Photos.com (The city of Hong Kong, China. ) The Secretary for Home Affairs, Dr. Patrick Ho, welcomed the International Olympic Committee's decision to name Hong Kong as the venue for the equestrian events at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The announcement came on June 8. Dr. Ho also thanked the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) for its confidence in Hong Kong. "I believe that Hong Kong people are taking a favorable and positive view towards this...

The CN North American Young Riders’ Championships (NAYRC), presented by Adequan, will host vaulting demonstrations at the 2005 competition, which takes place July 26-31 at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA. Founded in 1995 by Priscilla G. Faulkner, the Friendship Vaulting Team is the ambassador program for the AVA promoting vaulting as an exciting equestrian sport throughout the United States. Providing a live vaulting demonstration at the 2005 NAYRC, the Friendship Team will perform...

Lexington, KY -- The Performance Horse Registry would like to announce the results from the PHR Class at the recent Morven Park Sport Horse Breeding Show. The competition, which took place in Leesburg, Virginia, June 8, attracted many of the region's top in-hand equine stars. The winner of the PHR Class was Nokomis Farm's Oldenburg mare, Jenufa (Welt Hit Star -- Jarohu, by El Cornoa), while the Reserve Champion was her American Warmblood stablemate, Renaissance (Romantic Star -- Tess,...

Lexington, KY – A group of U.S. eventers has returned from Germany after competing in the Luhmühlen CCI 4*, June 15-19, the first CCI four-star to take place on continental Europe. Up against stiff competition from European riders trying to qualify for the upcoming European Championships in Blenheim, England, the four USEF-sponsored Talent Tour riders joined several individual U.S. riders for a positive experience abroad—just the learning experience that was intended for the...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) held the official groundbreaking ceremony for the USDF National Education Center on Wednesday, June 22, 2005, at the Kentucky Horse Park. The organization's president, Dr. Samuel Barish, stated, "I believe that this is the most significant event in the history of USDF. We are looking forward to being included on a daily basis in an equestrian community environment where we can work effectively on behalf of dressage and our members.” The USDF National...

Three days of seminars, one-on-one consultations and networking opportunities for equine business managers, stable owners, trainers, coaches and instructors are right around the corner. The National Riding Instructors Convention takes place October 20-23, 2005, in Orlando, FL, and the American Riding Instructors Association (ARIA) has announced the line-up of major speakers. This year’s keynote speaker is Susan Harris, best known for her work as a Senior Centered Riding instructor and...

The horse industry is huge, competitive and powerful. But do you know just how huge and powerful we are? According to the American Horse Council's 1996 industry study, the horse industry impacts the United States Gross Domestic Product by $112.1 billion. It provides 1.4 million jobs and pays $1.9 billion in taxes. How competitive is our business? There are approximately 87 breed registries and associations; the largest of which has more than 161,000 members. So how does the 10,000-member...

Gladstone, NJ – In their first national competition riding together, husband and wife team Steffen and Shannon Peters of San Diego, California, won first and second place respectively, taking home the titles in the 2005 Collecting Gaits Farm/United States Equestrian Federation National Intermediaire I Dressage Championship, presented by Paul Miller Auto Group, Inc. Steffen earned a cumulative score of 73.425%, riding Marlando (1999 Dutch Warmblood gelding), and Shannon was awarded a 71....

Gladstone, NJ – Together, Steffen and Shannon Peters of San Diego, California, along with their mounts, Marlando (1999 Dutch Warmblood gelding) and Luxor (1993 Dutch Warmblood gelding), have built a roadblock that won’t be easy for fellow competitors to break through. With light hands and experience on the side of the Peters, and a real desire to master the sport on the part of the horses, both pairs continue to top the score sheets on the second day of the 2005 Collecting Gaits...

Recognizing that arena soil is one of the most basic and important factors required to ensure a successful equestrian/agricultural event, the American Royal Association, a 106-year old institution, unveiled new footing for all its fall and year-round events. The Royal experienced significant growth in its horse shows last year with some events increasing nearly 40%. After last year’s fall show, the American Royal formed a Footing Task Force to address the needs of its exhibitors. “Excellent...