HITS is pleased to report that last week it received unanimous support from attendees of the 2008 USEF World Cup Riders Meeting held at The Oaks in San Juan Capistrano, CA, to once again host four FEI World Cup™ Qualifiers at the 2009 HITS Desert Circuit in Thermal. HITS has successfully run the World Cup classes at its West Coast circuit since 1991, giving riders on the West Coast an opportunity to qualify for the prestigious World Cups year after year right in their own backyard....

The Arabian Horse Association (AHA) is pleased to introduce a new Arabian Horse Foundation to meet the growing needs of the Arabian horse community. The foundation will fund previously unsupported areas, such as general education, equine research and disaster relief. Donors will have the option to designate their contributions to a particular category. “This foundation will provide, for the first time, a way for donors to select how they want their gift to be used,” said Larry Kinneer,...

The FEI Task Force Chairmen met for four days, February 21-24, to agree on the final recommendations for the new FEI Endurance Rules for 2009 and onwards. Far reaching changes are recommended by the task force that has consulted widely with all those involved in the discipline over the last year following their creation immediately after the FEI World Endurance Forum held in Paris in February 2007. FEI Technical Committee members will now have an opportunity to review the task force proposals...

The American Show Pony Registry (ASPR) Committee added $6,000 in incentive prize money for the ASPR classes at the World Championship Show and Shetland Pony Congress for 2008. The American Show Pony Registry is a division of the American Shetland Pony Club. The American Shetland Pony Club (ASPC) was established in 1888 and today offers registration recordings and award programs for a number of small equines, including American Shetland Ponies, American Miniature Horses and several Shetland Pony...

In the first 10 days since the launch of a new web-based volunteer registry system, nearly 4,000 new volunteers have already signed up online for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. The World Games 2010 Foundation estimates that at least 6,000 volunteers will be needed to work before and during the Games, to be held at the Kentucky Horse Park from September 25-October 10, 2010 in Lexington, KY. “The response we have received is heartwarming and overwhelming,” said Cathy Rutter,...

Langer Equestrian Group, Inc., kicked off the 2008 show season with record entries and sunny skies at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center (LAEC) Season Opener, January 18-20, 2008, at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center. Junior rider Laura Ware started off 2008 on a winning streak. She piloted Parker to the large junior championship, and then showed the gelding’s versatility by garnering wins in equitation as well. The pair captured both the USEF Medal and the ASPCA Maclay, as well as a...

The Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series is officially underway, and 2008 is expected to be a great year for the series and its competitors. The series will see classes at more than 100 horse shows across the country before culminating in year-end championships at the National Horse Show in Wellington, FL, in December. The series hosts separate divisions for junior and amateur-owner riders in two conferences—the East Conference and the West Conference. Series standings are used...

Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation has approved the following modifications to the Selection Procedures for CSIO/CSI Competitions, aka “the USEF Computer List”. These changes will become effective on January 15, 2008. The following additions or changes have been made to the selection procedures: • The results of European CSI2*s will now be included. • An exception for FEI Table C and USEF Table III classes will be made to the criteria, which currently states that...

The Paddock Saddlery has teamed up with Markel Insurance to bring back the Adult Amateur Winter Dressage Championships for amateur riders competing on the winter dressage circuit in Wellington, FL. This championship recognizes the success of amateur riders who often find themselves competing against some of the country’s top professionals. Adult amateurs from training level to grand prix are eligible to compete for the 2008 Markel Adult Amateur Winter Dressage Championships. Five years ago, the...

The American Saddlebred Horse Association's (ASHA) Annual Meeting and Youth Conference will be held Thursday–Friday, February 14-16, at the Embassy Suites in Lexington. The weekend ends with the annual Saddlebred Ball at Keeneland Race Course. Open meetings and forums with committees begin Thursday, as is customary, and the Charter Club Council will also conduct a workshop. Thursday evening is highlighted by a Welcome Reception sponsored by the FEI & Emerging Disciplines Committee. Friday...