The Board of Directors of the American Shetland Pony Club (ASPC) announced that they will again offer a $10,000 scholarship to any registered American Shetland Pony who earns the title of Champion Small Pony Hunter at the United States Equestrian Pony Finals to be hosted August 13-17 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. “The $10,000 incentive prize was designed to encourage participation of Shetland Ponies in a variety of competitions.” explained Zona Schneider, Operations Director of...

The American Trakehner Association (ATA) is pleased to announce its 2008 Inspection schedule. Inspections provide the opportunity to present horses for approval into the ATA studbooks, as well as offer participants a tremendous learning experience. All horses that are presented for inspection must be pre-registered with the ATA. The inspection process is clearly defined on the ATA website, but basically it includes the following elements: 1. Stand to be measured (height, girth, and canon bone)...

A new program has been launched to provide prize money for exhibitors at the Arabian Sport Horse National Championships beginning in 2008. Founded by a group of Sport Horse National (SHN) exhibitors and supporters, the program features half-price stallion services as the main source of funding. By donating a breeding, all existing offspring of that stallion become eligible for the prize money in all payback classes. The stallion services are sold on a first-come-first-served basis to any mare...

Thunderbird Show Park and the Washington State Hunter and Jumper Association have teamed together to create a new hunter/jumper circuit named the Northwest Summer Circuit. The circuit includes the Evergreen Classic, the Thunderbird Summer Classic and the Thunderbird Summer Festival. The Evergreen Classic will be held at Remlinger Farms Equestrian Park in Carnation, WA, from August 6-10. The Thunderbird Summer Classic is scheduled from August 13-17 at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, British...

Lexington, KY - Two important individuals made huge contributions to the success of the United States Equestrian Federation’s international riders in 2007. Capt. Mark Phillips and Melanie Smith-Taylor were instrumental in the achievements of the eventing and show jumping teams respectively. Phillips, who has been awarded the 2007 USEF National Coach of the Year honor, drove an incredibly successful eventing campaign which was highlighted by a medal sweep at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de...

Louisville, KY-On Saturday, more than 100 young equestrians and their parents gathered in Louisville’s downtown Hyatt to celebrate their shared love for horses. Organized by the United States Equestrian Federation’s (USEF) Youth Council, this inaugural convention focused on promoting youth involvement from all 18 affiliated breeds and disciplines and ParaEquestrian which operate under the USEF umbrella. Jane Savoie, one of the most recognized names in dressage, kicked-off the activities with a...

The Equestrian Aid Foundation (EAF) is delighted to announce the First Annual Celebrity Roast honoring the birthdays of two icons in the horse industry. George Morris, legendary hunter/jumper guru, and Jessica Ransehausen, a driving force in American dressage, are both turning 70. This birthday celebration will bring together equestrians, fans and well wishers to roast these two legends at a bash to benefit the Equestrian Aid Foundation/Ride for Hope. Announcer extraordinaire Peter Doubleday...

Diane Carney of Telluride Farm led several of her students to top placings this weekend at the Ledge Winter Classic, held January 3-6 at the Ledges Sporting Horses indoor facility in Roscoe, IL. Catie Hope, 16, took home the championship in the Large Junior Hunter division aboard her new mount, Caped Crusader. The pair took a first and a sixth place over fences and won the under saddle for the tricolor. They also placed third in the $1,000 Junior Hunter Classic. Hope's consistency followed her...

Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation is pleased to announce the promotion of Sara Ike to the position of Managing Director of Eventing. Ike has worked at the USEF Gladstone office since 2003, and has served as the Eventing High Performance Director since March of 2007. Prior to that appointment she was the Director of Vaulting. In 2007 she was the Team Leader for the Eventing team which swept the medals at the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She also traveled to...

Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation is pleased to announce the promotion of Sara Ike to the position of Managing Director of Eventing. Ike has worked at the USEF Gladstone office since 2003, and has served as the Eventing High Performance Director since March of 2007. Prior to that appointment she was the Director of Vaulting. In 2007 she was the Team Leader for the Eventing team which swept the medals at the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She also traveled to...