USEF stating the rider is fit to compete. This rule became effective on...

The Junior League Horse Show is the only show in Kentucky to host Grand National classes in 2009. The show is set to take place Monday, July 6, through Saturday, July 11, at the Red Mile, in Lexington, KY. The show will offer a total of $9,000 in prize money, offering $1,800 in each of the following Grand National classes: - Fine Harness Junior Horse - Three-Gaited Park Open Championship - Three-Gaited Ladies Championship - Five-Gaited Amateur Championship - Five-Gaited Show Pleasure Junior...

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation® is now accepting bids from photographers who would like to be considered for the position of “Official Photographer for the 2009 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions.” These championships will be held in Gladstone, NJ at the USET Foundation Headquarters June 18-21, 2009. Showcasing the best American dressage riders at the highest levels of the sport from FEI Juniors (aged 14 to 18) to the Olympic-level of Grand Prix...

Lexington, KY – The list of riders published on the USEF Show Jumping Computer has been expanded to include all US, Canadian and US-based foreign riders who have accumulated Computer List points. Ranking on this list of over 500 riders is used to select Jumping teams and individuals for CSI and CSIO competitions. Be sure to check out the expanded list each week at: https://www.usef.org/documents/highPerformance/showJumping/USEFNatComputerRankingList.pdf ENDS For more information, please contact...

Lexington, KY – The USEF is pleased to announce a series of Combined Driving training opportunities to be held at the Carolina Horse Park. These two training sessions will take place in April 2009 in Raeford, NC. The USEF Developing Four-In-Hand Driver Clinic will occur April 6- 8, 2009. The USEF Developing Driver Four-in-Hand coach, Peter Tischer of Germany, will be conducting the training session. This workshop will be open to developing four-in-drivers. The following week, April 13-14, 2009,...

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) is pleased to announce that the American Saddlebred Horse Association of Virginia (ASHAV) and the American Saddlebred Association of Maine (ASAM) have been selected as ASHA’s Charter Clubs of the Year. The two clubs’ dedication and commitment to the promotion of the breed will be honored during the Annual Awards Luncheon on Friday, February 13, 2009, from 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. The luncheon will be held in conjunction with ASHA’s Annual Convention,...

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) offices will be closed Monday, December 22 through Friday, December 26, 2008. The USEF offices will also be closed Thursday, January 1, 2009 – Friday, January 2, 2009. The USEF will return to regular office hours on Monday, January 5, 2009. The USEF would like to wish everyone Happy Holidays and best wishes in the New Year. ENDS

Lexington, KY— The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) announces a new partnership for 2009 with Moxie Equestrian, Inc. as the “Official Awards Cooler of the USEF.” Custom-made Moxie coolers will be awarded at all USEF National Championships and to all Horse of the Year Grand Champions. Moxie’s coolers are unique in their use of high performance fabrics that provide absolute functionality. “Moxie Equestrian is extremely pleased to be selected as the Official Supplier of Award Coolers the...

Lexington, KY – The US show jumping team of Ashlee Bond and Cadett 7, Rebecca Johanson-Hofmann and Corona, Michelle Spadone and Melisimo, and Kirsten Coe and Starlight put on an impressive display at the CSIO Buenos Aires to win the Nations Cup over the Argentineans on their home turf. The US team finished on eight faults, ahead of Argentina (10) and Chile (24). All of the US riders contributed to the effort, with Johanson-Hofmann jumping two immaculate clears. Bond, Spadone and Coe all had one...

Lexington, KY— In official communication received today, the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) has notified all National Federations that NEW dressage tests have been issued for the following levels, effective January 1, 2009: • Prix St. Georges • Intermediaire I • Intermediaire I Freestyle • Intermediaire II • Grand Prix • Grand Prix Special • Grand Prix Freestyle • All Junior Tests (including Preliminary, Team, Individual, & Freestyle Tests) • All Young Rider Tests (including...