Lexington, Ky. – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce that Colby Connell will be joining the USEF as Chief Marketing Officer. Connell will oversee all aspects of communications, sponsorships, marketing, the USEF Network, and media assets. A life-long equestrian, Connell brings a wealth of experience to the USEF having spent a number of years in digital marketing and commerce at Bose and Forrester Research before becoming VP of Marketing at SmartPak. While...

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has approved the sports competitions programme for the first Summer Youth Olympic Games (YOG) to be held in Singapore in 2010, as well as the qualification system for each event. Showjumping, the sole discipline representing equestrian sport, will see a total of 30 riders between 17 and 18 years of age competing on borrowed horses at the Singapore Turf Club. The qualification system is available at www.fei....

The USEA is pleased to announce that its online express entry system, Xentry, will be available by open invitation on February 8 for current open events. Xentry will make entering all USEA recognized horse trials a simplified and speedy process through the USEA website. When Xentry is launched on February 8, it will offer a wide variety of helpful features including: • A streamlined, easy-to-use process • Option of paying by credit card for all events with only a 3.5% convenience fee • Digital...

The United States Eventing Association (USEA) announced a marketing partnership with the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games that launched April 6, 2010. The United States Eventing Association will be working with the World Games 2010 Foundation, Inc., to promote the 2010 Games by communicating ticket and hospitality opportunities to their membership. The Association will then receive a portion of the proceeds generated by their membership through these efforts. "We are very excited to...

Lexington Ky. - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce that Victoria "Vicki" Lowell has been appointed Chief Marketing and Content Officer. Vicki Lowell Lowell specializes in brand re-stages that transform businesses and is known for developing collaborative and passionate teams who deliver memorable creative and measurable results. She brings nearly 25 years of brand marketing and senior leadership experience to the USEF including 15 years at Discovery...

(Lexington, KY) - The Florida Department of Agriculture/Division of Animal Industry is posting daily status updates on the EHV-1 outbreak on their web site. The web address is: https://www.doacs.state.fl.us/ai/ It is possible that the number of quarantined premises or horses affected may not change from the previous day's report in which case the update information would remain the same. A link to the web site is also available by clicking on the "Florida EHV-1 Press Releases and Updates" area...

USDF announced their new online service: a searchable database of equine businesses, products and services. The USDF Market Place will link buyers and sellers, making it quick, easy and convenient to locate those hard-to-find equine suppliers. USDF Market Place will be updated daily, so tell your favorite tack shop, barn, trainer and others of this great business opportunity and keep coming back. The introductory price will enable even the smallest business or service to advertise to a targeted...

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:...

The World Games 2010 Foundation, Inc., the organization responsible for preparing and putting on the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010, announced that Crystal Bennett has been hired as marketing coordinator. Bennett joins the Foundation after recently completing her graduate degree in sport administration at the University of Louisville. She received her undergraduate degree from Florida A&M University in Tallahassee. While completing her studies at both institutions, Bennett was very...

Francie Steinwedell-Carvin came all the way from California to claim first place in the Peak Building Systems $25,000 High Prairie Grand Prix at the Colorado Horse Park on Saturday night, July 14. Steinwedell-Carvin, who has represented the United States internationally, bested a field of 26 other top riders from Mexico, Canada, Arizona, Illinois, New Mexico, Texas and Colorado. She now becomes eligible for the $100,000 bonus if she can win the next two grand prix at the Colorado Horse Park on...