One of the most prestigious events known to Hunter Seat Equitation, the 2004 USEF/Pessoa National Hunter Seat Medal Finals promises to be the best yet, thanks in part to the continued sponsorship of Pessoa. Continuing in fine tradition, this year’s Finals will take place at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show on Sunday, October 17. Holding the coveted Adrian Van Sinderen Memorial Trophy at bay until the winning rider can claim it, the Hunter Seat Medal Finals marks a right-of-passage for...

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) continues to grow in memberships, foal registrations, futurities and horses in the 2004 World's Championship Horse Show as the third quarter results are released for the fiscal period ending September 30, 2004. ASHA now has over 8,000 members for the first time in the association's history. Now with 8,057 members, the ASHA increased membership 8% from the end of the 2003 third quarter total of 7,433 members. Alan F. Balch, ASHA Executive...

We’ve all heard the old adage, "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is." It's one of those time-tested pearls of wisdom that never fails, right? Well think again, because people like Sally Yacka, Business Manager of Derby Down, Inc., will tell you there are exceptions. Big exceptions. When Sally first saw the flyer from the United States Equestrian Federation’s (USEF) purchasing program, detailing how she could get big discounts on products the farm already used, she thought she might...

Lexington, KY — The top reining horses and riders in the country are set to begin competing in the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) 2004/2005 Reining Qualifying Season as they gear up for the 2005 championship season. The first qualifying reining competition will be hosted in Columbus, Ohio, on October 9th, during the All American Quarter Horse Congress. As one of the largest equestrian events in the world, the Congress typically sees more than a half a million people every year....

Burbank, CA – With a weekend of competition to prove themselves, a ring full of young riders set out to convince judges they have what it takes to become tomorrow’s equestrian stars. Emerging at the top of the list from the BET/USEF West Coast Show Jumping Talent Search Finals is 17-year-old Kasey Ament (Reche Canyon, CA), who took home the Denali Trophy atop San Francisco. Riding her own horse first and then starting the rotations that are characteristic of these tests, Ament...

Lexington, KY — After jumping a clear round followed by a clear jump-off Friday, Olympian McLain Ward (Silver Team medal, Athens 2004) and Goldika 559 (Holstein, Cor de la Bryere – Zelena II) claimed a first place victory during the World Cup Show Jumping Qualifier at the CSI-W Lexington Grand Prix. Closely following in second place was Lauren Hough (Alternate, Athens 2004) on Casadora (Dutch Warmblood, Indoctro – Kadora) with four faults on the final jump off. In a three-way...

Show jumping action got underway on September 22 at the five-day "A"-rated Los Angeles International Jumping Festival (September 22-26, 2004) at the world class Los Angeles Equestrian Center. The $40,000 Grand Prix of Los Angeles, set for 7 p.m. Saturday night, looks to be an exciting class. Last night, 21 horses and riders competed in the $5,000 Welcome Stake. Typically, the grand prix riders use this class as preparation for the grand prix. Olympian Mark Watring piloted his Olympic mount,...

Lexington, KY – Frank Chapot, the six-time Olympic show jumping rider who has been chef d’equipe of the Unites States Show Jumping Team since 1980, has decided to retire. Under his leadership, the team has won nine Olympic medals and nine Pan American Games medals, which includes the first-ever team gold medals at the 1984 Olympics and at the World Championships in 1986, as well as the Silver Team medal at both the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea, and the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta,...

One step out of the ring, internationally renowned equestrian Lynn Seidemann and Phoenix B knew they had put on a good show. Slated to ride second to last in the line-up, the pair pulled out all the stops to wow the judges with a spectacular performance Thursday. Make that a Silver medal-winning performance that surprised even Lynn. “It was a good day,” Lynn said modestly after the news started to filter back through the time zones into the States. With a Silver medal in tow and a...

ATHENS, September 20 - The riders taking part in the Paralympic Games had the opportunity to test the Dressage arena today, under real competition conditions. The warm-up session took place at the Markopoulo Olympic Equestrian Centre and was a successful dress rehearsal for all parties involved. However, not all riders went out to the arena today: a lot of them chose to remain out of the warm-up phase in order to allow themselves and their horses to rest until the real competition begins...