Lexington, KY – A mutual decision has been made not to renew the contract of USEF National Dressage Coach Klaus Balkenhol which expires at the end of 2008. The decision between Balkenhol and the USEF’s High Performance Dressage Committee means that his role as Chef d’Equipe, National Dressage Coach and Technical Advisor to the Committee shall be concluded according to the terms of the existing contract on December 31, 2008. In recognition of Balkenhol’s excellent service to the USEF over the...

Equestrian Events, Inc., has been honored with the 2008 Best of Lexington Award in the Special Events category by the U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA). The USLBA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USLBA identifies companies that have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through...

The United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) is pleased to announce the $100,000 2008/2009 ASG Software Solutions/USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals will be held in Lexington, KY, August 21-22, 2009. The top 75 horses on the ranking list as of June 1, 2009, will be invited to attend this historic two-day event managed by Hugh Kincannon. On day one of the finals, all 75 horses will compete in a classic round, vying to be placed within the top 25, of whom will be invited back to...

Two American Saddlebred supporters recognizable to many in the Saddlebred community have died: Betty E. Brockman, and Dinwiddie Lampton, Jr. On Friday, September 26, 2008, Betty Elaine (Hilgendorf) Brockman, died peacefully at age 84. She was born February 19, 1924, in Beloit, WI, the daughter of the late Ada (Bussewitz) and Bernhard Hilgendorf. Betty and her husband Donald O. Brockman built and ran Brockman Stables in Neenah, WI. For many years they were deeply involved in the training and...

Three Phase Event, Inc., hosted it’s first Training, Education and Development (T.E.D.) clinic on dressage for gaited horses and riders, September 5, at the Kentucky Equestrian Center, in Winchester, KY. The full-day schedule included a lecture/demonstration and a full afternoon of dressage tests. The clinician, Betty Ortlieb, a United States Dressage Federation judge, presided over the event and was warmly welcomed by all who attended. During the morning session, two riders demonstrated some...

Gladstone, NJ - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce that it will be hosting a ParaEquestrian Dressage Workshop for potential Para Dressage Equestrians and Instructors with US ParaEquestrian Team Coach and international eventing rider Missy Ransehousen. The Workshop will be held October 12-13, 2008 at the J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center in San Juan Capistrano, CA. ParaEquestrian provides riders with all kinds of disabilities the chance to compete in dressage...

The United States Hunter Jumper Association’s “Building For Growth” Capital Campaign will officially launch on Thursday, September 25, at the Kentucky Horse Park (KHP) from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The launch event will be held at the historic “Farmhouse” on the grounds of the Kentucky Horse Park. This event will kick off the USHJA’s Capital Campaign to raise all funds necessary to construct and maintain a nationally recognized headquarters at the Kentucky Horse Park, the epicenter of equestrian...

Lexington, KY – For the first time ever, a US Reiner has broken through to the top three on the FEI Reiner of the Year Ranking List. Gabe Hutchins, whose season was highlighted by a runner-up finish at the 2007 FEI World Reining Masters on the legendary Juiced Up Doc, finished with 53 points behind Germany’s Emanuel Ernst and Arc Playsophie (74 points) and Belgium’s Ann Fonck-Poels and Chic Dual (56). “It is an honor for me to win this,” said Hutchins of Sherman, TX. “Especially since I didn’t...

The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Foundation’s Equine Disaster Relief Fund is accepting aid to help horses in Louisiana and Texas. Money donated to the fund will go to credible programs and organizations that are helping with recovery and rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike and any future disasters that may occur. Just as the Equine Disaster Relief Fund did during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, funds will only be used to benefit the health and...

Lexington, KY - The World Endurance Championship Definite Entries and Alternates were named after the final Training Session in Williston, Florida on September 13. All 12 nominated entries participated under the guidance of Chef d’ Equipe and three-time World Champion Becky Grand Hart. The Veterinary Panel examined the horses and the Endurance Selectors observed the horse/rider combinations as they completed a 38 mile course. The following horse/rider combinations were selected to represent the...