Jessica Spracklin The Dressage Foundation's Renee Isler Dressage Support Fund has recently awarded a grant to young rider Jessica Spracklin and grants to professional instructors, Kathy Knappitsch and Patricia Deasy, to support their dressage education. Jessica Spracklin of Hamilton, OH, was awarded $800 to attend Lendon Gray’s 2014 Winter Intensive Training program. This three month program takes place in Wellington, FL, and creates well-rounded elite equestrian athletes. “My...

Cross Plains, Wis. - The American Driving Society (ADS) is pleased to announce plans for a new head-to-head driven North American Championship, in addition to the popular calculated Intermediate Championship offered since 2009. The North American Preliminary and the North American Intermediate Championships will be driven championships, each taking place over a single competition weekend. The original Championship will be renamed The North American Calculated Intermediate Championship and...

Lexington, Kentucky - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the dates and locations for the 2014 Markel/USEF Young and Developing Horse Dressage National Championships presented by HorseShow.com and the 2014 USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals. Both prestigious competitions will be held at the Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, Illinois, August 20-24. The Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program (for 4-, 5-, and 6-year-old horses) promotes the importance of...

Washington, DC - Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) is pleased to announce a new incentive bonus sponsored by SHF Enterprises, Inc. for the rated Jumper divisions, along with the winner of the $125,000 President's Cup Grand Prix, to honor horses that also competed in the Young Jumper Championships (YJC). The bonus is yet another highlight for jumper riders at the 55th annual WIHS, held October 22-27, 2013, at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. The “SHF Enterprises, Inc. Young...

The Dressage Foundation's Continuing Education for Dressage Instructors Fund, established by Maryal Barnett, has awarded grants to seven individuals to attend the United States Dressage Federation's Instructor Certification Program. Erin Sweeney (Gordonsville, VA), Bonnie Walker (San Diego, CA), Susan Springsteen (Uwchland, PA), Marilyn Rickman (Sonora, CA), Wendy Rhea (Wilton, CA), Tiffany Bragdell (Colora, MD), and Emme Johnston (Snow Camp, NC) each received a $1,000 grant to further...

Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation does not certify, endorse, nor approve specific equine nutritional supplements as safe for use during recognized competitions. As a service to USEF Members, and upon request, the USEF Drug and Medication Program office will review product labels to determine if forbidden substances are amongst the specific ingredients listed. However, all competitors are advised that the manufacture of equine nutritional supplements is not currently...

Lexington, KY - Seventeen-year-old Alexis Conover (New Port Richey, FL) volunteered more than 1,800 hours to accrue the most time of all participants in the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Equestrians in Action volunteer recognition program. USEF Equestrians in Action tracks youth volunteer hours that are aimed at improving the welfare of the horse or positively promoting equestrian sport. Sponsored by The EQUUS Foundation, the program encourages youth to give back to equestrian...

This week I want to update you about some exciting new programs coming in 2013 for Western Dressage enthusiasts. As this discipline continues to develop, more tests are available, more shows are available, and more award programs vie for participation. The show and clinic calendars are filling up for the year and so much is happening. In January our local WSH Zone added year end awards for Western Dressage following the inclusion of Western Dressage as a subdivision of Dressage on the...

Lexington, KY - Equestrian enthusiasts have been given a special gift by the CBS Sports Network this holiday season with another chance to watch top show jumpers in action at the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Florida. CBS Sports Spectacular will offer encore viewing of their US Equestrian Festival Nations Cup 2012 and US Equestrian Festival Championships programs on Christmas day from 3:00-5:00pm ET. In the first...

Lexington, KY - The 2013 Markel/USEF National Young and Developing Horse Dressage Championships presented by HorseShow.com will host up-and-coming dressage horses over five divisions of National Championship competition. Four-, five- and six-year-olds will vie for national titles in their respective Young Horse Championships. While developing horses have the option to compete in Prix St. Georges or Grand Prix Championships. Markel has supported the Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program since...