Members of the Paso Fino Horse Association recently cast their votes and selected Deborah Suder as 2009 Paso Fino Horse Association (PFHA) Amateur Owner of the Year. This prestigious award is bestowed to a PFHA amateur owner who exemplifies outstanding accomplishments, contributions, sportsmanship and horsemanship. Suder is a member of the PFHA Virginia Presidential Region. She also serves as the current secretary-treasurer for the region, a position which she has served in for several terms....

Hot weather can pose serious health problems for animals, both two-legged and four-legged, including dehydration, heat stroke and exhaustion. USRider, the national provider of roadside emergency assistance for equestrians, encourages horse owners to take steps to prevent these ailments when traveling with horses. “In addition to providing a reliable and valuable roadside assistance program,” said Mark Cole, managing member for USRider, “it is also our mission is to continually educate horse...

The final day of the FEI European and Open Para-Equestrian Dressage Championship had Freestyle to music on the program. It was another great day for Great Britain and Germany, sharing the five gold medals between—three for Great Britain and two for Germany. Performance manager for the British team David Hunter explained their success. “We are lucky in England to have the national lottery that channels funding towards the paralympic sports," he said. "We’ve had two new riders, Sophie Wells...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that Kassandra Barteau and Gina Frantz’s Holsteiner stallion, GP Raymeister, were awarded this year’s Fiona Baan Pursuit of Excellence Memorial Trophy. Kassandra is originally from Orlando, FL, but now lives in Maple Park, IL. In her last year as a young rider, Barteau earned the title of Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Young Rider Champion. She was a member of the Silver medal-winning Young Rider Team representing Region 2....

Junior Competitor Jessica Deimler Recognized for EAF Fundraising Efforts Lexington, KY – Competitors of the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC) enjoyed a chance to relax with a pizza party on Thursday night (7/23) hosted by the Equestrian Aid Foundation (EAF) and EAF board member Stephanie Riggio. The hospitality tent was full of fun and laughter as hundreds of pizzas and drinks were devoured by riders, trainers and supportive families. Giving Thanks In the midst of...

Lexington, KY— The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) announces a new contest for 2009 designed to let USEF members vote for their “Favorite USEF Breed Competition.” The idea behind this contest is to award and promote the USEF licensed breed competitions for their efforts in running a show so well that exhibitors want to call it their favorite. Also, this contest gives exhibitors the opportunity to provide positive feedback about the competitions to the USEF. “When we created this...

Dave and Dena Lopez, of Double D Ranch, LLC, are taking the slogan of the United Professional Horsemen's Association (UPHA) to another level as they are planning a special fundraising event for the UPHA Dewey Henderson Benevolent Fund. This IRS 501(c)(3) fund was established in memory of long-time horseman, Dewey Henderson, to benefit UPHA members in need because of health issues, fires, theft, injury or accidents. Only 200 tickets will be sold for the “Kentucky brunch” prepared by Chef Cameron...

Shelley Van den Neste of Sunrise Farms Sport Horses continues to find success in the show ring, recently visiting the winner’s circle at two North Florida dressage shows. Ezmarelde La Biladora, owned by Brooke Horan of Vertu Sport Horses in Park City, UT, and Van den Neste earned the high point in first level at Jacksonville’s Horse Shows in the Park. Van den Neste has long been a fan of the 16.1-hand bay mare with the long, graceful catlike walk and ground-covering trot. “Ezmarelde has the...

Lexington, KY— Last month, leaders of the USEF Recognized Breed Affiliates got together with USEF staff to discuss the relationship with the USEF and continued growth, development and promotion of the Breeds. The meeting, moderated by Bill Moroney, took place in conjunction with the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show in Katy, TX. The meeting was just the beginning of many conversations that the USEF will have to reach the goals of the Breed Retreat, which is to continue the growth, development and...

Dressage riders Kassandra Barteau and Marco Bernal rode away winners at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby, both winning high score awards sponsored by Dressage Training Online. Barteau captured the USEF Level High Score and Bernal took home the FEI High Score CDI. “We love the opportunity to recognize the horses and riders who excel at this prestigious show,” said Dressage Training Online founder Reisa Bonetti. “We know the commitment it takes to succeed at this level of competition.” Barteau, who...