On behalf of all those who contribute to the equestrian family, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), governing body of international equestrian sport, announced on November 20 the creation of a commission on medication and doping chaired by Dr. Arne Ljungqvist, Chairman of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Medical Commission and Vice President of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The Commission will offer a robust examination of the way the equine anti-doping policies can...

Lexington, KY— The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) announces that bid packets are now available for any artist interested in becoming the “Official Artist of the USEF Pony Finals” for 2009. The USEF Pony Finals National Championships is a five-day championship which draws young riders from across the country competing for the title of four championships— USEF National Pony Hunter Finals, USEF National Green Hunter Pony Finals, USEF National Pony Medal and the USEF National Pony...

Results of a United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) online survey conducted in May and June 2008 concerning the USEF Dressage Performance Standards Proposal showed that 65% of the over 1,250 respondents feel that there should be a proficiency requirement in order to advance through the levels in dressage competition. In addition, 56% of respondents indicate that the levels of proficiency identified in the draft proposal were appropriate. Important concerns about the USEF Dressage...

WELLINGTON, Fla. (Oct. 31, 2008) – FarmVet, an Internet catalogue company offering horse and pet care products, has announced a new program that benefits the Equestrian Aid Foundation (EAF). The first Tuesday of each month, starting Nov. 4, has been designated as EAF Day where a portion of that day’s proceeds are donated to the EAF. Exact dates are listed at www.equestrianaidfoundation.org. The one-year program enables horse owners and managers to contribute to the EAF through their regular...

The TSE/Tattersalls Fall Sale will be broadcast over the Internet, Thursday, October 30, through Saturday, November 1, on the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) website, www.saddlebred.com . As it has done in the past, ASHA will once again provide a live, streaming video feed of each day of the sale in its entirety. The webcast will allow viewers to see the sale of each horse as it is presented and hear the auctioneer’s call, as well as see the hip number and bids. The 2008...

The Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) will be holding its annual conference, open to both members and the general public, on November 22, 2008. This conference offers educational sessions relevant to the horse community, and provides an enjoyable day for networking with other members, guests and the public. This year's conference will be held November 22 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Lexington. Three concurrent educational tracks will offer speakers discussing "Safety for Horse and Rider," "Trails...

Are soaring gas and feed prices making a hole in your pocket? Horse owners across the country are feeling the strain of our current economy and are being forced to make tough choices on how to spend their hard-earned money. Chris Cox realizes that and wants to make it possible for those who can’t personally attend his Ride the Journey tour in Albuquerque, NM, to still benefit from the event. The two-time Road to the Horse Champion has generously decided to make the content of this final tour...

Lexington, KY – The United States Dressage Team and the United States Equestrian Federation received an unexpected decision on September 22, 2008 when the FEI Tribunal handed down its ruling regarding the positive medication test of Mythilus, Courtney King-Dye’s Dressage horse, from the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong. The result of the Tribunal’s decision means that King-Dye and the entire US Dressage Team have been disqualified from the Olympic Games. Mythilus tested...

On Saturday, November 1, the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) Horse Expo will be offered at the University of Connecticut, highlighting the 2008 NARHA National Conference and Annual Meeting. Organized for professionals and people interested in equine-assisted activities and therapies for people with special needs, the expo will offer hands-on learning opportunities in an out of the classroom and into the arena setting. From sessions on “Connecting Horse and Human...

The American Saddlebred Registry has announced that new and improved Stallion Service Reports for 2008 have been issued. They have been mailed to all stallion owners of record, and are also available online at www.asha.net/files/stallionservicereport.pdf . To avoid mandatory penalties, all Stallion Service Reports must be filed no later than October 31 each year. According to Petra S. Green, Senior Registry Supervisor, the new report form should make the process for registering American...