The Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center recently held a very successful clinic featuring the renowned rider and trainer, George H. Morris, who is currently the U.S. Show Jumping Chef d'Equipe. The clinic was held over three days and hosted three different groups of riders: intermediate, advanced, and jumpers. The clinic was scheduled and organized by Susie Schoellkopf, Director of the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center and head trainer of SBS Farms, Inc., at the Buffalo Equestrian Center. Riding...

On behalf of all those who contribute to the equestrian family, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), governing body of international equestrian sport, announced on November 20 the creation of a commission on medication and doping chaired by Dr. Arne Ljungqvist, Chairman of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Medical Commission and Vice President of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The Commission will offer a robust examination of the way the equine anti-doping policies can...

The audience cheered even more enthusiastically when Will Simpson entered the arena aboard Archie Bunker to contest the $50,000 Los Angeles National Grand Prix. The 2008 Olympic Gold medalist did not disappoint as he piloted Archie Bunker to one of just four clear rounds during the featured class at the LA National, November 12-16. Olaf Petersen, Jr., designed a challenging course for the 34 horse field that served as a West Coast League World Cup Qualifier. "This was a difficult course. This...

Lexington, KY – The US show jumping team of Ashlee Bond and Cadett 7, Rebecca Johanson-Hofmann and Corona, Michelle Spadone and Melisimo, and Kirsten Coe and Starlight put on an impressive display at the CSIO Buenos Aires to win the Nations Cup over the Argentineans on their home turf. The US team finished on eight faults, ahead of Argentina (10) and Chile (24). All of the US riders contributed to the effort, with Johanson-Hofmann jumping two immaculate clears. Bond, Spadone and Coe all had one...

Hanover Shoe Farms, the most prolific Standardbred breeding farm in the world, will be honored with the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ (AAEP) 2008 award for outstanding service in equine welfare, the Lavin Cup. The Lavin Cup, named for former AAEP President A. Gary Lavin, VMD, will be presented to a representative of Hanover Shoe Farms on December 9 at the AAEP’s 54th Annual Convention in San Diego. Each year the Lavin Cup is awarded to a non-veterinary individual or organization...

Lexington, KY - The final United States Equestrian Federation National Eventing Championship of the year wrapped up the season at the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event. Held in Temecula, CA (concurrently with the CCI**) on November 1-2. Juniors and Young Riders shone in the 2008 USEF National Junior/Young Rider CCI* Team Championship-West. The team made up of three riders from Area I and VI, triumphed in the long format CCI* over the team from Area VII to claim the Championship. Suzy...

Lexington, KY - A replacement horse/rider combination has been named to represent the United States at the CSIO Buenos Aires November 12-16. The four horse/rider combinations and alternates were selected based on their ranking on the October 3, 2008 USEF Computer List. Rebecca Johanson-Hofmann/Corona were the first ranked alternate and have replaced Georgina Bloomberg/Cim Christo. Rider/Age/Hometown/Horse/Age/Breed/Sex/Owner Michelle Spadone/25/Califon, NJ/Melisimo/14/Royal Dutch...

History repeated itself as Kent Farrington and Upchiqui won the $75,000 Budweiser Prix de Penn National for the second time on closing night of the 2008 Pennsylvania National Horse Show. Suspense is the essence of competition. Farrington faced 28 very tough competitors to repeat this win. The seventh of 10 clean trips in the first round, Farrington knew speed would be a prime factor in the jump-off. “Upchiqui is an exceptionally fast horse,” said Farrington, 20. “ He’s a great horse. He covers...

Scores of Iberian horses, along with their riders, handlers and owners, assembled at the Will Rogers Equestrian Center in Fort Worth, TX, October 13-18 for the International Andalusian & Lusitano Horse Association’s (IALHA) 2008 National Championship Horse Show. Last week’s competition drew nearly 150 Andalusian, Lusitano and Half-Andalusian horses, and included hundreds of participants from across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Affectionately known as the Horse of Kings, the versatile...

Harrisburg, PA – With 274 riders vying for the title of 2008 Pessoa/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final, making the top twenty-five is tough enough. But Kels Annabelle Bonham bested the competition to take the championship title, making her last year in the Medal Finals even more special. This was Bonham’s fourth time riding in the Medal Finals and she rode early in the order of go. Judges Alex Jayne and Tammy Provost put her at the top of their card and she stayed there until the conclusion of the...