Out of 50 mares, geldings, and stallions in the three-year-old and four-year-old divisions each, the two mares, H.W.'s Saskia and Quithablue stood out as the true champions that they were at the Oldenburg Free Jumping Day at the Horse Center in Vechta, Germany. Both mares were stunning in their form and explosive power over the fences, and earned top scores that were not at all easily given out by the tough judges, Ulrich Henschke and Gilbert Böckman. H.W.'s Saskia who is by Stakkato, and is...

The United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) along with title sponsor SmartPak will offer a Trainers Symposium, May 1-3, 2009, at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, GA. Top industry professionals, Candice King, Patricia Griffith and Val Renihan will headline the event giving riders and trainers the opportunity to participate in practical training sessions and roundtable discussions. The USHJA first introduced the Trainers Symposiums in the fall of 2006 as a means to...

The Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W/Y once again was the tournament of champions with Olympians like Lisa Wilcox and Courtney King-Dye in the winner’s circle during the four-day event, February 26-March 1. Classes in four rings meant strong competition for each ribbon in front of renowned international judging panels. Even the national classes were scored by the great Uwe Mechlem. Competitors and spectators alike were treated to special activities that can only be found at the Derby, such as...

The Classic Shetland Stallion Sweepstakes Auction, an annual event hosted by the American Shetland Pony Club (ASPC), is the perfect way for Shetland Pony owners to promote their stallions, breed their mares and be part of an ongoing effort to showcase Classic Shetland Pony bloodlines. The auction is held online and is open to all ASPC registered stallions and mares. “We're looking forward to another great year of offering some of the industry’s most prized stallions at stud,” said Carin Ponder,...

The 2009 American Saddlebred Registry Grand National competition schedule has been revised to include the Missouri State Fair, August 12-15, and the St. Louis National Charity, September 23-26. The designated Grand National Class for the Missouri State Fair is the Five-Gaited Championship. Likewise, the Western Country Pleasure Championship will serve as the Grand National Class for the St. Louis National Charity. Visit www.asha.net/asr-gn_showschedule to view the entire 2009 Grand National...

The Arabian Horse Association (AHA) of Aurora, CO, is proud to name its top point-earning amateurs for 2008. Natacha Lesburgueres of Louisville, KY, earned 532 points, becoming the adult amateur winner, while Collier McLeod of Augusta, GA, earned 522.5 points for the youth amateur top spot. The AHA Amateur Achievement Award program began in 2002 and has since tracked the points that individual riders, handlers and drivers earn each year. In 2008 the program was adjusted to recognize adults and...

Isn’t it true? Horse activities are just more fun when youngsters get involved. So the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo is offering a number of “kid-friendly” activities before and during the Expo in Denver to be held March 13-15, 2009. For several weeks now, students at 19 Colorado elementary schools have been up to their elbows in paint and crayons (or pencils and erasers) polishing their entries for the third annual Art & Essay Contest. Winners will be presented at the Horse Expo and their work...

Mexico will be the first of eight teams to start in the FEI Nations Cup presented by CN at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center Friday night, February 27. A sellout crowd is expected to pack the newly created spectator sections of the International Arena in which the only Nations Cup in the United States will be held under lights beginning at 6:30 p.m. The first horse is scheduled to be in the ring at 7 p.m. for the event, which is a highlight of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival...

American Hunter Pony Classic Sale graduates captured both of the USEF Horse of the Year Grand Champion Pony Hunter titles in 2008. Small pony hunters won both titles. The American Hunter Pony Classic held each year in conjunction with the USEF National Pony Hunter Finals. Horse of the Year Grand Champion Pony Hunter honors went to 13-year-old Fancy Feet in one of most dominating HOTY performances in years. Fancy Feet was the nation’s leading small pony hunter earning 11,410 points, beating the...

The Arabian Horse Association (AHA) is proud to announce FF Irish Vodka+++//, owned by Collier McLeod of Augusta, GA, as its 2008 High-Point Horse. FF Irish Vodka, a 10-year-old, Anglo-Arabian ended the year with 487.5 points earned in working hunter, hunter hack, sport horse under saddle, dressage and in-hand classes. McLeod, who also picked up the Youth Amateur Achievement Award for the year, rode “Guinness” to three national championships at Canadian Nationals and several Top 10s at both...