Lexington, KY – A silent auction held by the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) raised over $5,000 in proceeds to benefit the USHJA Foundation and the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA). The silent auction was held at the USHJA Annual Meeting in Nashville, TN, which took place December 8-11. Winning bids of the 28 donated items were announced at the Evening of Equestrians Awards Ceremony on December 10. The USHJA Foundation promotes the hunter and jumper...

Lexington, KY —Over the past decade, the United States Equestrian Federation has bestowed special Pegasus Awards for media excellence on an array of talented journalists, photographers and publications. As time progressed, new categories reflecting the developing and ever-changing world of media have been added to fully honor and celebrate the members of the press, media outlets and freelance artists. Within this group of devoted and hardworking individuals and publications, we find the heart...

Lexington, KY— The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) announces the United States Show Jumping Team for the Australian Youth Olympic Festival (AYOF). This multi-sport international event follows the structure of Olympic Games as closely as possible and draws athletes from across the world. The competition will be held January 14-18, 2009 at the Sydney International Equestrian Center. Invited nations include Australia, Great Britain, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Sweden and the United...

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has announced that Elizabeth Osborn of the Woodside Vaulters equestrian vaulting club has won the prestigious title of Vaulter of the Year. Osborn’s coach, Isabelle Bibbler Parker, was named USEF Coach of the Year. Osborn and Parker will receive their awards on January 16 at a ceremony during the USEF’s Annual Meeting in Cincinnati, OH. The USEF, based in Lexington, KY, is the national governing body of equestrian sport in the U.S. Osborn is the...

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) Junior Exhibitor Youth Driving Challenge funded by Elisabeth Goth Chelberg, held its finals in November during the American Royal in Kansas City, MO. Cash prizes, medals, and ribbons were awarded to three in the Show Pleasure Driving Challenge and in the Fine Harness Driving Challenge, for the second year in a row, CH Cary’s Moonraker took home first place. The winners are as follows: Show Pleasure Driving Challenge Horse, rider, owner, place...

The American Association of Equine Practitioners’ (AAEP) 54th Annual Convention united equine practitioners across the globe in San Diego, CA, December 6-10. As the world’s largest meeting for equine veterinarians, the convention provided quality education to 3,201 veterinarians, students and veterinary technicians. Total convention attendance was 6,579. David Foley, AAEP Executive Director, considered the third largest AAEP convention turnout a success in the midst of a staggering economy. “In...

Lexington, KY— As the year comes to a close, the United States Equestrian Federation® (USEF) is pleased to announce the 2008 Equestrians of Honor. Of these seven honorees, one will be selected as the 2008 USEF Equestrian of the Year, one of USEF’s most prestigious awards. All of the Equestrians of Honor will be recognized during the Annual Pegasus Awards Dinner at the USEF Annual Meeting on Saturday, January 17. The Annual Meeting will be held January 14-18 at the Hilton...

The new video message by the FEI Secretary General is now available on www.fei.org . In the December issue Alex McLin talks of the outcomes of the recent FEI General Assembly and the main actions to be undertaken in 2009, and the FEI Year of Youth. The CEO also takes a look at the preparations for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010, which are now less than two years away. To view the message, please visit the FEI homepage or visit www.fei.org/FEI/News/Pages/Podcasts.aspx .

During the USEF Dressage Performance Standards Open Forum held December 4 as part of the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Annual Convention, it was clear that the majority of attendees support some form of performance standards for dressage, mirroring the support shown in a USEF online survey conducted in early 2008. However, in consideration of concerns which have been expressed by membership, and sensitivity to the current state of the economy, the USEF Dressage Committee has voted to...

Denmark's Lars Petersen played his crowd-wowing cartoon medley to Success to capture his second straight major grand prix freestyle with a convincing win at the Holiday & Horses CDI*** at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center on Saturday night. The score of 73.90% with four of the five judges awarding first place for the longtime partnership that began in Europe and flowered in America edged out 2006 World Cup Finalist Arlene "Tuny" Page and Wild One of the USA who placed second with...