Lexington, KY – “The sun shines bright on my old Kentucky home” and it certainly did shine brightly on Olympian Michelle Gibson and her new star Don Angelo in the inaugural USEF National Developing Horse Dressage Championship, sponsored by the Dutta Corporation and Performance Sales International. Following up on their winning Developing Horse Test ride on Saturday, Gibson and Don Angelo made the Prix St. Georges test look effortless in earning a test score of 70.000% for an overall average of...

(Lexington, KY) - The Task Force formed by USEF to review current safety procedures at USEF licensed competitions has recently made certain recommendations as part of an effort to monitor safety standards in equestrian sport. In formulating the following recommendations, the Task Force collaborated with other sports, such as skiing and snowboarding, as to how those sports address safety issues. This Task Force went beyond its mission as it also made recommendations that address accident...

Michigan State University's (MSU's) My Horse University (MHU) online curricula are not only useful tools for individuals who want to learn more about horse selection and evaluation and welfare and behavior, but the two online learning programs can also be incorporated into youth and adult group experiences. Through MHU's horse welfare and behavior program, participants can learn about horse behavior and how it can influence the way they interact with horses. It's appropriate for audiences from...

Lexington, KY – John Long, Chief Executive Officer of the United States Equestrian Federation, announced today that Walter Herd will join the USEF as Director of Special Projects, effective September 4. A graduate of Centre College in Danville, KY, and a native of Louisville, KY, Herd recently retired from the United States Army as a Special Forces Colonel after 24 years in a variety of management and leadership positions. His responsibilities included commanding Special Forces units, ranging...

Formal registration of all competitions offering Saddlebred classes by the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) is now under way. This step comes with the Kentucky State Fair World’s Championship Horse Show having announced that ASHA will administer point-keeping records on its behalf for its 2008 Pleasure and Park Horse sections. Those qualifying requirements can be viewed at www.asha.net/files/ksfwchs_pleasure_park_requirements_08.pdf . “All exhibitors and competition managements need...

When Mary Gaylord McClean rode down Freedom Hall’s “victory lane” on According To Lynn as the World’s Champion in the Five-Gaited Mare Stake Tuesday night, it capped a sensational night for her Golden Creek Farms, as both competitors and breeders. According To Lynn, by CH Callaway’s Born To Win out of Carol Lynn (BHF), is the older sister of Lynn Williams, by Top Spool out of the same Broodmare Hall of Fame dam. And Lynn Williams herself had just won the American Saddlebred Registry’s very rich...

Don’t miss a second of the action at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials in England where eight Americans will be contesting for the coveted £50,000 prize. For the first time, the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials will be offering live webstream of the cross-country and show jumping worldwide September 1-2. If you sign up before August 26, not only can you enjoy every minute of the 2007 event but you can also enjoy highlights of the 2006 event for free. There is also a special offer combining...

Against a field of 34, Maggie McAlary, 17, of Amherst, NH, won the 2007 United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Hunterdon Cup Equitation Class presented by World Equestrian Brands on Tuesday, August 7, in Saugerties, NY. McAlary set the bar high in the first round, receiving a score of 93 from judges Chrystine Tauber and Brian Flynn. McAlary held on to her lead in each of the three rounds and was awarded the USHJA Hunterdon Cup Perpetual Trophy, donated by Diane Carney and Lynne Jayne,...

Goal is to Have Funds In Place When Disaster Strikes Lexington, KY— In 2005 two shocking back-to-back hurricanes, Katrina and Rita, catapulted equine enthusiasts from around the country into a cooperative effort to assist horses and their owners after these extraordinary disasters. At the time, USEF personnel worked around the clock to coordinate assistance from many local and national organizations. The biggest challenge was not man-power since there were hundreds of potential volunteers...

If you are interested in becoming a Friesian judge, now is the time! The United States Equestrian Federation will conduct a Friesian Judges’ Clinic, October 5-6, 2007, in Lake St. Louis, MO. The clinic is open to all Friesian judges, as well as any applicants or potential applicants for the license. Please note that effective December 1, 2007, all ‘A’- and ‘B’-rated Friesian classes must be officiated by a licensed Friesian judge. Guest judge cards will no longer be allowed. To become a...