Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation, Inc.® (USEF) invites licensed dressage competitions to apply to become an official 2010 “qualifying competition” for the USEF Dressage Developing Programs and the FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Dressage Championships (NAJYRC). The USEF Developing Programs & the NAJYRC Program include the following: - USEF National Championships for Juniors, Young Riders, & Young Adult “Brentina Cup” - FEI North American Junior & Young Rider...

The United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA), Inc., is pleased to announce that the dates of the 2009 USHJA Emerging Athletes Program Level I Training Sessions, as well as the application process, are now available on the USHJA website at www.ushja.org . Level I Training Sessions will be offered in Zones 1-10 beginning in April. The mission of the Emerging Athletes Program is to develop and implement a system of identifying and nurturing talented young riders by providing them with the...

The North American Anglo-Arabian Horse Association (NAAAHA) has announced the winners of its 2008 High-Point Program for Anglo-Arabians that compete in working hunter, jumper, eventing, dressage, sport horse, conformation, endurance and competitive trail. All shows and rides, whether rated or unrated, counted towards these awards. Hunter/Jumper Champion: FF Irish Vodka/Collier McLeod Reserve: Diamond Jim Kelly/Beth Thomas Third: One More Round/Alexis Starer-Doughty Fourth: Foreign Policy/Kaylan...

Para-equestrian and high school senior Jonathan Wentz will be featured in the television series, The Real Winning Edge , January 10-11. Other areas can find channels and times for airing at www.realwinningedge.com/index.php . Wentz was selected for the show after seeing an article in USEF’s Week in Review in June 2007, "TV Producer searching for Equestrians for New Series," and submitting his bio. The 30-minute show profiles three young achievers who have overcome challenges and each are...

The 34th Hampton Classic Horse Show will be held one week earlier than usual in 2009, running from Sunday, August 23, through Sunday, August 30. The date change, due to the USEF Competition Calendar rotation, is in effect for this year only and means that the horse show will not end on Labor Day weekend as it usually does. "We wanted to be sure to give exhibitors, vendors, sponsors and spectators notice of this change in date in order to make their plans now," said Executive Director Shanette...

With little equines on their minds, members of The American Shetland Pony Club (ASPC) and the American Miniature Horse Registry (AMHR) recently met for their 2008 national convention in Branson. The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), who has been strong supporter of the ASPC throughout 2008, hosted a luncheon during the convention for all the attendees and conducted the USEF Shetland Pony Committee meeting. One of the highlights of the convention was a drawing during the awards banquet...

Mark Leone, George Morris, Mason Phelps and Susie Schoellkopf have signed on again as judges for the 2009 Equestrian Idol Musical Talent Show to benefit The EQUUS Foundation, Inc. New this year, the event will be held at the International Polo Club Palm Beach on Friday (not Saturday) evening, February 6, 2009, in Wellington, FL. Featuring musical performances by talented equestrians, including returning performers, Heather Caristo, Hillary Dobbs, Patricia Griffith, Casey Hodges, Brian...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that Kassidy Peacock of Helotes, TX, has been selected as the recipient of the 2008 USDF Youth Volunteer of the Year Award, presented by The Paddock Saddlery and sponsored by the USDF Youth Executive Board. This prestigious award honors one outstanding youth volunteer who has contributed on a national and local basis to the USDF and dressage. As the recipient of this award, Peacock's name will be engraved on a perpetual trophy,...

WELLINGTON, Fla. (Oct. 31, 2008) – FarmVet, an Internet catalogue company offering horse and pet care products, has announced a new program that benefits the Equestrian Aid Foundation (EAF). The first Tuesday of each month, starting Nov. 4, has been designated as EAF Day where a portion of that day’s proceeds are donated to the EAF. Exact dates are listed at www.equestrianaidfoundation.org. The one-year program enables horse owners and managers to contribute to the EAF through their regular...

Lexington, KY – For the second time in three years, 21-year-old Laura Noyes has topped the United States rankings for the FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final for Young Riders. Noyes and her mount Synchro averaged 72.584% in their two best efforts in the FEI Young Rider Freestyle Test in a CDI-Y during the qualifying period (January 1, 2008 –October 27, 2008), and have earned themselves an invitation to Frankfurt, Germany for the Final, to be held December 18-21. Thanks to the generosity of the event...