The Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) honored top individuals, horses and organizations at the annual awards banquet held at the International Conference in Fort Collins, CO, at Colorado State University on October 10. Clinic Instructor of the Year Clinic instructors are the CHA Master Level Instructors that are clinic staff and certify instructors for CHA throughout North America. At the end of each clinic, participants write evaluations of the clinic staff. It is from these evaluations...

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) held its annual World's Championship Horse Show (WCHS) Junior Judging Contest on Tuesday, August 25, at Freedom Hall in Louisville, KY. Horse show judging is an important part of ASHA Youth Programs, as these contests are an educational way for young people to learn about judging in a fun environment, while being educated about class specifications and show procedures for judging American Saddlebreds. Any individual, age 17 and under, was...

The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) is proud to announce the launch of the first ever FEI Awards set up to celebrate the equestrian community and pay tribute to the heroes of the sport. “The awards have been created to put the spotlight on all those who have contributed to the progress and excellence of equestrian sport,” said HRH Princess Haya, President of the FEI. “These awards will not only recognize the achievements and success of individuals and highlight the stars of today and...

Troxel LLC, a worldwide leader in ASTM/SEI-certified equestrian helmets, unveiled the Troxel Safety Resource Center, an interactive educational resource for the equestrian community. Troxel’s Safety Resource Center, online at www.troxelhelmets.com/safety is the most comprehensive and up-to-date collection of equestrian helmet safety information available online. Organized into categories for adults, kids, and educators, the site provides an assortment of information, games, and resources...

Lexington, KY – The 2009 FEI Adequan North American Junior/Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC) will be held for the first time at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. Hagyard Equine Medical Institute has graciously signed on as the Official Veterinary Services Provider and will be providing treating veterinary coverage for all four of the disciplines – Eventing, Jumping, Dressage, and Reining. These Championships bring out North America’s finest Junior and Young...

Sixteen members of the Belgian Warmblood Breeding Association North American District attended the three-day Stallion Selections and the horse show of previously approved stallions at the famous equestrian facility, Het Zilveren Spoor in Moorsele, Belgium. Prior to the stallion selection, members were treated to a tour of breeding farms, including the breeders of Sapphire, Up Chiqui and Narcotique De Muze. During the competition, the officers of the BWP asked Allyn McCracken to come present the...

Lexington, KY – The 2009 Adequan North American Junior and Young Rider Championships will be presented, for the third year, by Georgina Bloomberg’s Gotham North. Bloomberg is one of the country’s top young Jumping riders and was a double Individual Gold medalist at the NAJYRC, winning Individual Gold in 2003 and Team Gold in 2002. These championships have showcased the best riders between the ages of 14 and 21 since 1979. Junior and Young Rider Championship medals are awarded to individuals and...

Out of 50 mares, geldings, and stallions in the three-year-old and four-year-old divisions each, the two mares, H.W.'s Saskia and Quithablue stood out as the true champions that they were at the Oldenburg Free Jumping Day at the Horse Center in Vechta, Germany. Both mares were stunning in their form and explosive power over the fences, and earned top scores that were not at all easily given out by the tough judges, Ulrich Henschke and Gilbert Böckman. H.W.'s Saskia who is by Stakkato, and is...

All too often, talented junior riders are unable to fulfill their dream of competing in the “big eq” division at horse shows because they lack the funds to purchase an appropriate horse. Capable big equitation horses that can compete successfully in the division and qualify and compete at regionals and finals are extremely expensive to purchase or even lease. So for many junior riders, their progression through the equitation divisions ends when they reach the 3’6” level. For some, this...

The 2008 Trail Blazer Festival took place at the Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara, CA, November 14-16, 2008. The festival had many speakers, exhibits and other events. One of the events participated in by Rocky Mountain, Paso Fino, American Saddlebred, Icelandic, Kiger Mustang, Mangalarga Marchador, Morgan, Arabian, Mustang, Quarter Horse, Peruvian, and Tennessee Walker horses was the “Battle of the Breeds,” which was a unique trail competition held between a select group of horses that...