Hong Kong, China – The American Paralympians take to the center stage tomorrow at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Sha Tin at the Hong Kong Jockey Club. 28 countries will be represented, 11 of which are fielding teams. Leading off for the US in the first team spot will be Barbara Grassmyer riding her own wonderful mare, Mibis. Grassmyer, who is Grade III, will go down the centerline in Sha Tin’s main arena at 7.54 a.m. Grassmyer, who was born with Aperts Syndrome, has been forging a...

On August 5, the equestrian events of the 2008 Olympic Games were presented to an array of distinguished guests gathered to honor the achievements to date and the sporting successes that will undoubtedly unfold with the Hong Kong skyline as the backdrop. The FEI President HRH Princess Haya and FEI Secretary General Alex McLin attended the dinner at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Beijing Clubhouse where notable guests such as International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge and former...

Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation has approved the following additional horse/rider combinations to the USEF Eventing Short List for the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong, August 8-24, 2008. The combinations are as follows (listed alphabetically): Name/Age/Hometown/Horse/Sex/Age/Breed/Owner Clark Montgomery / 27 / Bryan, TX / Up Spirit / G / 9 / Irish Thoroughbred / Bill Becker, Holly Becker, and Clark Montgomery Jennifer Wooten / 30 / Ramona, CA / The Good Witch / M / 12 /...

A total of 42 Countries have qualified, either with team or individual, to participate in the 2008 Olympic Games, according to the qualification procedures of each discipline— FEI Regulations for Equestrian Events at the Olympic Games, 22nd Edition , effective for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games (Hong Kong). National Federations have until May 30 to confirm their participation. Jumping TEAM (16 NOCs will be qualified to take part with a team consisting of four riders and four horses or...

Jane Beshear was announced as the latest addition to the 2010 World Equestrian Games Foundation Board of Directors. She was elected unanimously by the board. “I am pleased to be able to offer my equine experience to the World Equestrian Games Foundation Board as we move toward 2010,” said Beshear. “This event is an excellent opportunity for the state of Kentucky, and I am honored to lend my experience to help make it a success.” Beshear, an avid horsewoman for nearly 30 years, offers vast...

A report on the Olympic Test Event held in Hong Kong in August was presented at the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Bureau meeting in Dubai. The goal of this essential event was to review the venue, layout and procedures for the three Olympic disciplines. Main issues requiring further work were lighting in the main arena; press officer and media operations; veterinary issues and confirmation of a weather protocol designed with Hong Kong Observatory; and communication between the FEI...

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation announces two changes to the Eventing Team for the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The eventing portion of the competition begins July 19. Better I Do It owned by Adrienne Iorio, and ridden by Darren Chiacchia will replace Bonnie Mosser and Merloch. Phillip Dutton will ride Truluck owned by Ann Jones and Shannon Stimson instead of Connaught Unfortunately Bonnie Mosser’s horse Merloch (owned by Mosser) and Connaught...

Woodside, Calif., May 25-27 – Woodside Horse Trials’ advanced division served as a “mandatory outing” for West Coast candidates for this summer’s Pan Ameircan Games, and U.S. Equestrian Federation officials were there to watch them. Capt. Mark Phillips (the U.S. eventing team’s Chef d’Equipe), four members of the USEF Eventing Selection Committee, and two team veterinarians were at Woodside to evaluate the riders’ and horses’ performances and soundness. The group was evaluating three...

West Coast riders aiming for this summer’s Pan Am Games will be in action during the Woodside Horse Trials at the Horse Park at Woodside, May 25-27. Capt. Mark Phillips, the U.S. eventing team’s chef d’equipe, along with other officials of the U.S. Equestrian Federation, will be there to assess the candidates’ performance. Eventing is one of the three Olympic equestrian disciplines, along with dressage and show jumping, each of which will be contested at the Pan Am Games. Eventing, the...

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The World Games 2010 Foundation, Inc., the organization responsible for planning and executing the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, today announced that Anne Buchanan has been promoted to director of administration. Buchanan is one of the two original employees who began working for the Foundation more than a year ago. “Anne has been a key member of our staff since the beginning and has demonstrated very strong administrative abilities, which are crucial to our...