The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), a leading national equestrian event based in Washington, D.C., since 1958, is proud to announce the appointment of Eric L. Straus as the Chief Executive Officer. Straus joins the executive leadership of WIHS—Juliet W. Reid, President, and Anthony F. Hitchcock, Chief Operating Officer—as the show prepares for its 51st edition in October. “I'm excited about joining the Washington International Horse Show, a championship event...

The USEF Education Department has established a weekly blog on ClubEquestrian.com to share information with members. “Equine U” provides interesting and helpful information about the Federation and also anything relating to horse ownership, competing at all levels and all things equestrian. USEF will post articles from various guest writers as well as from staff's own experiences at competitions, clinics, and seminars. Check it out at www.clubequestrian.com/blogs/equineu/default.aspx . In...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce and congratulate its new USDF Certified Instructors from the testing held July 18-19 at Post Oak Farm in Gainesville, GA. The USDF Instructor Certification program is designed to set a standard of excellence in dressage training and instruction in the United States and to educate dressage riders, instructors, and aspiring instructors. New USDF Certified Instructors include Donna Gatchell of Nokesville, VA; Ana Gilmour of...

Lexington, KY – With excitement building toward the annual U.S. showcase for future international dressage horses, the USEF has announced the final entries for the 2009 USEF National Developing Horse Dressage Championship presented by the Dutta Corporation & Performance Sales International and the 2009 Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championships. National Championships in four age divisions will be contested August 21 – 23, 2009 in the picturesque setting of Lamplight Equestrian...

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) has announced the names of five ASHA Youth Scholarship recipients. The individuals receiving scholarships are Crystal Atwood of Hermiston, OR, Shelby Reimer of Senoia, GA, Anna Stoddard of Gibsonville, NC, Allison Strash of Pleasant Prairie, WI, and Katie McAuliffe of Goodrich, MI, who received the ASHA Youth-to-Youth Scholarship. The purpose of these scholarships is to encourage, support and recognize participation in all aspects of the American...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that Megan Howe (CT), Post University, is the recipient of the 2009 USDF Intercollegiate/Interscholastic Membership Organization (IMO) Senior Athletic Achievement Award. Howe graduated with a cumulative GPA of 3.89 and won this award based on her ability to balance academics with participation in extracurricular equestrian activities. To be eligible for the IMO Senior Athletic Achievement Award, intercollegiate/interscholastic...

The 2010 Calendar listing USEF seminars and licensed officials’ clinics is now available online at www.usef.org under Licensed Officials/Continuing Education/2010 Calendar or at www.usef.org/newsletterLicensedOfficials/2010schedule.html . Additional FEI courses will also be posted on the website as they are approved. All seminar and clinic applications will be available online as soon as possible or approximately four months prior to the date of the event.

This special section, Drugs and Medications Corner, will feature a series of articles from the USEF’s Drugs and Medications Program and the veterinary community to communicate the latest news to better educate the equine community. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) are a class of agents best recognized for anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain suppression) properties. An important clinical use of this class of medication is to improve patient status and minimize pain....

LEXINGTON, KY– The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) would like to notify competitions, managers, stewards, instructors and exhibitors of a rule change that became effective April 20, 2009. The new addition to Equitation rule EQ119 states “At all World and National Championships and Finals, competitors must be allowed ample access to the competition arena in order to walk on foot the posted workout. A minimum of ½ hour is recommended.” Competitions are asked to plan accordingly to...

In an effort to help equestrian enthusiasts and competitors save money in a tight economy, and to promote eco-friendly horse transportation, the United States Equestrian Federation now presents the Ride Share Program on ClubEquestrian.com. Often the logistics of long-distance travel is an unforeseen roadblock in the path to equine events. This new tool allows equine enthusiasts and competitors to post information about open trailer spots, as well as inquire about rides. Information such as...