Lexington, KY – Plans are under way for the 2008 United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Youth Convention and registration is open, but space is limited for the convention. Already, over half of the available spots have been filled for the first annual Youth Convention, which will be held January 12 in Louisville, KY. Along with the schedule, the break-out sessions have been finalized. The Youth Convention will feature many notable speakers, including experts in the equine industry as well...

Dean and Alexandra Rheinheimer, known for their production of Horse Shows by the Bay, were two of six individuals last Thursday to receive a 2007 Community Champions Award from the Traverse City, MI, Convention and Visitors Bureau (TCVB). Acknowledged during the 26th Annual TCVB Meeting and Reception at the Grand Traverse Resort, the Rheinheimers were given a plaque for their "uncommon vision and public spirit" in bringing an event to the Traverse City area that "advanced the economic health...

Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation is pleased to announce the promotion of Sara Ike to the position of Managing Director of Eventing. Ike has worked at the USEF Gladstone office since 2003, and has served as the Eventing High Performance Director since March of 2007. Prior to that appointment she was the Director of Vaulting. In 2007 she was the Team Leader for the Eventing team which swept the medals at the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She also traveled to...

Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation is pleased to announce the promotion of Sara Ike to the position of Managing Director of Eventing. Ike has worked at the USEF Gladstone office since 2003, and has served as the Eventing High Performance Director since March of 2007. Prior to that appointment she was the Director of Vaulting. In 2007 she was the Team Leader for the Eventing team which swept the medals at the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She also traveled to...

There is a new kid on the block. Oldenburg (GOV) stallion Rosall, by Rosario out of Akzent II mare is just over from Germany, and he won the blue at Devon in the four-year-old stallion Materiale class. His very accomplished grand prix rider, Jessica Jo Tate, is thrilled with him, and very proud of the way he handled his week at Devon. Tate, now training/riding some very successful young horses, said, "He is always the gentleman, always easy to work with, and his work ethic and character are...

Congress has recessed for the Thanksgiving holidays and will return the week of December 3. At that time, the Senate will again take up the 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419). The Senate has been considering the bill for several weeks but has been unable to reach agreement on how it will proceed. Democrats and Republicans differ on how many amendments should be allowed to be offered. Nearly 200 amendments have been filed that various Senators wish to offer when the Senate returns to the bill after the...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce and congratulate its new USDF Associate and Certified Instructors. The USDF Instructor Certification Program is designed to set a standard of excellence in dressage training and instruction in the United States and to educate dressage riders, instructors and aspiring instructors. New USDF Associate Instructors include; Valerie Dunaway of Spotsylvania, VA; Janet Reed of San Diego, CA; Estelle Price of Ortega, NY; Claudia...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that Meagan Davis has been chosen as the USDF nominee for the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Youth Sportsman’s Award. Nominees must demonstrate an ongoing dedication to the promotion of the horse, exhibit positive sportsmanship principles, and serve as a role model for their peers. As the USDF national nominee, Davis will receive a one-year USDF Participating Membership (PM), a certificate, a lapel pin, and an...

Lexington, KY - Moved by the tragedy of the wildfires in Southern California, Massachusetts based company, SmartPak generously donated $5,000 to the USEF Equine Disaster Relief Fund, further demonstrating their continued support and dedication to the welfare of individual horses and the industry as a whole. The Equine Disaster Relief Fund is dedicated to helping equines of any breed that find themselves victims of disasters, including but not restricted to hurricanes, tornadoes, floods,...

The third International Olympic Committee (IOC) International Athletes Forum took place October 27-28, 2007, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The initiative for this biannual event was launched five years ago by the IOC Athletes Commission of which HRH Princess Haya, FEI President, IOC member in the UAE, is also a member. The Athletes Commission is the link between the IOC and the active athletes and ensures that their needs are met. The Forum was attended by the IOC President Jacques Rogge....