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....

HITS is pleased to announce that the Stallion Services Department of the Equine Medical Center of Ocala, FL, 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 16, at HITS Ocala. The award consists of a free embryo transfer, which will be performed by Dr. Corey Miller, head of reproduction at the Ocala-based veterinary hospital. Any mare based in the United States...

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...

Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation has approved the following modifications to the Selection Procedures for CSIO/CSI Competitions, aka “the USEF Computer List”. These changes will become effective on January 15, 2008. The following additions or changes have been made to the selection procedures: • The results of European CSI2*s will now be included. • An exception for FEI Table C and USEF Table III classes will be made to the criteria, which currently states that...

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...

The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation has announced that the Foundation will be featured in a special 24-page editorial and advertising section in the February 2008 issue of Town & Country magazine. The fundraising initiative raised $200,000 for the USET Foundation's high-performance fundraising programs. These contributions will help support high-performance equestrian athletes, including those preparing and competing at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. "The project with Town &...

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the 2008 triple point competitions for the Saddlebred, roadster and Hackney/harness divisions. Each year, the corresponding discipline committees vote to assign “triple point” status to a competition in each of the 12 regions. Points won at any of these designated competitions will count as triple points for the Farnam®/Platform™ USEF Horse of the Year Program. Questions regarding triple point shows should be directed to the...