Lexington, KY - To reach the highest level of excellence in equestrian sport requires talent, perseverance, a tremendous spirit and often, unwavering courage. In 2012, six horses have shown the world those qualities and more. On January 18, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) will bestow two of them with the prestigious title of Horse of the Year, the highest honor the USEF awards a horse. Again this year both a national and international horse will win. The six champions have earned...

Lexington, KY - President Lee Vulgaris announced this week that the Paso Fino Horse Association (PFHA) has officially named Sally Walker as its new Executive Director. The association president stated that Walker was chosen to serve as the organization’s Director from over 70 candidates elicited through a nationwide search. Walker comes to PFHA with extensive leadership experience in the nonprofit, corporate, and private business worlds. She is also a lifelong horsewoman. Most recently,...

Walking up the steps from the mixed zone to the athlete seating takes 20 seconds. I have done it 29 times, after each ride. 29 times without a medal. Each time - the climb becomes more painful. We are trying, we are working, we are willing - we just aren’t winning. It is immensely frustrating. Our horses look great, our riders are well-coached, you can feel and hear their frustration when they make mistakes. My heart breaks for them when they don’t make mistakes and their best still...

Makhnificent KA For thirty years Kehilan Arabians, owned and operated by the Rogers family and their associate Janice Bush, has produced a splendid and special Egyptian Arabian horse. In a show world where over 95% of all the American Egyptian Arabian horses bred and shown are heavily line-bred Nazeer, the Kehilan bloodline is much more focused on one of the original EAO outcrosses for Nazeer: Sameh. In the 1970’s the Sameh-bred horses that did show were superstars of the national show...

Lexington, KY - The search is underway for nominees for the 2012 United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Youth Sportsman's Award. The award recognizes young equestrians who exhibit exceptional leadership potential, serve as positive role models for their peers, demonstrate an ongoing commitment and dedication to the promotion of equestrian sport, are involved in their community, and exemplify positive sportsmanship principles. The overall winner of the 2012 USEF Youth Sportsman's...

Devon, PA - The Brandywine Valley Summer Series horse shows presented by Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) is pleased to announce that the hunter/jumper competition's prize list is currently available online. The prize list and entry blanks are posted at www.brandywinevalleysummerseries.com . Entries for the Brandywine Valley Summer Series close on June 1, 2012. Held at the prestigious Devon Show Grounds, the Brandywine Valley Summer Series presented by THIS will be a summer...

Steffen Peters and Ravel Sunday at CHIO Aachen (Photo: Ken Braddick/dressage-news.com). Aachen, Germany – Team USA wrapped up the 2011 World Equestrian Festival CHIO in Aachen, Germany with more strong performances, including a second place finish for Steffen Peters and Ravel in the Grand Prix Freestyle CDIO and a win for show jumper McLain Ward on Rothchild. Peters and Ravel, owned by Akiko Yamazki and Four Winds Farm, stepped up their game today and gave the best dressage horse in the...

Lexington, KY - The Endurance Eligible Athlete Committee and Endurance High Performance Committee have recommended Emmett Ross to be the Endurance Chef d' Equipe. The recommendation will go to the USEF High Performance Working Group before being presented to the USEF Executive Committee. Fourteen applications were received by the Search Committee. The Committee rated each applicant, and presented their findings to the USEF Endurance Eligible Athlete Committee. Taking into account the...

Spring may have been slow in coming to California this year, but the Woodside Spring Preview started off with a bang. A combination of beautiful weather, a wide range of classes, and a great facility brought in record numbers of entries to fill some very large and exciting classes. The show served as a selection trial for the Zone 10 Adequan FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championship (NAJYRC) teams, and the main jumper ring was a veritable “who’s who” of top jumper riders comprising...

The second week of show jumping at HITS Ocala wrapped on Sunday with warm weather and exciting action, proving that the "Horse Capital of the World" is also the "Land of Opportunity," as the Grand Prix Arena saw some new faces emerge in the winner’s circle. In Thursday’s $25,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, Lacy Morrone-Cramer from Pittstown, NJ, earned her first grand prix win of the season riding Ulysses Van De Krekebeke, owned by Equi Sport, LLC. The duo bested 36...