Iron Spring Farm lost a beloved member of the family when Heinse 354 succumbed to colic last week. The 15-year-old stallion was known for his impressive performance career as both a dressage and driving horse, as well as for his successful offspring, which includes three approved sons. The handsome Friesian exemplified the best traits of the breed—beauty, athletic ability and an excellent temperament—and is already missed. "Heinse was the type of horse that anyone would love to have...

Lexington, KY— In days gone by, you could pick up the phone, dial the number of an organization and talk to the voice of a helpful employee, located within said organization (instead of a secretly positioned call center halfway across the world). At the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), those days never left. In fact lately, the initiative to provide personalized customer service has been on an exponential curve upward. John Long, USEF CEO, says the Customer Care Center, implemented...

Lexington, KY— Last month, leaders of the USEF Recognized Breed Affiliates got together with USEF staff to discuss the relationship with the USEF and continued growth, development and promotion of the Breeds. The meeting, moderated by Bill Moroney, took place in conjunction with the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show in Katy, TX. The meeting was just the beginning of many conversations that the USEF will have to reach the goals of the Breed Retreat, which is to continue the growth, development and...

A new trend in horse showing? Last fall Bob Bell, President of Classic Company, looked at his budget for the 2009 show season and decided there had to be some changes made. From May 22 to May 24, Bell will produce his first “Boutique” horse show in Tryon, NC, at the Harmon Field location, virtually in the downtown area, which only added to the new “definition” the show manager has created for these new events. Boutique (boo teek)—A horse show that is fashionable and unique. Always held at...

Double Olympic Gold medalist Beezie Madden won her first grand prix of the 2009 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) on Thursday, March 12, aboard Onlight in Round X of the $30,000 Braman Motorcars WEF Challenge Cup Series. Madden of Cazenovia, NY, and Onlight, owned by Team Onlight, were the only double-clear round from the initial 49 entries for the class in the DeNemethy arena. Only four combinations made it to the jump-off on the the course designed by Guilherme Jorge of Brazil. The time by...

The Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W/Y once again was the tournament of champions with Olympians like Lisa Wilcox and Courtney King-Dye in the winner’s circle during the four-day event, February 26-March 1. Classes in four rings meant strong competition for each ribbon in front of renowned international judging panels. Even the national classes were scored by the great Uwe Mechlem. Competitors and spectators alike were treated to special activities that can only be found at the Derby, such as...

The Arabian Horse Association (AHA) of Aurora, CO, is proud to name its top point-earning amateurs for 2008. Natacha Lesburgueres of Louisville, KY, earned 532 points, becoming the adult amateur winner, while Collier McLeod of Augusta, GA, earned 522.5 points for the youth amateur top spot. The AHA Amateur Achievement Award program began in 2002 and has since tracked the points that individual riders, handlers and drivers earn each year. In 2008 the program was adjusted to recognize adults and...

The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation is pleased to announce a very special opportunity for equestrians. The Gold Medal Olympic Show Jumping Clinic Series will be held at the historic training facility at Hamilton Farm in Gladstone, NJ. The series will offer a spring clinic with 1984 U.S. Olympic Team Gold medalist Joe Fargis and will continue in the fall with 2004 and 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Gold medalist McLain Ward. The clinics will benefit the USET Foundation in their pursuit...

Brazil's Rodrigo Pessoa clinched a berth in the FEI World Cup Final in Las Vegas with a win Saturday night aboard his Olympic mount Rufus in the $150,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix, presented by Spy Coast Farm, at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington. Michelle Spadone of Califon, NJ, on the Belgian Warmblood mare, Melisimo, who has never seen a World Cup Final and was a last-minute addition placed second in the competition with 45 starters from nine countries. Among them were...

Exhibitors who made their way to the desert for the start of the 2009 HITS Desert Circuit will be treated to a perfect week of Southern California weather and an exciting week of equestrian competition that started on January 20 at the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, CA. All of the show rings will be action-packed for the next eight weeks as junior, amateur and professional riders start off a new year of competition. Some will be riding new mounts purchased in the fall, while others will be...