Governor Ernie Fletcher and United States Equestrian Federation President David O'Connor answered questions about the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games after the announcement was made that Kentucky had won the bid. (Marc Manning) First Time Outside of Europe, the United States Will Host World’s Largest Equestrian Competition at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky LEXINGTON, KY – For the first time, the FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) will be held outside of Europe in 2010,...

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation has announced that Wellington, Florida will play host to its prestigious two-in-one championships, the 2006 USEF National Grand Prix Freestyle Championship/U.S. League Final. The Championships will run concurrently March 16-19, 2006, during the Wellington CDI-W. Following in tradition, the U.S. League Final is earmarked as the selection for the U.S. competitors who will ride in the 2006 FEI World Cup Dressage Final, scheduled to take...

Lexington, KY – Many say that knowledge is power, and if this is true then the opportunity being afforded to several USEF youth will certainly provide a “one-up” on the competition – outside of the competition ring. A new internship award entitled the “USEF Youth Sportsman’s Charter Award” has been announced and already there is a stir of excitement surrounding the inaugural honor. Designed to educate youth and develop leaders in the equine industry...

For the second year in a row, the United States hosted the FEI Children’s International Jumping Final. Held at the lovely Hummingbird Nest Ranch, just north of Los Angeles, 32 of the highest ranked riders aged 12-14 congregated for a week of competition and camaraderie from November 22-27. Venezuela’s Noel Vanososte conceived of the idea to have children’s jumper riders compete in a championship format as he watched developing riders in South America. After experimenting with various formats,...

The HorseTV Channel announced that it is in development with top horse behaviorist, GaWaNi Pony Boy for the production of a new television series called “Women & Horses.” The series will reflect the content of his popular Women & Horses magazine spotlighting women’s involvement in the horse world. “Women play an integral part in the horse industry,” said GaWaNi Pony Boy. “I am pleased to join with The HorseTV Channel to bring women’s significant achievements to light for the widespread...

Lexington, KY – 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 inaugural Farnam®/ Platform™ • USEF Horse of the Year. Merely weeks away from the 2006 USEF Annual Meeting, all heads are turning to five finalists in anticipation of which horse will be adorned with the title—one of the most prestigious awards the USEF offers. The five finalists for Horse of the Year are:...

On Monday, November 21, the Gold Medal Show Jumping Team from the 2004 Athens Olympic Games was honored by the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation with a Gold Medal Reception hosted by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg at Gracie Mansion in Manhattan. A select group of approximately 150 guests, including Olympic horse owners and other friends and supporters of the U.S. team, attended the two-hour evening event. All four members of the Gold Medal Show Jumping Team were present:...

Craig Schmersal had four horses to show at the Southwest Reining Horse Association (SWRHA) Futurity and Horse Show in Ardmore, OK, in October. He had Commanders Nic and Im Genuinely Smart for Open and Novice Horse Open competition. He had two three-year-olds for the SWRHA Futurity, Wrangle Whiz and Conquistadors Star. All four horses earned NRHA paychecks. After the show, Schmersal, his wife Ginger and their sons Chris and Nick drove to their new home and training facility in Overbrook, OK,...

HITS is pleased to announce the 2006 Indio Desert Circuit in Indio, CA. Now in its 15th consecutive year, the Indio Desert Circuit will once again offer an exciting six weeks of hunter/jumper competitions. In addition to the excellence in show management that equestrians have come to expect from HITS, 2006 brings some changes sure to please competitors. Most importantly, in 2006 HITS is switching over to EuroFelt footing in all the rings in Indio, and making some positive changes to the layout...

Aaron Vale of Aiken, SC, riding for Angelstone Farms claimed another victory on board the 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Arriscraft Soleil with double clear rounds on November 20 over a field of 36 competitors in the $40,000 National Hunter Jumper League (NHJL) Grand Prix sponsored by Bayer/Legend. A first-round time of 88.158 seconds assured Vale a return spot in the jump-off. Their second clear round time of 43.024 seconds put them in the winner's circle. Vale had a total of six mounts...