Lexington, KY – George Morris, who was appointed to the Search Committee for the new U.S. Show Jumping Chef d’Equipe based on his credentials as a leading U.S. Show Jumping rider, trainer and coach, has resigned from the Committee effective January 24, 2005. The remaining members of the Search Committee are Karen O'Connor, Eric Straus, Chairman, Norman Dello Joio, Anne Kursinski, Jessica Ransehousen, and Robert Ridland. “After careful consideration I have decided to...

Los Angeles, CA —As the 2004 season comes to a close, West Coast League riders step out of their saddles for a moment to reflect on five rounds of World Cup qualifiers that have determined their standings at the halfway mark. Separated by only a few points, Richard Spooner, Joie Gatlin and Gabriella Salick maintain an incredibly close race for the three World Cup slots afforded to the League. A tenth place finish atop Hilton Flight (Bay Irish Sport Horse gelding; Errigal...

Margie Engle Takes Home the Syracuse Cup In the end, it was just one rail that kept Beezie Madden from her first Syracuse Cup win at the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament in Syracuse, NY, November 3-7. In the Syracuse Cup’s unique three-phase competition, it was Margie Engle of Wellington, FL, riding Nobility and Animagus that claimed the title for 2004. Engle went faultless through all three phases. Second was Laura Kraut and Madden was third. Seven riders in all qualified to compete....

Reminder: Salicylates (Aspirin) The 2004 FEI General Assembly agreed to change the threshold for salicylates in line with the proposals submitted by the Veterinary Committee. The previous thresholds for salicylates were 750 ug/ml in urine and 6.5 ug/ml in plasma. Experiences in testing have indicated that abuse of salicylates was possible by administration of low doses without exceeding the threshold. An extensive study on 650 samples for the salicylate content and a subsequent bio-statistical...

Lindsey Mohr, 15, of Long Valley, NJ, dominated the $10,000 North American League (NAL) Children’s Hunter Finals on October 18 at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, PA. Riding Lion King, Mohr led both rounds with scores of an 87 and an 88. “This is one of the toughest competitions,” said Mohr. “Everyone has a great eye and there is always a great match between horse and rider.” Thirty-one horses qualified to compete at the Farm Show Complex, and through the use of the numerical...

Lexington, KY – Frank Chapot, the six-time Olympic show jumping rider who has been chef d’equipe of the Unites States Show Jumping Team since 1980, has decided to retire. Under his leadership, the team has won nine Olympic medals and nine Pan American Games medals, which includes the first-ever team gold medals at the 1984 Olympics and at the World Championships in 1986, as well as the Silver Team medal at both the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea, and the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta,...

Many of the west's top horses and riders will converge on the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, September 22-26, 2004, for a week of top hunter/jumper competition. The $40,000 Grand Prix of Los Angeles will run on Saturday evening, September 25, and a capacity crowd is expected for this American Grandprix Association event and qualifier for the 2005 World Cup Finals. The World Cup Finals will be held in Las Vegas, NV, next spring. Richard Spooner, who has an early lead in the World Cup standings,...

The 29th Annual Hampton Classic Horse Show’s feature event, the $150,000 Prudential Financial Grand Prix, will be broadcast on Fox Sports New York at 4 p.m. EDT on Saturday, September 25. In the Grand Prix, Darragh Kerins of Ireland, along with his horse Nabucco, rode to victory. Kerins was one of three entries from a starting field of 26 to qualify for the tiebreaking jump-off by riding without penalty over the 14-jump, first-round course designed by Olympic veteran Conrad Homfeld. Kerins...

San Juan Capistrano, CA - The 2004 Olympic Dressage Trials continue this weekend with the final two legs of the competition. The second Grand Prix will be held on Saturday and the Freestyle competition on Sunday at Oaks Blenheim in San Juan Capistrano, California. Competition begins at 1:00 pm Pacific time both days. Last weekend Robert Dover on FBW Kennedy won both the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Special and is leading the competition. Guenter Seidel was second in the Grand Prix and third in...

THE COLOUR LOOKS VERY MUCH LIKE ORANGE…… Dutch pride is at an all-time high after two consecutive victories in the Samsung Super League 2004, and the team at the top of the leaderboard can expect huge support when they line out on their home ground in Rotterdam next Friday. A full three points ahead of Germany in second position, The Netherlands could take a real grip on pole position if they can capitalise with another good result, and the organisers at Rotterdam are encouraging...