Endurance riders from across the U.S. and Canada made their way to Louisville, KY, for the American Endurance Ride Conference’s 2008 convention, held February 20-21 at the Galt House Hotel. The convention, which included educational seminars, “hot topics” workshops, trade show, meetings for international competitors, a class for veterinarians, and a dance, concluded with a heartfelt and tearful national awards banquet. Suzy Kelley, a longtime endurance rider from Southern California, was taken...

American Hunter Pony Classic Sale graduates captured both of the USEF Horse of the Year Grand Champion Pony Hunter titles in 2008. Small pony hunters won both titles. The American Hunter Pony Classic held each year in conjunction with the USEF National Pony Hunter Finals. Horse of the Year Grand Champion Pony Hunter honors went to 13-year-old Fancy Feet in one of most dominating HOTY performances in years. Fancy Feet was the nation’s leading small pony hunter earning 11,410 points, beating the...

Lexington, KY— The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has selected the six competitions which will be required to take heel measurements from the first and fourth place ponies in Roadster and Hackney Roadster Pony Championships. The 2009 competitions include: • River Ridge Charity - Columbus, OH (April 22-25) • Midwest Charity - Springfield, IL (June 16-20) • Lexington Junior League - Lexington, KY (July 6-11) • Kentucky State Fair - Louisville, KY (August 23-29) • Southeastern Charity...

The Arabian Horse Association (AHA) is proud to name purebred Arabian gelding Chase TheWind AH (El Paso x Wind Sonja), owned by Suzanne Ford Huff of Gardnerville, NV, as its 2008 Distance Horse of the Year. Chase received this prestigious acclaim for his outstanding accomplishments in endurance; he completed nine of nine starts during 2008 and received Best Condition twice. As the winner of the Distance Horse of the Year Award, Chase TheWind AH's name will be engraved on a perpetual trophy...

California show jumping superstar Joie Gatlin was quick to wear out her welcome at HITS Arizona when she captured the blue aboard SunCal's King in the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix to conclude Week II, the Kachina Classic at the Pima County Fairgrounds, in Tucson, AZ. "I think everyone in Tucson was happy to see me come, and I think they are even happier to see me go," joked Gatlin. The California girl got the best of 28 riders in the first round and an additional 13 that advanced to the jump-off...

Peter Wylde, 2004 Olympic Team Gold medalist for the USA, rode Esplanade 7 to his first grand prix win of the 2009 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival on Thursday, January 29. The pair took the fourth leg of the $30,000 Braman Motorcars WEF Challenge Cup Series under lights at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Fifty-seven combinations started the class with 15 going clear to move to the jump-off. Six pairs posted clear rounds in a thrilling dash around the shortened course. Wylde, who...

Horses and Humans Research Foundation (HHRF) invites proposals to investigate the therapeutic effects of horses on humans. The Foundation's broad research agenda includes basic research as well as clinical studies that will ultimately impact physical and mental health and the quality of life for people with disabilities who are involved with equine-assisted activities/therapies. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis, taking into account scientific merit, scientific and clinical significance...

Despite a tumultuous economy, the first Stallion Service Auctions of the new year started on a high note, as American Saddlebred enthusiasts from across the country came together in Wisconsin and Kentucky in support of the breed. Leading the auctions with $273,000 was the Fifth Annual All American Cup Stallion Service Auction on Saturday, January 24, at Claudia Sanders Dinner House in Shelby County, KY. The auction topper, at $34,000, was Callaway's Blue Norther, setting a record for American...

Wellington, FL – The Exquis World Dressage Masters finale showcased the world’s best dressage riders under the lights in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Club on Saturday night. The temperature was unseasonably low but the quality of dressage was seriously high. The reigning Olympic Champion, Anky van Grunsven, lived dangerously in the Grand Prix on Friday, she only qualified for the Freestyle when Michael Barisone opted for the Grand Prix Special...

Steffen Peters and Ravel (Ken Braddick) Wellington, FL – The inaugural Exquis World Dressage Masters debuted at the palm Beach International Equestrian Club on January 30. The brisk weather made for some frisky horses but the USA’s star from the 2008 Olympic Games shone brighter than ever. Steffen Peters, who traveled from San Diego, CA for the occasion with Aikiko Yamazaki’s Ravel put on a performance that was very much the best of the Grand Prix – and the highest score...