The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) announced the winner of the 2007 USDF Volunteer of the Year Award, presented by The Paddock Saddlery, at the 2007 Adequan/USDF Annual Convention. This award recognizes a USDF member who, through consistent and cumulative volunteer activities, has demonstrated exceptional commitment towards carrying out USDF’s mission. As the winner, Higgins was presented with a perpetual trophy, which is permanently on display in the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of...

“The Campaign for the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) National Education Center (NEC) has been a big success. We have also made a very good start towards building a long-term endowment,” announced USDF President Sam Barish during the Adequan/USDF Annual Convention, held in Orlando Florida, November 27-December 2. USDF has been tremendously successful in its first capital campaign effort, having secured campaign commitments of over $4.1 million that, when paid, will fully satisfy all...

The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) has started to receive applications from the domestic spectators for the tickets to the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Paralympic Games. According to the ticketing plan, there will be 21,000 tickets for the opening ceremony and 26,000 tickets for the closing ceremony available. Their bookings will end on December 30. No time preference will be given to any application and all applications will enjoy the...

Responding to an incredible demand for a personal copy of Robert Dover's successful reality series, the producers of Search for the Next American Equestrian Star: Dressage have made available the entire series via digital download from the show’s website: www.americanequestrianstar.tv . The full five-episode series, plus over 35 minutes of never-before-seen footage is available as a holiday special for $34.95 (regular price is $39.95.) Viewers also have the option of an online viewing-only...

Horse Shows in the Sun (HITS) is pleased to announce that Ocala Style Magazine will be the title sponsor of the Ocala Style Award that will be presented on March 16, 2008. This special award will be presented to the rider who exhibits the best American style of riding and possesses the respectful, dignified, courteous and workmanlike manner of a true sportsman at the 2008 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. The award winner will be revealed prior to the $100,000 DeLuca Toyota Tundra Grand Prix,...

Horses Unlimited’s flagship stallion Pik L continued his winning ways at the 124th National Horse Show in Wellington, FL, with two wins at Intermediaire II. The handsome bay by Pik Bube II has won Prix St. Georges and Intermediaire I classes at the most prestigious shows in the country and now continues into the large tour classes. His son Pikk Primero also competed and won in the young horse division. “I’ve never won at a show with both a stallion and his son or daughter,” said rider Mikala...

Jeff Wonnell, a lifelong consummate horseman who assisted with the introduction of the Friesian breed to the Federation, passed away on November 21, 2007, from injuries related to an accidental fall at his Branson West, MO, home. He was 86. For the past seven decades, Wonnell’s accomplishments were as a horseman, trainer, mentor, breeder and friend, each documented by countless championships and the horses he was responsible for breeding and showing. Wonnell never ceased to serve the equine...

The World Games 2010 Foundation, Inc., and The Rolex Company announced that Rolex, the leading maker of luxury wristwatches, has signed on to become the "Official Timepiece of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games." "Having Rolex become a partner of the Games is exciting and tremendously important to our event," stated Jack Kelly, CEO of the World Games Foundation, Inc. "They have been such an integral part of equestrian sport for so many years, and it is only fitting that they be one of...

As the year comes to a close, the United States Equestrian Federation® (USEF) is pleased to announce the 2007 Equestrians of Honor. Of these seven honorees, one will be selected as the 2007 USEF Equestrian of the Year, one of USEF’s most prestigious awards. All of the Equestrians of Honor will be recognized during the Annual Pegasus Awards Dinner at the USEF Annual Meeting on Friday, January 11. The Annual Meeting will be held January 9-13 at the Louisville Marriott Downtown in...

The tally has just begun, and your votes will be an integral part of deciding which of the nation’s leading equines will be named the Farnam®/Platform™ USEF Horse of the Year. Merely weeks away from the 2008 USEF Annual Meeting, all heads are turning to five finalists in anticipation of which horse will be adorned with the title of Horse of the Year—one of the most prestigious awards the USEF bestows. This year’s winner will join dressage superstar Brentina (2005...