The Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) has a TEAM CHA youth Horse Connection Reward Program for kids 15 years and younger. The participants keep track of their hours working with horses, whether they have them or not. They can count activities, such as taking riding lessons, watching non-fiction videos and reading non-fiction books about horses, grooming, cleaning stalls, cleaning tack, feeding and so on. As part of this membership, the youth also receive a quarterly newsletter full of...

The American Horse Council (AHC) is working to preserve the Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program (RTP). If Congress does not take action this year this program could no longer be available to recreational riders. The RTP provides funding directly to the states for recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both non-motorized and motorized recreational trail uses. It was created in 1991 as part of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 and...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that the Renee Isler Dressage Support Fund at The Dressage Foundation (TDF) will be providing $13,000 in funding to support the Platinum Performance/USDF FEI Junior/Young Rider Clinic Series and TDF will provide $15,000 in funding support for the USDF/USEF Young Rider Graduate Program. “We are very grateful for the continued support from TDF and the Renee Isler Support Fund at TDF,” stated Linda Schultz, Director of Marketing....

In these tough economic times, many people are finding the quality warmblood they want is difficult to afford. Con Brio Farms, LLC, has just introduced a new program that could make it a little easier. In addition, those who find themselves with an unused stallion breeding to use, but no mare can also benefit. Con Brio Farms, LLC, has been breeding Dutch Warmbloods, Oldenburgs and Hanoverians for 25 years, and their production record makes them one of only five breeders in the U.S., including...

The Unwanted Horse Coalition’s (UHC) National Speaker Program has been up and running since January 2009 with immediate success. This program provides equine events around the country with UHC volunteers to speak about the issue of unwanted horses and what it means to “Own Responsibly.” To date the UHC has provided speakers for 12 events, with more set for the near future. “If you have an equine-related event coming up, please contact the UHC to request a speaker, and we will try our best to...

March 2009 will consist of three American Saddlebred Registry (ASR) Grand National prize program competitions. Conceived by dedicated owners, breeders and trainers, Grand National is a prize program for American Saddlebred horses, created to generate excitement in owning and showing this special breed of horse. The Grand National program is now in its 26th year, has awarded more than $2.8 million, and offered added prize money in more than 59 classes throughout 2008. This year, Grand National...

The American Show Pony Registry (ASPR) has again added $6,000 in incentive prize money for ASPR classes to be held at the 2009 World Championship Show July 22-25 in Columbus, OH, and the 2009 National Shetland Pony Congress July 28-August 2 in Cloverdale, IN. The American Show Pony Registry is a division of the American Shetland Pony Club. The additional incentive money was generously donated by supporters of the ASPR and raised with the assistance of the ASPR committee. The money will be...

Lexington, KY— The UPHA has initiated a new program designed to reward saddle seat equitation riders for their community service involvement and fundraising efforts for approved charitable organizations. Jim Taylor describes Ribbons of Service as “a shared-commitment program that encourages riders to show an American Saddlebred, Arabian (including Half-Arabians), Morgan or National Show Horse in saddle seat equitation competitions, and encourages donors to pledge funds for charity for each...

The United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Junior Career Development Program provides a rare opportunity for junior riders to apprentice with a competition official for a day. The program pairs a junior rider with a competition official such as a judge, show manager, show secretary, steward, course designer, vet or farrier giving them the ability to better understand the duties and responsibilities of these officials. It’s also a great opportunity for juniors to determine if they would...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that 43 USDF members successfully completed the USDF “L” Education Program between May and November of 2008. The USDF “L” Education Program is designed to prepare candidates to enter the United States Equestrian Federation “r” Judges Training Program, to qualify individuals to judge schooling shows, and to give competitors, trainers, and instructors greater insight into the evaluative techniques of judging dressage. The program...