The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that 47 USDF members successfully completed the USDF “L” Education Program between April and October of 2009. The USDF “L” Education Program is designed to prepare candidates to enter the United States Equestrian Federation “r” Judges Training Program, to qualify individuals to judge schooling shows, and to give competitors, trainers, and instructors greater insight into the evaluative techniques of judging dressage. The...

Exhibitors at the 2009 Arabian Sport Horse National (SHN) Championships raked in extra prize money for their accomplishments, courtesy of the SHN Payback Program for the second consecutive year. Founded in 2007, the SHN Payback Program was implemented by a group of longtime Arabian breeders and riders. By offering cash rewards, the group has been able to encourage interest and enthusiasm in the Sport Horse Nationals show, as well as the breeding of Arabians specifically for the sport-type...

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is proud to announce the creation of the NRHA Show Steward Program to begin in 2010. The first certification of NRHA Show Stewards will be held during the January 22-24, 2010 NRHA Judges School in Oklahoma City. The NRHA Board of Directors approved this trend-setting program at its August 2009 meeting with the intent to train and certify individuals to assist show management and judges with the interpretation of rules when necessary, to observe the...

The United States Equestrian Federation, Inc. (USEF) is pleased to announce the launch of the USEF Dressage Youth/Pony Pilot Program for Fall 2009.This program is designed to seek out, educate and assist the development of the young riders, and will be under the direction of Lendon Gray, appointed by the USEF Dressage High Performance Committee. “I am thrilled that USEF is going to help to develop the best equitation and riding skills in our younger riders,” Gray said. “It is so much easier to...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that FEI dressage judge and rider, Anne Gribbons, will be speaking at the 2010 USDF/USEF Young Rider Graduate Program in West Palm Beach, FL, from January 16-18, 2010. Anne Gribbons has been recently named as the USEF Dressage Chef d’Equipe/Technical Advisor, pending successful contract negotiations. The Young Rider Graduate Program, with funding support from The Dressage Foundation, is designed to help the young rider...

From the USEF Eventing Department Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Eventing Developing Rider program is instrumental in identifying and fostering up-and-coming Eventing riders in the United States. It has undergone some changes over the last year to continue to build a foundation for the future. Horse/rider combinations will be selected to participate in one two-day training session with Capt. Mark Phillips, which may be held in conjunction with the High...

The Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) has a TEAM CHA youth Horse Connection Reward Program for kids 15 years and younger. The participants keep track of their hours working with horses, whether they have them or not. They can count activities, such as taking riding lessons, watching non-fiction videos and reading non-fiction books about horses, grooming, cleaning stalls, cleaning tack, feeding and so on. As part of this membership, the youth also receive a quarterly newsletter full of...

The American Horse Council (AHC) is working to preserve the Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program (RTP). If Congress does not take action this year this program could no longer be available to recreational riders. The RTP provides funding directly to the states for recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both non-motorized and motorized recreational trail uses. It was created in 1991 as part of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 and...

In these tough economic times, many people are finding the quality warmblood they want is difficult to afford. Con Brio Farms, LLC, has just introduced a new program that could make it a little easier. In addition, those who find themselves with an unused stallion breeding to use, but no mare can also benefit. Con Brio Farms, LLC, has been breeding Dutch Warmbloods, Oldenburgs and Hanoverians for 25 years, and their production record makes them one of only five breeders in the U.S., including...

In an effort to help equestrian enthusiasts and competitors save money in a tight economy, and to promote eco-friendly horse transportation, the United States Equestrian Federation now presents the Ride Share Program on ClubEquestrian.com. Often the logistics of long-distance travel is an unforeseen roadblock in the path to equine events. This new tool allows equine enthusiasts and competitors to post information about open trailer spots, as well as inquire about rides. Information such as...