(Lexington, KY) - The 2007 USEF Annual Meeting will return to Louisville, KY, at the Seelbach Hilton from January 10-14. All USEF members are invited to attend this important event. During the four-day event, the Board of Directors of the Federation meets several times to address a long agenda of topics including: election of new officers and directors; approving the next year’s budget; presentation of various departmental reports; rule changes; and other items. The Board Meetings are open to...

Randi Muster (McLain Ward and Sapphire) It came down to a four-rider jump-off speed round at the 2006 Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championship at the 123rd National Horse Show in Wellington, FL, on Sunday afternoon. And in a finish befitting the championships sponsor—Rolex—the crowds counted split seconds in the final speed test. When the last rider left the course and the points were tallied, McLain Ward and his Sapphire bested all challengers to win the title in a suspenseful, yet...

Roberto Teran riding Jamestown for owner King Ridge Stables, based in Reddick, FL, during the winter and Ontario, Canada, during the summer, won this the Welcome Stake sponsored by John Deere on November 16. Allen Rheinheimer of Zionsville, IN, took up the reins of course designing for the jumpers last week. His 12-obstacle layout was more challenge than welcome with big tracks into tight turns and a wicked triple combination. “They had it easy last week,” Rheinheimer commented with a laugh,...

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the “Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act” (S. 3880) by voice vote on November 13. The bill clarifies that it is a crime to damage or interfere with a legitimate, legal animal enterprise. As defined by the bill, “animal enterprise” includes commercial and academic enterprises that use or sell animals or animal products for profit, food, agriculture, education, research and testing. This definition also includes equine activities such as rodeo, horse shows and...

Tracey Winter and her 13-year old Trakehner gelding Martailo won top honors at the recent GAIG/USDF Region Three Dressage Championships when they were awarded the tri-colored neck ribbon for the grand prix championship. This coveted win would be an exceptional victory for any dressage competitor, but for this pair, the victory was the culmination of a dream that spanned more than a decade. Winter acquired Martailo as a weanling and has trained the gelding herself over the past 13 years. Before...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce Diane L. Erhart of Park City, MT; Lisa Todara of Lee, NH; and Monica Willet of Harrisburg, PA, as the recipients of the 2006 Ruth Arvanette Memorial Fund Grants. These grants include a free annual convention package for the 2006 Adequan/USDF National Convention and Symposium, along with partial reimbursements of airfare and lodging expenses. Each of these individuals was chosen based on their participation in General Member...

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) intends to webcast all three days of the 2006 Fall Sale at Tattersalls, as conducted by Teater Saddlebred Enterprises, Inc. The ASHA has previously provided streaming video of the Kentucky State Fair World’s Championship Horse Show on its Internet website, www.saddlebred.com , and plans to do the same for the Fall Sale on Thursday, October 26, through Saturday, October 29. A live streaming video feed will become available shortly before the start...

It already boasted the second-highest paying championship in the entire reining industry. But for its 10th anniversary, the National Reining Breeders Classic will step up to another level--paying $75,000 to the open champion at the 2007 show, slated for April 16-22 at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, TX. That's a 25% increase from the $60,000 that the event has paid in recent years, and a huge step for the officers and board of the NRBC. NRBC President Tom McCutcheon noted, "We...

Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) provides a unique opportunity for individuals or groups to demonstrate their love for horses by helping them via its animal health study/research sponsorships. MAF has published its 2007 directory of 101 sponsorship opportunities. All are invited to sponsor or co-sponsor with a total gift of $3,000 or more per study. Available projects include 12 studies related to the most crucial health issues for horses. Founded in 1948, 100% of MAF donations are used to fund...

More than 200 entries tackled the new cross country course designed by Olympic Gold Medalist David O’Connor last Saturday during the Colorado Horse Park Fall Horse Trials held September 29-October 1. The event, which featured divisions from Beginner Novice to Preliminary, attracted entries from several states. Competitors faced the triathlon of horse sports—dressage, cross-country and show jumping. Winning the Open Preliminary division was Martha McDowell from Billings, MT. She rode her...