Candice King, Lauren Hough, Laura Kraut, Georgina Bloomberg and Anne Kursinski. Not shown: McLain Ward, Kim Frey and Schuyler Riley. (Courtesy Randi Muster/Phelps Media Group) Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the eight East Coast show jumpers who will represent the nation during the 2005 Budweiser FEI World Cup Show Jumping Final in Las Vegas, April 20-24. They are: McLain Ward of Brewster, New York, Laura Kraut of Oconomowoc,...

Important Notice for Dressage Exhibitors & Officials The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has issued updated Freestyle Tests for the following levels: Grand Prix Freestyle Intermediare I Freestyle Young Rider Freestyle Junior Freestyle Please note these tests have been updated in format only (e.g. new logo, additional comments and clarifications). Actual required test movements have NOT changed. These new test versions must be used by all CDI’s as of May 2, 2005. USEF-recognized...

PBS hits the trail for the next series of experiential history television events with Texas Ranch House , an eight-part series that will challenge a group of 20 intrepid time travelers to experience the exhilaration and exhaustion of life in the Old West. Producers Thirteen/WNET New York and Wall To Wall saddle up once more, riding high on viewer and critical acclaim for previous projects. “ Texas Ranch House promises to take the hands-on history strand to a new cultural depth,” said Jody...

Scene from the $75,000 HITS Grand Prix, May 30, 2004. (Courtesy HITS and Fionn Reilly/Ulster Publishing) Lexington, KY – Following a hotly contested open to the 2005 competition season in the warmer climates, and a highly-anticipated fight for the prize at the World Cup Finals in April, claiming the title of U.S. National Champion will be yet another challenge facing some of equestrian sport’s best athletes in June. Truly a headliner competition for the United States Equestrian...

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has announced the riders who will represent the United States at the CSIO Wellington, March 9-13 during the Winter Equestrian Festival at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington, FL. The USEF has also announced that Frank Chapot will serve as chef d’equipe. Under the direction of Chapot, 2004 Olympic Show Jumping Team Silver medalists McLain Ward and Beezie Madden will join Kimberly Frey and Lauren Hough...

Lexington, KY – George Morris, who was appointed to the Search Committee for the new U.S. Show Jumping Chef d’Equipe based on his credentials as a leading U.S. Show Jumping rider, trainer and coach, has resigned from the Committee effective January 24, 2005. The remaining members of the Search Committee are Karen O'Connor, Eric Straus, Chairman, Norman Dello Joio, Anne Kursinski, Jessica Ransehousen, and Robert Ridland. “After careful consideration I have decided to...

The 54th annual Garden State Horse Show returns to the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta, NJ, May 4-8, 2005. Presented by the Junior Essex Troop, Inc., the Garden State Horse Show is the largest horse show in New Jersey. New for this year, the Garden State Horse Show will have a dedicated hunter area, featuring three newly-installed arenas. Work on the new hunter area, which measures 320 feet by 500 feet, is nearing completion and the space will be ready to use at the horse show. The Garden...

The December 14 landslide approval by Oklahoma City voters to increase the hotel/motel occupancy tax has ensured Oklahoma City will have the world-class facilities befitting the "Horse Show Capital of the World." Raising the current hotel/motel occupancy tax from 2% to 5.5% is estimated to generate $4.5 million annually, which will be dedicated to funding an estimated $55 million in proposed improvements to the horse show facilities at the Oklahoma State Fair Park. "First and foremost, I want...

Gladstone, New Jersey (December 21, 2004) – The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (USET Foundation) announced that the Festival of Champions would not be held in 2005. The main reason for the decision was the need for the USET Foundation to focus its efforts and resources on a new fundraising campaign to be launched in 2005. Foundation officials stressed that, while the fundraising efforts must take precedence over the Festival of Champions, steps are being taken to properly plan for a...

The American Horse Council reports that the Department of Agriculture has taken another step toward the implementation of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) to trace animal movements in case of a major disease outbreak. “This action has been expected,” said AHC President Jay Hickey. “USDA must amend several federal regulations to foster the establishment of the national animal ID system. The changes do not impose any identification requirements on horses, but they are another step...