Lexington, KY— The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) announces that the Executive Committee has recently approved the Show Jumping Selection Procedures for the Australian Youth Olympic Festival which will be held January 14-18, 2009 at the Sydney International Equestrian Center. Athletes from across the world will be competing in this international competition. The Australian Youth Olympic Festival is a multi-sport event that follows the structure of Olympic Games as closely as...

Attention junior and young riders in Zone 8 interested in competing at next year’s FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC) for show jumping: Please check your zone’s selection procedures for the 2009 NAJYRC on the jumping discipline page of the USEF website at www.usef.org/Contentpage2.aspx?id=natjumping . Please direct questions to Jennifer Haydon, Director of Show Jumping for National Programs, at [email protected] or (859) 225-6911.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav, the Louisiana State University (LSU) School of Veterinary Medicine and team members of the Equine Health Studies Program have developed a call center in an effort to respond to the potential needs of horse owners in southern Louisiana. The telephone number for horse owners in need is (225) 578-9501. This helpline will function from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. through the coming weekend and perhaps longer if the need is evident. A secondary number exclusively dedicated to...

Lexington, KY— The 2008 United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Dressage Seat Medal Finals presented by Dressage Today® was held August 29-30 at the Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, IL. Riders came from across the country to compete for the championship in two age divisions— 13 & Under and 14-18 division. The purpose of the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Program is to promote and reward excellence in equitation, including correct seat, position, and use of aids in the sport of dressage....

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) announced the dates and locations for the 2009 Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Dressage Championships: USDF Region 1 (October 22-25) at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA; USDF Region 2 (September 17-20) at the Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, IL; USDF Region 3 (October 22-25) at the Palm Beach County Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in West Palm Beach, FL; USDF Region 4 (September 10-13) at the North Iowa Fair Grounds in Mason...

Don’t miss the final tour stop of 2008 as master horseman Chris Cox brings his Ride the Journey tour to Albuquerque, NM. Gear up for a memorable two-day learning experience as Cox takes to the arena on October 18 and 19 at Expo New Mexico. Two-time Road to the Horse Champion and popular clinician, Cox knows how to share a lifetime of knowledge in ways that inspire and enlighten. His approach to horsemanship is all about building a willing, working partnership on a firm foundation. Cox’ RFD-TV...

Popular clinician and horse trainer Clinton Anderson is opening the doors to his new Downunder Horsemanship Facility and marking 10 years of business. Located in the heart of cowboy country, the new office complex sits on the edge of Stephenville, TX, on Highway 377 North. The public is invited to attend the facility’s Grand Opening and 10th Year Anniversary Celebration on Tuesday, September 30. The festivities, which include refreshments, tours, a ribbon cutting and live music entertainment...

The American Horse Council is pleased to announce the arrival of Julia Andersen, who will serve as the director of the Unwanted Horse Coalition (UHC). Andersen came to the UHC with a versatile background in communications and a lifelong passion for horses. While receiving undergraduate degrees in rhetoric/communications and fine arts from Mount St. Mary’s University, Andersen also founded the school’s equestrian team and club. She went on to earn her master’s degree in journalism from Emerson...

It is estimated that the World Championship Appaloosa Show contributes over $11 million to the local economy in direct and secondary spending. The Appaloosa Horse Club received word from the City of Fort Worth and the State of Texas that a tax incentive rebate of $99,586 will be returned to the ApHC following this year’s World Championship Show. Based on economic impact analyses and a long-term commitment to the Will Rogers Equestrian Center in Fort Worth, the monies have been awarded by Texas...

Two lucky youths won big with a small equine prize. At the American Shetland Pony Congress this month, two American Shetland ponies were awarded to winners of two youth essay contests. Youths from around the country exercised their writing skills for the chance to win one of these amazing Shetland ponies. Entries were numbered and judged anonymously. Kimberly Cotter was the lucky winner of E’s Sir Nite and Kasey Waxler of Pennsylvania was awarded Cross Country’s Mr. Banker. Kimberly Cotter, the...