Steffen Peters and Ravel (Shannon Brinkman) Lexington, KY – For the first time, a US Dressage Rider has been named by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) as the Athlete of the Month. Steffen Peters was honored for his effort in Las Vegas, NV at the 2009 Rolex FEI World Cup Final. Riding Ravel, for longtime supporter Akiko Yamazaki, Peters made history. The pair earned the best score of their career together in the Freestyle (84.95%) and brought down the house at the Thomas &...

Content provided by the American National Riding Commission Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) riders bested nine other colleges to win the team championship at the 2009 American National Riding Commission (ANRC) National Intercollegiate Equitation Championship hosted by St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, North Carolina. The competition took place on April 18 and 19 and was judged by Dacia Johnson of Monticello, FL, and Paddy Downing-Nygard, Thonotosassa, FL. Ten colleges...

Content provided by the Intercollegiate Dressage Association The 2009 Intercollegiate Dressage Association’s National Championship was one of many surprises. Hosts University of Findlay masterfully created a championship that was certainly worthy of the title and occasion. Kicking off events on Friday afternoon, Findlay’s 32-acre James L. Child Jr. Equestrian Complex became an Hawaiian paradise that quickly became over run with golf cart decorating and driving competitions designed to really...

The Arabian Horse Association (AHA) of Aurora, CO, has established an Arabian Horse Association task force on genetic diseases. The task force was created under the direction of and announced by AHA President Lance Walters. “The purpose of the task force is to have a group of AHA members regularly focused on genetic diseases. The end result will be an Arabian horse community that is educated about genetic diseases and knowledgeable about testing and disclosure. The task force will guide the...

The Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W/Y once again was the tournament of champions with Olympians like Lisa Wilcox and Courtney King-Dye in the winner’s circle during the four-day event, February 26-March 1. Classes in four rings meant strong competition for each ribbon in front of renowned international judging panels. Even the national classes were scored by the great Uwe Mechlem. Competitors and spectators alike were treated to special activities that can only be found at the Derby, such as...

The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation is pleased to announce a very special opportunity for equestrians. The Gold Medal Olympic Show Jumping Clinic Series will be held at the historic training facility at Hamilton Farm in Gladstone, NJ. The series will offer a spring clinic with 1984 U.S. Olympic Team Gold medalist Joe Fargis and will continue in the fall with 2004 and 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Gold medalist McLain Ward. The clinics will benefit the USET Foundation in their pursuit...

Gladstone, NJ – The USET Foundation is pleased to announce that the Jacqueline B. Mars International Competition and Training Grant has been awarded to 21-year-old Jennie Brannigan of San Diego, CA. The grant is given to an Eventing rider who has been identified and recommended by the USEF Eventing Selectors, with an impressive record and potential to represent the United States in future international competition. Brannigan began competing in three-day eventing when she was 11 years old with...

The Palm Beach Dressage Derby was recognized this weekend by the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation. The show received the Gold Medal Club Anniversary Award and was recognized for its contributions and support of the USET for the last 10 years. Each year the Derby raises money for the USET through VIP seating, special events or other festive fundraisers. “We are honored to receive this recognition,” said Mary Anne McPhail, Executive Director of the Palm Beach Dressage Derby. “Our...

Caitie Hope's winning momentum from last year has followed her into 2009, and last week she rode her way into the winner's circle once again. Hope of Barrington, IL, competed at the Lake St. Louis Horse Show in St. Louis, MO, and executed consistent rounds for top ribbons. She trains with Diane Carney at Telluride Farm, based in Hampshire, IL. Hope piloted Cinch, owned by Kathleen Hope, in the Large Junior 16-17 Hunter division and came away with the overall championship. The pair earned two...

George Morris (USEF Archives) By Joanie Morris Lexington, KY – The pursuit of Show Jumping excellence in the United States continues. The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and George Morris have renewed Morris’ contract to serve as Chef d’Equipe and Technical Advisor through 2012. Morris has steered the US Jumping program to tremendous success over the first four years of his tenure. His attention to detail and meticulous preparation of his teams is world renowned....