Lexington, KY—EQUESTRIAN magazine, the official publication of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) since 1937, has recently been honored at the American Horse Publications (AHP) Annual Awards Program held in Saratoga Springs, NY, on June 21. AHP members were named finalists in the 2008 AHP Annual Awards Contest for material published in 2007. This year’s contest included 105 AHP members and 1,092 entries. A select panel of 29 industry judges reviewed the classes and critiqued the...

Lexington, KY - One of two Eventing Mandatory Outings gets underway at Barbury Castle July 4-6. Short Listed riders for the 2008 Olympic Games had a choice to run their horses in the Barbury Castle CIC*** this weekend or at a Mandatory Outing July 11-12 at The Fork Stables in Norwood, NC. Karen O’Connor, Gina Miles, Amy Tryon and Clark Montgomery chose the former and will test their skills against more than 100 of the world’s top horses and riders. Tryon did her dressage today with Poggio who...

The United States Equestrian Federation’s Board of Directors held its annual mid-year meeting on June 24 at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington, KY. Several important decisions regarding the immediate future of the Federation’s governance were addressed, as well as important and exciting marketing initiatives and the designation of the first horse show to receive the new “Heritage” designation. Current President David O’Connor was re-elected for a second four-year term....

Lexington, KY – To assist breed shows with financial challenges, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) offers the 2008 Outreach Grant program, which provides assistance to various USEF breed competitions. And even though the competition season is under way, it’s not too late to apply for a USEF grant. The USEF grant program assists financially challenged breed competitions that meet the grant requirements and are approved by the USEF. The grants are available on a first come, first...

Lexington, KY – Aiken, SC resident Meghan Benge won an Individual Gold medal today at the 2008 FEI World Championships for Drivers with Disabilities CPEAI4* in Greven, Germany. Driving Jack, a pony borrowed from England, Benge won the dressage and never looked back. She also led the U.S. to a Team Silver at the conclusion of today’s Cones competition. Benge’s teammates were Arroyo Grande, CA.driver Diana Kastama, who drove her own horse Jasper to the Individual Bronze medal, followed very...

Lexington, KY ­– The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has approved the following three individuals and three alternates for the 2008 Vaulting World Championships to be held in Brno, Czech Republic, July 29-August 3: Name/Age/Hometown —Elizabeth Osborn/18/Menlo Park, CA —Mary McCormick/24/Woodside, CA —Alicen DiVita/19/Redwood City, CA Alternates in Ranked Order: —Megan Lanfri/19/San Jose, CA —Annalise Van Vranken/16/Mays Landing, NJ —Shannyn...

Lexington, KY ­– Highlighted by clear rounds from James Benedetto and Kannans Gigi Z and Michael Morrissey with Crelido, U.S. Developing/Young Riders handily won the Nations Cup today at CSIO Lipica in Slovenia. The team of Benedetto, Morrissey, Alexa Lowe (Nadyleen) and Tracy Magness (Tarco van Ter Moude), finished the Nations Cup with a two round total of 10 faults to beat Austria (13) and Italy (14). Melanie Smith Taylor is serving as the Chef d’Equipe and she was thrilled with the win. “I...

Lexington, KY ­– The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has approved the following short list for the 2008 FEI World Single Horse Driving Championships to be held in Jarantow, Poland, August 25-31, 2008. The definite entries will be named July 27, 2008. The following short list has been approved for the 2008 FEI World Single Horse Driving Championships: Leslie Berndl / 45 / Newcastle, CA / Koopman's Lightning Rod / Gelding / 12 / Hackney/ Ann McClure Marjas Becker / 61 / Brooker, FL /...

In one of the deepest fields assembled in recent memory, Wimpys Little Chic, owned by Arcese Quarter Horses USA, Weatherford, TX, dominated a field of impressive four-, five-, and six-year-old reining horses with a decisive win in the 2008 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby. Ridden by NRHA’s Leading Money Earning Rider Shawn Flarida, the team accomplished what no other combination has—winning the NRHA Futurity, NRBC, and the NRHA Derby consecutively! Andrea Fappani piloted...

Lexington, KY - Due to a veterinary issue, Phillip Dutton has withdrawn Anne Jones' The Foreman from the 2008 USEF Eventing Short List/Nominated Entry for the 2008 Olympic Games. The Foreman has a reoccurring splint injury but Dutton looks forward to him making a full recovery for 2009. Following the Selection Procedures, the USEF has approved the addition of Merloch and Bonnie Mosser to the USEF Eventing Short List/Nominated Entry for the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong, August 8-24, 2008....