The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) has formed an Advancement Committee. Appointed by ASHA President Fred K. Sarver, who serves ex officio on all committees, the new committee will be chaired by longtime horsewoman and former director Sandra Lilly of Princeton, WV. Vice Chair is Director Victoria Gillenwater of Tennessee, and members who have agreed to serve are Kayce Bell (Alabama), John Conatser (Kentucky), Lisa Duncan (Kentucky), Peter Fenton (California and Kentucky), James...

This year’s FEI Children’s International Jumping Final will be held at Spruce Meadows in Canada, October 23-28, 2006. The Final for children between the ages of 12 and 14 as defined by FEI rules, brings together riders from various nations around the world, not only to compete, but also to meet their peers from other cultures. The Oaks Blenheim Fall Tournament, September 13-17, 2006, will be the last qualifying competition in the U.S. for the Children’s Final. More information about the...

Many items are needed for the 2006 American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) Annual Auction, which will take place Wednesday, August 23, and Thursday, August 24, in the Mary Room of the Executive West Hotel during the Kentucky State Fair World’s Championship Horse Show. The theme of this year’s auction is “ASHA Youth – Past, Present and Future.” Last year more than $100,000 was raised as a result of items, such as a premium terrace box at the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks, a Tommy Lovell...

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation® has finalized the second list of breed events that will receive outreach grants through the new program announced in January. The maximum grant is $1,000, and grants are still available. A total of $125,000 has been budgeted in 2006 for grants to financially challenged breed competitions that meet the grant requirements and are approved by the USEF. To date, 61 applications have been received and 49 have been approved. Grant requests are...

In September 2005, a dedicated group of Egyptian Arabian enthusiasts met in Lexington, VA, at the Arabian Sport Horse Nationals. Realizing the need for an organization that would meet the needs of owners, breeders and trainers of the Egyptian Arabian sport horse, they formed the Egyptian Arabian Sport Horse Alliance, Inc. (EASHA). One of EASHA's main goals is to increase public awareness of the Egyptian Arabian's athletic ability. The organization will offer encouragement to local association...

Matthew Williams of Lexington, KY, development manager of the American Saddlebred Horse Association, has been promoted to the new position of director of development and communications, effective immediately, according to Alan F. Balch, ASHA Executive Secretary. “Since Matthew joined us not quite a year ago now, his performance has been exceptional,” Balch said. “He was a champion in the Saddlebred show ring, and he’s been a champion in his professional life with us as well. Although we’re...

PhelpsPhotos.com (Grande Crimson and C. Michelle Folden) The USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage Program kicked off 2006 with the first of three official selection trials at the CDI***/Y Cincinnati and Spring Classic I & II, held May 12-14, at Paxton Farm in Batavia, OH. This USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage Central Selection Trial for the FEI World Breeding Championships showcased the region's most promising dressage prospects in their quest to qualify for Verden, Germany. Claiming the...

As a reminder to all Junior Dressage riders, the 2006 USEF Junior Dressage Team Championship, sponsored by Collecting Gaits Farm, the Dutta Corporation and Performance Sales International, will be held at Pebble Beach Dressage and CDI***, July 6–9. In order to be eligible for this championship program, an Application of Intent must be submitted to the USEF office by Monday, May 15. Applications are available on the Federation website at www.usef....

Michael Desiderio from Chester, NJ, won the Arabian Horse Association (AHA) 2005 MD Barns High-Point Amateur Award by earning 594.5 points in the Amateur Achievement Awards program. The 15-year-old competed in both amateur and open classes, including working hunter, working hunter under saddle, hunter hack and hunter seat equitation not to jump and over obstacles. His younger brother, Anthony, was also among the Top Ten with 301 points. Desiderio earned 10 championships, two reserves and six...

Courtesy Animal Planet (Brianne Goutal was the eventual winner of the 2005 ASPCA Maclay Finals.) Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation® has welcomed a new audience of horse lovers thanks to the recent success of Animal Planet’s new six-week series, Horse Power–Road to the Maclay . More than six million unique viewers of all ages tuned in to Animal Planet to watch the series which began February 1. More than 9 million unique viewers tuned into the three...