Lexington, KY – Craig Schmersal of Menifee, California, and Tim McQuay of Tioga, Texas will represent the United States in the 2005 FEI World Reining Masters Series Final in Manerbio, Italy, September 24. Each, a master, in his own right, Schmersal was a member of the Gold Medal U.S. team at the 2002 FEI World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain, while McQuay is the NRHA’s all-time leading money earner. Schmersal took the Gold medal and Championship title August 27, riding Tidal Wave...

The deadly outbreak of equine herpes virus at Churchill Downs this spring threatened to limit movement of horses between racetracks during the Triple Crown series of races. Frequent travel is also common for sport horses and such an outbreak could hamper participation at major shows. A Cornell University virologist says his preliminary research indicates that vaccines containing weakened live viruses, called modified live vaccines (MLV), appear to be more effective in preventing horse herpes...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF), in conjunction with the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), will host a weekend educational seminar for recent graduates of the USDF Advanced Young Rider Program. The seminar will be held October 14-16, at the USET Foundation headquarters in Gladstone, NJ. Seminar participants, ranging in age from 21 to 25, will be amateurs, professionals and future high-performance riders in the sport of dressage. The purpose of the program is to provide...

For the second time, Daniel Straumann and his team organized the World Reining Trophy (WRT) at the HorseAcademy facility in Mooslargue, France. There was a total purse of more than $100,000. Shawn Flarida called the show "one of the best reining events of the world"–-and this was before his success in the Open. Judges were Bob Mayhew, of Great Britain; Sylvia Katschker, of Austria, and Jörg Bös, of Germany. Altogether 157 horses had been nominated--many of them from France. And it turned out to...

USDF is pleased to announce that the Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Championship program has reached a new record for the amount of prize money available for 2005. This year's prize money fund totals over $116,000. This fund, which is made up of qualifying ride fees paid by competitors, enables USDF to distribute prize money to all champions and reserve champions in as many as 279 championship classes in all of USDF's nine regions. These championship classes provide opportunities...

Recognizing that arena soil is one of the most basic and important factors required to ensure a successful equestrian/agricultural event, the American Royal Association, a 106-year old institution, unveiled new footing for all its fall and year-round events. The Royal experienced significant growth in its horse shows last year with some events increasing nearly 40%. After last year’s fall show, the American Royal formed a Footing Task Force to address the needs of its exhibitors. “Excellent...

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation invites everyone to attend an open forum on Wednesday, June 15, following the last class of the morning performance at the Midwest Charity Horse Show. For more information, visit the USEF booth, located on horse show grounds in Springfield, Illinois. USEF Chief Executive Officer John Long will lead the forum, accompanied by Mary Smith, Director of Licensed Officials, and Carrie Mortensen, Director of Breeds and Western Disciplines....

Lexington, KY – Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine has again taken on the role of title sponsor for one of the nation’s premier junior hunter competitions, the 2005 Show Circuit Magazine/ USEF National Junior Hunter Championships. The East Coast Championships will be in Saugerties, NY, August 1-2, followed by the West Coast Championships in San Juan Capistrano, CA, August 16-17. Now entering its fifth year of success, the 2005 Show Circuit Magazine/USEF National...

Lexington, KY – The header may seem humorous, but anyone who knows horses knows the subject is anything but. From Stable Flies and Blow Flies to mosquitoes that can carry the West Nile virus, these merciless two-winged insects are a well-established nuisance in every equestrian circle. Enter the trusted name of Farnam (our white knight of fly control) to the rescue. The newest top-tier sponsor of the United States Equestrian Federation, Farnam Companies, Inc. has entered an exclusive...

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is pleased to announce that NRHA Hall of Famer Smart Chic Olena has become an NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire. Owned by Jim Babcock, of Valley View, TX, he joins Hollywood Dun It and Topsail Whiz as the third sire to achieve this distinction. In NRHA competition, Smart Chic Olena's 376 money-earning offspring have reached an earnings total of $3,033,204.60, with average earnings of $4,513.70. Not surprising, his highest money-earning offspring to...