The USEF Dressage Committee met on July 1-2, 2008 and discussed the USEF Dressage Performance Standards Proposal. This discussion included a review of compiled results of the online survey that was developed to gather feedback from USEF and USDF members. These results were recently shared with the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Executive Board and show that a majority of the approximately 1,250 respondents expressed support for the idea of having competition performance standards for...

Three Przewalski horse foals kicked up their hooves, making a grand entrance at the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park on Friday, August 8, 2008. The Wild Animal Park currently houses 17 of these critically endangered horses, including the new additions, born August 3, July 22 and July 19. Two more babies are expected soon. Foals are born after an 11-month pregnancy. Approximately 30 minutes after birth the babies must be on their legs and able to move with the herd. Since 1974, 138 Przewalski's...

Lexington, KY – Driver Chester Weber continued his stellar European campaign over the weekend with a convincing win at the German Fahrderby in Riesenbeck, Germany. The Fahrderby (Driving Derby) is a unique competition which consists of six separate phases. It began with each competitor driving a pair the first morning - a class that is equivalent to a show hunter class. Four drivers enter a standard driving arena and are directed by the judges to perform specific movements from letter to...

Tickets are now selling for the annual Saddlebred Raffle, with winners to be drawn at random during the Kentucky State Fair World’s Championship Horse Show. According to Brenda Newell, Senior Program Administrator for the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA), the raffle is one of the ASHA’s most important fundraisers. Only 400 tickets are sold worldwide, at $100 each, for gross proceeds of $40,000. Of that, $20,000 goes into the Saddlebred Futures Fund, and $20,000 of it is returned to...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) announced the start of its “Going Green” Campaign. The campaign was developed to manage costs in a tough economy and support worldwide environmental efforts while continuing to provide the best in member benefits and services. The first major step in the effort was the launch of the USDF website last fall, which has allowed USDF to provide extensive information and services to its members online, reducing paper usage, shipping costs, and staff...

The American Hackney Horse Society (AHHS) has announced a change in location for their Annual General Membership Meeting during the Kentucky State Fair in Louisville, August 17-23. Due to ongoing renovations at the Executive West Hotel the meeting will be held in South Wing C, Room 105, of the Kentucky Expo center. The meeting will be on Thursday, August 21, and will begin at 1:30 p.m. The meeting is not mandatory, however participation is highly recommended as it is the only opportunity during...

For the past several years, the American Saddlebred International Youth Program (ASIYP) has conducted their annual competition in conjunction with the United Professional Horsemen’s Association (UPHA) Chapter 10 Saddlebred Fall Horse Show. Competitors must ride in their age group equitation class, participate in junior judging and showmanship at halter, ride in a pattern class, plus complete a written test and hippology stations. Separate ribbons are awarded in each of these classes and there...

Not a delay in site, as more Olympic horses arrived in Hong Kong on time and in great shape to then be swiftly ferried towards the comfortable Olympic facilities at Sha Tin. Another 35 horses representing 11 countries set foot on Chinese soil, having departed Amsterdam on three different flights to arrive in Hong Kong on Sunday and Monday. For many, their reputations preceded them, and their passports confirmed their jet setting status revealing a multitude of destinations and venues. The...

Content provided by the Arabian Horse Association Albuquerque, NM— The Youth National Arabian and Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show (Youth Nationals) is under way through Saturday, August 2, in Albuquerque, NM, at the Expo. The Arabian Horse Association (AHA) of Aurora, CO, produces the week-long event, which is in its 16th year, and features top-level horse show competition, a shopping expo, the annual Youth Convention—all of which bring in an estimated $11.2 million to Albuquerque. The...

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce that the USEF Executive Committee recently approved the Kentucky Horse Park as the host of the 2009-2011 USEF National Pony Championships (Pony Finals). The Kentucky Horse Park has successfully hosted Pony Finals for the last three years. The tentative show dates are August 5-9, 2009; August 11-15, 2010; and August 10-14, 2011. Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC. submitted the bid for retaining Pony Finals at the...