Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation’s National Hunter Breeding Championship continues to grow as fast as the young horses it showcases. To accommodate the phenomenal show of interest across the country, the Championship will be taking on a new format this year, welcoming competitors in two separate locations. This year, the 2005 Sallie B. Wheeler/USEF National Hunter Breeding Championship, Presented by Vita Flex, will start in Del Mar, CA, at the All Seasons...

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is excited to announce the judges for the 2005 Adult Amateur Saddle Seat Medal Finals taking place at the Lexington Junior League Horse Show on Friday, July 15. The three judge panel will consist of Michael Craghead of Livermore, California, Kim Crumpler of Simpsonville, Kentucky and Tim Lockard of Russell, Iowa. The USEF would like to remind all adult amateur Saddle Seat Equitation riders that there are several competitions...

PhelpsPhotos.com (Kim Severson won the 2004 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Four-Star on Winsome Adante.) Lexington, KY – In a month where the average American wanders out to the garden wishing for Summer, equestrian sport has taken the lead—and the reins—to bring the country into full bloom. Leading us first to the entertainment capital of the world on April 20, the 2005 FEI World Cup Finals promises to feature some of the best show jumping and dressage the world has to offer. The United States...

Australian Phillip Dutton cruised to victory in the FEI World Cup Qualifier at Chatsworth International Horse Trials (CIC***-W) with The Foreman on 46.2 penalities and also took second place with Hannigan (46.9) after the final cross-country phase at Bouckaert Farm, in northern Georgia. Olympic Silver medalist, Kimberly Severson, who won here in 2000 aboard Over The Limit moved into third place following a clear round on her 2002 winner, Winsome Adante, to finish on her dressage score of 50.50...

The anticipation builds in the equestrian community as Horse Shows In The Sun (HITS) prepares to host the HITS-on-the-Hudson Spring and Summer Circuits for the second year at its world-class show grounds in Saugerties, NY. The seven-week hunter/jumper circuit returns from May 25 to September 4, with many exciting new additions to the equestrian facility and the show jumping competition taking place there. Six of the seven HITS-on-the-Hudson shows are sanctioned by the FEI and will have a CSI***...

In 2004, the Arabian Horse Association (AHA) paid out almost $3 million of a $4.6 million available pot in International Arabian Breeders Sweepstakes (Sweepstakes) prize money to eligible horses and scholarship recipients. Most prize money was won at the 18 regional shows where more than $3 million is available in addition to $261,000 in gelding incentive, an extra 25% paid to Arabian geldings competing in performance classes. At Canadian and U.S. Nationals, competitors vie for more than $1...

Jessica Heidemann, 24, of Bellingham, WA, captured the FEI World Cup Qualifier (CIC***-W) at Galway Downs, CA, on April 3 on her 14-year-old Thoroughbred-cross gelding, French Twist, with a score of 58.4. Heidemann took over the lead after the overnight leader, Lauren Whitlock, 20, of Rohnert Park, CA, and her 12-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, Kipling, lowered the oxer at fence seven to drop to second place on 60.1 penalties. Sara Mittleider, 19, Kuna, ID, with the 10-year-old Thoroughbred...

Some of the countries leading international riders head a strong cast of competitors for the Chatsworth International Horse Trials, April 8-10, in Chatsworth, GA. The event, now in its 18th year, will be hosting its first FEI World Cup Qualifier (CIC***-W) alongside Intermediate and Open Preliminary divisions to offer a total purse of $30,000. Athens Olympic Silver medallist, Kimberly Severson, of Scottsville, VA, and Linda Wachtmeister’s 12-year-old English Thoroughbred gelding, Winsome...

The all-time leading sire in national reining horse history, Hollywood Dun It, was humanely put down on March 30. The 22-year-old buckskin stallion had been suffering from severe health problems escalated by his continuing battle with testicular cancer. According to Tim and Colleen McQuay, who owned Hollywood Dun It along with partner Jennifer Easton, the decision to put him down was a difficult one. Tim noted, “He’s been a part of our family, and a part of our lives, for a lot of years. None...

Dressage with the Expert will be offered at the 2005 Las Vegas World Cup, featuring FEI “O” Judge, Cara Whitham. Dressage with the Expert is a fascinating way to “eavesdrop” on the comments an expert might make about the performance of riders and horses while they are actually competing. It is a great way to gain a better understanding of this majestic sport. Whitham has judged all over the world and knows these horses and riders well. Headsets are available to hear a running commentary on each...