Lexington, KY – When asked to choose one word that best describes who she is, Teal Dowling pauses, laughs a little and gives a word that all who know her would heartily agree with. The word would have to be “original,” she told the panel of judges in her interview as a finalist for 2005 USEF Junior Equestrian of the Year. The delightful 18-year-old from Spring Prairie, Wisconsin does her best to live up to that word, charting her own course as she navigates life and the world...

As an exceptional representation of the Friesian breed, there is no question why 11-year-old Goffert 369, owned by Iron Spring Farm, is a part of Breyer's new line of Traditional models for 2006. This striking and athletic stallion is captured in Breyer's newest sculpture, created by Kathleen Moody, in a graceful extended trot. A natural showman, Goffert excels in the grand prix dressage ring with his stunning and versatile movements. Foaled in 1994, Goffert is a 16.3-hand breeding stallion...

Lexington, KY—Team USA won the FEI CRIO that took place on December 1, 2005, in Oklahoma City, OK, during the National Reining Horse Association Futurity. Tim McQuay of Tioga, TX; Scott McCutcheon of Whitesboro, TX; Tom McCutcheon of Aubrey, TX; and Dell Hendricks of Tioga, TX rode for the United States and came away victorious with a combined score of 654.5 Team Brazil took home the Silver, while Team Canada received the Bronze. Team Mexico came in fourth. All teams secured their place to ride...

For the second year in a row, the United States hosted the FEI Children’s International Jumping Final. Held at the lovely Hummingbird Nest Ranch, just north of Los Angeles, 32 of the highest ranked riders aged 12-14 congregated for a week of competition and camaraderie from November 22-27. Venezuela’s Noel Vanososte conceived of the idea to have children’s jumper riders compete in a championship format as he watched developing riders in South America. After experimenting with various formats,...

Lexington, KY – The tally has just begun and your votes will be an integral part of deciding which of the nation’s leading equines will be named the inaugural Farnam®/ Platform™ • USEF Horse of the Year. Merely weeks away from the 2006 USEF Annual Meeting, all heads are turning to five finalists in anticipation of which horse will be adorned with the title—one of the most prestigious awards the USEF offers. The five finalists for Horse of the Year are:...

“Who is Paul Rohrbach?” asked many people after he posted his first major grand prix win at the $50,000 Los Angeles National Grand Prix. Rohrbach, a professional from Colorado who runs a successful hunter/jumper training business with partner Corky Shaha, has been steadily posting strong grand prix finishes over the years. After his stellar performance in the grand prix aboard Mary Dunahay’s Shiraz, everyone knew who he was. Rohrbach came to the Los Angeles National (November 16-20, 2005) by...

Craig Schmersal had four horses to show at the Southwest Reining Horse Association (SWRHA) Futurity and Horse Show in Ardmore, OK, in October. He had Commanders Nic and Im Genuinely Smart for Open and Novice Horse Open competition. He had two three-year-olds for the SWRHA Futurity, Wrangle Whiz and Conquistadors Star. All four horses earned NRHA paychecks. After the show, Schmersal, his wife Ginger and their sons Chris and Nick drove to their new home and training facility in Overbrook, OK,...

Aaron Vale of Aiken, SC, riding for Angelstone Farms claimed another victory on board the 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Arriscraft Soleil with double clear rounds on November 20 over a field of 36 competitors in the $40,000 National Hunter Jumper League (NHJL) Grand Prix sponsored by Bayer/Legend. A first-round time of 88.158 seconds assured Vale a return spot in the jump-off. Their second clear round time of 43.024 seconds put them in the winner's circle. Vale had a total of six mounts...

The Education Department at the Kentucky Horse Park wants to make better caretakers out of horse owners, and consequently better horses. To that end, they will offer a variety of equine classes and programs for both adults and youngsters in 2006. Equine professionals and novices will benefit from courses on a wide variety of topics, designed to make participants better horsemen and horsewomen. John Nicholson, Executive Director of the park, noted “As the Horse Capital of the World, we have a...

On January 11-12, 2006, Dawson and Nye Auctioneers and Appraisers will be auctioning off trophies, paintings, silver, pictures, rugs and other household effects from the house of equestrian legend and current U.S. Show Jumping Chef d’Equipe George Morris. The auction will be held in Morris Plains, NJ, at the auction house of Dawson and Nye. John Nye, President and Principal Auctioneer of Dawson and Nye Auctioneers, will offer nearly 200 items from the collection of George Morris at their Morris...