Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation, Inc. invites licensed dressage competitions to apply to become an official “qualifying competition” for the 2009 USEF National Grand Prix Dressage Championship and the 2009 USEF National Intermediaire I Dressage Championship. For the 2009 Championship season, only CDI 3*/CDI-W competitions will be used as qualifying competitions for the 2009 USEF National Grand Prix Dressage Championship, and therefore all CDI’s will also be qualifiers...

The Infectious Disease Committee of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) has issued revised guidelines for the administration of vaccinations to horses. The Committee, chaired by Mary Scollay, DVM, has made recommendations for the use of vaccines based on the age of the horse and its previous vaccination history. The guidelines are intended to serve as a reference for veterinarians as they employ vaccines in their respective practices. Highlights of “Guidelines for the...

The American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC), the national governing body for endurance riding in the United States, will hold its 2008 annual convention in Reno, NV. The two-day program of seminars, informational meetings and a free trade show is set for February 29-March 1 at the Silver Legacy Resort Casino. Leading experts in equine health care and endurance-related fields will be featured at several seminar sessions as part of the convention’s “Riding With Education” theme. Other...

January 5, 2008 saw 25 stallions of various breeds gather to showcase their talents and offspring at the First Annual Sporthorse Stallion Expo hosted by Marydell and Pepperwood Farms. Breeds represented included Hanoverian, German Riding Pony, Oldenburg, Trakehner, Thoroughbred, Friesian, Knabstrupper, Gypsy Vanner and Spanish Colonial. Some stallions came from as far away as Florida, and Pennsylvania to join a strong contingent of regional stallions. The Expo saw over 250 spectators coming...

Grand Prix de Santa Fe, Santa Fe’s most prestigious horse show, is pleased to announce the donation of $35,000 in net proceeds from its 2007 annual show-jumping event to New Mexico social service and equestrian non-profit organizations. Beneficiaries include Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern New Mexico, New Mexico Suicide Intervention Project, Silver Bullet Productions, Rio Grande Agricultural Land Trust, Santa Fe Pro Musica’s Youth Programs, The Horse Shelter and Rancho Corazon Riders....

American Saddlebred Sweepstakes prize program payments are due Thursday, January 31, for the three-year-old and four-year-old sweepstakes. Nomination forms can be found on the sweepstakes homepage at https://www.asha.net/Prize-Sweepstakes . Nomination forms for the two-year-old sweepstakes will be available in May. Information for the Kentucky Breeders Incentive Fund can be found on the KSOBA Charter Club page at https://www.asha.net/ksoba . The following payments are due Thursday, January 31:...

Lexington, KY - Two important individuals made huge contributions to the success of the United States Equestrian Federation’s international riders in 2007. Capt. Mark Phillips and Melanie Smith-Taylor were instrumental in the achievements of the eventing and show jumping teams respectively. Phillips, who has been awarded the 2007 USEF National Coach of the Year honor, drove an incredibly successful eventing campaign which was highlighted by a medal sweep at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de...

Lexington, KY - On January 13, the final day of the USEF Annual Meeting, the Board of Directors considered rule change proposals for all breeds and disciplines. Included in this review was the much-discussed “performance standards” proposal from the Dressage Committee, which would establish a qualification process for competing at certain levels at USEF-Licensed Dressage Competitions. After extensive discussion, the Board voted to officially table the proposal until the next USEF Annual Meeting...

Louisville, KY-On Saturday, more than 100 young equestrians and their parents gathered in Louisville’s downtown Hyatt to celebrate their shared love for horses. Organized by the United States Equestrian Federation’s (USEF) Youth Council, this inaugural convention focused on promoting youth involvement from all 18 affiliated breeds and disciplines and ParaEquestrian which operate under the USEF umbrella. Jane Savoie, one of the most recognized names in dressage, kicked-off the activities with a...

Diane Carney of Telluride Farm led several of her students to top placings this weekend at the Ledge Winter Classic, held January 3-6 at the Ledges Sporting Horses indoor facility in Roscoe, IL. Catie Hope, 16, took home the championship in the Large Junior Hunter division aboard her new mount, Caped Crusader. The pair took a first and a sixth place over fences and won the under saddle for the tricolor. They also placed third in the $1,000 Junior Hunter Classic. Hope's consistency followed her...