Lexington, KY -The qualification period for the 2008 Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program and for the 2008 USEF National Developing Horse Dressage Championship (sponsored by the Dutta Corporation and Performance Sales International) begins on January 1, 2008. In a new qualification format for these programs, only designated “qualifying competitions” held during the qualification period runs from January 1-August 15, 2008, may be used to obtain scores towards selection trials and national...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) has announced the newly revamped business membership available for the 2008 membership year, December 1, 2007 to November 30, 2008. The USDF Business Membership (BM), which previously was divided into two levels, has been combined into one to provide a better value package that is more cost effective to the member. BM dues will now be $175, and benefits will include member discount rates at USDF events, a 10% trade show booth discount, a 15%...

Todd Flettrich of Coatesville, PA, and Wellington, FL, competed Amadeus in two grand prix classes at an indoor national horse show in Zierow, Germany, on October 6-7, and successfully finished in the top three on both days. On Saturday, Flettrich and Amadeus contested the short grand prix and finished with 800 points (65.70%), placing third in a field of 14 horses. On Sunday, Flettrich and Amadeus competed in the grand prix, earning 961 points (66.70%) for second place on the roster of 14...

HITS has announced plans for a special open house event, November 10 and 11, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, CA. The event is open to the public and will feature tours of the property to highlight the renovations and refinements that are completed, or scheduled to be completed, for the 2008 HITS Desert Circuit, which begins in early January. Visitors will have an opportunity to see first-hand the new grand prix footing installed by Bart Poels (Footing Specialist...

The Race For Education, American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Foundation and Platinum Performance have established a one-year scholarship designed to support veterinary students intending to enter equine veterinary medicine. The scholarship will also reward leadership and participation in Student Chapters of the AAEP (SCAAEP). While providing financial aid to students in their fourth year of veterinary school, the Winner's Circle Scholarship will help to offset the escalating cost...

With the completion of Wednesday's veterinary inspections, the 19th annual Dansko Fair Hill International Festival in the Country, is set to begin competition Thursday morning. This year's Festival features competition in two equestrian disciplines, as well as a wide array of family entertainment and attractions, at the Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area in the beautiful countryside of Fair Hill, MD. The Festival features the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Eventing CCI***...

The United States Dressage Federation’s (USDF) Youth Executive Board is pleased to announce the winners of the USDF Youth Convention Scholarships for the 2007 Adequan/USDF Annual Convention. This year’s winners are Ryan Michelle Eskridge, Jillian Kemenosh, Katherine Greene and Shari Wolke. Applicants are judged on such qualities as participation in USDF or dressage-related activities, written communication skills, desire to learn, ability to utilize knowledge, and the manner in which they plan...

The American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) is joining in Oklahoma’s 100th Centennial Celebration with a special flag ceremony on Friday, October 12, at 7 p.m. at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds. The salute takes place in the Fairgrounds Main Coliseum during the annual Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show. Admission is free to the ceremony. AMHA youth and their Morgan horses will participate in the flag presentation representing individual states, Canada, England and Austria...

On November 10, NickerTV charges out of the gate with an initial offering of 26 different equestrian channels all dedicated to a variety of horse-oriented themes and subjects. Nicker Network will be the first Internet-based, on-demand multi-channel television network targeted to the horse world. Each channel will have its own selection of programs, with new ones being added to the rosters on a regular basis. Programs will be available for viewing at no cost, with additional options for viewers...

Brave St. Productions and Offield Farms are pleased to announce that Fox Reality Channel will begin airing The Search for America’s Next Equestrian Star: Dressage on Friday, October 19, at 9 a.m. EST. This unique show consists of five hour-long episodes that will air sequentially at the same time every Friday through November 16, the show’s finale. The show was conceived by six-time Olympian Robert Dover and Brave St. Productions, a New York-based production company. In a nationwide search,...