Lexington, KY – For the first time in 2009, the USEF is sending athletes to the Australian Youth Olympic Festival. In its fifth year, the Australian Youth Olympic Festival showcases the world’s best in Youth Sports. More than 1500 athletes from 25 countries in 17 sports have arrived at the Olympic village at Homebush in Sydney, Australia. The US will be represented in Equestrian by four of our most promising show jumping riders from across the country. Taylor Land, 16 (Atlanta, GA), Mavis...

Lexington, KY – In 2005, the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) and Registry launched a program designating and supporting regional championship competitions around the country. Regional championships increase competitive opportunities for all types of horses and levels of competition, and are part of the association’s effort to improve public education and awareness of the breed throughout the nation. 2009 ASHA REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP COMPETITIONS: REGION 1 Southwest Regional Arizona...

Lexington, KY – A silent auction held by the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) raised over $5,000 in proceeds to benefit the USHJA Foundation and the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA). The silent auction was held at the USHJA Annual Meeting in Nashville, TN, which took place December 8-11. Winning bids of the 28 donated items were announced at the Evening of Equestrians Awards Ceremony on December 10. The USHJA Foundation promotes the hunter and jumper...

Lexington, KY— The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) announces the United States Show Jumping Team for the Australian Youth Olympic Festival (AYOF). This multi-sport international event follows the structure of Olympic Games as closely as possible and draws athletes from across the world. The competition will be held January 14-18, 2009 at the Sydney International Equestrian Center. Invited nations include Australia, Great Britain, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Sweden and the United...

Lexington, KY— The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) announces a new partnership for 2009 with Moxie Equestrian, Inc. as the “Official Awards Cooler of the USEF.” Custom-made Moxie coolers will be awarded at all USEF National Championships and to all Horse of the Year Grand Champions. Moxie’s coolers are unique in their use of high performance fabrics that provide absolute functionality. “Moxie Equestrian is extremely pleased to be selected as the Official Supplier of Award Coolers the...

Lexington, KY— The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the 2009 triple point competitions for the Saddlebred, Roadster and Hackney/Harness divisions. Each year, the corresponding discipline committees vote to assign “triple point” status to a competition in each of the 12 regions. Points won at any of these designated competitions will count as triple points for the Farnam®/Platform™ USEF Horse of the Year program. Saddlebred Division Region 1 #317874 UPHA Chapter...

Para-equestrian and high school senior Jonathan Wentz will be featured in the television series, The Real Winning Edge , January 10-11. Other areas can find channels and times for airing at www.realwinningedge.com/index.php . Wentz was selected for the show after seeing an article in USEF’s Week in Review in June 2007, "TV Producer searching for Equestrians for New Series," and submitting his bio. The 30-minute show profiles three young achievers who have overcome challenges and each are...

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) announced that its only Triple Crown winner this year, WGC CH Breaking News, has been named Horse of the Year. The connections of the Horse of the Year will be honored at the ASHA Annual Convention during the Saddlebred Ball, Saturday evening, February 14, 2009, at the Griffin Gate Marriott Resort and Spa in Lexington, KY. Rider/trainer Peter Cowart of West Wind Stables in Statesville, NC, will also be awarded with the Five-Gaited World’s Grand...

Lexington, KY— The top reiners in the world face off at the 2008 FEI World Reining Masters December 4 in Oklahoma City, OK as part of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show. This year, 18 riders from 15 countries will compete for two titles, the $75,000 added Open and the $25,000 Restricted Open. Representing the U.S. in the $75,000 added Open division will be Jordan Larson riding Lena Gallo and Craig Schmersal aboard Mr....

Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Executive Committee approved the specifications for the Eventing Watch List on November 17, 2008. Born out of discussions at the USEF/USEA Safety Summit in June, the goal of the Watch List is to notify riders at USEF licensed and USEF endorsed Eventing competitions that their riding is potentially dangerous. The Watch List is a list of horse/rider combinations that could be regarded as displaying a pattern of potentially dangerous...