The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) has been researching and studying the sport of dressage for the past nine years. Through the efforts of countless individuals, including input from staff at the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) and the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), dressage will become an AQHA-approved event beginning January 1, 2010. AQHA-registered horses, shown by exhibitors who are current individual members of AQHA, will be eligible to earn points at...

The inaugural $25,000 Chicago Hunter Derby was a huge success this year, bringing top-notch hunter competition to the Midwest for a special one-day event that raised more than $60,000 for the Children's Memorial Hospital. The Chicago Hunter Derby was hosted by Chicago Equestrians for a Cause (CEC) and was held on August 30, 2009, at Annali Farm in Antioch, IL. Children's Memorial Hospital is one of Chicago's most precious civic assets. As Illinois' only freestanding hospital exclusively for...

Some of the world's top grand prix riders and trainers will battle it out in fun and games at the February 26, 2010, Fete Cheval Carnivale sponsored by Spy Coast Farm to benefit The EQUUS Foundation, Inc. "We are so grateful to Spy Coast Farm and the Lourie Family for their generosity and for helping us bring back this very entertaining event to Wellington," said co-chairs Gray Fadden and Visse Wedell. Guests will enjoy cocktails, a carnival-themed dinner, and carnival games in the Marquee Tent...

The program for the USET Foundation Holiday Gala Fundraiser is shaping up to be big as many of the country’s top riders have now signed on to participate. A pioneer among women in the equine industry, Lynn Palm Pittion-Rossillon, has announced that she will perform her famous Bridleless Musical Exhibition during the weekend’s events. German vaulter Kai Vorberg has also been added to the list of participants and will perform an exciting vaulting demonstration. SUCCEED® and Wellington Classic...

Members of the American Shetland Pony Club, the American Miniature Horse Registry and the American Show Pony Registry (ASPC/AMHR/ASPR) will reap the rewards for a successful year and plan for 2010 at the small equine organization’s upcoming annual convention. Supporters of the versatile and popular small equine breeds will meet in Orlando, FL, November 5-7. The ASPC/AMHR/ASPR are non-profit organizations established to preserve and refine the bloodlines of small equines and promote the...

On October 14, riders from more than 20 countries will compete in the Kentucky Cup Endurance race, sponsored by Emirates Equestrian Federation, and the official endurance test event for the 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games. Athletes from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Israel, Romania, Spain and many other countries are expected to compete in or observe Kentucky Cup Endurance in preparation for next year's Endurance World Championship at the 2010 Games. The team from the United Arab Emirates will...

Three regional qualifying competitions were recently held for the 2009 ASPCA Maclay National Championships. They were the last Regionals held, and the final list of qualifiers is now available (please see below). The 2009 ASPCA Maclay National Championship will be held at the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament on October 28-November 1, 2009. Zazou Hoffman was the winner of the Region 1 qualifier at the Grand Fall Classic in Westbrook, CT. Hoffman finished second at Regionals last year...

Wayne, IL – In the spectacular setting of Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, Illinois, competition got underway at the Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championships and USEF National Developing Horse Dressage Championship presented by the Dutta Corporation and Performance Sales International. After all the horses were presented at the veterinary inspection on Thursday, excitement continued to build as young horses began their quest for USEF National Championships titles. Traveling...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that Kassandra Barteau and Gina Frantz’s Holsteiner stallion, GP Raymeister, were awarded this year’s Fiona Baan Pursuit of Excellence Memorial Trophy. Kassandra is originally from Orlando, FL, but now lives in Maple Park, IL. In her last year as a young rider, Barteau earned the title of Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Young Rider Champion. She was a member of the Silver medal-winning Young Rider Team representing Region 2....

The Swedish Warmblood Association of North America (SWANA) is pleased to announce their 2009 Inspection Tour. The international team of Swedish judges includes Jan-Ove Olsson of the Stallion Committee and Lasse Berglund, jumping judge. The Inspections are fun and educational. Everyone is welcome to come enjoy the horses and learn; the Swedish judges are very good about explaining what they are looking at; always with an eye to finding the best points of a horse and explaining the Swedish sytem...