An exciting new program for potential hunter and hunter seat equitation judges was approved at the January 2007 USEF Board Meeting, with an effective date of April 1, 2007. The purpose of the mentor program is to assist qualified horsemen in the pursuit of a USEF judges’ license in the hunter and hunter seat equitation divisions. An additional component is to assist ‘r’ judges in obtaining ‘R’ status in hunter, hunter seat equitation, and hunter breeding. Information about and an application to...

On October 31, 2006, the Unwanted Horse Coalition (UHC) met officially for the first time under the auspices of the American Horse Council at the United States Equestrian Federation headquarters in Lexington, KY. The meeting was attended by representatives from the American Association of Equine Practitioners, American Paint Horse Association, American Quarter Horse Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, The Jockey Club, National Horse Benevolent and Protective Association,...

The Paso Fino Horse Association's (PFHA) 34th Annual Grand National Championship show at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and AgriCenter brought together the best of the best to compete head-to-head for various titles during the weeklong event. The schedule included 120 classes ranging from versatility and Western, to performance, pleasure and Fino. In addition to the competition, with amateur, youth and open divisions, the event featured a trade fair, a stallion service auction, Breeders’...

Dear USEF Dressage Enthusiast, Offield Farms has the opportunity to introduce all American dressage-interested USEF members to www.dressagedirect.com . Dressagedirect is dedicated to promoting the sport of dressage throughout the world. In case you are not familiar with Dressagedirect, the service aims to provide its members with all international dressage show results on the grand prix level, along with interesting facts of the dressage community. This information is sent directly to the...

Olympic Gold medalist David O’ Connor is offering a course walk of his newly designed cross-country courses at the Colorado Horse Park on Saturday, September 16, 2006 in Parker, CO. Riders and non-riders alike are welcome to join O'Connor for his insights into the design of the courses, as well as his suggestions for how to successfully complete the course. The event includes a walk of the new courses, a lecture and a question and answer session. All participants will also receive an...

The USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage Selection Trials concluded the 2006 qualifying season for the FEI World Breeding Championships at the CDI***/Y Raleigh and Capital Dressage Classic, June 2-4 in Raleigh, NC. Champion of the five-year-old division with an overall two-test score of 8.592 was Unitas, a bay Dutch Warmblood gelding (Niagara - Nellyzora by Harald; bred in The Netherlands), ridden and owned by Teresa Butta-Stanton of Glen Burnie, MD. Winning both the Preliminary and Final Tests...

The Equine Species Working Group (ESWG) has developed an informational booklet titled NAIS and Horses: the Facts Surrounding the National Animal Identification System as it Applies to the Horse Industry in the U.S. This booklet was put together in an effort to answer the many questions and concerns that have been raised from the equine industry on the very important and difficult issue of the potential application of the national ID system to horses. The booklet addresses the following topics:...

Anyone hoping for the best seats to next year’s FEI World Cup Finals in Las Vegas can have a chance to purchase all-session tickets before they go on sale to the general public by joining the event’s World Cup Club. Membership in the World Cup Club is free, and it only takes a moment to join. The FEI World Cup Finals in both show jumping and dressage will return to the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, April 18-22, 2007. The 2006 Finals are being held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands (dressage),...

In the past decade, enrolling foals into the National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC) program has become an integral part of raising reining horse prospects and once again, in 2005, the NRBC saw a record year in foal enrollments. According to NRBC Secretary/Treasurer Cheryl Magoteaux, the total number of foals enrolled for 2005 was an incredible 2,442. "That's up over 200 foals from last year, our previous high," noted Magoteaux. "We're thrilled that the reining industry has supported this...

The USET Foundation still has a few models remaining of the 2005 Limited Edition Breyer Model Horse, Winsome Adante. This one of a kind present is available for holiday delivery. The USET Foundation announced earlier this year that Winsome Adante, owned by Plain Dealing Farm of Scottsville, VA, and ridden by Kim Severson, was chosen as the 2005 USET Foundation Breyer model horse. Winsome Adante, an 11-year-old English-bred Thoroughbred gelding, is the tenth Breyer model in this popular series....