Lexington, KY – In 2005, the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) and Registry launched a program designating and supporting regional championship competitions around the country. Regional championships increase competitive opportunities for all types of horses and levels of competition, and are part of the association’s effort to improve public education and awareness of the breed throughout the nation. 2009 ASHA REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP COMPETITIONS: REGION 1 Southwest Regional Arizona...

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) Junior Exhibitor Youth Driving Challenge funded by Elisabeth Goth Chelberg, held its finals in November during the American Royal in Kansas City, MO. Cash prizes, medals, and ribbons were awarded to three in the Show Pleasure Driving Challenge and in the Fine Harness Driving Challenge, for the second year in a row, CH Cary’s Moonraker took home first place. The winners are as follows: Show Pleasure Driving Challenge Horse, rider, owner, place...

A group of fuzzy and adorable Miniature horses became instant fan favorites when they marched in the 75th Annual McDonald’s Thanksgiving Day parade in downtown Chicago on Thanksgiving Day. Lennie Bertrand, of Bertrand’s Miniature Horse Ranch, brought 21 Miniature horses to march in the parade much to the delight of the 400,000 plus spectators who came out to enjoy Chicago’s favorite tradition. Bertrand said it was his 11th year to bring his Miniature horses to the parade, and he had friends...

Lifelong horseman Marty Mueller of French Lick, IN, died Friday morning, November 14, 2008, at age 96. During his life, he built a reputation as one of the top trainers of American Saddlebreds. Mueller was raised in the famous resort area of Indiana known as ”The Valley,” where his father was the head gardener at the fabled West Baden Springs Hotel. Marty grew up watching the horses at L. S. Dickey’s French Lick Springs Resort Stables, and he began working at Dickey’s as a stable boy,...

The Mid-America Horse Show Association is pleased to announce that the Mid-America Mane Event's Ladies Five-Gaited Stake on Saturday evening, October 25, has been designated a United Professional Horsemen's Association (UPHA) Pink Ribbon Class. The UPHA Pink Ribbon Class was created in 2007 to focus awareness and raise money for breast cancer research via Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world's largest source of non-profit funds dedicated to curing breast cancer at every stage. This year's...

Lexington, KY - The World Endurance Championship Definite Entries and Alternates were named after the final Training Session in Williston, Florida on September 13. All 12 nominated entries participated under the guidance of Chef d’ Equipe and three-time World Champion Becky Grand Hart. The Veterinary Panel examined the horses and the Endurance Selectors observed the horse/rider combinations as they completed a 38 mile course. The following horse/rider combinations were selected to represent the...

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...

Each year, the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) honors several outstanding junior members for their high achievements in academic success, extracurricular activities, and most importantly for their involvement with and dedication to the American Saddlebred Horse. This year, five ASHA Scholarships, totaling $5,000 each, will be awarded, including the Youth to Youth Scholarship. The Youth to Youth Scholarship is given to an individual who has participated in ASHA Youth activities,...

In December of 2007, the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Board of Directors unanimously approved the creation of the United States Hunter Jumper Association Foundation. The USHJA Foundation is an independent organization, developed in response to the requests of members to support the programs of the USHJA, while creating and implementing additional initiatives to benefit the sport. The programs that the new USHJA Foundation will be supporting include educational scholarships...

The Board of Directors of the American Shetland Pony Club (ASPC) announced that they will again offer a $10,000 scholarship to any registered American Shetland Pony who earns the title of Champion Small Pony Hunter at the United States Equestrian Pony Finals to be hosted August 13-17 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. “The $10,000 incentive prize was designed to encourage participation of Shetland Ponies in a variety of competitions.” explained Zona Schneider, Operations Director of...