Breeder Ken Borden, Jr., has characterized his Little Bit Farm, Inc., as “small but mighty.” They have had growing success and many year-end awards for both farm and horses, but this past year was a banner one. For 2009, Little Bit Farm is the leading dressage breeder for both the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and the United States Dressage Federation (USDF), with five USDF Horse of the Year winners and two of their four approved stallions entering the record books. Masterpiece...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) elected a new president and treasurer for three-year terms. George Williams of Delaware, OH, who was vice president of the federation for nine years and a United States high-performance rider, takes the helm as president from Dr. Samuel Barish. Steve Schubert of Methuen, MA, replaces Barb Tuohino Funk as treasurer. Williams also appointed Melissa Creswick of Clovis, CA, as interim vice president for a one-year term. George Williams is currently a...

Wayne, IL – The sun finally emerged at the spectacular Lamplight Equestrian Center to spotlight the nation’s future dressage talent in the six-year-old and developing horse divisions. It was a competition worthy of champions as presented to judges Linda Zang, Jeanne McDonald, and Hilda Gurney. In the Six-Year-Old division, U.S.-bred “Pikko del Cerro HU” made America proud by claiming the Markel/USEF National Championship with an overall score of 7.9. Ridden by Mikala Munter Gundersen of...

Four more qualifiers were held this past weekend as junior riders around the country try and qualify for this year's ASPCA Maclay National Championship, which will be held on October 31-November 4, 2007, at the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament in Syracuse, NY. Hanna Botney of St. Louis, MO, was the winner of Region 5, while Alisha Davis of Littleton, CO, captured the win in Region 6. The top spot in Region 7 went to O.J. Berkes of Bellevue, WA. Tina DiLandri of La Jolla, CA, won the...

The American Miniature Horse Registry (AMHR) announced that the registry is a 2007 Affiliated Association with the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). As a USEF Affiliated Association, the AMHR benefits from exposure to more than 89,000 USEF members, publication of the AMHR address and contact information in Equestrian magazine and access to insurance coverage at a special Affiliated Association members-only rate. Affiliated Association members receive the USEF Rule Book and the USEF...

Guests at the EQUUS Equestrian Idol Talent Show & Bash on Saturday, February 17, 2007, will choose the first Equestrian Idol from among performances by some notable grand prix riders and trainers, and others. Rumor has it that Mason Phelps will take on the judging job of the infamous Simon Cowell, along with Susie Schoellkopf as Paula Abdul and Gene Mische as Randy Jackson. Robert Dover has signed on as Ryan Seacrest, and Leslie Howard is organizing a band of female grand prix riders to go...

Lexington, KY —The United States Equestrian Federation® announces a change to the endurance team for the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games. The team is made up of five horse and rider combinations that will compete in Aachen, Germany, August 21. The endurance competition will be the lead-off event beginning at 6:00 a.m. The U.S. endurance team for the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games (in alphabetical order by rider) is as follows: •Kathryn Downs of Somerville, ME, riding Pygmalion, a 10-year-old...

A new high-point award, Showmanship at Halter, has been developed for Americaan Saddlebred Horse Assocation (ASHA) youth. Showmanship at Halter is designed to give junior exhibitors the opportunity to show a well-groomed and properly fitted horse from the ground. The skills associated with showmanship are designed to teach exhibitors overall horsemanship, safety and sportsmanship, as they focus on results through control, proper form, attention and style. Awards will be presented to a National...

The six-week Arizona Winter Circuit has been a staple of West Coast circuits for many years. HITS took over production of this circuit in 1991. The Arizona Winter Circuit offers a full range of competition classes for beginners to advanced riders. Exhibitors gain valuable experience in the show ring under the eye of some of the country's top judges. What: Six-week hunter/jumper horse show circuit produced by HITS, Inc. Where: Pima County Fairgrounds, Tucson, AZ When: Wednesday through Sunday...

In a nail biting finish, Cathy Weischhoff from Lexington, KY, and her Thoroughbred gelding, Ocotillo, jumped a textbook show jumping round to win the Advanced Horse Trials at Maui Jim Wayne, July 8-10, in Wayne, IN. This was a Gold Cup division which kicked off the mid-western section of the series. Second was Ursula Brush (who trains with Weischoff) riding Bru Maguire. The CIC** Division, also part of the USEA Gold Cup series, was won by Olympic veteran, Karen O'Connor on Mr. Ripley, owned...