Excitement reaches a new high as the reining elite from all around the world make their way to Denver, CO. Organizers expect that up to 30,000 spectators and 500 horses from four continents will take part in the Western International Reining Festival, proud home of the 2006 FEI World Reining Masters Finals and National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Mountain Region Affiliate Finals Championships. The Western International runs October 17-22 at the National Western Complex. The Western...

Horses and carriages from as far away as Massachusetts, Montana and Canada will converge on the Horse Park at Woodside, September 22-24, to compete in the inaugural Woodside Combined Driving Event. The event will mark the first time the Horse Park has offered advanced-level classes, the highest level of combined driving competition. Thirty-six drivers will compete their horses and ponies pulling carriages singly, in pairs or in teams over the course of the three-day event. Divisions offered...

Lexington, KY - On December 2, 2005, the United States Equestrian Federation® (USEF) announced the debut of the USEF Youth Sportsman’s Charter Award. This new program is designed for junior members who are current members of both the USEF and their recognized national affiliate. The youth candidates are to demonstrate an ongoing commitment and dedication to the USEF and their affiliate through the promotion of the horse. This person is to serve as a role model for their peers. The...

The 2006 American Hunter Pony Classic Auction, held during the USEF Pony Finals National Championships, posted major increases in nearly every category. Statistically, the 2006 sale ranks as the best American Hunter Pony Classic ever and possibly the best pony auction ever held in North America. “This was a great auction. The buyers were active from beginning to end,” said Tim Jennings, Marketing Director of Professional Auction Services, Inc. “The catalog included the best group of ponies the...

The American Horse Council (AHC) will be holding an issues forum in Austin, TX, to discuss current issues facing the horse industry, such as the National Animal Identification System and its impact on horse owners. This meeting will also address the recent equine viral arteritis (EVA) outbreak, new developments in taxes for horse owners and breeders, the Unwanted Horse Coalition and access to trails. The meeting will conclude with an “Ask the Experts” panel. “The AHC believes it is critical for...

(Lexington, Ky) - Thomas F. Lomangino of Laurel, Maryland has been named as the Director of the USEF Equine Drug Testing and Research Laboratory in Ithaca, New York effective August 15, 2006. He will be responsible for the administration and management of the facility as well as the daily supervision of all tests, analyses and research programs. Since 1988, Lomangino has been the Director of the Maryland Racing Commission Laboratory in College Park, Maryland. In this role he also served as a...

Alltech, a worldwide animal nutrition company headquartered in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with a European bioscience center in Ireland, has stepped forward with a $10-million dollar title sponsorship, attaching its name to the 2010 FEI GamesTM in Kentucky. The announcement was made by Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher and Alltech president and founder Dr. Pearse Lyons. The games will officially be known as the Alltech FEI GamesTM Kentucky 2010. “Alltech is a tremendous Kentucky company that...

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation® has finalized the second 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, 61 applications have been received and 49 have been approved. Grant requests are...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Youth Executive Board announced the availability of the 2006 USDF Youth Convention Scholarships. Packed with educational programs, fun events, a great trade expo and the USDF National Symposium, the USDF Annual Convention is an invaluable event for anyone interested in dressage, especially USDF's youth members, who are the future of USDF and the sport. The USDF Youth Convention Scholarship will award four youth members up to $1,000 each to help...

The American Saddlebred Registry has taken a significant step to streamline its registration process, effective immediately, announced Petra Green, Senior Registry Supervisor. A time-consuming and duplicative step in the process has been eliminated. A second identification form for each registered animal, requiring detailed markings, which had accompanied the DNA/Blood-Typing kit, will no longer have to be completed and returned to the Registry. “We’re pleased to take this step in response to...