Los Angeles, CA —As the 2004 season comes to a close, West Coast League riders step out of their saddles for a moment to reflect on five rounds of World Cup qualifiers that have determined their standings at the halfway mark. Separated by only a few points, Richard Spooner, Joie Gatlin and Gabriella Salick maintain an incredibly close race for the three World Cup slots afforded to the League. A tenth place finish atop Hilton Flight (Bay Irish Sport Horse gelding; Errigal...

Barbara Kearney's G.G. Valentine and two-time World Championship Hunter Rider Jennifer Alfano of Buffalo, NY, finished their show season as winners at the 2004 Syracuse Invitational Horse Show. Held at the OnStar Center in Syracuse, NY. for the second time, the best riders came to compete from throughout North America. Alfano and G.G. Valentine took home the Working Hunter Championship to cap off their extraordinary 2004 season. "G.G. was just super for me," stated Alfano, 36. "She is one of...

Todd Minikus of the United States flew to victory riding Flier in the $60,000 CN World Cup Grand Prix held Wednesday, November 10, at the Royal Horse Show in Toronto, ON, Canada. From the original starting field of 23 riders, only five advanced to the jump-off over the course set by Olympic master Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela. Minikus of Wellington, FL, was one of only two riders to post double-clear rounds in the jump-off, stopping the timers a full two seconds ahead of second-placed...

Temecula, CA —Adding only four show jumping penalties to their dressage score, Shannon Lilley of San Jose, CA, and High Mountain Road , owned by Dayna Lynd-Pugh of Tres Pinos, CA, won the USEF National One Star Eventing Championship and the Richard D. Collins Trophy, with a total score of 52.3. The Championship took place at the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event and Horse Trials in Temecula, CA, November 4-7. Claiming another victory over the weekend was Jamie Lawrence of...

Prior to the $25,000 Open Jumper, the evening session opened with the second annual Dressage Night, featuring the Continental Cup--a team Musical Freestyle competition. Riders at Grand Prix, Intermediaire I and First Level made up each of three teams. The riders on the Park Avenue Team won the Gold medal with a total score of 239. The team consisted of Cynthia Payne of Jupiter, FL, aboard Laredo, with a score of 81% in the Grand Prix; Gabriel Armando of Argentina who resides in Flemington, NJ,...

When you consider the benefits, your membership with the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) more than pays for itself. It’s that simple. And adding to the show ring safety, fair play, ethical standards and regulated judging USEF already provides, there’s a more tangible show-me-the-money kind of benefit many members are only beginning to learn about. That benefit is the USEF purchasing program, and it entitles USEF members to discounted prices on everything from tractors, trucks and...

Lexington, KY - John R. Long, Chief Executive Officer of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and Frank V. Lloyd, Chairman of the Board of the USET Foundation announced today that Bonnie B. Jenkins, USEF Executive Director of High Performance will join the USET Foundation as Executive Director December 1, 2004. Ms. Jenkins responsibilities will include oversight of the fundraising, communications, operational and financial administration of the Foundation. Ms. Jenkins will also work...

Lexington, KY —Avoiding the pitfalls of some soggy weekend weather, Stephen Rogers and Leslie Chelstrom rode to victory during the USEF National Junior and USEF National Amateur Eventing Championships, held at the Kentucky Horse Park, October 20-24. After scoring a 63.3 in dressage, Rogers, a 17 year old Dallas, Texas native, rode 9 year old Australian Thoroughbred gelding Kelecyn Applause through double-clear cross-country and show jumping rounds to win the Harry T. Peters Trophy with a...

Harrisburg, PA – Megan Young, 18, of Jacksonville, FL, defeated a field full of the nation’s top junior riders to win the 2004 USEF/Pessoa National Hunter Seat Medal Final, on Sunday, October 17th, at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show. Judges Sue Ashe of Wellington, FL, and Mary Chapot of Neshanic Station, NJ, scored the three rounds of competition based on equitation and a rider’s ability to ride with control, competency and compatibility. The USEF/Pessoa National Hunter...

Currently underway, the 38th annual U.S. National Arabian and Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show (U.S. Nationals) is the flagship event for the Arabian horse industry, featuring top quality horses, a commercial trade fair and the annual Arabian Horse Judging Contest. This year’s show features 3,000 entries vying for champion, reserve champion or top ten in 104 classes that include reining, mounted native costume, working cow, show hack, breeding-in-hand, driving, English, hunter and western...