This article has been reprinted with permission of Erin Gilmore. The original article can be found at https://www.proequest.com/news/2013/03/28/a-for-effort-first-usef-town-hall-meeting-on-horse-welfare-is-heavy-on-promises-plan [Wellington, FL] “We have to admit that we know we have a problem.” No, this wasn’t a church basement gathering of recovering addicts, although an atmosphere of “enough is enough” hung heavy in the air. A crowd of 75 trainers, riders and...

McLain Ward and Super Trooper de Ness (Sportfot) Wellington, FL - McLain Ward (USA) and the powerful black stallion Super Trooper de Ness emerged victorious in the $50,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 12 on Thursday, March 28, as part of the twelfth and final week of competition at the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). Competing at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL, Ward topped U.S. riders Charlie Jacobs, Christine...

Havens Schatt and Kaepernick (Anne Gitttins Photography) Wellington, FL - Kaepernick and Havens Schatt took home the championship prize in the Perfect Products Pre-Green Hunter Level 1 division during the final week of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). The five-year-old Warmblood gelding is owned by Schatt's client, Debbie Stevens. Kaepernick and Schatt were first, third, and third over fences and placed fourth under saddle. Reserve champion was Ransom, ridden by Nick...

Michael Morrissey rode to the top of the 1.40m Jumper leader board during the opening day of the Tampa Bay Classic. (Kendall Bierer/Phelps Media Group) Tampa, FL - The gates to the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center opened this morning to welcome in the top riders in the nation to the two-week Tampa Equestrian Series. Commencing with the Tampa Bay Classic, jumper riders gathered in the brisk morning to vie for the coveted championship honors. The competition was heated in the Covered Arena as...

Mary Lisa Leffler and Paulexi, LLC's Quastor Van De Helle Z clear the CWD oxer on their way to the win in the $25,000 CWD Grand Prix Conyers, GA - The Atlanta Spring Classic welcomed a record number of competitors to its opening week at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, Georgia which kicked off on March 20 and is set to run through March 30th. "We had to add rings and redo the schedule a bit in order for everything to run smoothly. We definitely accomplished that," said Classic...

Show season is rolling all over the country. Let the games begin indeed! Western Dressage tests are being ridden in competitive venues all over, especially in the more temperate areas of the nation. Not the northeast! Riders are already sending test sheets in to the “NAWD Trax” year end award program. IPHDA has already completed 2 cycles of virtual shows with entries due for the March V show on Monday April 1st. USEF Morgan tests have been ridden in the first dressage schooling show...

Shane Sweetnam and Solerina (Sportfot) Wellington, FL - Week eleven of the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF), sponsored by Artisan Farms, concluded on Sunday, March 24, with a full day of jumper action on the derby field at The Stadium at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Ireland's Shane Sweetnam and Solerina won the highlight $101,000 Pennfield Feeds CSI 4* Grand Prix in a five-horse jump-off over Marie Hecart (FRA) and Myself de Breve and Kirsten Coe...

Lillie Keenan and Clearway (Sportfot) Wellington, FL - Fifteen-year-old Lillie Keenan rode to victory in the 6th Annual George Morris Excellence in Equitation Championship, presented by Alessandro Albanese, during week eleven of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). Keenan, of New York City, piloted Heritage Farms' Clearway to a score of 89 during round one before upping the ante in round two with an astounding 98.5. Keenan was in second with a total score of 187.5 going...

Rachel Boggus and Cassino Z (Anne Gittins Photography) Wellington, FL - Rachel Boggus and Cassino Z finished first in the Ariat National Adult Medal class during week eleven of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). The pair was ranked fourth with a score of 79 going into the test but secured their victory with a final score of 88. The top four called back for the test included week ten winner Sara Ballinger aboard Wanderprinz, who finished second with a final score of 87....

Welfare of the Horse in the 21st Century: Meeting the Needs of the Performance Horse in a Changing Environment Invitation to Attend USEF Town Hall Meeting - March 27, 2013 Winter Equestrian Festival - Wellington Club - 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm ET Equestrian Sport Productions will host the first of seven USEF Town Hall meetings which will be held across the country throughout the Spring and Summer of 2013 On March 27. Federation representatives will join prominent industry owners, trainers, and...