The 2005 National Pleasure Horse Award winners have been named in eight divisions, all of which are based on a high-point scoring system. All registered American Saddlebreds are eligible for these awards without payment of additional fees. The National Pleasure Horse Awards are based on a formula that favors horses that are consistent winners across the country. The system, which crowns eight champions, is based on the USEF rating of the show and the number of entries in the class. The complete...

(Lexington, KY) – When the clouds cleared on August 30th, the full aftermath of Hurricane Katrina was shockingly revealed, and before the Gulf area could even assess all the damage another cruel blow was struck by Hurricane Rita. Almost immediately after Katrina, an unprecedented outpouring of assistance from the equestrian community across the United States and Canada resulted in thousands of emails to the USEF with offers of shelter for horses and inquiries about sending much needed...

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation is pleased to announce the 2006 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 each of these designated competitions will count as triple points for the Farnam®/Platform™ • USEF Horse of the Year program. Questions regarding...

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation is now accepting entries for the 2005 Pegasus Awards for Media. Bronze Pegasus statues will be presented in 10 categories to honor outstanding achievement in the coverage of equestrian in the United States, whether in aspects of sport, lifestyle or issues. This year’s categories include: • Best Publication of the Year • Best Specialized Publication of the Year • Best News Article • Best Feature Article...

Craig Schmersal and Tim McQuay after their Gold- and Silver-medal wins at the $100,000 FEI World Reining Masters Finals. (Andrea Bonaga) Manerbio, Italy – September 25 – The much awaited second $100,000 FEI World Reining Masters Finals, presented by the Arcese Group and the Italian Equestrian Sports Federation, saw a full house and was truly a tribute to the sport of reining. Craig Schmersal, riding Tidal Wave Jack, received a standing ovation from the enthusiastic crowd, who had a...

PhelpsPhotos.com (Lauren Hogan on High Fashion) (Lexington, KY) – Although storms and much-needed rain poured down on the Bluegrass State Saturday, a young lady from the Sunshine State took home a treasure trove of silver, a Pessoa Saddle, and a Blue Ribbon Cooler appliquéd with their new accolades. Lauren Hogan, 13, and High Fashion, a seven-year-old medium pony mare, won with a score of 1033 points. High Fashion is owned by Laura King-Kaplan, and Lauren is trained by Bill Schaub of Orlando,...

Gladstone, NJ – Newlywed sweethearts Shannon and Steffen Peters wowed fans with their strong, smooth performances Wednesday, finishing side by side in first and second place respectively, during the first phase of the 2005 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Intermediaire I Dressage Championship, presented by Paul Miller Auto Group, Inc. Shannon rode Luxor (1993 Dutch Warmblood gelding) to a final score of 71.85% in the USEF Prix St. Georges, just a few tenths of a point ahead of 1996...

With the notification received yesterday evening that an equine animal residing on a single premise in Maricopa County, AZ, has been diagnosed with Vesicular Stomatitis (VS), Kentucky's Administrative Regulation 302 KAR 20:115 will now prohibit the entry of all livestock, wild and exotic animals into Kentucky from the VS Embargoed portions of Arizona identified as being Maricopa County. Both Arizona and New Mexico have regions designated by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture as VS Embargoed...

Lexington, KY – Universities and colleges that compete in Division I and Division II NCAA equestrian sports throughout the United States now have the added resources of a newly launched website. The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) join in support of the efforts of www.varsityequestrian.com, the official site of Varsity Equestrian sports. Designed to enhance the knowledge and awareness of equestrian competition at the university...

Lexington, KY – Eight horse and rider teams have their sights set on a medal this month, as they get ready to represent the United States at the 2005 Pan American Endurance Championship in Pinamar, Argentina, April 14. The eight pairs, in alphabetical order are as follows: Deborah DeShon of South Paris, ME, riding AF Stogie (Gray Arabian gelding, age 9) Valerie Kanavy of Fort Valley, VA, and Williston, FL, riding Emphatic (Chestnut Arabian gelding, age 11) Danielle Kanavy McGunigal of...