Lexington, KY— Earlier this year during the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Annual Meeting, an All Breed Forum was held and was popularly attended by many Breed representatives and other guests. During this discussion, many valuable topics were raised regarding the relationship with USEF and ways to continue the growth, development and promotion of the Recognized Breed Affiliates. As a result, the USEF will be facilitating a retreat March 20-21, 2009, in conjunction with the Pin Oak...

As a reminder, the FEI issued new dressage tests for the following levels, effective January 1, 2009: Prix St. Georges, Intermediaire I and Freestyle, Intermediaire II, Grand Prix, Special, and Freestyle, Young Rider Grand Prix, and all Junior and Young Rider tests (including Team, Individual, and Freestyle). These new test versions must be used by all USEF-licensed dressage competitions and CDI’s beginning January 1, 2009, and for all 2009 USEF High-Performance, USEF National, and North...

Las Vegas is the perfect setting for the most prestigious and exciting Arabian Breeders World Cup horse show April 16-19. Cash prizes and beautiful bronze sculptures will go to the lucky winners selected by an elite panel of International judges using an innovative World Cup Scoring System. Serious breeders from around the world have already bought up the ringside VIP tables. Over 20 countries will be represented from the Middle East, Europe, South America, Central and North America, Australia...

FEI Anti-Doping and Medication Commission Chair Arne Ljungqvist, FEI First Vice President Sven Holmberg and FEI Secretary General Alexander McLin met on December 16 to plot the way forward for the Commission recently established by the FEI General Assembly . The subject matter to be addressed by the Commission’s members is vast and falls into the broad categories of policy, legislation, education, communication, prevention, evidence, prosecution, adjudication, and financing. The Commission’s...

The finalized membership of the FEI Dressage Task Force is as follows: —Frank Kemperman (NED), chairman and representative of the event organizers; —Richard Davison (GBR), riders representative; —Robert Dover (USA), trainers representative; —Alain Francqueville (FRA), chef d’équipe —Katrina Wuest (GER), judges representative; —Elizabeth Max-Theurer (AUT), owners representative The aim of having this representation is to enable the key stakeholder groups to...

Lexington, KY— The top reiners in the world face off at the 2008 FEI World Reining Masters December 4 in Oklahoma City, OK as part of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show. This year, 18 riders from 15 countries will compete for two titles, the $75,000 added Open and the $25,000 Restricted Open. Representing the U.S. in the $75,000 added Open division will be Jordan Larson riding Lena Gallo and Craig Schmersal aboard Mr....

On behalf of all those who contribute to the equestrian family, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), governing body of international equestrian sport, announced on November 20 the creation of a commission on medication and doping chaired by Dr. Arne Ljungqvist, Chairman of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Medical Commission and Vice President of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The Commission will offer a robust examination of the way the equine anti-doping policies can...

A new round of multimillion dollar improvements to the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center are under way to prepare for the winter circuits. The latest phase of improvements focus on substantial upgrades to footing in competition arenas and enhanced exhibitor and spectator experiences for the 2009 Winter Equestrian Festival and the holiday circuit in December. Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC, (ESP) that manages the horse shows at PBIEC for the facility owners, Wellington Equestrian...

Already an active supporter of horse shows from the local to national levels and spanning from hunter/jumper and dressage to reining and Western pleasure, SmartPak™ announced that they have partnered with HITS for their upcoming winter circuits. The partnership spans both coasts with a sponsorship of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit in Florida and a sponsorship of the HITS Desert Circuit in Thermal, CA, two of the biggest horse show circuits in the United States. In preparation for the eight-week...

The American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) recently announced the recipient of this year’s Youth Achievement Award during the 2008 AMHA Awards Luncheon at the AMHA Annual Convention in Minneapolis, MN. The award, regarded as one of the most celebrated annual honors available through AMHA, went to Caralee Conklin of Gainesville, FL. Conklin, a lifetime Morgan enthusiast, is the current president of the AMHA Youth Council and has helped to expand and improve existing programs while providing...