In a “down” economy, some things are still on the way up. Membership in the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) reached an all-time record high of 20,255, on November 4, 2009, according to NCHA Executive Director Jeff Hooper. “We are especially pleased to have reached this milestone in 2009, during a stressful year for the national and world economy,” Hooper said. “And with recent reports of economic growth and recovery, we expect to surpass this new record in 2010.” Cutting horse...

Lexington, KY – Each year at the FEI World Reining Masters Final, the best individual Reiner in the world is crowned. Throughout the year, top Reiners from each National Federation qualify for a chance at this prestigious title as well as $100,000 USD in prize money. The competition returns to the USA in 2009 and two of the country’s best Reiners have been named by the USEF to take on the world in Oklahoma City on December 3rd. Competing against as many as 20 other nations, including Australia,...

Join the Kentucky Horse Park and John Lyons in kicking off 2010 in style in the park’s new Indoor Arena. The park has partnered with the Center for Women in Racing to bring America’s most trusted horseman to Kentucky, January 16-17, 2010. Enjoy Lyons’ expertise, experience and candor in a setting unlike any other. Lyons is one of the most respected trainers around the world. He is known as “America’s Most Trusted Horseman” and he has earned that title through almost 30 years of dedication to...

The SmartPak Equine/United States Eventing Association (USEA) Area II Adult Riders Training Three-Day Event, October 22-25, at Waredaca Farm in Laytonsville, MD, hosted 37 riders in three divisions. The event was a huge success with all but two riders completing the exciting long-format course. When it came time for the award ceremonies, it was three grey horses that earned the blue ribbons. D.C. McBroom aboard Twain won the A division on a 35.30 having added no additional penalties to their...

American Quarter Horse Racing World Champion Be A Bono has moved to the Kentucky Horse Park’s Hall of Champions. Be A Bono earned American Quarter Horse racing’s top honor when he was named the World Champion of 2004. He also earned champion three-year-old and champion three-year-old gelding honors for 2004. Owned and bred by the late Spencer Childers of Fresno, CA, the sorrel gelding was trained by Dan Francisco. Be A Bono was foaled February 22, 2001, and retired from racing as a...

The United States Equestrian Federation’s Saddle Seat Medal Final will be held Saturday, November 21, 2009, at the United Professional Horsemen’s Association’s American Royal National Championship in Kansas City, MO. This medal final brings together the best saddle seat equitation riders from across the country that will perform for a prestigious judging panel comprised of Maria Gilman, Brooke Jacobs and Sally Lindabury. To qualify for the competition, competitors must be 17 years and under who...

The Official Prize List for Equestrian Sport Productions Holiday & Horses AA rated Horse Show CSI-W is now available both online and in hard copy. The cover of the program was designed by Mette Olesen Phillips, one of the winners of the Winter Equestrian Festival Poster Contest. The Holiday and Horses show will run from Wednesday, November 25, through Sunday, November 29, 2009. In addition to the AA USEF rated class schedule, the show will include a Friday evening $50,000 FEI World Cup...

George Morris Imparts Wisdom at the 2009 Rolex FEI World Cup Final (Shannon Brinkman) Lexington, KY – Their names are synonymous with excellence in their respective disciplines and the United States Equestrian Federation has honored two legends for their commitment to coaching and developing Equestrian Sport. George Morris is one of the most accomplished coaches in the world. He has coached back-to-back Olympic Gold medal teams and consistently guides the US show jumping program to...

On December 14, 2009, Equestrian Professional.com continues its horse business seminar series with “What Every Equine Business Person Needs to Know About the Law.” The guest speaker will be renowned equine law expert and author Julie I. Fershtman, attorney at law. Julie I. Fershtman is one of the most experienced and accomplished Equine Law practitioners in the nation. Crossing virtually all equine breeds and disciplines, her law practice serves a clientele of stables, industry professionals,...

Kristi Nunnink and Corner Street ended the CCI** at the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event the same way they started it—in first place. With her three closest competitors less than two points behind her as show jumping, the event's final phase, got under way, it looked as if Nunnink and the 10-year-old gelding would have to be absolutely perfect. But third-placed Tamra Smith dislodged two rails on Bubbles At Bricky before second-placed David Koss lowered three rails with Look...