The FEI Dressage Task Force met in Lausanne, Switzerland, April 21-22. The Task Force discussed the following items: Olympic Games: competition formula and qualification process. A proposal will be included in the Task Force’s final report to be presented to the FEI Bureau in November. Dressage Committee: future composition. A proposal in line with the FEI Statutes is currently being prepared in cooperation with the FEI Nominations Committee. The Secretary General briefed the task force on the...

Connaught is Back to Defend his Title (Mike McNally ) Lexington, KY – The 12th Rolex/USEF National CCI**** Eventing Championship got underway Wednesday, April 22 with the first horse inspection at the 2009 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. Fifty-one horses were presented before the Ground Jury of David Lee, Nicoli Fife and Marilyn Payne. Dr. Catherine Kohn is serving as the Veterinary Delegate for the 2009 competition. Of those 52, two of which were held for a second look by the Ground...

KATY, TEXAS - Matt Mills caught the attention of all in attendance in the open finals at the 2009 National Reining Breeders Classic in Katy, Texas, with his run aboard The Sargeant Dunnit. The pair laid down an impressive run and walked out with a 228.5, which led the Open finals for several runs. When the dust settled, Mills finished second in the Intermediate Open finals, for a check worth $17,563, and won another $28,000 for a seventh-place finish in the Open finals. “He was just really good...

Since its inception just five years ago, the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) has experienced unprecedented growth and has quickly become the largest recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). Albeit the USEF’s largest affiliate, USHJA is also one of the only affiliates to not have its own headquarters. But that is changing. On September 24, 2008, the USHJA celebrated two landmark occasions: the launch of the “Building For Growth” Capital Campaign and...

Saturday, May 2, thousands will join with celebrities, musicians, dancers and magnificent horses at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center for the 11th Annual Fiesta of the Spanish Horse extravaganza, all in support of raising funds for cancer research. Fiesta of the Spanish Horse is a revered Southern California equestrian tradition that raises funds each year for multiple cancer research organizations. Beneficiaries of this year’s Fiesta are the USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and Childrens...

Lexington, KY – The 2009 United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) ParaEquestrian Dressage National Championships will be held at the Lamplight Equestrian enter in Chicago, IL May 14-17. This National Championship will be held concurrently with the Lamplight CDI; and for the first time ever in the US, a CPEDI3* will be held. This is the highest level of FEI ParaEquestrian Dressage. ParaEquestrian Dressage riders will also be able to earn their FEI Certificate of Capability, which is required...

Recently, there have been some questions related to the use of liniments. The specific liniments in question are: Equi-Block® Liniments by Miracle Corp. Ingredients: Menthol (3%), Purified Water, Isopropyl Alcohol, Chamomile Extract , Polysorbate 80, Olibanum Extract, Rosemary Oil, Capsicum Oleoresin , Carbomer, Trolamine, Methylparaben. Thermaflex Liniment Gel by VitaFlex® Ingredients: Menthol 4.0%, Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), Plant Extracts of Calendula and Rosemary, Oil of Cajuput...

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...

Para-Equestrian Trainers’ Symposium This two-day workshop, held April 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and April 19 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. will educate dressage trainers and therapeutic riding instructors alike about para-equestrian dressage rider development, the classification system and rider eligibility, competitions, and resources, both regionally and nationally. Through the use of lecture, videos and demonstration riders, examples will be given of how to bring riders along in your own program from...

Lexington, KY – Pending final FEI approval, the USEF is announcing the following date and location for the 2009 North American Junior/Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC). The USEF has received Preliminary approval from the FEI and is awaiting final word from the FEI Bureau. As the competition season is getting into full swing, the USEF is providing the following information to so Juniors, Young Riders and their Chefs can plan accordingly. Pending this approval, the NAJYRC will be held at the...