FEI-level rider Luis Denizard is asking his peers, friends, acquaintances and other dressage enthusiasts to come together during 2008 to support the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association's (NARHA) Horses for Heroes, a program that helps wounded veterans through equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT). Many of the Horses for Heroes participants have lost limbs fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Riding horses helps improve their strength and balance. Working with the horses...

Did you know that some wilderness management agencies are trying to restrict the use of horses on public lands? Or that the U.S. Forest Service is planning new trail classifications, which might limit our activities? Did you hear about the new bill that could eliminate the current fees for accessing undeveloped federal land? The outcome of these kinds of concerns can have far-reaching consequences, yet they often come and go with little public awareness. But Back Country Horsemen of America...

MaxWest Environmental Systems, Inc.m and Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association (FTBOA) have announced a partnership to convert horse waste into renewable energy. Signed on June 19, the partnership will reduce horse waste while generating "green" energy for the Ocala/Marion County community. Ocala/Marion County is home to 431 Thoroughbred breeding and training farms covering more than 70,000 acres of Florida's prime, mineral-rich pastures. Since 1945, FTBOA has represented the...

Lexington, KY - The USEF/USEA Safety Summit took place on June 7-8, 2008, in downtown Lexington, KY. More than 250 people from all corners of the country and all levels of the sport of eventing showed up to listen, voice their concerns and work with fellow members of the eventing community to find solutions to the safety issues facing the sport. Attendees included spectators, coaches, riders from every level, officials, trainers, veterinarians, horse welfare advocates, media, medical...

The USEF Executive Committee met on Monday, May 19, 2008 and approved the following rule changes for immediate implementation. These rule changes were submitted by the USEF Eventing Technical Committee with the support of the USEA Eventing Standards Task Force. EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY the first fall of competitor, at obstacles, on the Cross-Country course will result in Elimination. 1) EV141.1 (b) Cross-Country Scoring b. Falls - (1) First fall of competitor 65 penalties Elimination (2) First...

Georgina Bloomberg of New York City, set to embark on an extensive summer tour of show jumping, took time out last week to participate in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Media Summit, held April 13-16 at the Palmer House Hilton in downtown Chicago, IL. The hotel, which opened in 1871, is one of Chicago's landmarks in the heart of the city's downtown. The U.S. Olympic Team Media Summit was a four-day opportunity for print, broadcast, internet and photo journalists to conduct interviews and photo...

The Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series has been enjoying great success at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL. The series finished its third month of competition, and is already shaping up to be one of the most competitive years ever. The series will see classes at more than 100 horse shows across the country before culminating in year-end championships at the National Horse Show. The series hosts separate divisions for junior and amateur-owner riders...

The launch of the P.R.E. Mundial worldwide registry for the Pure Spanish Horse went off without a hitch this week, as the PREA staff of The Foundation in Albuquerque, NM, went into full swing to rush the first batch of cartas to their owners. Horses were registered who were born in five different countries—Germany, Costa Rica, Spain, Mexico and the United States—making a truly worldwide beginning for the new registry. All hands were on deck with two of the directors of The...

The 124th National Horse Show and Family Festival, held at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington, FL, attracts the very best hunter and jumper athletes in the country. Top caliber competition at the National includes the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series Championship Finals. Produced by the Show Jumping Hall of Fame, Inc. (SJHOF), Jumper Classic Series classes are held at only the most prestigious shows that meet particular standards and class specifications set forth...

With the completion of Wednesday's veterinary inspections, the 19th annual Dansko Fair Hill International Festival in the Country, is set to begin competition Thursday morning. This year's Festival features competition in two equestrian disciplines, as well as a wide array of family entertainment and attractions, at the Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area in the beautiful countryside of Fair Hill, MD. The Festival features the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Eventing CCI***...