Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) will be well represented at the Rolex/FEI World Cup Final April 27-May 1 as 10 American show jumpers will head to Leipzig, Germany for the 2011 Final. After 29 World Cup Qualifying Events throughout the 2010-2011 season the following riders have qualified in this order in their respective Leagues: East: Michelle Spadone/27/Califon, NJ Margie Engle/53/Wellington, FL Beezie Madden/47/Cazenovia, NY McLain Ward/35/Brewster, NY Charlie...

Lexington, KY - The FEI World Cup Dressage Final for Young Riders will begin Wednesday, December 15, with the veterinary inspection. U.S. representative Meagan Davis arrived in Frankfurt, Germany on Sunday with the 17-year-old Danish Warmblood, Bentley, who is being housed at Schafhof, the stables of Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff. Since settling in Davis and Bentley have worked lightly twice a day with coach Lendon Gray and are feeling fit and ready to compete on Thursday. In preparation for the show...

Dressage In Frankfort, Germany the 2010 FEI World Cup Dressage Final for Young Riders is set to get underway December 15-19. Meagan Davis and Bentley will represent the United States. The pair had great success this year, winning the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Young Rider Dressage Championship and sweeping the young rider divisions at the CDIs at Saugerties and Dressage at Devon. For more information on the 2010 FEI World Cup Dressage Final for Young Riders please click here and here ....

The European winter is off to a rough and very cold start this year. With record breaking snow and daytime temperatures dropping to 16 F, one might have expected a dismal turnout for the Winter Mixed Sales Auction held on December 4 at the Oldenburg Horse Center in Vechta, Germany. That was not the case, however, thanks to a fantastic lineup of sport horses, broodmares and young stallions, not to mention a very dedicated auction team. The top-priced horse was the mare, Franka Potente, who sold...

Franktown Meadows Hunter Derby EVENT: The Franktown Meadows Hunter Derby will be the first stand-alone hunter derby on the West Coast. The derby will be a member event of the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) International Hunter Derby series. This charitable event benefits the Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation, a non-profit charitable organization that aids the Northern Nevada area. WHERE: Franktown Meadows Equestrian Facility is located 15 minutes South of Reno at the foothills...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) has announced the dates and locations for the 2011 Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Dressage Championships: USDF Region 1 (October 20-23) at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA; USDF Region 2 (September 22-25) at Majestic Farm in Batavia, OH; USDF Region 3 (October 14-16) at HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala, FL; USDF Region 4 (September 9-11) at the North Iowa Fair Grounds in Mason City, IA; USDF Region 5 (November 4-6) at WestWorld of...

The Texas Rose Horse Park will host a Trainer Symposium, October 25-27, in Tyler, TX. Melanie Smith Taylor, Jeff Cook and Sandy Ferrell will present sessions on hunters, jumpers and equitation with topics ranging from training exercises to business practices. Members will have the opportunity to participate in practical training sessions and round table discussions with top professionals in the industry. To view a complete schedule of the event, visit www.ushja....

Summer is the perfect time to get yearlings, two-year-olds, and three-year-olds exposed to the competition atmosphere by participating in the Irish Draught Horse Society of North American (IDHSNA)/United States Eventing Association (USEA) Future Event Horse (FEH) Series. On Friday, July 17, the Maryland Horse Trials at Loch Moy Farm in Adamstown, MD, is hosting a Future Event Horse competition. For more information contact Carolyn Mackintosh at (301) 514-0111, fax (301) 874-0968, or email...

Lexington, KY -- Kristina Harrison-Naness, riding in only her second overseas show on Rociero 4, and veteran rider Debbie McDonald on her up-and-coming star, Felix, braved horrendous weather conditions at the CDI**** Oldenburg in Germany November 9-11. These athletes were recipients of United States Equestrian Federation European Training Grants. Harrison-Naness and the diminutive Andalusian Rociero 4 put in a brave performance in the cold and fiercely windy conditions to finish second by less...

Last week I posted a virtual show entry video from an amazingly brave woman who continues to allow me to use her material for examples in this blog. Her courage and generosity inspire me and I hope that her open heart and willingness to be visible inspire you too. I hope that some of you readers are able to identify with her as a peer, a rider struggling to understand riding and training her stock horse and that you professionals at least respect her courage. Reaction to the video has been...