In an effort to better represent and serve the horse industry in Washington DC, the American Horse Council (AHC) and the United States Equestrian Federation have organized a new grassroots effort entitled, “The Congressional Cavalry program.” United States Equestrian Federation members can participate and help to make a difference in federal legislation and regulations that affect the horse industry. A new Congress will begin in January of 2009. If you care about the national issues that impact...

After years of hard work and dedication from committee members and professional staff, the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) is proud to announce that the USHJA Trainers Certification Program will begin in June 2009. The members of the Trainers Certification Program Committee (TCPC) strongly believe that today’s students are the future of the equine industry. The mission of the USHJA Trainer Certification Program is to preserve the American hunter/jumper system of riding through...

The World Games 2010 Foundation announced that Kim Bennett has been selected as Director of Hospitality Programs for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. As Director of Hospitality Programs, Bennett will oversee the planning, design, sales and execution of the 2010 Games VIP hospitality program. Bennett will also have shared responsibilities in other areas of hospitality management surrounding the Games, including working with catering companies and specialty functions that may be developed...

The United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) is proud to announce the creation of the Emerging Athletes Program. This program supports continuing efforts to bring educational and developmental opportunities to the grassroots members of the sport. The USHJA Emerging Athletes Program consists of a system of identifying and nurturing talented young riders. The program’s mission is to provide these riders with the support and assistance necessary to facilitate the opportunity to reach their...

Lexington, KY – To assist breed shows with financial challenges, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) offers the 2008 Outreach Grant program, which provides assistance to various USEF breed competitions. And even though the competition season is under way, it’s not too late to apply for a USEF grant. The USEF grant program assists financially challenged breed competitions that meet the grant requirements and are approved by the USEF. The grants are available on a first come, first...

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) is pleased to sponsor the American Saddlebred Horse Association/United States Pony Club (USPC) Awards Program for Pony Club members who participate in Pony Club activities on their registered American Saddlebred or Half-Saddlebred horse. The ASHA/USPC Awards focus on activities and competitions in which Pony Club members participate with their horse as well as emphasizing horse management and leadership skills. Pony Club members can earn points...

Lexington, KY – With the 2008 competition season just beginning, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) recognizes that the rising cost of show expenses can often hinder breed shows. To assist competitions with expenses, the USEF offers the Outreach Grant program, which provides financial assistance to various USEF breed competitions. The USEF grant program assists financially challenged breed competitions that meet the grant requirements and are approved by the USEF. The grants are...

In a continuing effort to embrace the foundation level of the horse show industry, the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) is proud to announce the addition of a Riding Instructor Award category to the Affiliate Sportsmanship Awards Program. This program currently recognizes a junior, amateur and professional from each of our affiliate associations. The goal of the Affiliate Riding Instructor Award is to recognize those individuals who are dedicated to teaching and provide riders...

The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation is pleased to announce that it awarded grants totaling $2,295,000 to the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) for high-performance programs in 2007. The USET Foundation funding provided support, in whole or in part, for athletes in seven high-performance disciplines to participate in national and international events. The high-performance disciplines are dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, reining, show jumping and vaulting. "The...

The Dressage Committee proposed a change to the “R” and “S” Dressage Judges Training Program requirements and the Licensed Officials Committee approved this change at the USEF Annual Meeting. The change made to each of these two programs was to allow an ‘r’ (recorded) judge to start the application process for the “R” program after holding the ‘r’ license for two years (24 months) instead of the three years (36 months) previously required. The same change was approved for the “S” program....