Photo Courtesy American Vaulting Association (Patti Skipton of Warm Beach Vaulters received the AVA's Trainer for the Year Award for 2009.) At their recent Annual Convention, the American Vaulting Association (AVA) presented Lifetime Achievement Awards, the highest award of the AVA, to Jeffrey Ashton Moore and Jan F. Garrod, whose efforts over the past 40 years have been instrumental to the recognition, growth and continued high standards of the sport of equestrian vaulting. At the same event,...

Fifth Third Bank has joined the sponsorship ranks of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, as both the presenting sponsor of the Kentucky Experience and the Official Community Bank of the Games. Fifth Third Bank, as presenting sponsor of the Kentucky Experience, is supporting the showcase of the state’s tourism destinations to hundreds of thousands of Games visitors. The Kentucky Experience will be a series of spectacular pavilions encompassing over 25,000-plus square feet in the heart...

McLain Ward and Sapphire Look to go One Better in 2010 (Shannon Brinkman/ USEF Archives) Lexington, KY - With 10 riders representing the United States at the 2010 Rolex/FEI World Cup Final (April 15-18), the American assault on Geneva looks very strong. Led by 2009 runner-up McLain Ward and his legendary Sapphire, the 34-year-old will look to go one better in Switzerland than they did in Las Vegas one year ago. Fortunately, they won't have the fleet-footed Shutterfly to chase as the defending...

The April 12 application deadline for the Zones 6, 8, 9 and 12 Emerging Athletes Program through the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) is fast approaching. And the USHJA doesn’t want anyone to miss out on the chance to participate in the program and the chance to work with former Olympic rider Melanie Smith Taylor. Athletes interested in applying to participate in the Level I Training Session must be able to display proficiency in completing jumper style courses over the...

Lexington, KY - As part of proposed expansions to United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) National Dressage programs in 2011 the USEF Dressage Committee is now accepting applications for the possible appointment of a USEF National Youth Dressage Coach for 2011. Therefore, the Committee is seeking qualified candidates to fill this position. The primary responsibilities for this coach will be to further the education of riders, trainers, and owners and the importance of proper development of...

The most comprehensive national directory of breed and sport organizations, equine publications, state resources and racing and gaming organizations is now available for purchase. The American Horse Council’s 2010 Horse Industry Directory is a yearly effort to bring to you a definitive source that puts the equine industry at your fingertips. This year’s Horse Industry Directory has a staggering 1,200 listings, including equine publications, state sources of information, breed registries and...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) has announced a membership dues and horse registration fee increase for the 2011 membership year, which begins December 1, 2010. At the 2009 Adequan/USDF Annual Convention in Austin, TX, the following dues and fees were approved by the Board of Governors (BOG); 1-year Participating Membership (PM)-$75, Youth PM-$60, 5-Year PM-$300, Life PM-$1,500, Business Membership-$200, Group Member Organization (GMO) Membership-$20, GMO Supporting Family...

The next opportunity to learn from some of the best riders and instructors in the world of hunters and jumpers will come April 19-20 in Washington and April 19-21 in Connecticut during the SmartPak/United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Trainer Symposiums. Registration for the symposiums has been open since January 1. The symposiums offer attendees a rare opportunity to participate in the practical training sessions and round table discussions with top professionals in the industry....

The TSE/Tattersalls Spring Sale will be broadcast over the Internet starting Friday, April 9, through Saturday, April 10, on the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) website at www.saddlebred.com Sale entries are still being accepted for the Spring Sale, and entry forms can be obtained at www.tsetattersalls.com/entryform.pdf . For more information about the TSE/Tattersalls Spring Sale, visit www.tsetattersalls.com , or contact Suzie Teater at (859) 885-7283, or by email at steater@iglou....

American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) members, youth, and guests poured into the ballroom at the Marriott Griffin Gate Resort and Spa in Lexington, KY, on the evening of Saturday, February 20, to enjoy the culminating event of the 2010 ASHA Convention and Youth Conference, the Saddlebred Ball. Included in the night’s festivities were acceptance speeches by the recipients of ASHA’s Annual Awards, several of which were greeted with rousing ovations. Award recipients included Lifetime...