Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has begun a new initiative in 2010. The Dressage Talent Search Program will be held in conjunction with training sessions with USEF Developing Dressage Coach Debbie McDonald. An observation day will take place one day prior to the USEF Developing Rider Training Session. Applicant riders will present their horses in groups of up to three for 30 minute evaluations. McDonald will select two horse/rider combinations from all pairs...

Arriving in Florida is always an adventure. Despite running laps between Lexington and Wellington this year, this was my first trip to Ocala, which of course means flying into Orlando. Which of course meant that I was the only person on my flight and in the airport without Disney World on the brain. Ocala and Lexington are locked in a fierce battle for bragging rights over which one really is the horse capital of the world. There are farms of every possible variety when you drive around this...

The most comprehensive national directory of breed and sport organizations, equine publications, state resources and racing and gaming organizations is now available for purchase. The American Horse Council’s 2010 Horse Industry Directory is a yearly effort to bring to you a definitive source that puts the equine industry at your fingertips. This year’s Horse Industry Directory has a staggering 1,200 listings, including equine publications, state sources of information, breed registries and...

Courtesy Mancini Photos (Kelley Farmer and Habana) Kelley Farmer and Habana repeated their victory in the Baby Green Hunter division, sponsored by Draper Equine Therapy, at the Equestrian Sport Productions New Year’s Show. It was the second victory in the Baby Green Hunter Championship during the winter show circuit for Farmer and the four-year-old gelding Habana, who is owned by the Spencer Ranch, home of Popeye K, the 2008 and 2009 USEF Hunter Breeding Sire of the Year. “It is very exciting...

Photo by Amy McCool (Kassandra Barteau and GP Raymeister ) Lexington, KY – Before a packed house at the FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final for Young Riders in Frankfurt, Germany, American rider Kassandra Barteau saved her best performance for last with GP Raymeister and finished second in the ‘B Group’ of the Freestyle. In her last year of Young Rider competition, the 21-year-old from Maple Park, IL and the 10-year-old Holsteiner stallion owned by Grand Prix Equestrian and Ginna Frantz, scored 68....

The 20th annual Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) Stallion Season Auction raised a gross amount of $1.7 million compared to $1.2 million in 2008. The auction began with a three-day telephone auction and concluded with a live auction last Friday at the Keeneland Entertainment Center. Over 250 people attended the live auction sponsored by Brushwood Stable, Cobra Farm, CandyLand Farm, Lael Stables and Rosenberg Thoroughbred Consulting while volunteers from Fasig-Tipton were on-hand to...

As the show season draws to a close, five professionals who regularly attend Langer Equestrian Group (LEG) shows are making plans to head off to Maui for some much needed rest and recreation, courtesy of LEG. The company sponsors the Maui Trainer Incentive as a way to not only encourage participation at the shows, but reward professionals for their efforts, support and success. Larry Langer, President and CEO of LEG, started the Trainer Incentive because professionals are the hardest working...

Melissa Jackson and Wellington Capture Grand Prix Win Sponsored By the Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Center Melissa Jackson and her 12-year-old Hanoverian, Wellington, captured the win in the Grand Prix at the Wellington Classic Dressage’s Autumn Challenge of Champions show, held in conjunction with the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Region 3 Dressage Championships. The Grand Prix was sponsored by The Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Center, and...

Vermont Governor Jim Douglas has proclaimed September to be "Morgan Horse Month" in Vermont, celebrating the famous breed that is also Vermont's State Animal. "I am glad to proclaim a month in honor of this magnificent animal, especially on the centennial anniversary of the founding of the American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA)," Douglas said. "This is a fitting time to honor the State Animal, only days before the historic re-creation of the 1796 race between the breed's founding stallion and...

Lexington, KY – As part of an ongoing series of structural changes designed to offer increased service to members while streamlining efficiency, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) announces the creation of its new Education Department, effective June 1, 2009. The Education Department, formerly a part of Licensed Officials, will strive to improve service to the membership through the expansion of educational opportunities for competitors and licensed officials alike, offering...