The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce and congratulate its new USDF Associate and Certified Instructors. The USDF Instructor Certification Program is designed to set a standard of excellence in dressage training and instruction in the United States and to educate dressage riders, instructors and aspiring instructors. New USDF Associate Instructors include; Valerie Dunaway of Spotsylvania, VA; Janet Reed of San Diego, CA; Estelle Price of Ortega, NY; Claudia...

U.S. endurance competitors were up to the task at the World Endurance Championship Test Event in Teregganu, Malaysia, November 10-11, 2007. Despite torrential rain and muddy conditions, two American combinations finished in the top ten. Kathy Brunjes from Maine riding her own Theatric finished fifth, just inches in front of her fellow countryman John Crandell III. Crandell, from Virginia, was sixth riding Heraldic. Interestingly, these geldings are ¾ siblings. They are both by Statistic and...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that Meagan Davis has been chosen as the USDF nominee for the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Youth Sportsman’s Award. Nominees must demonstrate an ongoing dedication to the promotion of the horse, exhibit positive sportsmanship principles, and serve as a role model for their peers. As the USDF national nominee, Davis will receive a one-year USDF Participating Membership (PM), a certificate, a lapel pin, and an...

Boston, MA, is the site for the 2008 Annual Meeting and Convention of the United States Pony Clubs, Inc. From Wednesday, January 23 until Sunday, January 27, an anticipated 1,000 Pony Club leaders, volunteers and youth are expected to attend the meeting for a variety of informative and exciting seminars on equestrian topics. Noted professionals from across the country will conduct workshops on subjects relating to equine activities and sports, such as: “A View From C,” “Alternative Medicine,”...

The FEI wishes to announce “On to Hong Kong,” a workshop to assist national federations to prepare for the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong. The event, to be organized by the FEI’s Welfare Sub-committee, will take place in Lausanne, Switzerland, from February 16-18, 2008. The objective of the workshop will be to promote the health and welfare of the horses by making the information collected at the August 2007 Test Event available to all Federation officials, veterinarians, riders, chefs...

When Laurie Jakubauskas entered the Tavern on the Green Ring at the Fidelity Investments Jumper Classic on Friday, September 7, it was readily apparent that they were the ones to watch. Despite the withering heat, both were fresh and eager to go. It's no surprise that they won their classes back-to-back. First to go was Vixen, who captured the blue in the $750 Five-Year-Old Jumpers. Vixen is a very fast mare who just started jumping in April. "She can't go slowly. She's fun and is similar to...

The Fidelity Investments Jumper Classic, the only American Grand Prix Association grand prix show jumping event in New England, will be presented by Animal Planet this year at the show grounds in South Hamilton, MA, September 5-9, 2007. As presenting sponsor, Animal Planet will provide one of the jumps in the grand prix course by Olympic course designer Richard Jeffrey. Animal Planet programming has included equestrian events, such as the Sporthorse Cup and the Rolex FEI World Cup Finals, and...

At its meeting on Tuesday, July 31, the Executive Committee of the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) designated regional championship competitions throughout the United States for 2008. The first official regional championship was held in 2005 at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, PA, for the Northeastern region. That competition was selected again, but in this instance for Region 11 only, encompassing the states of Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New...

Lexington, KY—Sonja S. Keating has been named Senior Vice President and General Counsel for the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). Before this appointment, Keating served as Associate General Counsel for the USEF. Prior to joining the Federation staff, Keating was associated with the Lexington office of the Cincinnati-based law firm of Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP, where she practiced in the litigation department. Keating worked closely with Julie Goodman, former General Counsel, in both...

Starting in 2007, the American Morgan Horse Association’s (AMHA) Youth Member of the Year award will now be called the AMHA Annual Youth Achievement Award, as decided by the AMHA Board of Directors at their May meeting. The award, which recognizes a youth who demonstrates outstanding achievement and dedication to the Morgan breed , is determined by a point system. In 2006, Caitlin Novotny of Oklahoma City received the first AMHA Youth Member of the Year award. AMHA youth members may earn points...