The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the approval of Digital Angel Corporation’s (formerly Destron Fearing) Life-Chip equine radio frequency identification (RFID) injectable transponder for use in horses. The industry expects that in the future additional companies will apply for USDA approval of equine microchips to be developed and sold in the U.S. Microchips are a valuable tool to the equine industry to identify horses, whether as proof of ownership if lost or...

At the New York State Fair Horse Show in Syracuse, NY, Jennifer Reid of Wellington, FL, took home the Adult Amateur 18-35 Hunter championship on her mount Sweet Emotion. Reid and the talented black mare won three out of five classes in the division. They were third and fourth in the remaining two classes. Sweet Emotion won the under saddle class in the adult hunter division as well as the $500 open hunter under saddle class. Reid also piloted Playtime to the reserve championship in the division....

(Lexington, KY) – Maria Partlow, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communication has announced that she will retire effective October 1st, 2007. She has been with the USEF since March of 2004. “This is a life decision and one I have thought a great deal about,” she said. “My mother died very unexpectedly earlier this year, and her passing made me reflect on how fleeting life is and about how I want to spend the future. Although I love working at the USEF, I want to get up every morning,...

Lexington, KY—The United States Equestrian Federation is seeking an individual to fill the position of Endurance Chef d’Equipe. The successful candidate will be provided with a contract for the 2008-2010 biennium and possibly longer. A Search Committee has been appointed: -James Wolf - Executive Director, Sports Programs -Mark Phillips - USEF Chef d’Equipe for Eventing -Tony Benedetti - Endurance High Performance and Active Athlete Committee member. -Kathy Brunjes - Endurance High...

The Hong Kong Jockey Club announced on July 7 that it had now completed all key venues for the 2008 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic equestrian events for testing as scheduled and that the facilities would set new world standards in terms of quality, environmental consideration, cost effectiveness and legacy value. Moreover, the project had been achieved from initial planning to completion within the remarkably short time of less than two years. The Club will hand over the competition and...

(Lexington, KY) - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), announced today that effective June 28th United States Dressage Federation members, who have an active USDF participating membership and are USEF members, can now obtain one joint USEF/USDF membership card as opposed to two separate cards. The card can be accessed online and carries both of the individual membership numbers. The USEF already has a joint membership card with the United States Hunter and Jumper Association (USHJA)...

Doug Prather (New York's McLain Ward and Sapphire finish in eighth place in the Rolex FEI World Cup Show Jumping Finals in Las Vegas) Las Vegas, Nevada—On the last day of the 2007 Rolex FEI World Cup for show jumping, it came down to a battle between the Germans and Swiss. In the end, it was a win for Beat Mandli and Ideo du Thot, the 11-year-old Selle Francais gelding after putting in two rounds where they downed only one rail to finish on a score of five World Cup points. Some 15...

Shane Shiflet (The new USEF Opportunity classes span many breeds and disciplines.) Lexington, KY - In an effort to allow more flexibility and more classes at USEF licensed competitions and to get more people involved in showing horses, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has initiated new opportunities for exhibitors to compete at particular competitions. A new rule was approved by the Executive Committee on February 20, 2007, with an effective date of April 1, 2007. This new rule,...

The development of a world-class equestrian center is underway in the state of Texas and slated to open in 2009. In November 2006, voters in Dallas, TX, approved the balance of more than $14 million in bonds that would allow the city, as a collaborative partner, to move a step closer to making the Texas Horse Park a reality. Fundraising is now underway by Texas Horse Park, Inc., to match the city’s commitment. Situated on more than 500 acres, the Texas Horse Park will border the 6,000-acre...

The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation awarded a $2 million grant to the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) in November 2006 in support of the organization’s eight High Performance programs. The High Performance disciplines are dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, reining, para-equestrian, show jumping, and vaulting. USET Foundation funding provided support, in whole or in part, for High Performance athletes to participate in both national and international events in...