The American Saddlebred industry is mourning the loss of longtime Saddlebred breeder and exhibitor Barbara J. Blacklaw, who died Friday morning, January 26, in Palm Springs, CA. Barbara and her husband of nearly 50 years, Bill Blacklaw, operated Singing Hills Stables in Oregon City, OR, for the past 39 years, breeding and training American Saddlebreds. Together their contribution to the Saddlebred industry in the Northwest and across the country has been remarkable. Barbara's love of the...

The purpose of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Young Horse Dressage Training Sessions is to identify and develop top equine dressage talent in the United States for a future career at the FEI level and international competition on U.S. teams. Mirroring the existing high-performance development programs, horses should be actively training and competing and therefore may be invited to participate in training sessions with the aspiration of their participating in the 2007...

Horse Sports by the Bay, Inc., together with Karin Flint of Wellington, FL, have insured the longevity of the Traverse City, MI, summer equestrian festival through the purchase of 84 acres in Acme Township. Official closing documents were signed on Friday, January 5, securing the property for the future horse park. “This is truly a dream come true,” remarked Alexandra Rheinheimer, Horse Sports by the Bay, Inc., co-founder, “and we can’t thank enough all of our sponsors and fellow horse show...

Iron Spring Farm’s Dutch stallion Sir Sinclair has sired a KWPN-approved son from his very first foal crop—Wesley. This impressive bay stallion shows great promise as a dressage horse and was one of only four dressage stallions approved in Holland. Bred and owned by Stal Wijdewormer, Wesley is out of Serrita V by Havidoff. Sir Sinclair is also the sire of 18 star mares from his first crop. This is a nearly unheard of record for a young stallion. “Sir Sinclair is a very special horse,”...

Rick Silvia, owner of Dream Street Stallions, received notification that his Hanoverian stallion, Lullaby, is approved as an elite stallion for 2007 with the American Hanoverian Society (AHS). Prior to his import to the United States, Lullaby earned impressive scores on his 300-day performance testing at Landgestute Celle Stud and holds a lifetime stallion approval from both the Hanoverian and Oldenburg Verbands. This 16.3-hand chestnut stallion brings together the some of the top Hanoverian...

Lexington, KY—The United States Equestrian Federation® (USEF) again asks our competition organizers and managers to consider becoming or continuing to be a part of the very successful Outreach Program which was initiated in 2005. This program has continued to build a productive bridge between the USEF staff, competition organizers, show managers and exhibitors/competitors. This gives USEF staff first hand experience in observing and helping our licensed events, and the opportunity to learn...

The Welsh Pony and Cob Association of California, Inc. (WPCAC), is pleased to invite all interested parties to its second annual pony symposium, to be held in Stockton, CA, on February 9-11, 2007. The WPCAC's annual meeting is also on February 11, 2007, during this event. The event will be held at the Stockton Radisson Hotel, with further information available soon at www.wpcac.com. Stockton is located an hour from Sacramento and two hours from San Francisco, and has a small airport of its own....

The Friesian Horse Association of North America (FHANA) is proud to announce the 2006 Friesian horse inspection circuits. Once a year the Koninklijke Vereniging Het Friesch Paarden-Stamboek (KFPS), the mother registry of the Friesian Horse in the Netherlands, sends inspectors and judges to North America. Three teams of judges will begin in the eastern United States and Canada and visit almost 30 locations during a two-week period. All newborn foals should be presented for ranking within the...

The Nominating Committee of the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) will be meeting in October to finalize its recommendations to the Association’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors for candidates as director for terms commencing in 2007. The Association’s bylaws govern the election procedures each year, explained Alan F. Balch, Executive Secretary. Visit www.saddlebred.com/files/bylaws.pdf to view the Association’s bylaws, in particular Article III, Part II. “The Nominating...

Lexington, KY - On December 2, 2005, the United States Equestrian Federation® (USEF) announced the debut of the USEF Youth Sportsman’s Charter Award. This new program is designed for junior members who are current members of both the USEF and their recognized national affiliate. The youth candidates are to demonstrate an ongoing commitment and dedication to the USEF and their affiliate through the promotion of the horse. This person is to serve as a role model for their peers. The...