Lexington, KY — The USA Equestrian Trust is pleased to announce it is now accepting applications for financial grants to non-profit equine organizations to be funded in 2011. Go to https://www.trusthorses.org/grant/request.html and fill out a grant application for the USA Equestrian Trust Grant Program. The deadline is May 2 at 5 p.m. (EST). Despite the continued economic struggles, the Trust's board was pleased to grant nearly $135,000 to seven applicants in 2010. Past recipients of grants...

John Long and Craig Ferrell, M.D. (Riders4Helmet) Lexington, KY - The Riders4Helmets Helmet Safety Symposium held this month in Wellington, FL, was deemed a huge success by participants at the event. Representatives from USEF, USDF, USEA, USHJA, Racing, Polo, Helmet Manufacturers, Helmet Testing Authorities, Leading Equestrians and Medical Experts came together at the symposium with the goal of improving rider safety and went away pledging to work together across the disciplines to do just that....

Meagan Davis and Bentley (Bill Davis) Lexington, KY - At the FEI World Cup Dressage Final for Young Riders, Meagan Davis and Bentley proved their mettle against 14 of the best Young Riders in the world and became the first U.S. pair to qualify for the Freestyle A-final. Competition got underway on Thursday with the Young Rider Team test (Prix St. Georges), which served as a warm-up class. After a challenging warm-up, Davis rode into the arena with confidence and Bentley settled into the test to...

Ceci Butler-Stasiuk (GenieSS, Inc) Lexington, KY - Endurance athlete Ceci Butler-Stasiuk has been named this year's recipient of the Maggy Price Endurance Excellence Trophy, sponsored by Gold Medal Farm and Larry and Valerie Kanavy.This award is given to the endurance athlete who earns the most points in selected Ranking Trials during the ride year. Butler-Stasiuk (Humble, TX) and DJB Cytron Kon JMF, owned by her mother Darolyn Butler, won the Florida Horse Park CEI3* 160km ride in January and...

Rodrigo Pessoa and HH Ashley (Courtesy of the Washington International Horse Show) Oct. 28, 2010 –Brazilian show jumping superstar Rodrigo Pessoa blazed to wins in Thursday’s open jumper classes. Dressed as a Formula One race car driver, he and Palouchin de Ligny won the $20,000 Gambler's Choice Costume Class, and earlier, with HH Ashley, he won the $30,000 class. Plus Kristin Glover and Chase Boggio winners. $20,000 Gambler’s Choice Costume Class (Thursday Evening) The Gambler's Choice Costume...

Kristen Rozycki and Full Circle ((Stockimageservices.com)) Lexington, KY- On a blustery fall day the USEF National CCI1* Championships concluded with some of the United States' best up-and-coming combinations contesting the show jumping phase. Champions were crowned across four separate divisions at the competition that was held in combination with the Hagyard Midsouth Three-Day Event and Team Challenge at the Kentucky Horse Park. Kristen Rozycki (Barrington, IL) claimed the National CC1*...

Sidesaddle Champions Jill Wilson and All Aboard (Al Cook Photo) Harrisburg, Penn. - All Aboard turned in a sidesaddle performance with Jill Wilson today that will be a ride to remember. The 16-year-old grey gelding earned the tricolor during what may be his final Harrisburg championship with Wilson, his Louisa County, Virginia-partner who is moving on to a new horse. Scoring the top points in the Sidesaddle division, All Aboard, owned by Sally Lamb of Gordonsville, Va. turned in flawless trips,...

Lexington, Kentucky - Saddlebred trainer Michael Ray Benn, of Liberty, Missouri, passed away on Friday, October 1, 2010. Benn had been a resident of Liberty for the past seven years and earned his living doing what he loved – training American Saddlebred Horses. He spent his younger years working with Don Hulse and Dale Pugh, and was the head trainer at Callaway Hills Stables in Columbia, Missouri for twelve years, before operating his own training barn in Springfield, Missouri. Most recently...

Lexington, KY - The USHJA International Hunter Derby made its debut to the world this morning, at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Four of the country’s top hunter riders, demonstrated and educated over 1000 spectators about the exciting International Hunter Derby. The course, which demonstrated the tight turns necessary for a handy hunter, a variety of derby fences and the hand gallop, was designed by Bobby Murphy. The USHJA demo riders were: Jen Alfano and Jersey Boy, Peter...

Eirin Bruheim and Qarco V'T Merelsnest (Photo by Connie Kelts) Katy, TX - October 4, 2010 - Nordic Lights Farm continued their streak of success this weekend at the Southwest Fall Classic. Junior riders Eirin and Lene Bruheim showed their talented mounts in the Jumper divisions held at the Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas. Each rider achieved excellent results throughout the weekend and retained their leads in Zone 7. Lene attended the show with NLF Valhall and competed in the High...