The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce Maxi Gumprecht as the winner of the 2009 USEF Youth Sportsman's Award, sponsored by Breyer Animal Creations®. Gumprecht was selected from an outstanding group of youth representing their respective recognized breed/discipline affiliates from across the country. Gumprecht, of Mercer Island, WA, was nominated by the American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) for her leadership and sportsmanship along with her commitment to the...

The 126th National Horse Show opened up competition on Wednesday, October 28, at the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament in Syracuse, NY. The National Horse Show holds classes for hunters through Friday, October 30, and their highlight event, the ASPCA Maclay National Championship, will be held on Saturday, October 31. The Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament holds jumpers classes through Sunday, November 1, in the War Memorial at the Oncenter Complex. "We are very excited to...

The Kentucky National Horse Show was held September 16-20 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. Lucille Oken Wins Grand Slam with Land's End Mad Hatter Lucille Oken and Land's End Mad Hatter were unstoppable at this year's Kentucky National Indoor Horse Show. The pair completed a clean sweep of the Large Pony Hunter division, taking home each of the blue ribbons and the championship award. Oken rides at her family's Hi Hopes Farm in Charlotte, NC, with trainers Steve Heinecke and Jeff...

The $25,000 Chicago Hunter Derby saw big crowds and tremendous competition Sunday afternoon of August 30 at Annali Farm in Antioch, IL. The class hosted 35 of the nation's top hunters and riders for a "Derby Day" full of festivities. The show raised money for Chicago Equestrians for a Cause, which donates to the Children's Memorial Hospital. Jennifer Alfano of Buffalo, NY, rode SBS Farms' Jersey Boy to victory in the $25,000 Hunter Derby. The courses were designed by Bobby Murphy, who also...

Lexington, KY— The 2009 United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Dressage Seat Medal Finals presented by Dressage Today ® concluded this weekend, July 17-19, in the beautiful setting of the Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, IL. Riders came from across the country to compete for the championship in two age divisions—13 & under and 14-18. The purpose of the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Program is to promote and reward excellence in equitation, including correct seat, position, and use of aids...

(Lexington, KY)— The Markel/United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Young Horse Dressage Selection Trials concluded the 2009 qualifying season with competitions held across the country in Illinois, California and North Carolina to select the U.S. representatives for the 2009 FEI World Breeding Championships to be held in Verden, Germany, August 5–9, 2009. The first Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Selection Trial was held at CDI 3*/Y/J Wayne & Dressage at Lamplight in Wayne, IL, May 15–17,...

American Hunter Pony Classic Sale graduates captured both of the USEF Horse of the Year Grand Champion Pony Hunter titles in 2008. Small pony hunters won both titles. The American Hunter Pony Classic held each year in conjunction with the USEF National Pony Hunter Finals. Horse of the Year Grand Champion Pony Hunter honors went to 13-year-old Fancy Feet in one of most dominating HOTY performances in years. Fancy Feet was the nation’s leading small pony hunter earning 11,410 points, beating the...

A black Shetland Pony who closely resembles the pony Little Black in the Walter Farley book Little Black, A Pony has a new home with the Black Stallion Literacy Foundation at Arabian Nights in Orlando, FL. Thanks to the donation of the pony by the American Shetland Pony Club (ASPC), thousands of children involved in the literacy program will have the chance to meet Little Black in person. The Black Stallion Literacy Foundation has helped motivate hundreds of thousands of children to enjoy...

2008 was the 25th anniversary for the National Show Horse (NSH) Finals. The show was held September 17-20 in Springfield, IL. The weather could not have been better, and with over $200,000 in prize money available, you can almost always guarantee a good time with a lot of quality horses. This year was no exception. The judges were Cari Bartz, Gayle Lampe and Richard Petty. The National Show Horse Registry (NSHR) was very pleased with the addition of the Hackney Futurity, Hackney Pony and...

The aftermath of Hurricane Ike made for a rainy Saturday afternoon of show jumping at the second annual Evergreen Invitational in Wisconsin, about 60 miles north of Chicago. Top riders Margie Engle, Scott Lenkart and Maggie Jayne, rode clear in the $75,000 Grand Prix, but had no jump-off on account of the weather and footing. The constant rain from Friday, which continued through Saturday, didn’t discourage the 17 riders who competed in the grand prix at M.K. Pritzker's 230-acre farm. Scott...