(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...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) named Veronica Holt of Elizabeth, CO, the 2006 USDF Volunteer of the Year at the annual Salute Gala in Kansas City, MO, on November 30, 2006. Winners of the USDF Volunteer of the Year award receive their name on a perpetual trophy housed in the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame, a trophy to take home and a $500 gift certificate, all presented by The Paddock Saddlery, sponsor of the USDF Volunteer of the Year Award. The winner of this award is...

United States Dressage Federation (USDF), in conjunction with the Palm Beach Dressage Derby, Inc., announced that the 2007 FEI-Level Trainers' Conference is set for January 14-15 at High Meadow Farm in Loxahatchee, FL. The conference will feature Jan Brink, the current Swedish National Dressage Champion for the fifth year in a row. In addition to the two-day conference, a Biomechanics Seminar on the Pyramid of Training, with Dr. Hilary Clayton, will be held on January 13 at the Palm Beach Hotel....

You spoke (or wrote) and we listened! Once again our members have shown us they have a voice, and USHJA wants our members to know that their voice was heard. USHJA would like to thank all the members that took time out of their busy schedules to provide us with feedback on the announcement of the USHJA Foundation Awards. Due to your wonderful ideas, USHJA is proud to announce some changes and clarifications to the USHJA Foundation Awards. Listed below are some of the notable changes. For a...

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...

The First International Combined Festival of Dressage for Para Equestrian held last weekend in Moorsele, Belgium is an important qualifying competition for the Paralympics in 2008. The United States placed riders in the top ten in both the Grade III Individual and the Grade III Freestyle. Three U.S. riders and their horses traveled to Belgium, Barbara Grassmyer from Placerville, California with Mibis, a 12 year old Dutch Warmblood; Rebecca Hart of Erie, Pennsylvania on her Norteassa, a 14 year...

Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation® (USEF) dressage tests for training through fourth level are now available. These new editions become effective with the beginning of the 2007 USEF competition year (December 1, 2006) and will remain in use for the next four years. “We are very excited about this new generation of USEF dressage tests,” said Jennifer Keeler, National Director of Dressage. “We would like to thank the members of the USEF Test Writing Subcommittee, including...

Lexington, KY – With a score of 118.41, Diane Kastama of Arroyo Grande, CA, won the Grade 1 Individual Gold medal at the 2006 FEI World Carriage Driving Championships for Drivers with Disabilities in Mensport, Hellendoorn, The Netherlands. Kastama drove Jasper, her 11-year-old Welsh Cob gelding. They were first in the dressage phase and first in the cones phase. She and her teammate Mary Gray competed alongside athletes from 60 different countries. The event was held September 6-10, and occurs...

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation® announces the formation of the USEF Youth Council, designed to encourage and support existing affiliate youth programs. The goal will be to create the most varied board possible with members from each and every USEF national affiliate. This first-ever council will be made up of youth members, 21 years of age and under, and they must be active in their affiliate’s youth club, organization or young rider program. Applicants should also have...

(Aachen, Germany)—The United States Equestrian Federation announced today that Brentina and Debbie McDonald will withdraw from the remainder of the dressage competition at the World Equestrian Games due to a veterinary concern. Team vet Dr. Tim Ober said, “Brentina had a slight swelling after the competition on Wednesday. While a diagnosis is pending further evaluation by USEF veterinary staff Debbie McDonald and Klaus Balkenhol have decided it is not in the best interest of Brentina to ask her...