Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation, Inc. invites licensed dressage competitions to apply to become an official “qualifying competition” for the 2009 USEF National Grand Prix Dressage Championship and the 2009 USEF National Intermediaire I Dressage Championship. For the 2009 Championship season, only CDI 3*/CDI-W competitions will be used as qualifying competitions for the 2009 USEF National Grand Prix Dressage Championship, and therefore all CDI’s will also be qualifiers...

The purpose of the USEF Young Horse Dressage Training Sessions is to identify and develop top equine dressage talent in the United States for a future career at the FEI level and international competition on U.S. teams. Mirroring the existing high-performance development programs, horses should be actively training and competing and therefore may be invited to participate in training sessions with the aspiration of their participating in the 2008 Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program (FEI...

The Infectious Disease Committee of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) has issued revised guidelines for the administration of vaccinations to horses. The Committee, chaired by Mary Scollay, DVM, has made recommendations for the use of vaccines based on the age of the horse and its previous vaccination history. The guidelines are intended to serve as a reference for veterinarians as they employ vaccines in their respective practices. Highlights of “Guidelines for the...

The American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC), the national governing body for endurance riding in the United States, will hold its 2008 annual convention in Reno, NV. The two-day program of seminars, informational meetings and a free trade show is set for February 29-March 1 at the Silver Legacy Resort Casino. Leading experts in equine health care and endurance-related fields will be featured at several seminar sessions as part of the convention’s “Riding With Education” theme. Other...

January 5, 2008 saw 25 stallions of various breeds gather to showcase their talents and offspring at the First Annual Sporthorse Stallion Expo hosted by Marydell and Pepperwood Farms. Breeds represented included Hanoverian, German Riding Pony, Oldenburg, Trakehner, Thoroughbred, Friesian, Knabstrupper, Gypsy Vanner and Spanish Colonial. Some stallions came from as far away as Florida, and Pennsylvania to join a strong contingent of regional stallions. The Expo saw over 250 spectators coming...

The American Horse Council (AHC) reports that the recently passed Senate Farm Bill includes several key provisions that would benefit the horse industry. The $286 billion bill, which passed the Senate on December 14 by a vote of 79 to 14, now includes the Equine Equity Act. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) offered this bill as an amendment to the Farm Bill, and it was accepted without objection. This provision would: (1) shorten the capital gains holding period for horses from 24 months to 12...

American Saddlebred Sweepstakes prize program payments are due Thursday, January 31, for the three-year-old and four-year-old sweepstakes. Nomination forms can be found on the sweepstakes homepage at https://www.asha.net/Prize-Sweepstakes . Nomination forms for the two-year-old sweepstakes will be available in May. Information for the Kentucky Breeders Incentive Fund can be found on the KSOBA Charter Club page at https://www.asha.net/ksoba . The following payments are due Thursday, January 31:...

The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation is pleased to announce that Paul Long of Mahwah, NJ, has been named assistant director of development. Long will assist USET Foundation Executive Director Bonnie B. Jenkins in accomplishing the Foundation's mission of raising funds to support equestrian athletes, promote international excellence, and build for the future. Long was a member of the USET Foundation National Advisory Council from 1993 until 2005. He earned his B.A. from Drew...

The American Saddlebred Registry Grand National program announces the five regional championship competitions that have been awarded an additional $5,000 in prize money and the three competitions that have won the $5,000 Special Stakes drawing—part of $40,000 more in prize money the Grand National will be awarding in 2008. Additionally, a donation of $5,000 has been made by freemansaddlebreds.com to the Grand National Fine Harness Open Championship at the Carousel Horse Show in...

Lexington, KY - The USEF has announced the location and dates for the USEF Show Jumping Trials for the 2008 Olympics. The trials will be held during the Zada Enterprises, LLC CSI***- W (February 27-March 2) and the CN Open CSIO***** (March 5-March 9) at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL. The trials will take place over five classes. Please see the schedule below. Thursday, February 28th Trial #1 (embedded in Class 100, $30,000 WEF Challenge Cup - Round VI) Sunday,...