The Arabian Horse Association (AHA) reports that 2008 Sweepstakes Program figures look similar to that of 2007. A March report indicates that over $2.2 million in prize money was awarded to nearly 5,000 AHA members. Just over $1 million of the total money awarded was through the Points Payout Program. The second largest payout came from the Allocated Payout Program, followed by the Breeder Nominator Payout, and then Nominated Sire Payout. Broken down, horses enrolled in the Sweepstakes Point...

Lexington, KY— The Fourth Annual United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Youth Sportsman’s Award, sponsored by Breyer Animal Creations®, will kickoff for the 2009 competition year May 1, 2009. This award recognizes youth members of both USEF and a USEF Recognized National Affiliate for their participation in the community and equine industry and is focused on developing leaders in the equine industry. To be considered for the award, the following criteria must be met: • Active membership in...

The United States Equestrian Federation, Inc., and the United States Dressage Federation invite licensed dressage competitions to apply to become an official 2010 “qualifying competition” for the USEF Dressage Developing Programs and the FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Dressage Championships (NAJYRC). The USEF Developing Programs and the NAJYRC Program include the following: - USEF National Championships for Juniors, Young Riders, and Young Adult “Brentina Cup” - FEI North American...

Representatives from dozens of national and state-based equine protection, advocacy and rescue organizations gathered April 9-10 at Bally's Las Vegas for the third annual Homes for Horses Coalition Conference to discuss the re-homing of at-risk horses in America and other equine welfare concerns. The conference was held in conjunction with The Humane Society of the United States' Animal Care Expo, which included two equine welfare workshops on Wednesday, April 8. Immediately following Homes for...

The Certificate of Service has long been part of the process used to register a Morgan horse. The purpose of the Certificate of Service has always been for the stallion owner to certify the mating that produced the foal. This certification was used as an additional tool to verify the accuracy of the pedigree represented on the registration. As such, the Morgan Horse Registry was based on the mare and stallion owner’s certification that the pedigree was accurate as presented. In the 1980s, the...

Riding for Reading returns to the horse show arena for 2009 with five events, and two are in March. Riding For Reading, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to promoting reading, literacy and education through equestrian sports and activities. The Riding For Reading class is open to riders from first through twelfth grade, and it is an opportunity for competitors to earn grants for their school’s library. Since the program began, over 500,000 students have benefitted from Riding For Reading...

The 2009 American Saddlebred Registry Grand National competition schedule has been revised to include the Missouri State Fair, August 12-15, and the St. Louis National Charity, September 23-26. The designated Grand National Class for the Missouri State Fair is the Five-Gaited Championship. Likewise, the Western Country Pleasure Championship will serve as the Grand National Class for the St. Louis National Charity. Visit www.asha.net/asr-gn_showschedule to view the entire 2009 Grand National...

The Arabian Horse Association (AHA) is proud to announce FF Irish Vodka+++//, owned by Collier McLeod of Augusta, GA, as its 2008 High-Point Horse. FF Irish Vodka, a 10-year-old, Anglo-Arabian ended the year with 487.5 points earned in working hunter, hunter hack, sport horse under saddle, dressage and in-hand classes. McLeod, who also picked up the Youth Amateur Achievement Award for the year, rode “Guinness” to three national championships at Canadian Nationals and several Top 10s at both...

The Unwanted Horse Coalition’s (UHC) National Speaker Program is up and running. If you are an equine group with an upcoming event and would like to have someone speak about the UHC, what it does and the problem of unwanted horses, the UHC has a program to provide you with this support. The UHC has volunteers across the country who may be able to attend your event and present information from the Coalition. If you have an equine-related event coming up, please contact the UHC to request a...

Horses and Humans Research Foundation (HHRF) invites proposals to investigate the therapeutic effects of horses on humans. The Foundation's broad research agenda includes basic research as well as clinical studies that will ultimately impact physical and mental health and the quality of life for people with disabilities who are involved with equine-assisted activities/therapies. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis, taking into account scientific merit, scientific and clinical significance...