A group of six young Morgan equestrians have been named to Team Morgan 2009 and will travel to South Africa in March to compete in a saddle seat competition. Announced as team members are Lyssa Bomgaars, Brynne Cummings, Rachel Menard, Kelsey Irvine, Maggie Smith, and Taylor Sams. The team's alternate is Caitlyn Scholl, and Cindy Mugnier has been named team coach. Team Morgan is an international multi-discipline competition program for Morgan youth ages 13-21. Its mission is to promote the...

The United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) closed 2008 with a successful Annual Meeting in Nashville, TN, December 8-11 at the Hilton Downtown. The annual convention saw a record number of attendees with 250 members sitting in on rule change forums and open committee meetings. Many members, affiliate organizations and equestrian businesses donated either their time in the form of lessons or sponsored various clothing, artwork and equipment items to the silent auction that raised over...

HITS is pleased to announce that the Stallion Services Department of the Equine Medical Center of Ocala will offer the Leading Mare Award to the mare that finishes the highest in the $100,000 DeLuca Toyota Tundra Grand Prix, presented by Great American Insurance Group on Sunday, March 15, at HITS Ocala. The award consists of a free embryo transfer that will be performed by Dr. Corey Miller, head of reproduction at the Ocala-based veterinary hospital. Any mare based in the United States who...

Lexington, KY— The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) announces the new partnership with Pennfield Equine Feed Technologies as the “Official Horse Feed of the USEF.” Pennfield is a widely respected, family-owned feed company in Pennsylvania that has been serving the eastern seaboard states since 1919 and has partnered with Kentucky Equine Research (KER) for their unparalleled nutritional expertise since 1996. Known for using only the finest, most consistent feed ingredients and precise...

Lexington, KY – In 2005, the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) and Registry launched a program designating and supporting regional championship competitions around the country. Regional championships increase competitive opportunities for all types of horses and levels of competition, and are part of the association’s effort to improve public education and awareness of the breed throughout the nation. 2009 ASHA REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP COMPETITIONS: REGION 1 Southwest Regional Arizona...

Lexington, KY – A silent auction held by the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) raised over $5,000 in proceeds to benefit the USHJA Foundation and the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA). The silent auction was held at the USHJA Annual Meeting in Nashville, TN, which took place December 8-11. Winning bids of the 28 donated items were announced at the Evening of Equestrians Awards Ceremony on December 10. The USHJA Foundation promotes the hunter and jumper...

Lexington, KY— The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) announces the United States Show Jumping Team for the Australian Youth Olympic Festival (AYOF). This multi-sport international event follows the structure of Olympic Games as closely as possible and draws athletes from across the world. The competition will be held January 14-18, 2009 at the Sydney International Equestrian Center. Invited nations include Australia, Great Britain, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Sweden and the United...

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) Junior Exhibitor Youth Driving Challenge funded by Elisabeth Goth Chelberg, held its finals in November during the American Royal in Kansas City, MO. Cash prizes, medals, and ribbons were awarded to three in the Show Pleasure Driving Challenge and in the Fine Harness Driving Challenge, for the second year in a row, CH Cary’s Moonraker took home first place. The winners are as follows: Show Pleasure Driving Challenge Horse, rider, owner, place...

Attention junior and young riders in Zones 3, 5, 7, 9 and 10 interested in competing at next year’s North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC) for Show Jumping. Please check your zone’s criteria and qualifying period for the 2009 FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships under the Jumping Discipline page of the USEF website. Please direct questions to Jennifer Haydon, Director of Show Jumping for National Programs, at [email protected] or (859) 225-6911.

The American Association of Equine Practitioners’ (AAEP) 54th Annual Convention united equine practitioners across the globe in San Diego, CA, December 6-10. As the world’s largest meeting for equine veterinarians, the convention provided quality education to 3,201 veterinarians, students and veterinary technicians. Total convention attendance was 6,579. David Foley, AAEP Executive Director, considered the third largest AAEP convention turnout a success in the midst of a staggering economy. “In...