The 2008 Nominating Committee of the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) held its first, formal meeting during the Lexington Junior League Horse show, under the direction of Chairwoman Barbara Molland. Also on the committee are Nancy Becker, Vicki Gillenwater, Scott Matton, and Carol Reedy. The duty of the committee is to prepare recommendations for ASHA directors to be elected to three-year terms beginning in February 2009. The Nominating Committee directed the staff of the...

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is now accepting bids to host the 2009 USEF National Pony Championships (Pony Finals). This bid will be for a three-year contract with up to two additional one-year options. To request a bid packet, please contact USEF Director of Hunter and Collegiate Activities Marion Maybank at (859) 225-2033 or via email at [email protected]. Bids are due in the office by the close of business on Friday, June 20, 2008. Any request received after...

Photo by Randi Muster (Alex Matz and his pony, Wise Guy.) A famous jumping name will again be present in the Devon Horse Show catalog. The name is Matz, but this time it isn’t Michael, who showed for many years very successfully at Devon, but his son, Alex. Alex is only 11 years old and he’s only been competing in pony jumpers for a couple of months, but it’s already beginning to look like he’s inherited his famous father’s talent. The first time he ever competed...

On October 18-27, 2007, the U.S. National Arabian & Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show will bid farewell to Albuquerque, NM, and celebrate a weeks worth of riveting competition for both amateur and professional riders or handlers who will be competing in halter, native costume, reining, working cow, cutting, trail, show hack, sidesaddle, park horse, driving, and English, Western and hunter classes. The U.S. Nationals ranks as the most prestigious North American championship in the Arabian...

The Hagyard Challenge Series, a series of seven major show jumping competitions, will continue during the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. The first week of competition, the Kentucky Summer Horse Show, will be held from August 1-5, 2007, with the Kentucky Summer Classic following on August 8-12. The $30,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic Grand Prix classes are scheduled for Thursday, August 2, and Thursday, August 9, in the Sheila C. Johnson Arena. The Hagyard...

(Lexington, KY) – Pending approval of the United States Olympic Committee, the USEF announced today the following combinations to the Show Jumping Team which will represent the United States at the 2007 Pan American Games, July 13-29, 2007 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Rider/Age/Hometown/Horse/Sex/Age/Breed/Owner Lauren Hough/29/Wellington, FL/Casadora/M/11/Dutch Warmblood/ Laura and Meredith Mateo Cara Raether/27/ North Palm Beach, FL/Ublesco/S/10/Trelawny Farms LLC Todd Minikus/45/Loxahatchee,...

Lexington, KY – In continuation of their strong commitment to dressage, Collecting Gaits Farm has elevated their partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) to become title sponsor of the 2007 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions which will be held in Gladstone, NJ on June 14-17. “We are excited that USEF will be able to combine five national dressage championships at one venue this year,” said USEF Managing Director of Dressage Gil Merrick. “It marks...

Lexington, KY – The Arabian Horse Breeders Alliance (AHBA) will be unveiling a new judging and scoring system for Arabian halter classes to help establish a better marketing opportunity for competition. This new scoring system will be showcased at the first annual Arabian Breeders World Cup in Las Vegas April 20-22, 2007. With this new scoring system, the AHBA hopes to enhance the Arabian horse experience by unifying the standard in the halter show ring; invite the participation of world...

The Norwegian Fjord Horse Registry (NFHR) announced a Registration Amnesty period from April 1, 2007, to May 31, 2007. During this period, Fjord horse owners will be able to register their horses at reduced fees. A stated purpose of the NFHR is "establishing and maintaining a registry to collect, record, verify and preserve the pedigrees of purebred Norwegian Fjord horses." The NFHR has a duty to encourage Fjord Horse owners to register their horses. "There appears to be a large number of...

Iron Spring Farm’s popular Friesian stallion Goffert 369 was euthanized Tuesday, February 13, 2007. The Grand Prix competitor colicked, and although every effort was made to save him, the damage was irreparable. Goffert 369, known as “Herbie,” was a beloved spokesman for the Friesian breed. Known for his tremendous athletic ability and intelligence, Goffert had a fan base around the world. In 2004, he performed at the 125th Anniversary Celebration of the Friesian Studbook where more than 10,000...