The American Horse Council (AHC) has announced that the focus of this year’s National Issues Forum will be the “Welfare of the Horse.” The Forum will be held June 16, 2009, in Washington, DC, as part of the AHC’s annual meeting. Over the last year, concerns about the welfare of horses used in racing, showing, recreation, or work have been raised by our fans, the general public, the media, and Congress. Such concerns have been expressed before, but perhaps not as broadly as now. “Those involved...

The United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Junior Career Development Program provides a rare opportunity for junior riders to apprentice with a competition official for a day. The program pairs a junior rider with a competition official such as a judge, show manager, show secretary, steward, course designer, vet or farrier giving them the ability to better understand the duties and responsibilities of these officials. It’s also a great opportunity for juniors to determine if they would...

Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital will provide veterinary services for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games test events, as announced by the World Games 2010 Foundation, Inc. As the Official Equine Hospital and Veterinary Partner for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, Rood and Riddle has extended its partnership with the Games to provide veterinary services for a series of test events beginning in 2009. The test events, each called The Kentucky Cup, will allow the World Games...

The Minnesota Horse Council announced the selection of American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) member Guy Warner as 2008 Horse Person of the Year at their annual meeting and awards banquet on Saturday, January 17, 2009. The award is presented each year to someone who shows long-term service and commitment to the equine industry in the Midwest. Warner, the 39th recipient of this award, has put in over 40 years of service—both equine related and community related. He served 10 years in...

Lexington, KY – The USEF will be hosting a Para-Equestrian Dressage Training Session March 18-19 2009 in Woodinville, WA. The Training Session is designed to help riders who have various disabilities learn more about competing in Dressage at a National or International Level and will be hosted by the Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center. US Assistant Coach, Sharon Schneidman, will be conducting the Training Session. Sharon has earned a USDF Gold Medal, has a winning resume at the FEI levels...

For the 2009 breeding season, Flyinge, the Swedish National Stud, will include the KWPN stallion Lingh (Flemmingh x Columbus, by Uppercut xx) in its breeding program. Lingh has already arrived in Flyinge, a town in Southern Sweden just 48 miles from Copenhagen, Denmark. Throughout his performance career, Lingh has been one of the highest FEI-ranked dressage stallions in the world. He has had exceptional successes and numerous placings in international grand prix with Edward Gal and Karin...

Wellington, FL – The Exquis World Dressage Masters finale showcased the world’s best dressage riders under the lights in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Club on Saturday night. The temperature was unseasonably low but the quality of dressage was seriously high. The reigning Olympic Champion, Anky van Grunsven, lived dangerously in the Grand Prix on Friday, she only qualified for the Freestyle when Michael Barisone opted for the Grand Prix Special...

Steffen Peters and Ravel (Ken Braddick) Wellington, FL – The inaugural Exquis World Dressage Masters debuted at the palm Beach International Equestrian Club on January 30. The brisk weather made for some frisky horses but the USA’s star from the 2008 Olympic Games shone brighter than ever. Steffen Peters, who traveled from San Diego, CA for the occasion with Aikiko Yamazaki’s Ravel put on a performance that was very much the best of the Grand Prix – and the highest score...

When Bridget Imparato, a USEF judge and steward was faced with her son, Michael, being a high school junior, her sights started to focus on college riding opportunities. The difficulties of navigating through the recruiting process led her to start of an exciting new website, www.EquestrianCollegeRecruiter.com . This website has become a one-stop location to get college equestrian riding questions answered. High school athletes can post an academic and riding resume along with photos and...

The World Games 2010 Foundation announced a partnership with the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. “The University of Kentucky is pleased to partner with the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games,” said President Lee T. Todd, Jr. “As the Commonwealth’s flagship university, we share in the state’s commitment to make the Games the world’s premiere sporting event in 2010. This international competition places Kentucky on the world stage, and we are...