Diana DeRosa (Mara Dean and Nicki Henley lead heading into cross-country in Rio de Janeiro.) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – The American event riders got off to a fantastic start on July 20 at the XV Pan American Games taking the lead in the team portion of the competition and sweeping the top five places individually. American combination Mara Dean riding Nicki Henley went to the head of a quality field of 27 horse-and-rider combinations riding before the ground jury of Barry Roycroft, Jo...

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce that the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), the international governing body for equestrian sport, has recently approved that the 2008 North American Junior and Young Riders’ Championships (NAJYRC) will take place at the Colorado Horse Park in Parker, CO July 29-August 3, 2008. Since 1974, the NAJYRC is one of the premier equestrian competitions in North American for Junior and Young Riders, age 14-21. Young...

Francie Steinwedell-Carvin came all the way from California to claim first place in the Peak Building Systems $25,000 High Prairie Grand Prix at the Colorado Horse Park on Saturday night, July 14. Steinwedell-Carvin, who has represented the United States internationally, bested a field of 26 other top riders from Mexico, Canada, Arizona, Illinois, New Mexico, Texas and Colorado. She now becomes eligible for the $100,000 bonus if she can win the next two grand prix at the Colorado Horse Park on...

Diana DeRosa (Christopher Hickey and Regent in Rio de Janeiro) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil—When most people think of Rio, sunshine comes quickly to mind. However, that was not the case today at Deodoro Stadium and the National Equestrian Center outside of the city. Clouds, the threat of rain showers and cooler temperatures loomed, but it was a rather bright day for the hopes of the American dressage riders as all three of them competed in the first of two rounds that will determine the...

The FEI is proud to announce that on July 7, 2007, HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein was elected as the member representing the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and as President of the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI). The election took place during the 119th IOC Session held in Guatemala City. HRH Princess Haya was elected with 78 out of 91 valid votes. “On behalf of the Olympic movement, I would like to congratulate HRH Princess Haya on her...

The newly created FEI Safety Sub-Committee held it first meeting in London on June 18, 2007. The committee is chaired by international rider and course designer David O’Connor (USA). Members include Chris Bartle, international rider and trainer of the German National Eventing Team; Laurent Bousquet, international rider and chairman of the French National Federation Safety Commission and trainer of the Belgium National Eventing Team; Yogi Briesner, trainer of the British National Eventing Team;...

Defending champion Jeffery Welles and two of the four riders on the United States squad for the 2007 Pan American Games head the impressive list of entries as the 38th Annual Lake Placid Horse Show opened at the North Elba Showgrounds in Lake Placid, NY. The 2007 Lake Placid Horse Show will once again host outstanding non-stop equestrian action highlighted by the $75,000 Budweiser Grand Prix of Lake Placid CSI***, presented by RV Sales of Broward, on Sunday, July 1. The 30th Annual I Love New...

Buying a horse is a big challenge. Choosing a mount that doesn't fit your needs, skill level or intended use can be painful emotionally, financially and even physically. To give would-be horse owners information that will enable them to make decisions that will lead to years of equine enjoyment, Michigan State University's (MSU's) My Horse University has launched a new online course called "Horse Selection and Evaluation." In this self-paced course, participants will discover a wealth of...

The Nigerian internet fraud, which has pounded U.S. e-mail accounts touting to make large money transfers in exchange for fees, has taken on a new spin with internet horse trailer sales. The increasing growth of equestrian websites offering free classified ads has provided an effective catalyst for the Nigerian scam artists to test their new scheme. Horse trailers have been targeted because they are high-ticket items. “We discovered it through first-hand experience,” stated Tom Scheve, CEO of...

A new stallion has just been added to the National Reining Horse Association’s (NRHA) list of million dollar sires. Grays Starlight (Peppy San Badger x Docs Starlight), owned by Polo Ranch in Marietta, OK, has just broken into the elite group. Grays Starlight’s offspring earnings now total $1,007,713.58. Some of Grays Starlight’s top money earners include Starlights Wrangler with $125,966.10 in lifetime earnings, Hit The Lights with $112,925.51, Smart Starbuck with $60,045.00, and Spooks Rey...