Small equines from all across the nation turned out in a big way for the 121st Shetland Pony Congress Show, resulting in the largest competition in five years. The versatile Shetland Ponies competed at the Crossroads Arena in Cloverdale, IN, for national championship titles in classes such as driving, halter, jumping, youth and costume classes while owners competed for “best groomed” pony and youth members wrote essays hoping to win a Shetland Pony of their own. “Congress was a great...

The Chincoteague pony herd is thought to be descended from animals aboard a wrecked 16th century Spanish ship, but today the herd is getting 21st century health care. Again this year, the herd is receiving donated vaccinations and deworming products from Merial, maker of Recombitek® Equine West Nile Virus (WNV) vaccine, Imrab® rabies vaccine and Zimecterin® Gold (ivermectin/praziquantel). These products represent health care technology used by top equine competitors—but even wild ponies...

As September 2010 and the opening of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, KY, steadily approach, the American Saddlebred Museum is preparing for the arrival of the world at its front door. The museum plans to showcase the American Saddlebred horse in worldclass fashion for this unprecedented opportunity. The intention is to send international guests home full of enthusiasm and excitement about this wonderful and versatile breed. Along with construction of a new wing and...

Dressage riders Kassandra Barteau and Marco Bernal rode away winners at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby, both winning high score awards sponsored by Dressage Training Online. Barteau captured the USEF Level High Score and Bernal took home the FEI High Score CDI. “We love the opportunity to recognize the horses and riders who excel at this prestigious show,” said Dressage Training Online founder Reisa Bonetti. “We know the commitment it takes to succeed at this level of competition.” Barteau, who...

The Morgan breed was celebrated and heralded in Sacramento, CA, at the 2009 American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) Convention, February 18-21. "We were delighted with every aspect of the convention," said AMHA Executive Director Julie M. Broadway. "The weather cooperated for great farm tours, attendance was strong, and all the seminars were well attended. Each party was fun and upbeat, and fundraising was very successful! Everything was smooth and seamless, and a great time was had by all."...

Lendon Gray, President and CEO of The Dressage Foundation, announced that Jan Brons of Wellington, FL, has won the 2009 “Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize.” The purpose of the prize, established at The Dressage Foundation, is to provide financial assistance for coaching and training to a talented, committed, qualified rider whose plan is to reach and excel at the elite, international standards of high-performance dressage. “A strong field of applicants applied for this important new prize,...

Karen O'Connor (right) was named USEF's Equestrian of the Year in 2008. (USEF Archives/Geoff Oliver Bugbee) Lexington, KY — Voting is now open for the United States Equestrian Federation’s (USEF) most prestigious awards, the 2008 Farnam®/Platform™ USEF Horse of the Year award and the 2008 USEF Equestrian of the Year award. Any USEF member can vote for the Farnam®/Platform™ USEF Horse of the Year or USEF Equestrian of the Year. Your vote will help decide which of...

Lexington, KY— The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) announces the new partnership with Pennfield Equine Feed Technologies as the “Official Horse Feed of the USEF.” Pennfield is a widely respected, family-owned feed company in Pennsylvania that has been serving the eastern seaboard states since 1919 and has partnered with Kentucky Equine Research (KER) for their unparalleled nutritional expertise since 1996. Known for using only the finest, most consistent feed ingredients and precise...

Lexington, KY – In its inaugural year, the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Lifetime Achievement Award was created to recognize members whose involvement in the sport, and the USHJA itself, has benefited the industry. On December 10, Beth Miner and Alvin Topping were honored with the prestigious award at the 2008 Evening of Equestrians Dinner during the USHJA Annual Meeting in Nashville, TN. Both Miner and Topping have an illustrious history with the USHJA and took a prominent...

Lexington, KY— As the year comes to a close, the United States Equestrian Federation® (USEF) is pleased to announce the 2008 Equestrians of Honor. Of these seven honorees, one will be selected as the 2008 USEF Equestrian of the Year, one of USEF’s most prestigious awards. All of the Equestrians of Honor will be recognized during the Annual Pegasus Awards Dinner at the USEF Annual Meeting on Saturday, January 17. The Annual Meeting will be held January 14-18 at the Hilton...