Photo by James Leslie Parker (Laura Chapot.) Laura Chapot took top honors at the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair, winning the Open Jumper Championship on Bradberry with 30 points and also taking the Leading Open Jumper Rider title for the fourth time in six years, and the fifth time overall. Along with her four wins in the Open Jumper division that counted towards the leading Rider title, Chapot also won two six-year-old classes and a seven-year-old class for an unprecedented seven jumper...

Lexington, KY - As part of proposed expansions to United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) National Dressage programs in 2011 the USEF Dressage Committee is now accepting applications for the possible appointment of a USEF National Youth Dressage Coach for 2011. Therefore, the Committee is seeking qualified candidates to fill this position. The primary responsibilities for this coach will be to further the education of riders, trainers, and owners and the importance of proper development of...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that Kariel Swanfeldt of Ayer, MA, has been selected as the recipient of the 2009 USDF Youth Volunteer of the Year Award, presented by The Paddock Saddlery and sponsored by the USDF Youth Executive Board. This prestigious award honors one outstanding youth volunteer who has contributed on a national and local basis to USDF and dressage. As the recipient of this award, Swanfeldt’s name will be engraved on a perpetual trophy,...

The American Horse Council (AHC) has asked the National Park Service (NPS), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to use stimulus funding for trails. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 signed into law on February 17 appropriates over $1.7 billion for the NPS, USFS, and BLM that can be used for the maintenance and construction of trails and other infrastructure improvements on public lands. The AHC recently wrote to NPS Acting Director Dan Wenk, Chief of...

The Palm Beach Steeplechase was declared a huge success by spectators, owners, jockeys and officials in its inaugural running at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) on Saturday, November 29.. In almost perfect South Florida weather of clear blue skies and temperatures of almost 80 degrees, a crowd estimated at close to 4,000 celebrated the beginning of the winter equestrian circuit. In addition to five races with total prize money of $180,000 and sanctioned by the National...

Lexington, KY - With the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games on the horizon, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has hired Peter Tischer to serve as the Developing Driver Four-in-Hand coach for 2009. A former international driver and member of the German driving team, Tischer drove internationally until 2006. He drove competitively for more than 20 years, from single ponies to four-in-hand horses. Tischer offers a broad perspective and a wealth of expertise to the US driving...

With little equines on their minds, members of The American Shetland Pony Club (ASPC) and the American Miniature Horse Registry (AMHR) recently met for their 2008 national convention in Branson. The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), who has been strong supporter of the ASPC throughout 2008, hosted a luncheon during the convention for all the attendees and conducted the USEF Shetland Pony Committee meeting. One of the highlights of the convention was a drawing during the awards banquet...

Lifelong horseman Marty Mueller of French Lick, IN, died Friday morning, November 14, 2008, at age 96. During his life, he built a reputation as one of the top trainers of American Saddlebreds. Mueller was raised in the famous resort area of Indiana known as ”The Valley,” where his father was the head gardener at the fabled West Baden Springs Hotel. Marty grew up watching the horses at L. S. Dickey’s French Lick Springs Resort Stables, and he began working at Dickey’s as a stable boy,...

Majestic Gaits KWPN Elite Dutch Warmblood mare Torette R (Silvano x Flemmingh) became Grand Champion of the New England Dressage Association (NEDA) Great American United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Breeders Championship Show in Saugerties, NY. Torette R also became the USDF New England series Bred Mare Champion. Kathy Hickerson, the owner of Torette R and Majestic Gaits bought the mare from VDL Stud in Holland after she was #4 National Mare in Holland. Hickerson said, "This was very...

WELLINGTON, Fla. (Oct. 31, 2008) – FarmVet, an Internet catalogue company offering horse and pet care products, has announced a new program that benefits the Equestrian Aid Foundation (EAF). The first Tuesday of each month, starting Nov. 4, has been designated as EAF Day where a portion of that day’s proceeds are donated to the EAF. Exact dates are listed at www.equestrianaidfoundation.org. The one-year program enables horse owners and managers to contribute to the EAF through their regular...