Oklahoma City, OK - The last Thursday in November is known to most as Thanksgiving Day or the day before “Black Friday.” But to reiners around the world, it’s known as the first day of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show. The NRHA kicked-off competition today with the first go, first section of the $540,000 added NRHA Open Futurity featuring the world’s most talented three-year-old reining...

Mundelein, IL – Jacob Pope’s all-around performance — from riding to horsemanship to horse care — made a big impression during the third annual USHJA Emerging Athletes Program National Training Session, presented by Dover Saddlery. “Jacob has the whole package,” said show jumping Olympic gold medalist and lead clinician Peter Wylde. “We all were impressed with every aspect of Jacob on every day. I look at Jacob as someone who has a future as a rider in...

Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Eventing High Performance program congratulates the following horse and rider combinations for their acceptance into the 2012 Developing Rider Program. 2012 USEF Developing Riders Susan Beebee (Southern Pines, NC) and Plan Bee Equestrian's Wolf Wolf is an 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Maya Black (Clinton, WA) and her own and Teresa Stewart's Konyagi Konyagi is a 10-year-old Thoroughbred gelding and Dawn Dofelmier's...

Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) welcomes SmartPak Equine as the presenting sponsor of USEF Network, the Federation's multi-media platform featuring live and on-demand video, news, photography, competition information and select coverage from shows and events across the country. "We are positively thrilled to be partnering with U.S. Equestrian Federation to help grow the already successful USEF Network," said Colby Balazs, SmartPak Vice President of Marketing....

Oklahoma City, OK – Nearly 40 entries have been received for the $100,000-added National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Open World Championship Shootout presented by Equine Sports Medicine. The Shootout is scheduled for Thursday, December 1 at the NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show with opening ceremonies beginning at 7:15 p.m. It is this year’s largest added money NRHA-approved (Category 1) class in the world. 2010 Shootout Champion and...

USEF High Performance Vaulting Clinic. Photo courtesy Tom Hogye. Saratoga, CA - “Sit on your butt! Move with the horse. Enjoy the movement of his canter. Use your ankles when you mount”. “If you can do that a wee bit more... Lovely.” And so it was with Petr Eim, 2008 Men’s Individual World Champion, from his home in Brno, Czech Republic, and Joanne (Joey) Eccles, from Great Britain, 2010 Champion, World Equestrian Games, as they brought their remarkable talent of...

Lexington, KY - The USEF Eventing High Performance Training Lists have been revised for the upcoming 2012 season. Athlete/Horse combinations will be invited to participate in training sessions this winter with U.S. Chef d'Equipe and Technical Advisor Capt. Mark Phillips. Preparation for and success at the 2012 Olympic Games were the Eventing Selectors and the High Performance Committee's highest priorities in developing these lists. A List Phillip Dutton (West Grove, PA) and Bruce...

Alexandra Lawson and Imagine My Surprise. Photo by Howard Schatzberg. Kansas City, MO - Alexandra Lawson of North Salem, IN, rode James Williams' Imagine My Surprise to the championship win in the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Saddle Seat Medal Final presented by Elisabeth M. Goth. The final took place Saturday as part of the United Professional Horsemen's Association (UPHA) American Royal National Championship Horse Show in Kansas City, MO. "Winning the Medal is a dream...

Jonathan Wentz on NTEC Richter Scale (2011 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Champion). Photo: Lindsay Y McCall. Mexico City, Mexico - Sitting aboard a horse with unbelievable mountain views from all angles in a brand new facility was what eighteen para-equestrians experienced at the most recent CPEDI3* event. The red carpet was rolled out for United States Para-Equestrian Team at the 2011 CPEDI3* in Mexico City, Mexico at Rancho San Juan. Eighteen Para-Equestrians competed under five...

Oklahoma City, OK - The international sport of Reining will host the world’s premier event for reiners – the 2011 NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship (NAAC) Show November 24 through December 3 at Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City. This year’s event will be the 25th to be held in Oklahoma City. It’s the most elite reining event in the world with more than 2,000 entries competing for nearly $2 million in cash and prizes. More than...