The 2009 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit started off with a bang for Kyle King. The Ocala resident posted the fastest double-clear round aboard Paola to secure the top prize in Sunday's $25,000 HITS Grand Prix to close out the Ocala Pre-Circuit 1 at HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala, FL. King and his 12-year-old mare outlasted a field of 24 horses in the first round and an additional four pairs that advanced to course designer Jerry Dougherty's jump-off track to secure the first-place check of $7,500 in...

Lexington, KY - To go halfway around the world and win is a monumental achievement – especially on a borrowed horse. No one told show jumper Taylor Land. The 16-year-old from Atlanta, GA peaked at the perfect time and came home with the Individual Gold medal at the 2009 Australian Youth Olympic Festival. Taylor Land was part of the team that was fourth in the Nations Cup on Sunday and rode Tom McDermott’s Markovitch to win Gold. “I couldn't have won this with out the support of my team and...

The 2009 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) opened Wednesday to rave reviews for the $10-million makeover of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Opening day in almost perfect weather with temperatures reaching a high of about 80 degrees F (27 degrees Celsius) saw 854 hunter and jumper trips in 10 competition arenas. The annual George H. Morris Horsemanship Clinic filled another arena. Although the premiere jumper rings, International, DeNemethy and Mogavero arenas drew 231 entries...

The American Trakehner Association (ATA) is pleased to announce that the following five stallions were approved in 2008. —A’Osiris, owned by Raymond Bernier (Valley View Stable) of Milton, VT —Bond James Bond MB, owned by Elevages Mallet Barsalou of Quebec, Canada —Cardinali, owned by Jeanette Knight (Wolf Run Farm) of Buxton, ME —Imminence, owned by Jean Brinkman (Valhalla Farm) of Wellborn, FL —Tatendrang, owned by Ann Cottongim (Emerald Acres) of Alford, FL...

A black Shetland Pony who closely resembles the pony Little Black in the Walter Farley book Little Black, A Pony has a new home with the Black Stallion Literacy Foundation at Arabian Nights in Orlando, FL. Thanks to the donation of the pony by the American Shetland Pony Club (ASPC), thousands of children involved in the literacy program will have the chance to meet Little Black in person. The Black Stallion Literacy Foundation has helped motivate hundreds of thousands of children to enjoy...

Lexington, KY —Over the past decade, the United States Equestrian Federation has bestowed special Pegasus Awards for media excellence on an array of talented journalists, photographers and publications. As time progressed, new categories reflecting the developing and ever-changing world of media have been added to fully honor and celebrate the members of the press, media outlets and freelance artists. Within this group of devoted and hardworking individuals and publications, we find the heart...

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) offices will be closed Monday, December 22 through Friday, December 26, 2008. The USEF offices will also be closed Thursday, January 1, 2009 – Friday, January 2, 2009. The USEF will return to regular office hours on Monday, January 5, 2009. The USEF would like to wish everyone Happy Holidays and best wishes in the New Year. ENDS

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has approved the sports competitions programme for the first Summer Youth Olympic Games (YOG) to be held in Singapore in 2010, as well as the qualification system for each event. Showjumping, the sole discipline representing equestrian sport, will see a total of 30 riders between 17 and 18 years of age competing on borrowed horses at the Singapore Turf Club. The qualification system is available at www.fei....

This is a reminder that the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) will conduct a seminar for licensed competition management serving both secretaries and managers. The early registration deadline is December 14 and early registrants receive a discount. The early registration price is $100. After December 14, the cost is $125. This seminar will be held in conjunction with the USEF Annual Meeting in Cincinnati on Friday, January 16, 2009, and will feature information that all competitions...

Denmark's Lars Petersen played his crowd-wowing cartoon medley to Success to capture his second straight major grand prix freestyle with a convincing win at the Holiday & Horses CDI*** at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center on Saturday night. The score of 73.90% with four of the five judges awarding first place for the longtime partnership that began in Europe and flowered in America edged out 2006 World Cup Finalist Arlene "Tuny" Page and Wild One of the USA who placed second with...