Ravel-Horse of the Year in 2009. (Photo by Shannon Brinkman/USEF) Lexington, KY - December 21 - To reach the highest level of excellence in equestrian sport takes talent, perseverance, a tremendous spirit and often, unwavering courage. In 2010, five horses have shown the world those qualities and more. And on January 21, the United States Equestrian Federation will bestow just one of them with the prestigious title of Horse of the Year, the highest honor the USEF awards a horse. The five...

Hayley Barnhill takes the Blue ribbon and multiple prizes. (Photo by Al Cook) Harrisburg, PA - The 2010 Pessoa/USEF Hunter Seat Equitation Medal Final presented by Randolph College was contested on Sunday at the 65th Annual Pennsylvania National Horse Show.The day began with 208 riders performing over a technical course designed and judged by George Morris and Julie Winkel. The first round course began with an oxer followed by a bending line to a split rail fence that foiled many riders who...

Rising to this year's "Let the Games Begin!" theme, the Wisconsin Morgan Horse Club (WMHC) had a winning presence at the 2010 Midwest Horse Fair. Preliminary numbers show that Friday's attendance set a record (18,500) and the total attendance for this year's three-day event exceeded last year's by 4,000 for a total attendance this year of 54,000. This is a great venue for promoting the Morgan breed. The WMHC booth was located near the front of Barn #1, so a maximum number of visitors had the...

Photo Courtesy JRPR (Redwine, owned by Gray Fox Farm and ridden by Peter Pletcher.) The gorgeous black imported Hanoverian stallion Redwine, owned by Jill Burnell and Gray Fox Farm in California, won the Equilite™ 2010 Grooming and Conditioning Award during the prestigious Winter Equestrian Festival. Redwine (Rotspon x Matcho) is being shown at WEF by Peter Pletcher, and was awarded Equilite™ brand products from award sponsor Arenus, makers of animal health products and supplement blends,...

The Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center hosted a very successful teaching clinic recently with George H. Morris, world-renowned trainer, rider, and U.S. Show Jumping Chef d'Equipe. The clinic was also a United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Trainer's Symposium. The clinic, held November 6-8, 2009, was scheduled and organized by Susie Schoellkopf, Executive Director of the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center and head trainer of SBS Farms, Inc., at the Buffalo Equestrian Center. The clinic...

Equestrian Sport Productions has begun the upgrade of both the Gene Mische Grand Hunter Arena and the Rost Arena with the world class "Poels" Footing that is currently installed in the Magavoro, Denemethy, and the International Arenas. Work commenced this week and will be completed by mid-December well in advance of Week 1 of the 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, which begins on January 13, 2010. Equestrian Services International, LLC, a Bart Poels Footing Company, will be installing the...

In recognition of the current economic climate, promoters of all the major winter circuits are examining ways to help exhibitors minimize ancillary expenses in an effort to maximize their opportunities to show and enjoy their winter circuit experiences. While United States Equestrian Federation rules do not mandate braiding, the winter circuit managers from Gulfport, HITS, Jacksonville and the Winter Equestrian Festival have decided to go on record advising all judges that exhibitors who opt...

Morgan trainer Tristanne Weber Childress, 34, of Siler City, NC, passed away March 17, 2008, following a short illness. Weber was born and raised in Colorado where she attended Evergreen High School before moving to Tulsa, OK, to train with her Morgan horses. She attended college while beginning her career as a professional horse trainer. Horses and her husband, Ed Childress, were her passion. Prior to opening her own training facility, Silhouette Training Stables, Weber was trainer at...

HITS is pleased to announce that the Stallion Services Department of the Equine Medical Center of Ocala, FL, will offer the Leading Mare Award to the mare that finishes the highest in the $100,000 DeLuca Toyota Tundra Grand Prix, presented by Great American Insurance Group on Sunday, March 16, at HITS Ocala. The award consists of a free embryo transfer, which will be performed by Dr. Corey Miller, head of reproduction at the Ocala-based veterinary hospital. Any mare based in the United States...

Lexington, Kentucky – The Youth Council is pleased to announce the completed panel of Star Power athletes for the Inaugural Youth Council Convention to be held January 18, 2008 in Louisville, KY. These representatives of the USEF recognized breeds and disciplines have been high profile successful competitors for many years. Karen O’Connor will represent the Eventing discipline. Her most recent successes have been astride the notable Theodore O’Connor, a pony who has accomplished feats that have...