Many items are needed for the 2006 American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) Annual Auction, which will take place Wednesday, August 23, and Thursday, August 24, in the Mary Room of the Executive West Hotel during the Kentucky State Fair World’s Championship Horse Show. The theme of this year’s auction is “ASHA Youth – Past, Present and Future.” Last year more than $100,000 was raised as a result of items, such as a premium terrace box at the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks, a Tommy Lovell...

Lexington, KY – Jamie Saults, who was USEF Director of Reining for three years, has returned to manage the USEF Endurance High-Performance program through this summer’s 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany. Jamie takes the program over from Mary Lutz, Director of Endurance and Para-Equestrian, who tragically died in a riding accident on June 9th. Jamie left the USEF in 2005 to dive into the world of political campaigns but is glad to be back in the horse world. “I have loved...

In an effort to serve United States Dressage Federation (USDF) members more efficiently and in response to members’ ongoing requests for online registration capability, USDF now offers the convenience of online auditor pre-registration for Adult and FEI Junior/Young Rider (Jr/YR) clinics, according to Sheila Forbes Stovall, USDF Director of Programs. “Online clinic pre-registration for those using a credit card means they will now receive immediate verification of payment and registration,”...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Youth Executive Board announced the availability of the 2006 USDF Youth Convention Scholarships. Packed with educational programs, fun events, a great trade expo and the USDF National Symposium, the USDF Annual Convention is an invaluable event for anyone interested in dressage, especially USDF's youth members, who are the future of USDF and the sport. The USDF Youth Convention Scholarship will award four youth members up to $1,000 each to help...

As part of its effort to expand the USEF Dressage Developing Program, the USEF High Performance Dressage Committee has elected to appoint a USEF Dressage Developing Coach(s) for the remainder of 2006 through December 31, 2007, and is seeking qualified candidates to fill this position. The primary responsibilities for a developing coach will be to increase awareness and visibility of the USEF dressage developing program; further the education of riders, trainers and owners about specific aspects...

Michael Desiderio from Chester, NJ, won the Arabian Horse Association (AHA) 2005 MD Barns High-Point Amateur Award by earning 594.5 points in the Amateur Achievement Awards program. The 15-year-old competed in both amateur and open classes, including working hunter, working hunter under saddle, hunter hack and hunter seat equitation not to jump and over obstacles. His younger brother, Anthony, was also among the Top Ten with 301 points. Desiderio earned 10 championships, two reserves and six...

Courtesy Animal Planet (Brianne Goutal was the eventual winner of the 2005 ASPCA Maclay Finals.) Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation® has welcomed a new audience of horse lovers thanks to the recent success of Animal Planet’s new six-week series, Horse Power–Road to the Maclay . More than six million unique viewers of all ages tuned in to Animal Planet to watch the series which began February 1. More than 9 million unique viewers tuned into the three...

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation® has finalized the list of breed events that will receive outreach grants through the new program announced in January. A total of $125,000 has been budgeted in 2006 for grants to financially challenged breed competitions which meet the grant requirements and are approved by the USEF. This program operates on a first-come, first-served basis. The maximum grant is $1,000. Each grant request was evaluated based on when it was received and on...

In the past decade, enrolling foals into the National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC) program has become an integral part of raising reining horse prospects and once again, in 2005, the NRBC saw a record year in foal enrollments. According to NRBC Secretary/Treasurer Cheryl Magoteaux, the total number of foals enrolled for 2005 was an incredible 2,442. "That's up over 200 foals from last year, our previous high," noted Magoteaux. "We're thrilled that the reining industry has supported this...

The 2006 American Saddlebred Registry Grand National show schedule has been released with 37 shows offering 57 classes with added prize money. The 2006 Grand National show schedule can be found on the prize program's website at www.saddlebred.com/prize-grand-national . A number of owners have received the schedule, but it is important to note that the St. Louis National Charity Horse Show has since added a Three-Gaited Amateur Championship Grand National class for its September show. The Grand...