Directors of the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) and the American Saddlebred Registry, along with invited guests, are scheduled to gather, beginning Sunday evening, October 9, in French Lick, IN, to begin a three-day conference and retreat to address strategic planning for the breed and its governing organizations. The formal October meetings of both boards will conclude the session on Wednesday morning. Alan F. Balch, Executive Secretary/Registrar of the organizations, said key...

Craig Schmersal and Tim McQuay after their Gold- and Silver-medal wins at the $100,000 FEI World Reining Masters Finals. (Andrea Bonaga) Manerbio, Italy – September 25 – The much awaited second $100,000 FEI World Reining Masters Finals, presented by the Arcese Group and the Italian Equestrian Sports Federation, saw a full house and was truly a tribute to the sport of reining. Craig Schmersal, riding Tidal Wave Jack, received a standing ovation from the enthusiastic crowd, who had a...

The West Coast Active Riders Organization kicked off the start of their World Cup qualifier season with the $50,000 Grand Prix of Showpark in Del Mar, CA, held on September 3, 2005. Mario Onate took top honors with his own mount, Banco Del Bajio Otelo. The United States riders who earned World Cup points include Gabriella Salick and her gray stallion, Sandstone Laurin, of Sandstone Horse Sales, LLC; Mike Endicott with Farrokh Moshar’s bay gelding, Lennongrad; and Joie Gatlin with Canyon...

After 30 of 33 events on the 2005 tour, it all comes down to one class in this year’s race for the titles of American Grand Prix Association (AGA) Rider, Horse and Rookie of the Year. Entering its 27th year, the AGA Grand Prix Series of Show Jumping is the world’s richest and longest running series of equestrian show jumping events. The AGA offers over $3 million in prize money on a tour that encompasses 30 events and 20 different equestrian market locations across the United States....

The first four days of competition at the 33rd Paso Fino Horse Association Grand National Championship Show are now in the history books. The very first class of the show, Pleasure Schooling Four-Year-Old Fillies had a total of 48 entries and Dictadora de Flat Rock, ridden by Shaw Laney and owned by Paul and Ali Casey, topped the class. Fifteen national champions were crowned on the first day and 17 the second. Competition on Monday included the very first Pleasure Amateur Owner Geldings For...

The Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) title is one that is sought all year by top professional hunter riders throughout the country. The four riders who amass the most points at their top four WCHR shows, plus at the final WCHR event, the Capital Challenge Horse Show, then compete head-to-head in an unparalleled ride-off. As Professional WCHR, the winner not only earns the most prestigious title available to a hunter rider, but...

Lexington, KY – A flawless double clear ride in Barcelona, Spain was one of the deciding factors in determining which team would go home as 2005 Samsung Super League Champions. As it happens, the U.S. Show Jumping Team was destined to take home that title—a title that more than a dozen U.S. riders worked for all summer long, and a title that came down to one last Nations Cup competition at CSIO Barcelona. As for the double-clear round that helped clinch the overall season win, we...

On September 15, 2005, the nine-year-old Friesian Otte 375, an approved FPS breeding stallion, passed awy due to an inoperable injury. He was owned by Sonja R. Zinke and Terri Matera of Cherry Valley, CA, and stood at Sunshine Horse Ranch. Otte 375 combined excellent performance, remarkable quality and stellar character. In 2004, Otte 375 was given the title of Ride and Drive Champion in The Netherlands. In December 2002 he earned the title Grand Champion in The Netherlands' Z1 Dressage Level....

Lexington, KY – The word “anticipation” doesn’t quite cover it, as the United States Show Jumping Team and its fans expectantly await the eighth and final leg of the 2005 Samsung Super League—the Nations Cup competition at CSIO Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, September 18. “We’ve got a great team and lovely horses,” emphasized USEF Chef d’Equipe George Morris, speaking from Barcelona. As for the riders designated to represent the United States for...

The HorseTV Channel announced its October 27, 2005, debut date for full-time availability to multi-channel cable and satellite providers. The HorseTV Channel, announced and funded earlier this year, presents a full lineup of horse-related events and programming to an enthusiastic and rapidly growing, grassroots following across the country. “This is a very significant and exciting time for us,” said George Greenberg, Chairman and CEO of The HorseTV Channel. “We’ve been building our core...