The USEF Executive Committee met on Monday, May 19, 2008 and approved the following rule changes for immediate implementation. These rule changes were submitted by the USEF Eventing Technical Committee with the support of the USEA Eventing Standards Task Force. EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY the first fall of competitor, at obstacles, on the Cross-Country course will result in Elimination. 1) EV141.1 (b) Cross-Country Scoring b. Falls - (1) First fall of competitor 65 penalties Elimination (2) First...

Chicago 2016, the organization bidding for the privilege to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games, announced that Tempel Farms, an internationally renowned equestrian facility in Lake County, IL, will be the proposed site for the Olympic Equestrian Complex. Tempel Farms is well known to the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), and its participation is expected to strengthen Chicago’s concept for the Games significantly. Chicago 2016 Chairman and CEO Pat Ryan said, “This is a great day for...

After winning the Hunter Derby at Pin Oak, Peter Pletcher and Argentum took home the Gold for the second time in two weeks, winning the $10,000 United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) International Hunter Challenge Derby Classic at the Spring Gathering Horse Show in the Houston suburb of Katy, TX. The class was held under the lights in the main arena at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center. An enthusiastic crowd cheered their favorites as 23 entries competed over the first round-track...

Wellington, FL – Nine teams contested the $75,000 FEI Nations Cup CSIO 5**** presented by CN on March 7 at a festive Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL. In a night off from the USEF Selection Trials for Show Jumping, which continue on Sunday afternoon, the Nations Cup brought out true international flavor. Fans, bands and patriotism showed up to support the different teams and be part of the action including a very vocal Irish contingency. They were rewarded for their...

The Arabian Horse Association (AHA) is pleased to introduce a new Arabian Horse Foundation to meet the growing needs of the Arabian horse community. The foundation will fund previously unsupported areas, such as general education, equine research and disaster relief. Donors will have the option to designate their contributions to a particular category. “This foundation will provide, for the first time, a way for donors to select how they want their gift to be used,” said Larry Kinneer,...

The FEI Task Force Chairmen met for four days, February 21-24, to agree on the final recommendations for the new FEI Endurance Rules for 2009 and onwards. Far reaching changes are recommended by the task force that has consulted widely with all those involved in the discipline over the last year following their creation immediately after the FEI World Endurance Forum held in Paris in February 2007. FEI Technical Committee members will now have an opportunity to review the task force proposals...

The Saddlebred community has lost two renowned horsemen. Both Dale Pugh and Edward C. Barham left behind significant accomplishments; their presence cannot be replaced. Pugh, who was born on April 10, 1917, died February 11 at the Veteran’s Home in Mexico, MO. Pugh served in the United States Navy during World War II, but was mostly known for his long career as a professional horseman. Pugh began training horses at the Callaway Hills Stable in New Bloomfield in the 60's, and had a hand in...

In recent years, the months of the show season have included news of disease outbreaks that can pose a threat to the health of performance horses. More and more, horse owners are searching for simple and effective techniques to help protect their horses from these threats year round. Knowledge and practice of basic biosecurity has become critical for horse health. Whether traveling, accepting new horses into a facility or performing day-to-day tasks around the farm, an eye to sanitation and...

The 2008 Masters Division, sponsored by The World, has higher stakes at The Jumper Classic's new location in Hampton Falls, NH. Last year Elisabeth Clarke LaMotte of West Grove, PA, and her horse, Sky High, captured the blue ribbon in the $2,000 Master's Classic presented by The World. Reining champion and original founder of the Jumper Classic, Donald Little of Ipswich, MA, relinquished first place to LaMotte, though both shared the hometown advantage. LaMotte is originally from Hamilton, the...

The 2008 Masters Division, sponsored by The World, has higher stakes at The Jumper Classic's new location in Hampton Falls, NH. Last year Elisabeth Clarke LaMotte of West Grove, PA, and her horse Sky High captured the blue ribbon in the $2,000 Master's Classic presented by The World. Reining champion and original founder of the Jumper Classic, Donald Little of Ipswich, MA, relinquished first place to LaMotte, though both shared the hometown advantage. LaMotte is originally from Hamilton, the...