Lexington, KY – The Executive Committee of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) will meet to consider Extraordinary Rule Changes to clearly define the implementation of the Federation’s new helmet rule to breed competitions that offer dressage classes. The committee will meet later this month to discuss the changes, which will clarify the rule in the Andalusian, Arabian, Friesian and Morgan divisions of USEF Licensed Competitions. To review the latest memo regarding the use of...

Ocala, FL - If the weather was a sign of things to come, then the 2011 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit is sure to be another spectacular season. The HITS Ocala Pre-Circuit came to an end on Sunday after two special weeks of exciting show jumping, which now paves the way for the highly anticipated six-week, AA-rated circuit set to start on February 8. Where it all begins again The Road to the Pfizer Million HITS, Inc. made history in 2010 when it produced the richest Grand Prix in the world, the...

Boston, MA - Several nationally accomplished presenters will be leading clinics and seminars at the 2011 AMHA Convention, which will take place February 23-26 in Boston, MA. Among the speakers are: • Eitan Beth-Halachmy, the founder of Western Dressage, who will give a talk on this new discipline. • Carriage driver Jeff Morse will lead a talk on how carriage driving is a perfect discipline for older equestrians. • World champion trainer, Steve DeBolt, will give a harness demonstration/clinic. •...

Wellington, FL - January 24, 2011 - The second week of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) continued successfully at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. In addition to 12 rings of hunter, jumper, and equitation competition, there was plenty happening on the grounds. Here are upcoming events at the FTI WEF: Exhibitor Party at the White Horse Tavern, sponsored by Equine Couture/Tuff Rider- Friday, January 28 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Pick up your ticket at the stabling office or in...

Dr. Tim Holekamp was elected President of the American Trakehner Association at its 36th annual convention in Jacksonville, FL. Holekamp and his wife Cheryl own New Spring Farm in Columbia, MO, and are possibly best known for their acclaimed Trakehner stallion Windfall*Pg*, a U.S. Olympic team bronze medalist. “We started in 1984 with two Trakehner mares that we bought at the ATA auction in Columbus, Ohio,” said Holekamp, explaining that it took just one trip to an ATA convention for him to...

Oklahoma City, OK - At the recent National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Board of Directors meeting, the 2011 Hall of Fame nominations were approved featuring the largest class of inductees to date. The eight inductees include a mix of historic people and horses and some of today’s most well-known names. Those people who will be formally inducted at the 2011 Awards Banquet include Shawn Flarida, Bob Kiser, Mandy McCutcheon, and Ronnie Sharpe. Horses include three stallions Boomernic, Shining...

Kelley Farmer and Rosalynn. (Photo by Sportfot©.) Wellington, FL - January 13, 2011 - The 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival continued Thursday as professional riders sought championship honors in various hunter divisions. This year, the High Performance Working Hunter division, sponsored by The Sanctuary at PBIEC, has been added to the list of divisions for competition. The new division is open to all riders and horses, and includes fences ranging in height from 4' to 4'6". While eight horse...

Yann Candele and Redefin. (Photo by Sportfot©.) Wellington, FL - The 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) held its second day of competition today with the first of 12 weekly WEF Challenge Cup grand prix classes. Canada's Yann Candele and Redefin, owned by Susan Grange, were the fastest double clear combination to earn the top prize. Held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL, the 2011 WEF will hold 12 consecutive weeks of competition for its winter show...

Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister. (Photo by Stock Images. ) Gladstone, NJ - The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is pleased to announce that the recipient of the 2011 Lionel Guerrand-Hermes Trophy will be talented eventing rider Tiana Coudray. Each year this award is presented to a Young Rider in one of the Olympic disciplines who exemplifies both sportsmanship and horsemanship. In 2010 Coudray had a banner year, winning the Jersey Fresh CCI*** and the Galway Downs International...

Wellington, FL - Equestrian Sport Productions is introducing a new two-part educational component to the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). The two new series, the "Lunch & Learn" and "Ride & Learn," are designed to provide all FTI WEF participants and members of the Wellington community with creative and informative opportunities for further developing their skills and knowledge of the sport as a whole. The Lunch & Learn series will begin on January 20, and will take place every...