New products will be available at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games online merchandise store in time for the "Halfway There" celebration marking two years to go in the countdown to the 2010 Games. New merchandise will include "Halfway There" T-shirts, which continues a line of horseshoe designs from the "Three Years to Go" celebration in 2007. In addition, vanity license plates, plate frames, and car decals will be available for purchase at the Games online store for the first time during...

There was a short press briefing at CSIO Barcelona on September 20 during which the FEI's First Vice-President Sven Holmberg and FEI Jumping Director John Roche answered questions relating to the new-formula FEI Nations Cup series 2009. By way of background, Holmberg explained that the current contract stipulated that negotiations with a new sponsor should not begin until January 1, 2008, and that this was a short time considering what needed to be done including creating a new product, finding...

Lexington, KY - The National Safety Officer, Malcolm Hook, has released the following report on the safety measures implemented to advance safety in the sport of Eventing. The following protocols have been put into effect, and some came out of the USEF/USEA Safety Summit held June 7-8, 2008 in Lexington, KY. This report was submitted to the FEI in August. The Watch List specifications are nearing completion to inform competitors of potentially dangerous riding at USEF and USEF endorsed...

An exciting benefit to being a member of the Morgan Dressage Association (MDA) is the Annual Scholarship Awards. Each year, the association intends to award up to eight scholarships in the amount of $500-$750 each in three categories to MDA members: training/first level; second/third level; fourth level and above, with the larger amount considered for riders and Morgans competing at the FEI level. Scholarships will be awarded across the categories, distributed based on qualified applicants. A...

Even though the Paso Fino Horse Association's National Show is over, you can still place a bid for a breeding to one of the 140 Paso Fino stallions that remain in the 2008 Stallion Service Auction. Offspring derived from any breeding purchased through the 2008 Stallion Service Auction will be eligible for the 2011 Breeders' Sweepstakes. All bids received contribute to the 2011 Breeders Sweepstakes purse. For additional information, contact Kelly Manning at (813) 719-7777 or by email at...

Lexington, KY – For the first time ever, a US Reiner has broken through to the top three on the FEI Reiner of the Year Ranking List. Gabe Hutchins, whose season was highlighted by a runner-up finish at the 2007 FEI World Reining Masters on the legendary Juiced Up Doc, finished with 53 points behind Germany’s Emanuel Ernst and Arc Playsophie (74 points) and Belgium’s Ann Fonck-Poels and Chic Dual (56). “It is an honor for me to win this,” said Hutchins of Sherman, TX. “Especially since I didn’t...

Platinum Performance/USEF Talent Search Winner Hannah Selleck (AC Custom Photo) From a Press Release by Marnye Langer Burbank, California – The Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals West concluded with the stadium jumping phase and the ride-off among the top four riders. The track proved challenging and a number of riders were eliminated for refusals and falls. “The five-stride to the four-stride to the bank caused problems for lots of horses,” said eventual winner Hannah...

Lexington, KY—A full week after the torrents of Hurricane Ike battered the Gulf Coast of Texas, the scene is still one of shock and destruction. With over one million residents evacuated, these coastal towns and cities are dealing with a long road ahead of them in the attempt to clear debris, allow residents to return to their neighborhoods and get utilities and services in working order. The situation is particularly difficult for those with large animals. Evacuating and housing horses has its...

The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Foundation’s Equine Disaster Relief Fund is accepting aid to help horses in Louisiana and Texas. Money donated to the fund will go to credible programs and organizations that are helping with recovery and rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike and any future disasters that may occur. Just as the Equine Disaster Relief Fund did during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, funds will only be used to benefit the health and...

Lexington, KY - The Wellpride USEA American Eventing Championships were, like much of the country, the victim of some volatile weather over the weekend of September 13-14. Torrential rain caused for the amendment of some of the Championships and prizes were awarded after the dressage and show jumping. Advanced, Intermediate and Preliminary were all scored as combined tests, despite the organizers’ best efforts, in the interest of safety due to quagmire conditions at Lamplight Equestrian...