The term “backyard horse” does not necessarily spark images of high spending and thousands of jobs. But a closer look reveals that the recreational segment of the horse industry, including the average pleasure rider on their “backyard horse,” generates quite a bit of economic impact and employment opportunities. The American Horse Council’s Economic Impact of the Horse Industry on the United States study includes some impressive statistics that confirm the size and significant impact of the...

USEF Archives (Lexington, Ky) - In order to better serve members, the USEF has begun a new expedited FEI and National Passport service which is intended to assist those who have an urgent need to obtain a new passport, revalidate an existing one, change ownership, change a horse’s name, and to receive an FEI Recognition Card (a National Passport from any country that is upgraded to an FEI Passport.) Horses and ponies competing in the FEI disciplines need official passports to compete in...

Lexington, KY—As it did in the fall of 2006, ASHA will once again offer live streaming video of the TSE/Tattersalls Saddlebred sale via its website, www.saddlebred.com. The TSE/Tattersalls Spring Sale, as conducted by Teater Saddlebred Enterprises, Inc., is Friday and Saturday, April 13-14, 2007. ASHA will broadcast live over the Internet (webcast) both days of the sale in its entirety. The webcast will offer action of each horse for sale as it is presented and allow viewers to listen in on the...

Claudia Colo of Stand & Deliver Farm announced that registered Irish Draught stallion The King of Hearts was recently awarded Mid-Circuit Champion and Reserve Circuit Champion for Level 6 Jumpers at the HITS 2007 Desert Circuit Show in Thermal, CA. During the six-week long grueling competition against the best West Coast horses and riders, The King of Hearts and noted grand prix rider Hap Hansen competed in the Level 6 Jumping Classes, each averaging from 60-80 horse-and-rider combinations. By...

The North American Hanoverian Jumper Breeding Program (JBP) committee is pleased to announce a new awards sponsorship for the top placing Hanoverians in the 2007 Young Jumper Championships. The purpose of the awards is to provide an added incentive for owners of Hanoverian show jumpers to compete their horses in the Young Jumper Championship Series, a well-established national jumping competition recognized by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), which officially ranks all horses...

Lexington, KY — As part of the United States Equestrian Federation’s (USEF) commitment to its members and in partnership with Equisure, Inc., the “Official Insurance Provider to USEF members,” the two organizations announce the continuation of a $1-million personal excess liability coverage and up to $30,000 accidental death policy for Senior or Life Members and an accidental death benefit limited to $3,750 for insured persons under the age of 18 years old. “The...

Bob Bell, President of the Classic Company, announced, "It’s official," referring to the return of the John Deere-USEF Memberperks bonus program, which will award a new Gator to the high-scoring adult amateur hunter on the final week of the Atlanta Fall Classics in November. Bell had pitched the idea for rewarding the adult group to the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and various committees in late 2005. “I just felt this is a group of exhibitors that so often is overlooked and that...

The Board of Directors of the American Shetland Pony Club announced that they will again offer a $10,000 scholarship to any registered American Shetland Pony who earns the title of Champion Small Pony Hunter at the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Pony Finals to be hosted in August. “The $10,000 incentive prize was designed to encourage participation and reward success,” explained Zona Schneider, Operations Director of the American Shetland Pony Club Executive Committee. “Today...

Meeting by teleconference, the 2007 directors of the American Saddlebred Registry elected officers on Tuesday, March 6. The nine directors are Joan Hamilton (Kentucky), David Howard (Tennessee), Dr. Rick Luft (Wisconsin), Spencer Mains (North Carolina), Mary Ann Pardieck (Indiana), Dr. Alan Raun (Iowa), Fred Sarver (Kentucky), Anne Stafford (Tennessee) and Judith Werner (Illinois). After discussion on each position, the following were elected unanimously: Joan Hamilton as president, David...

It has been more than 21 days since the last horse left the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center (EMC) in Leesburg, VA, prior to a report of neurological equine herpes virus-1 (EHV-1) on the premises. On Tuesday, March 13, State Veterinarian Dr. Richard Wilkes announced that, except for four quarantined premises, the state’s horse community may resume normal activities. Immediately upon the report of EHV-1, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) quarantined 10...