Exhibitors at the 2009 Arabian Sport Horse National (SHN) Championships raked in extra prize money for their accomplishments, courtesy of the SHN Payback Program for the second consecutive year. Founded in 2007, the SHN Payback Program was implemented by a group of longtime Arabian breeders and riders. By offering cash rewards, the group has been able to encourage interest and enthusiasm in the Sport Horse Nationals show, as well as the breeding of Arabians specifically for the sport-type...

The Kentucky Horse Park and the Kentucky Equine Humane Center are partnering in a new project to assist Kentucky's unwanted horses. Last week the Kentucky Horse Park became aware that some unwanted, pregnant Thoroughbred mares were in need of a home. The owner of the mares no longer wanted them, and sent them to the Kentucky Equine Humane Center (KyEHC), a 72-acre facility located in central Kentucky. The KyEHC is a model shelter for equines from across the state. No horse in need of shelter is...

On October 22, the Junior Hunter divisions began competing at the Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), held at the Verizon Center through Sunday, October 25. Kelsey Thatcher took an early lead in the Older Junior Hunter divisions, winning the first class of the Small Junior 16-17 Hunter division. Earlier in the day, Hasbrouck Donovan stole the show, earning two blue ribbons in the Younger Junior Hunter classes. The Older Junior Hunter divisions got under way late that morning, and it was...

Anna Collier and Julie Ann Boyer have each won international divisions at Galway Downs events in the last year, and on October 30-November 1, they’ll be facing off in the CCI** at the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event. Boyer, 50, will be riding her Thoroughbred mare Rumor Hazit, with whom she was victorious in the CIC** at the Galway Downs International Horse Trials last March. Collier, 33, won the CCI** last October at the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event on Uppercrust D....

In a major new initiative, the American Hanoverian Society (AHS) is pleased to announce a new foal life recording partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). The USEF, which serves as the National Governing Body for Equestrian Sport in the U.S., licenses equestrian competitions of all levels across the United States each year and maintains the points and standings for the annual USEF Horse of the Year (HOTY) Awards in its comprehensive database. Through cooperative efforts...

The World Games 2010 Foundation, Inc., announced the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) as the Official Reining Breed Sponsor. Reining will be one of eight world championships contested at the Games, which will be held at Lexington’s Kentucky Horse Park on September 25-October 10, 2010. As the Official Reining Breed Sponsor, AQHA will assist with the promotion and coverage of reining during the 2010 Games, and will be featured in the Equine Village. In addition, reining will be...

Abby O’Mara, a 16-year-old junior from Rumson, NJ, earned more than $6,000 in prize money after riding to a first- and third-place finish in the $15,000 The Chronicle of the Horse /USHJA International Hunter Derby at the State College Classic on June 26. The talented junior rode Don Stewart’s Walk Away to victory and finished third with her seven-year-old Irish Sport Horse, Terrapin Station. The State College Classic Derby held at Kocher Farm in Pennsylvania Furnace, PA, was O’Mara’s second...

Karen Healey Stables spent the holiday weekend at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center competing at the Memorial Day Classic Horse Show, held May 21-25, 2009. Healey's students showed in the hunter, jumper, and equitation divisions throughout the weekend and earned top placings in all three disciplines. The Memorial Day Classic had an exciting equitation team challenge over the weekend that provided a fun opportunity for each team, which was made up of one professional, one amateur, and one junior...

The Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W/Y is pleased to announce the winners of the 2009 Challenge Series Awards. Jennifer Huber, riding her own Al Pacino, claimed the Adult Amateur Grand Prix High Score Award with a 67.872%, as well as the overall Grand Prix/Grand Prix Special Award. These special prizes are awarded at each level to the horse/amateur rider combinations with the highest average score at both the Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W/Y and Dressage at Equestrian Estates horse shows....

After another year of success in the show ring, the University of Kentucky’s (UK) Equestrian Team will defend its 2008 national championship title, April 23-25, in Murfreesboro, TN, at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association National Championships. This year’s competition is hosted by Middle Tennessee State University. UK’s hunt seat team was again named high-point team in the region and will compete as a team for the third year in a row. The team also will be represented by the high-point...