Some 70 delegates representing 31 National Federations have gathered in Paris, France, for the FEI World Endurance Forum from March 31-April 1, 2007. Under the motto “Consolidation, Cooperation, Creation,” this event was the starting point of an in-depth review of this FEI discipline. The basis of the current FEI Rules for endurance came into being over 20 years ago; indeed, endurance became an FEI discipline in 1982. In the last five years, the sport has undergone dramatic growth: in 2006 the...

Lexington, KY—Completed applications for an American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) Youth Scholarship are due in the association office no later than Monday, April 30, 2007. This fall, ASHA will award four $5,000 scholarships, as well as the Youth-to-Youth Scholarship, which is funded by donations and guaranteed to $5,000 by the Association. Additionally, one $2,500 scholarship will be awarded, which is funded by the American Saddlebred Association of Alabama. Scholarships are available to...

The Norwegian Fjord Horse Registry (NFHR) announced a Registration Amnesty period from April 1, 2007, to May 31, 2007. During this period, Fjord horse owners will be able to register their horses at reduced fees. A stated purpose of the NFHR is "establishing and maintaining a registry to collect, record, verify and preserve the pedigrees of purebred Norwegian Fjord horses." The NFHR has a duty to encourage Fjord Horse owners to register their horses. "There appears to be a large number of...

Bob Bell, President of the Classic Company, announced, "It’s official," referring to the return of the John Deere-USEF Memberperks bonus program, which will award a new Gator to the high-scoring adult amateur hunter on the final week of the Atlanta Fall Classics in November. Bell had pitched the idea for rewarding the adult group to the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and various committees in late 2005. “I just felt this is a group of exhibitors that so often is overlooked and that...

The Board of Directors of the American Shetland Pony Club 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 Federation (USEF) Pony Finals to be hosted in August. “The $10,000 incentive prize was designed to encourage participation and reward success,” explained Zona Schneider, Operations Director of the American Shetland Pony Club Executive Committee. “Today...

Attention Children Jumper Riders! This year’s FEI Children’s International Jumping Final will be held in Jalapa, Mexico, December 3-8, 2007. The Final for Children between the ages of 12 and 14 as defined by FEI rules brings together riders from various nations around the world not only to compete but also to meet their peers from other cultures. Qualifiers for this final will be held at the Florida Classic/WCHR Spectacular February 21-25, 2007, and the Oaks Blenheim Fall Tournament September...

For the first time ever, the 2007 American Saddlebred Reference Directory is now available electronically on the Association’s website and it’s free to all active ASHA members. Just visit www.saddlebred.com/members/index.php and log in. Once you have logged in, follow the instructions provided. The Reference Directory physical copy has been mailed to all active American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) members by USPS book rate mail. In the meantime, the association is providing this service...

When the 35th Edition of the Winter Equestrian Festival kicked off at 8:00 a.m., the sun was already high, conditions were perfect and the ground lush. The course designer this week in the Internationale Arena is Luc Musette, whose father, Jean-Paul, was national show jumping chef d’equipe for Belgium for many years until he retired to take charge of juniors and young riders. Musette was not originally scheduled to build until later in the tournament, but stepped in to deputize for Uliano...

(Lexington, KY) - Following a record year of participation in 2006, the United States Equestrian Federation, Inc.® announces the release of updated information for the 2007 Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program. The Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program promotes the importance of selective breeding and correct training of horses in the United States, and encourages participation of breeders, riders, and trainers of young horses in dressage competition. The purposes of this program are to...

As of January 1, 2007, the Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) began issuing Performance Permits to ApHC-registered, non-characteristic (N) Appaloosas. Permits allow all non-characteristic Appaloosas, regardless of parentage or age, to show in ApHC-approved and sponsored events as well as race with results counting toward ApHC race awards. The permit remains effective for the life of the horse once it is issued, regardless of ownership changes. Performance Permits eliminate the current Certified...