On behalf of all those who contribute to the equestrian family, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), governing body of international equestrian sport, announced on November 20 the creation of a commission on medication and doping chaired by Dr. Arne Ljungqvist, Chairman of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Medical Commission and Vice President of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The Commission will offer a robust examination of the way the equine anti-doping policies can...

Results of a United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) online survey conducted in May and June 2008 concerning the USEF Dressage Performance Standards Proposal showed that 65% of the over 1,250 respondents feel that there should be a proficiency requirement in order to advance through the levels in dressage competition. In addition, 56% of respondents indicate that the levels of proficiency identified in the draft proposal were appropriate. Important concerns about the USEF Dressage...

International-level dressage with a Saturday night musical freestyle celebration under lights will be held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), December 4-6. The CDI*** dressage competition will be combined with the CSI*** Holiday & Horses event that includes the Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championship presented by Equine Motorcoach. The dressage competition is a major upgrade from the national level show of previous years. The musical freestyles will be in the...

The Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament is pleased to offer a special opportunity to meet the 2008 Gold medal U.S. Olympic show jumping team. On Friday, October 31, at 5 p.m., the team will make their first and only public appearance together since the Olympics. McLain Ward, Beezie Madden, Laura Kraut and Will Simpson, along with their alternate teammate Anne Kurskinsi, and their Chef d 'Equipe George Morris, will share their insights into bringing home the Gold. Syracuse University...

The United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) is pleased to announce the $100,000 2008/2009 ASG Software Solutions/USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals will be held in Lexington, KY, August 21-22, 2009. The top 75 horses on the ranking list as of June 1, 2009, will be invited to attend this historic two-day event managed by Hugh Kincannon. On day one of the finals, all 75 horses will compete in a classic round, vying to be placed within the top 25, of whom will be invited back to...

Raeford, NC - The Carolina Horse Park is pleased to announce the appointment of a new board of directors and management team to lead the Park to a new level of excellence. M. Nixon Ellis, of Southern Pines, President and CEO of Argolyn Bioscience, a lifelong horseman with deep experience in the hunter/jumper/equitation ranks and a former steeplechase jockey, has been named chairman of the board. Ten new directors in addition to eight existing directors will join Dr. Ellis. This new board will...

Lexington, KY – Some of the most talented young horses from across the country have come to the Kentucky Horse Park to compete in the 2008 Markel/United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) National Young Horse Dressage Championship presented by Collecting Gaits Farm along with the USEF National Developing Horse Dressage Championship sponsored by the Dutta Corporation and Performance Sales International. The show kicks off on Friday, September 12, and runs through Sunday. With the Young Horse...

Lexington, KY - Heidi White has withdrawn Northern Spy from the U.S. Olympic Team in eventing for veterinary reasons. Following the selection procedures, the USEF named replacement horse-and-rider combination Karen O’Connor/Mandiba to the U.S. Olympic Team in eventing. This will be O’Connor’s fourth Olympic Games. The following horse/rider combinations have been named to the 2008 US Olympic Team in Eventing: Rider/Age/Hometown/Horse/Age/Breed/Sex/Owner (in alphabetical order): Phillip...

International dressage trainer, Oded Shimoni, takes short breaks from his training schedule at Stillpoint Farm in Wellington, FL, to teach clinics throughout the U.S. Last month he was at Amanda Person’s farm in Atlanta teaching Amanda, Jason Canton, and others. This month Shimoni is heading to Pennsylvania to coach three-day eventer Bruce “Buck” Davidson, Jr., in preparation for the 2008 Olympics Hong Kong. Last year U.S. Three-Day Eventing Coach and Chef d’Equipe, Captain Mark Phillips,...

Ariat International, Inc., is proud to announce that Beezie Madden won the overall title at the 2008 Spruce Meadows National Tournament and was named the 2008 Spruce Meadows Canadian Champion. Madden won both events on the last day of the National, including the $40,000 ATCO Structures Double Slalom on Conquest II and the $175,000 Nexen Cup Derby on Judgement. Madden's performance at the Derby is legendary. She is the only rider in the history of the event to master the course without incurring...