Money makes the world go round, they say. It does indeed, and this certainly is true of the world of sport. From a leisurely activity practiced exclusively by amateurs, sport has now turned into a highly complex profession governed by its own business strategies and rules. Prize money, TV rights, sponsorship fees have never been higher, and there is no indication that the movement is about to slow down. Good things usually march hand in hand with less good ones. If the increase in finances...

The Samsung Super League with FEI leaders from Germany will be last into the ring for Friday's seventh leg of the 2007 series in Dublin following Thursday's draw at the Royal Dublin Society showgrounds. The order of go will be as follows: 1. Belgium; 2. France; 3. Switzerland; 4. Ireland; 5. USA; 6. The Netherlands; 7. Great Britain; 8. Sweden; 9. Germany. Belgian Chef d'Equipe Lucien Somers failed to arrive in time for the Draw Press Conference, but his team's unfavorable starting position had...

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – The first equestrian discipline at the XV Pan American Games came to a close with three medals for the U.S. The dressage team handily won the Team Gold and Chris Hickey with Regent and Lauren Sammis with Sagacious HF won the individual gold and silver medals. The dressage squad has passed the torch to the event riders. The six American riders, four of which are former Pan American Games medalists, are looking for a repeat performance of the 2003 Pan Ams which left them...

Francie Steinwedell-Carvin came all the way from California to claim first place in the Peak Building Systems $25,000 High Prairie Grand Prix at the Colorado Horse Park on Saturday night, July 14. Steinwedell-Carvin, who has represented the United States internationally, bested a field of 26 other top riders from Mexico, Canada, Arizona, Illinois, New Mexico, Texas and Colorado. She now becomes eligible for the $100,000 bonus if she can win the next two grand prix at the Colorado Horse Park on...

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) introduces a new convenient service, which provides members the ability to print duplicate copies of their membership cards online at www.saddlebred.com . Competitors at A-rated Saddlebred shows licensed by the United States Equestrian Federation are required to have evidence of their current membership in the American Saddlebred Horse Association. Anywhere access to the Internet and a printer is available, members can produce hard evidence of...

The American Horse Council (AHC) will host the 2007 National Issues Forum June 17-20 in Washington, DC. This is an exciting opportunity for the AHC to bring together industry experts and participants to discuss important national equine issues. The general session on Tuesday, June 19, will feature key seminars, including: Disease Control: Who’s Really Responsible?— Equine diseases have dramatically affected racing, showing, breeding, sales and the movement of horses over the last two years....

Beezie Madden (center) accepted the Farnam/Platform Horse of the Year Award on behalf of owner Abigail Wexner. Pictured with Madden are USEF President David O'Connor (left) and Farnam's Chris Jacobi. (Geoff Oliver Bugbee/USEF Archives) At the final social event of the 2007 Annual Meeting in Louisville, KY, the much-anticipated Farnam®/Platform™ USEF Horse of the Year Awards celebrated the equestrian world’s hardest working athletes—the horses—from across the spectrum...

Lexington, KY—Once again, the USEF is offering the continuation of the successful Outreach Grant Program. This has been a valuable assistance to financially challenged breed shows that applied in 2006. Competitions must meet certain prerequisites and grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. A total of $125,000 has been budgeted of 2007. Each grant request will be evaluated by the National Affiliates staff with final approval by the Executive offices. An approved grant of up...

In grand style and competing against the best reiners in the world, champion reiner Shawn Flarida of Springfield, OH, broke into the elite Two Million Dollar Rider Club Saturday night at the FEI World Reining Masters Finals in Denver, CO. Flarida became only the second rider in National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) history to earn this incredible distinction. He competed against riders from 18 different countries at the Masters Finals earning the Gold medal. Flarida scored 223.5 riding...

Ten million dollars in equine research funding is needed to unlock the mysteries of the devastating equine disease known as laminitis, announced the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Foundation, Inc. The life-threatening injury to Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro and the subsequent development of laminitis in the horse’s left hind foot has highlighted the prevalence and severity of the disease, which affects horses around the globe. Members of the AAEP have identified laminitis...