Lexington, KY – Some of the most talented young horses from across the country have come to the Kentucky Horse Park to compete in the 2008 Markel/United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) National Young Horse Dressage Championship presented by Collecting Gaits Farm along with the USEF National Developing Horse Dressage Championship sponsored by the Dutta Corporation and Performance Sales International. The show kicks off on Friday, September 12, and runs through Sunday. With the Young Horse...

The American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) recently announced the recipient of this year’s Youth Achievement Award during the 2008 AMHA Awards Luncheon at the AMHA Annual Convention in Minneapolis, MN. The award, regarded as one of the most celebrated annual honors available through AMHA, went to Caralee Conklin of Gainesville, FL. Conklin, a lifetime Morgan enthusiast, is the current president of the AMHA Youth Council and has helped to expand and improve existing programs while providing...

The Board of Directors of the American Shetland Pony Club (ASPC) announced that they will again offer a $10,000 scholarship to any registered American Shetland Pony who earns the title of Champion Small Pony Hunter at the United States Equestrian Pony Finals to be hosted August 13-17 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. “The $10,000 incentive prize was designed to encourage participation of Shetland Ponies in a variety of competitions.” explained Zona Schneider, Operations Director of...

The American Morgan Horse Association's "Team Morgan" is conducting an essay contest to promote the Morgan horse to equine-minded youth across the country and to raise funds for Team Morgan to travel to and host international equitation competitions. Copper Beech Morgans has graciously and generously offered the grand prize, a Morgan foal or young horse. The contest is open to any youth 21 years of age or younger interested in owning a Morgan horse. Each contestant will submit a completed...

C. Marvin Harwood, Sr., a 2007 recipient of the United States Equestrian Federation’s Pegasus Medal of Honor, along with his wife of 55 years, Marjorie, has passed away at the age of 89, on May 10, in St. Louis, MO. A lifelong resident of St. Louis and graduate of Washington University (B.A. '39), Harwood was an active part of the St. Louis equestrian community for over 60 years. Marvin gave unselfishly to a variety of equine disciplines and organizations both locally and nationally, including...

The Dressage Foundation proudly announced, following a special meeting of its Board of Directors, that Lendon Gray will become the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Dressage Foundation, effective September 1, 2008. "Her appointment grows out of a Management Transition Plan that has been conducted over the past year by the Foundation's Board and Staff, to replace John Boomer, President and CEO, and his wife, Lynn, Administrative Director, who, as sole staff members, have led,...

In a continuing effort to embrace the foundation level of the horse show industry, the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) is proud to announce the addition of a Riding Instructor Award category to the Affiliate Sportsmanship Awards Program. This program currently recognizes a junior, amateur and professional from each of our affiliate associations. The goal of the Affiliate Riding Instructor Award is to recognize those individuals who are dedicated to teaching and provide riders...

Many of the country's best horses and hunter riders will compete at the Tampa Equestrian Festival, held from March 19-April 6 at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, FL. Horses that compete in the hunter divisions demonstrate the qualities that are essential in the sport of foxhunting, including the ability to carry the rider safely and comfortably over obstacles found in the hunt field. The sport has evolved into judging horses' form over jumps and the...

Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), announced via live webcast that Singapore will be the host city of the first edition of the Youth Olympic Games to take place in 2010. Nine cities—Athens, Greece; Bangkok, Thailand; Debrecen, Hungary; Guatemala City, Guatemala; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Moscow, Russian Federation; Poznan, Poland; Singapore, Singapore; and Turin, Italy;—had applied to host the event. Moscow and Singapore were selected as the...

The Infectious Disease Committee of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) has issued revised guidelines for the administration of vaccinations to horses. The Committee, chaired by Mary Scollay, DVM, has made recommendations for the use of vaccines based on the age of the horse and its previous vaccination history. The guidelines are intended to serve as a reference for veterinarians as they employ vaccines in their respective practices. Highlights of “Guidelines for the...