USA Equestrian Trust, Inc. ( www.trusthorses.org ) has announced that its deadline for receipt of written applications for grants from not-for-profit organizations this year is Wednesday, April 15, at the close of business, 5 p.m. Eastern Time. Interested applicants should visit https://trusthorses.org/grant/request.html for instructions and the appropriate forms to be completed. At its annual meeting held in conjunction with the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) convention in...

This year, the first six weeks of the HITS Saugerties show circuit will offer an unprecedented opportunity for high-performance riders on the East Coast. Nearly $1 million in prize money will be offered in the open jumper division alone during the Spring and Summer show series. The open jumper division will consist of four open jumper classes each week, including a $10,000 Open Welcome, $5,000 Open Speed, and two grand prixs, held each Friday and Sunday. The Friday class will offer $25,000 each...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) announced the signing of United States Olympian Charlotte Bredahl-Baker as the clinician for the Platinum Performance/USDF Adult Clinic Series. This series will consist of nine clinics over the next two years beginning in the fall of 2009. “We had a super successful series with Jane Savoie, so we are thrilled to bring Charlotte on board. We believe she brings many of the same teaching and training skills as Jane, but with a slightly different...

Brazil's Rodrigo Pessoa clinched a berth in the FEI World Cup Final in Las Vegas with a win Saturday night aboard his Olympic mount Rufus in the $150,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix, presented by Spy Coast Farm, at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington. Michelle Spadone of Califon, NJ, on the Belgian Warmblood mare, Melisimo, who has never seen a World Cup Final and was a last-minute addition placed second in the competition with 45 starters from nine countries. Among them were...

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) has announced that it will once again offer a live webcast of important activities at its annual convention, Thursday, February 12, through Saturday, February 14, at the Marriott Griffin Gate Resort and Spa in Lexington, KY. The association’s website, www.saddlebred.com , will be utilized to broadcast the Saddlebred Convention worldwide. Those unable to attend will be able to watch and listen on Friday and Saturday during selected forums,...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) and Great American Insurance Group are pleased to announce that prize money at the Great American/USDF Regional Dressage Championships has been increased to include the adult amateur and junior/young rider divisions at both the intermediate II and grand prix levels. In total, over $143,000 in prize money will be award in the 2009 Great American/USDF Regional Championships, divided evenly among the nine regions and 35 divisions that are offered....

The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games has a new look on the web. The World Games 2010 Foundation officially launched a new website for the 2010 Games at www.feigames2010.org . Visitors to the new website will find valuable educational materials about the eight world championships to be contested in 2010. Curious fans can get a sneak peak of what the Kentucky Horse Park will look like in 2010, with an interactive venue map, stadium and arena renderings, and links to the horse park’s...

HITS is pleased to announce that the Stallion Services Department of the Equine Medical Center of Ocala will offer the Leading Mare Award to the mare that finishes the highest in the $100,000 DeLuca Toyota Tundra Grand Prix, presented by Great American Insurance Group on Sunday, March 15, at HITS Ocala. The award consists of a free embryo transfer that will be performed by Dr. Corey Miller, head of reproduction at the Ocala-based veterinary hospital. Any mare based in the United States who...

Dressage4kids, Inc., invites everyone interested in horses and riding to their Seventh Annual Weekend Educational Program. The program is Saturday and Sunday, January 31-February 1, at the Nonnewaug Regional School in Woodbury, CT. Thanks to very generous sponsorship from The Kuehner Foundation, the fee for each day is $20 for adults and $10 for youth, if your application is received by January 23. The day fee includes lunch. Hotels are located in Woodbury, Southbury, and Waterbury, CT. There...

Equestrian Events, Inc., has been honored with the 2008 Best of Lexington Award in the Special Events category by the U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA). The USLBA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USLBA identifies companies that have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through...