The FEI Open and European Para-Equestrian Dressage Championships began on Wednesday, August 19, marking a historic achievement for Norway as it will be the first time a European equestrian Championship is held on Norwegian soil, and also the first time a European summer sport championship is held there. The event takes place at the Epona Riding Centre, established in 2005 and near Kristiansand on the south coast of Norway, providing a magnificent backdrop for the event. Cato Zahl Pedersen, an...

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) announces the new leadership for the 2009-10 Charter Club Council. Leading the council will be Susan Vine of Boxborough, MA, as Chair, with Carol Reedy of Roanoke, VA, and Bridget McNeese of Houston, TX, as Vice Co-Chairs. To date, Council membership remains unchanged. Council representatives listed by region may be found on the Charter Club section of the ASHA website at www.asha.net/ASHA-Charter-Clubs . In addition, ASHA is pleased to present...

Surrounded by the beauty of the Kentucky Horse Park, First Lady Jane Beshear presented a proclamation declaring Saturday, August 15, 2009, as the Fifth Annual Hats Off To Kentucky's Horse Industry Day. "I can not think of a better way to celebrate our signature horse industry than to invite everyone to attend a day of festivities at the Kentucky Horse Park," said First Lady Beshear. "I encourage all Kentuckians to join in the fun on Saturday for the Hats Off to Kentucky's Horse Industry Day."...

Taylor Ann Adams bested the top junior talent in the nation by winning the 2009 Essex Classics/United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Hunterdon Cup Equitation Class in Saugerties, NY. Adams of Memphis, TN, secured her victory in the third and final round of the prestigious equitation class after switching mounts with reserve champion Quincy Hayes. “Quincy helped me out in the schooling area before the final round,” Adams said. “Her horse was a lot of horse for me to ride and completely...

Beginning Thursday, August 6, 2009, the Professional Riders Organization (PRO) will host a series of events at the Millbrook Horse Trials in Pine Plains, NY. On Thursday and Friday, PRO will host guided course walks led by PRO riders, including Danny Warrington, Bobby Costello and Sharon White. Following the course walks on Thursday, PRO will host a reception to welcome competitors and spectators and discuss PRO's mission and membership benefits. On Sunday, PRO will sponsor Advanced Show...

The Fifth International Equine Conference on Laminitis and Diseases of the Foot is pleased to announce that farrier Michael Wildenstein will be a featured speaker at this year's event. Wildenstein will be conducting a workshop on Foot Management Strategies for Laminitis with Dr. Mike Steward. The conference will be held November 6-8, 2009, at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, FL. The goals of the Fifth International Equine Conference on Laminitis and Diseases of the...

After two days of exciting competition, a new champion was crowned when Danielle Cooper rode her mount Amalfi to the Grand Championship at the 2009 USEF Junior Hunter Championship-East Coast on Wednesday afternoon at HITS-on-the-Hudson, in Saugerties, NY Coming out of the Small Junior Hunter 16-17 Division, Cooper and her mount outlasted last year’s winning rider, Jennifer Waxman, to earn the crown. “Danielle has been riding with me since September,” said trainer Frank Madden. “She has been a...

Spectators were treated to a spectacular display of harmony between athlete and rider with a one day equestrian vaulting demonstration competition during the 2009 Adequan FEI North American Junior/Young Rider Championsip Presented by Gotham North. Top Equestrian Vaulters from the US and Canada competed for honors with their Freestyle and Technical routines in the Van Lennep Indoor Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park. This marks the first time that Equestrian Vaulting was included in the...

The North American Young Riders Endurance ride took place on Friday, July 24. It was run concurrently with the FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC) and for the first time all three North American countries were represented. Held in the rolling hills of Henryville, IN, riders competed against the clock for team and individual medals. Heavy rains left the ride’s 75-mile course a bit more treacherous, requiring riders to be extra cautious. The Individual Gold and Silver...

Maxance McManamy and Beacon Hill (Brant Gamma Photographery) Lexington, KY —Both the Team and Individual medals were decided today in three-day eventing as both the CCI** and CCI* riders returned to the arena to complete their show jumping test in the USEA North American Junior & Young Rider Eventing Championships. The leader board was shuffled on the cross-country course, so the Gold medal was up for grabs. Today was the final day of competition as show jumping wrapped up at the 2009...