Mikala Munter Gundersen and Festivo Win Equilite Sponsored Class International dressage trainer and competitor Mikala Munter Gundersen was in the ribbons at the Wellington Classic Holiday Challenge, winning the USEF Third Level Test 3 with Christine DeHerrera’s Westphalian gelding Festivo. The class was sponsored by Equilite, makers of Sore No More, Herbal Blends and Botanical Animal Flower Essences, and Gundersen took home a giant tote filled with Equilite products. “Christine, who owns...

As the show season draws to a close, five professionals who regularly attend Langer Equestrian Group (LEG) shows are making plans to head off to Maui for some much needed rest and recreation, courtesy of LEG. The company sponsors the Maui Trainer Incentive as a way to not only encourage participation at the shows, but reward professionals for their efforts, support and success. Larry Langer, President and CEO of LEG, started the Trainer Incentive because professionals are the hardest working...

(Lexington, Ky) - The USEF announced today that Dr. Stephen Schumacher of Columbus, Ohio has been selected to become the Chief Administrator of Testing Programs for the USEF Drugs and Medications Program. Dr. Schumacher received his B.S degree from The Citadel College in South Carolina, and is a graduate of the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. While at Ohio State he participated in cardiovascular surgical research for the OSU Heart Transplant Program, and anesthesiology and...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce Diane L. Erhart of Park City, MT; Lisa Todara of Lee, NH; and Monica Willet of Harrisburg, PA, as the recipients of the 2006 Ruth Arvanette Memorial Fund Grants. These grants include a free annual convention package for the 2006 Adequan/USDF National Convention and Symposium, along with partial reimbursements of airfare and lodging expenses. Each of these individuals was chosen based on their participation in General Member...

Matthew Williams of Lexington, KY, development manager of the American Saddlebred Horse Association, has been promoted to the new position of director of development and communications, effective immediately, according to Alan F. Balch, ASHA Executive Secretary. “Since Matthew joined us not quite a year ago now, his performance has been exceptional,” Balch said. “He was a champion in the Saddlebred show ring, and he’s been a champion in his professional life with us as well. Although we’re...

The judges and trainers symposium, featuring Steffen Peters and Janet Brown Foy, has attracted excellent demo riders and horses. The seminar is scheduled April 8-9, 2006, at Penrose Norris Equestrian Center in Colorado Springs, CO. Horses from those just going under saddle to grand prix competitors have been chosen to give the audience a broad view of the levels and how the horse develops as an athlete. All USEF dressage tests will be covered, and movements will be scored and discussed by FEI...

Lexington, KY – Showing the true spirit of teamwork for the equine industry, the Kentucky Equine Education Project, known as “KEEP” throughout the Bluegrass state, has pledged $10,000 to the United States Equestrian Federation Hurricane Katrina Equine Relief Fund. “We have to do all that we can to help alleviate some of these disastrous effects,” said Jim Navolio, Executive Director of KEEP. “Our mission and the mission of USEF are parallel and we’re...

Horse breeders should be aware of a new tax advantage that begins in 2005 and increases over the next five years until fully implemented in 2010. The deduction can shelter up to 3% of 2005 profit from the sale of horses that a breeder has bred and sold. The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, passed by Congress at the end of 2004, provided a new tax benefit which lowers the tax on income from U.S. production. Specifically, it applies to income from the sale of property that was "manufactured,...

The American Saddlebred Horse Association has joined forces with the Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) and have added Misdee Wrigley as a board member to the organization. Also members Hoppy Bennett from Shelby County and Joan Hamilton from Washington County have been selected as team leaders in their respective counties. KEEP’s main initiatives are to: · Educate the public and key state constituencies with regard to the benefits of the horse industry to all sectors of Kentucky's...

The American Horse Council reports that approximately 160,000 postcard invitations have been distributed asking people to participate in the national economic impact study of the horse industry. Those selected should receive the invitation in mid-October. The glossy postcard includes an Internet link that will direct the recipient to an online survey, where the information requested can be provided in a secure website. “We hope that this electronic approach will make it easy for people to...