Horse owners who frequently travel out of the state of North Carolina with their animals for horse shows and festivals can take advantage of a new agreement between Southern states that will eliminate the need to obtain monthly animal health certificates. The agreement between Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia will allow horse owners to apply for an Equine Event Permit that will be good...

The Organizing Committee of the World Endurance Championships, which are taking place next month in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, have confirmed that they have received definite entries for 188 horses from 41 nations. The horses are all due to start arriving in Dubai around January 8, allowing them time to acclimatize ahead of the competition which takes place on January 26-27, 2005. At the final trial, which took place in Dubai last weekend held at the Dubai Endurance Village, the...

Gladstone, New Jersey (December 21, 2004) – The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (USET Foundation) announced that the Festival of Champions would not be held in 2005. The main reason for the decision was the need for the USET Foundation to focus its efforts and resources on a new fundraising campaign to be launched in 2005. Foundation officials stressed that, while the fundraising efforts must take precedence over the Festival of Champions, steps are being taken to properly plan for a...

AAEP ( ) Nearly 6,300 veterinary professionals, guests and exhibitors attended the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ (AAEP) 50th Annual Convention in Denver, Co, breaking the meeting’s attendance record once again. The convention, held December 4-8, featured nearly 100 scientific presentations, a sold-out trade show and successful equine health seminar for horse owners. "Once again, Dr. Scott Palmer and the Program Committee outdid themselves," said David Foley, AAEP...

Lexington, KY —Competing against a record number of submissions from across the country, 12 outstanding entries have emerged victorious in the 2004 United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Awards for Media Excellence. The winning entry in each of the six individual categories will go on to compete for the Daniel P. Lenehan Trophy , a capstone award celebrating outstanding achievement in media excellence. In addition, the Federation is pleased to introduce the President’s Award ,...

For 2005 the FEI has recognized the CCI** as a CIM, as defined in Appendix D of the FEI General Regulations. Due to this classification, under FEI General Rules, Article 139.2, horses taking part in CIMs in their country of residence are not required to have an FEI passport. Therefore the passport requirements are as follows (the star designation applies to CICs and CCIs): • All horses entered in a *** or **** competition regardless of location must have an FEI passport. • All U.S. owned horses...

At its recent meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the FEI Bureau decided to establish a task force to reassess the policies necessary for the elimination of abusive and illegal performance enhancing drugs and to review the general medication control of horses. The Task Force will be composed of the following members: Sven Holmberg, Sweden, Chairman Philip Billington, Great Britain Breido Zu Rantzau, Great Britain David Distler, United States Peter Wylde, United States Marco Danese, Italy The...

Wellington, FL —With seven World Cup slots hanging just out of reach, and the possibility of two wild cards factoring in, East Coast League riders hold a collective breath as the latest round of qualifying points is tallied. After eight rounds of competition, the rivalry stays ever close, with McLain Ward emerging the new leader as the group takes a short recess for the Winter months. Closely following Ward’s 92 points are Kimberly Frey with 81, Laura Kraut with 72, and Lauren Hough...

Los Angeles, CA —As the 2004 season comes to a close, West Coast League riders step out of their saddles for a moment to reflect on five rounds of World Cup qualifiers that have determined their standings at the halfway mark. Separated by only a few points, Richard Spooner, Joie Gatlin and Gabriella Salick maintain an incredibly close race for the three World Cup slots afforded to the League. A tenth place finish atop Hilton Flight (Bay Irish Sport Horse gelding; Errigal...

Barbara Kearney's G.G. Valentine and two-time World Championship Hunter Rider Jennifer Alfano of Buffalo, NY, finished their show season as winners at the 2004 Syracuse Invitational Horse Show. Held at the OnStar Center in Syracuse, NY. for the second time, the best riders came to compete from throughout North America. Alfano and G.G. Valentine took home the Working Hunter Championship to cap off their extraordinary 2004 season. "G.G. was just super for me," stated Alfano, 36. "She is one of...