Since its inception just five years ago, the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) has experienced unprecedented growth and has quickly become the largest recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). Albeit the USEF’s largest affiliate, USHJA is also one of the only affiliates to not have its own headquarters. But that is changing. On September 24, 2008, the USHJA celebrated two landmark occasions: the launch of the “Building For Growth” Capital Campaign and...

Negro (Ferro x Variant), the KWPN licensed stallion bred by Mr. Borgers and owned by GertJan van Olst, has earned the prestigious title of Keur stallion. The KWPN awards this predicate to stallions who earn an index over 140 points and who have offspring competing at grand prix. Easily surpassing these requirements with the dressage index of 159 points, Negro will accept this honor at the KWPN Stallion Licensing in Hertogenbosch this February. Negro had a very successful show career under Anne...

Lifelong horseman Art Gottfried passed away on Sunday, December 21, in the presence of his immediate family. Gottfried is survived by Rosalie, his wife of many years, his children, grandchildren, and his beloved dog, Ralphie. Gottfried was well known throughout the hunter/jumper sport for his lifelong involvement, and he was probably best known as a USEF Steward. Services for Gottfried were held on Friday, December 26, at the McCormick & Sons Mortuary in Laguna Hills. Rosalie asks that any...

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has approved the sports competitions programme for the first Summer Youth Olympic Games (YOG) to be held in Singapore in 2010, as well as the qualification system for each event. Showjumping, the sole discipline representing equestrian sport, will see a total of 30 riders between 17 and 18 years of age competing on borrowed horses at the Singapore Turf Club. The qualification system is available at www.fei....

Para-equestrian and high school senior Jonathan Wentz will be featured in the television series, The Real Winning Edge , January 10-11. Other areas can find channels and times for airing at www.realwinningedge.com/index.php . Wentz was selected for the show after seeing an article in USEF’s Week in Review in June 2007, "TV Producer searching for Equestrians for New Series," and submitting his bio. The 30-minute show profiles three young achievers who have overcome challenges and each are...

The United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) is pleased to announce the $100,000 2008/2009 ASG Software Solutions/USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals will be held in Lexington, KY, August 21-22, 2009. The top 75 horses on the ranking list as of June 1, 2009, will be invited to attend this historic two-day event managed by Hugh Kincannon. On day one of the finals, all 75 horses will compete in a classic round, vying to be placed within the top 25, of whom will be invited back to...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) announced the dates and locations for the 2009 Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Dressage Championships: USDF Region 1 (October 22-25) at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA; USDF Region 2 (September 17-20) at the Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, IL; USDF Region 3 (October 22-25) at the Palm Beach County Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in West Palm Beach, FL; USDF Region 4 (September 10-13) at the North Iowa Fair Grounds in Mason...

The All American Cup, in concert with the American Saddlebred Museum, is offering a Farm and Stallion bus tour on Friday, July 11, 2008. For the complete list of famous stallions that will be seen, please visit www.allamericancup.org/index . Reserve a spot on the tour in advance and DVDs featuring memorable interviews with Marty Mueller, Bob Ruxer, Don Harris, and Donna Moore will be available the day of the tour at a discounted price. Order all four and receive a bonus DVD, “Off of the Editing...

The Equestrian Design Guidebook for Trails, Trailheads, and Campgrounds , written by Jan Hancock in conjunction with U.S. Forest Service, has been released by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). This manual provides trail design and construction details, while explaining the particular physical and psychological needs of equines and their riders that necessitate them. The information in this guidebook is applicable to trails at all levels of development and locations. Recreational Horse...

A few weeks ago, we put an alert out regarding the Air Quality Index (AQI) and concerns stemming from the Canadian wildfires on our east coast. As we look at the weather this week across the northern and midwestern portions of America, we want to once again remind everyone to be aware of the AQI in your area. Previous Alert: USEF believes the decision by organizers to operate, suspend, or cancel competitions due to compromised air quality is best made by each individual organizer, because venue...