The United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) along with title sponsor SmartPak will offer a Trainers Symposium, May 1-3, 2009, at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, GA. Top industry professionals, Candice King, Patricia Griffith and Val Renihan will headline the event giving riders and trainers the opportunity to participate in practical training sessions and roundtable discussions. The USHJA first introduced the Trainers Symposiums in the fall of 2006 as a means to...

This year, the first six weeks of the HITS Saugerties show circuit will offer an unprecedented opportunity for high-performance riders on the East Coast. Nearly $1 million in prize money will be offered in the open jumper division alone during the Spring and Summer show series. The open jumper division will consist of four open jumper classes each week, including a $10,000 Open Welcome, $5,000 Open Speed, and two grand prixs, held each Friday and Sunday. The Friday class will offer $25,000 each...

Iron Spring Farm has added Meinse 439, a five-year-old KFPS stallion by Heinse 354, to their already impressive lineup of Friesians. An exciting young First Premium stallion, Meinse was imported earlier this year after receiving scores as high as 70% at the Pavo Stallion Competition at L level in The Netherlands. The handsome black stallion will spend the winter at Iron Spring Farm South in Ocala, FL, where he will be prepared for his American debut in the dressage ring. “We are already having...

The 2009 American Saddlebred Registry Grand National competition schedule has been revised to include the Missouri State Fair, August 12-15, and the St. Louis National Charity, September 23-26. The designated Grand National Class for the Missouri State Fair is the Five-Gaited Championship. Likewise, the Western Country Pleasure Championship will serve as the Grand National Class for the St. Louis National Charity. Visit www.asha.net/asr-gn_showschedule to view the entire 2009 Grand National...

Endurance riders from across the U.S. and Canada made their way to Louisville, KY, for the American Endurance Ride Conference’s 2008 convention, held February 20-21 at the Galt House Hotel. The convention, which included educational seminars, “hot topics” workshops, trade show, meetings for international competitors, a class for veterinarians, and a dance, concluded with a heartfelt and tearful national awards banquet. Suzy Kelley, a longtime endurance rider from Southern California, was taken...

American Hunter Pony Classic Sale graduates captured both of the USEF Horse of the Year Grand Champion Pony Hunter titles in 2008. Small pony hunters won both titles. The American Hunter Pony Classic held each year in conjunction with the USEF National Pony Hunter Finals. Horse of the Year Grand Champion Pony Hunter honors went to 13-year-old Fancy Feet in one of most dominating HOTY performances in years. Fancy Feet was the nation’s leading small pony hunter earning 11,410 points, beating the...

All too often, talented junior riders are unable to fulfill their dream of competing in the “big eq” division at horse shows because they lack the funds to purchase an appropriate horse. Capable big equitation horses that can compete successfully in the division and qualify and compete at regionals and finals are extremely expensive to purchase or even lease. So for many junior riders, their progression through the equitation divisions ends when they reach the 3’6” level. For some, this...

The Arabian Horse Association (AHA) is proud to announce FF Irish Vodka+++//, owned by Collier McLeod of Augusta, GA, as its 2008 High-Point Horse. FF Irish Vodka, a 10-year-old, Anglo-Arabian ended the year with 487.5 points earned in working hunter, hunter hack, sport horse under saddle, dressage and in-hand classes. McLeod, who also picked up the Youth Amateur Achievement Award for the year, rode “Guinness” to three national championships at Canadian Nationals and several Top 10s at both...

Lexington, KY— The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has selected the six competitions which will be required to take heel measurements from the first and fourth place ponies in Roadster and Hackney Roadster Pony Championships. The 2009 competitions include: • River Ridge Charity - Columbus, OH (April 22-25) • Midwest Charity - Springfield, IL (June 16-20) • Lexington Junior League - Lexington, KY (July 6-11) • Kentucky State Fair - Louisville, KY (August 23-29) • Southeastern Charity...

The American Vaulting Association (AVA) will celebrate its 40th anniversary at its Annual Convention, February 26-March 1, in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. The four-day convention, themed “Reaching Out, Reaching Up!” will feature a special full-day workshop by members of the Pilobolus Dance Company, who have thrilled millions around the world with their own take on the imaginative and athletic exploration of creative collaboration. Well-known equestrian and author Daniel Stewart will...