The 2006 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) returns to the Verizon Center this year, October 24-29, in downtown Washington, D.C., to host one of the most exciting and innovative horse show events in the country. This year, the WIHS proudly welcomes ladies’ side saddle as a new division and evening feature. Eight exhibitors will be chosen from the USEF Horse of the Year standings as of September 18, 2006. The eight invited competitors will participate in the $10,000 Ladies’ Side Saddle...

Another successful show for Alexandra Thornton of Bedminster, NJ, placed the 12-year-old in the winner’s circle once again. This time, her triumph made history at the highly regarded Hampton Classic in Bridgehampton, NY. Thornton, who trains with renowned judge and trainer Susie Humes, piloted her way to the division tricolor in the Younger Small Junior Hunters aboard her mount Tobasco, a small, yet scopey chestnut gelding. She then continued her winning ways and became the youngest rider to...

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation® (USEF) has finalized the third list of breed events that will receive outreach grants through the new program announced in January. The maximum grant is $1,000, and grants are still available. A total of $125,000 has been budgeted in 2006 for grants to financially challenged breed competitions that meet the grant requirements and are approved by the USEF. To date, 68 applications have been received and 54 have been approved. Grant...

From the International Equestrian Federation In an effort to adapt to the reality of the modern sporting scene, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) had taken the decision to change the name of the FEI World Equestrian Games to FEI Games™ in view of the event’s next edition in 2010. The objectives behind the new brand were to clarify the ownership of the competition and to enhance its marketability by creating a clear and strong identification. A passionate reaction from the whole of...

The Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) selected the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine to receive funding for the first ever Equine Consortium for Genetic Research grant. The goal of the grant is to bring together the world’s best researchers in a focused, collaborative effort to improve equine health. The consortium grant, led by University of Minnesota professors Jim Mickelson and Stephanie Valberg, received the highest score out of 27 multi-institutional applications...

The International Friesian Show Horse Association (IFSHA) has expanded its 2006 Horse of the Year awards and recognition program to include points earned in four new open American Driving Society- (ADS), United States Equestrian Federation- (USEF) and United States Dressage Federation-recognized competition categories. The IFSHA board of directors is also pleased to announce the enhancement of its existing Horse of the Year program to reward those IFSHA members who compete their Friesian-bred...

John Deere has made it even easier for USEF MemberPerks members to save money on John Deere equipment. In addition to the current program that allows USEF MemberPerks members to save up to 23% on new John Deere equipment to be used at equine facilities, John Deere has announced the John Deere Partner Program for Lawn and Garden. Discounts are now available toward the purchase of a variety of John Deere equipment for members’ and their families’ personal home use, including lawn and garden...

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) has formed an Advancement Committee. Appointed by ASHA President Fred K. Sarver, who serves ex officio on all committees, the new committee will be chaired by longtime horsewoman and former director Sandra Lilly of Princeton, WV. Vice Chair is Director Victoria Gillenwater of Tennessee, and members who have agreed to serve are Kayce Bell (Alabama), John Conatser (Kentucky), Lisa Duncan (Kentucky), Peter Fenton (California and Kentucky), James...

The finals for the Long Island Horse Show Series for Riders with Disabilities (LIHSSRD) will be held on Monday, August 28, of the Hampton Classic Horse Show. The LIHSSRD finals mark the first time in the horse show’s three-decade history that competition will be held on Monday. Admission will be free on this day when all of the shops in the Hampton Classic’s popular Boutique Garden and Stable Row will be open for business. The show series, created by HorseAbility, was founded to provide riders...

Arnd Bronkhorst (The inaugural Brentina Cup is being held in conjunction with the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Grand Prix Dressage Championship, the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Intermediare I Dressage Championship, and the USEF National Para-Equestrian Cham) Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation® (USEF) is pleased to announce the rider/horse combinations that have been selected to compete in the 2006 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Intermediaire I Dressage...