Aurora, OH - Riders4Helmets, the helmet awareness campaign founded by Jeri Bryant and equine health product SUCCEED Digestive Conditioning Program, will be hosting a “by invitation only” Helmet Safety Symposium. The event will take place January 8, 2011, at the White Horse Tavern, Wellington, FL, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The symposium is sponsored by Troxel Helmets, Charles Owen Helmets, Tipperary Helmets and Samshield Helmets. The Helmet Safety Symposium has been organized to bring together...

Buffalo, NY - Susie Schoellkopf of SBS Farms at the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center in Buffalo, NY, was honored this past week at the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Annual Meeting, which was held on December 6-9, 2011. Schoellkopf was given the President's Distinguished Service Award at the USHJA Evening of Equestrians Awards Dinner for the second year in a row. SBS Farms' Jennifer Alfano was also awarded at the dinner, as she earned The Rider Recognition Award for 2010. This...

Colin Davidson and Draco (Mike McNally Photo) Advanced eventing rider, Colin Davidson of South Conway, New Hampshire passed away on December 6, 2010 after sustaining serious injuries as a result of a one-car accident in Charlottesville, Virginia on December 5. Colin’s truck struck a tree and rolled down an embankment near his apartment in Charlottesville. He was 29 years old. Colin competed successfully at the top levels of the sport of eventing over the last few years. In 2010, riding Draco,...

New AQHA executive director of shows Patti Carter-Pratt (Photo courtesy AQHA) As part of an effort to foster and guide the American Quarter Horse show industry in a direction that will ensure its continued success and longevity, the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) is excited to announce that Patti Carter-Pratt of St. George, Ontario, has been named to the new position of AQHA executive director of shows. "When I was tapped to manage and oversee AQHA's multifaceted competition and...

Canada’s Francois Lamontange riding Anton won the $30,000 Ocala Horse Properties LLC Grand Prix at t (Photo by ESI Photography) Ocala, Florida – The Ocala Jumping Classic will take place December 10-12 in Ocala, FL. The Ocala Jumping Classic features the $25,000 Ocala Horse Properties LLC Grand Prix on December 12. There also will be a $10,000 1.40m Modified Grand Prix and a $7,500 1.40m class as well as various other jumping divisions, beginning at a height of 1m. 2008 Olympic course designer...

Gladstone, NJ - December 8, 2010 - This year during their fundraising event, the United States Equestrian Team Foundation recognized the Whitney Stone Cup recipient McLain Ward. The award is given to an active competitor whose consistent excellence in international competition, and whose standards of sportsmanlike conduct and contributions as an ambassador for the sport and for the USET, exemplify the Team's highest ideals and traditions. In 2009, Ward was unstoppable as he consistently...

Kelsey Kimbler riding CAHR Junior (Photo by Paschal Karl) Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce Kelsey Kimbler as the winner of the 2010 USEF Youth Sportsman's Award, sponsored by Breyer Animal Creations®. Kimbler was selected from an outstanding group of youth representing their respective recognized breed and discipline affiliates from across the country. An avid endurance competitor from Aberdeen, SD, she was nominated by both the Arabian Horse...

Meg Flemming, Paul Kathen and Bess Reineman (Photo courtesy of Kelly McChesney) Katy, TX - December 8, 2010 - Paul Kathen of Texas received the second annual USDF Region 9 Teaching Excellence Award at the Great American/USDF Region 9 Championships held in Katy, TX, November 4-7. He received a $5,000 award for demonstrating outstanding abilities as a dressage teacher. Meg Flemming, originator of the award, said "The best teachers communicate the principles of dressage by utilizing effective...

California dressage rider Dantia Benson (Photo courtesy of Dantia Benson) Somis, CA – December 8, 2010 - California dressage rider Dantia Benson flew from her home in California to Florida to attend the annual United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Convention and watch her four-year-old Dutch horse be awarded the Materiale Horse of the Year. What Benson didn’t expect was to fly home from the convention as the second winner of a custom made dressage saddle from Custom Saddlery as part of their...

Elm Rock LLC's Small Junior Hunter, Glass Castle Photo (James Leslie Parker ) Wellington, FL - December 8, 2010 - Elm Rock LLC kicked off the Florida Winter Season with its two Junior Hunters, Vida Blue (Large) and Glass Castle (Small) taking home both of the championship ribbons in their respective divisions at this past weekend's Holiday and Horses held at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Glass Castle and Vida Blue were both ridden by junior rider Shawn Casady. Glass Castle took...